Look up the definition of "lie" in the dictionary. M-W has "2. to create a false or misleading impression". That was his intent. In fact, the example given at m-w.com is perfectly appropriate: "lied his way out of trouble".
I know, but the sheeple are seeing it as tit-for-tat. It's much better tactically, IMHO, to label Clarke as spinning wildly, and his case as insubstantial. Branding him a liar allows him to play the victim and distract from the weakness of his claims.