White House Spox Calls On GOP House Leadership to Condemn ‘Virulent Antisemitism’ From Kentucky Republican

AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) kicked off a firestorm of controversy on Tuesday when he posted a meme widely condemned as anti-Semitic for suggesting some kind of “Zionist” control of Congress. The White House publicly accused Massie of “virulent antisemitism” and called on House GOP leadership to condemn him.

The meme showed two images of the rapper Drake. One image is used to show “Congress These Days” dismissing “American Patriotism” and the other is used to depict “Congress These Days” embracing “Zionism” instead.

White House Deputy Communications Director Herbie Ziskend replied to the meme, “All Americans – including @HouseGOP leadership – should condemn this virulent Antisemitism from a sitting member of Congress.”

Andrew Bates, the White House deputy press secretary, tweeted out a meme of his own depicting Massie embracing, “Antisemitism.”

Halie Sofier, the head of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, added, “Last week, Republican @RepThomasMassie was the only member of Congress to vote against a resolution recognizing Israel’s right to exist & condemning Hamas. This week, he’s invoking antisemitic tropes (& Drake) to claim Congress is blinded by support of Israel. Shame on him.”

Massie was the only member of Congress last week to vote against a resolution that included language that stated, “The House of Representatives reaffirms the State of Israel’s right to exist, recognizes that denying Israel’s right to exist is a form of antisemitism, rejects calls for Israel’s destruction and the elimination of the only Jewish State and condemns the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel.”

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) voted present on the resolution.

The head of the ADL Jonathan Greenblatt replied, “This post plays right into the antisemitic trope that Jews are disloyal or have dual loyalty. Newsflash: Jews can be both patriotic Americans and proud Zionists — I know I am. Leaders from both sides of the aisle — and throughout society — should condemn this ugly antisemitism.”

Massie also received condemnation from the right. Matt Brooks, the head of the Republican Jewish Coalition, wrote, Let me be crystal clear on this. This post is antisemetic. Plain and simple. Shame on you @RepThomasMassie. You’re a disgrace to the US Congress and to the Republican Party.”

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