Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel—niece of Utah GOP Senator Mitt Romney—once again drew public backlash for her remarks.
McDaniel appeared on Fox News Saturday where she called the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel a "great opportunity" for Republican candidates.
Answering a question from Fox host Griff Jenkins, McDaniel stated:
"I think this is a great opportunity for our candidates to contrast where Republicans have stood with Israel, time and time again, and Joe Biden has been weak."
"And when America is weak, the world is less safe. We're seeing this not just with the war in Ukraine and with an emboldened China, but now with an attack on Israel."
Many found McDaniel's comments very inappropriate.
@Acyn/X
you probably wouldn't describe an attack that killed over a thousand people as "a great opportunity" for the GOP \n\nbut then again, you're not a callous asshole like Ronna McDaniel\n\nshe might wanna run that by the victims' families in Israel & Palestine & see how stoked they are\ud83d\udd95— Neil Lowenthal (@Neil Lowenthal) 1696957200
The Biden White House's Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates posted an official statement in response:
"At least nine Americans have lost their lives in these brutal terrorist attacks against the State of Israel. Hundreds of additional innocent people are dead."
"While apparently some individuals like Ronna McDaniel consider this loss of life and pain a 'great opportunity,' most Americans see it as a horrific tragedy. As the administration provides assistance to the Israeli Defense Force, this is a moment in which all Americans, regardless of political views, should stand shoulder to shoulder with one of our closest allies."
"No one can ever welcome this kind of hideous behavior or try to divide our country when we need to be united. Like President Biden said in his call with Prime Minister Netanyahu the morning of these horrific terrorist attacks, the United States' support for Israel as it defends itself is ‘rock solid and unwavering'."
White House statement on the below:— Andrew Bates (@Andrew Bates) 1696868178
Others concurred with the White House calling McDaniel out for her remarks.
McDaniel was also called insensitive for the enthusiasm displayed during the interview.
Ridiculous that the Chair of the Republican National Committee would call Hamas\u2019 attack on Israel \u201ca great opportunity for our candidates\u201d \u2014 we must collectively condemn these comments, rise above partisanship, and stand united with the people of Israel. https://t.co/SPsDXn7iSl— Mike Levin (@Mike Levin) 1696949387
@DogginTrump/X
@DNCWarRoom Opportunity RONNA? You think this this is a Great Opportunity for Republicans? Innocent people on both sides are being MURDERED and you see this as a Republican Opportunity? Just f*cking quit talking.— RuthSentMe\ud83d\udfe7\u262e\ufe0f\ud83c\udf08\ud83d\ude43 (@RuthSentMe\ud83d\udfe7\u262e\ufe0f\ud83c\udf08\ud83d\ude43) 1696731050
@DNCWarRoom Despicable opportunism.— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@Mrs. Betty Bowers) 1696724673
@DNCWarRoom @BidenHQ Please tell me how this woman for one is still n this job, and secondly, how did she get a raise?— Dianne Callahan (@Dianne Callahan) 1696712025
Others noted how GOP disarray in the House and obstructionism in the Senate were major factors in national security.
@DNCWarRoom It might be time to highlight the fact that GOP Tommy blocked military promotions and the House is closed for business.— AngularEd \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@AngularEd \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1696740583
@DNCWarRoom That's the GOP for you.\n\nNever letting a tragedy or crisis go unexploited for donor dollars and clickbait.— Steve F. (@Steve F.) 1696725990
@DNCWarRoom And she says it out loud as if it is not the most disgusting and shameful comment EVER. Using a tragedy for political gain is despicable. She sickens me.— Nadine Stark (@Nadine Stark) 1696765587
@DNCWarRoom Trump endorsed this person for a 4th term as RNC Chair— Reno Ciccotta (@Reno Ciccotta) 1696850395
@DNCWarRoom @BidenHQ The GOP has no shame.— Christopher Hale (@Christopher Hale) 1696711629
@DNCWarRoom GOD could she be any more tone-deaf and useless?— HoR_Emperor (@HoR_Emperor) 1696801802
@AndrewJBates46 A host of Republicans saw this attack on Israel as opportunity to spend the 3-day weekend flooding social media with lies and bashing @POTUS & our State Dept. It should come as no surprise since their hero, Trump, saw 9/11 as a chance to say he now had the tallest building in NY.— Bill Kennedy (@Bill Kennedy) 1696880051
McDaniel attempted to blame Democratic President Joe Biden throughout Saturday's Fox interview while offering no solutions or suggestions.
Many in the Republican Party have been accused of focusing on how the attacks can benefit their party politically, rather than focusing on the victims.