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Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy, known for making unsubstantiated claims, offered her theory about who can be blamed for the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan.
The answer?
Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States.
Campos-Duffy made the claim during a segment about President Joe Biden's approval ratings, which have slipped somewhat since the Taliban seized power.
Campos-Duffy of MTV Real World fame, who is married to former Republican Congressman Sean Duffy also of MTV's Real World, implied the First Lady was aware of President Biden's "frail" mental health yet allowed him to assume office anyway.
"When you look at what's hurting America, when you look at this lack of leadership, and you wonder, who are the people responsible for putting someone this incompetent and frankly this, you know, mentally frail in this position?"
"I'm sorry, as a political spouse, I can't help but look at Jill Biden."
She then made a point of emphasizing the First Lady's title:
"No one knew better his state of mind than Dr. Jill Biden."
Campos-Duffy did not note the First Lady holds a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in educational leadership from the University of Delaware, not in medicine.
She concluded:
"And if you ask me, the most patriotic thing Jill Biden could have done was tell her husband―to love her husband―and not let him run in this mental state that he's in."
"I think she failed the country as well."
There is no evidence the First Lady was responsible for the Trump negotiated agreement to withdraw from Afghanistan or for releasing thousands of Taliban leaders from prison.
Despite the withdrawal and arrangements made with the Taliban being completed during the Trump presidency, Campos-Duffy didn't place blame on Melania Trump.
Campos-Duffy's statements were widely condemned.
Her most prominent critic thus far is Michael LaRosa, the First Lady's press secretary, who demanded she and Fox News issue an apology.
This is disgusting. @RCamposDuffy and @FoxNews know better. They can do better and their viewers deserve better. I hope they'll apologize to the First Lady and leave this kind of talk in thewhere it belongs.https://twitter.com/HuffPost/status/1429661064048873472\u00a0\u2026— Michael LaRosa (@Michael LaRosa) 1629725396
Others also criticized Campos-Duffy both for making her unsubstantiated claims after supporting Trump and for slighting the First Lady's credentials.
If I wanted political analysis from a cast member of the Real World I would sooner turn to Johnny Bananas before I would listen to anything that came out of Rachel Campos-Duffy's mouth. #JillBiden— Steve \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@Steve \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1629676447
So, it's a woman's fault? I agree! @MELANIATRUMP should have never let that racist, lying, piece of shit husband of hers ever run for president!https://twitter.com/HuffPost/status/1429661064048873472\u00a0\u2026— Dr. Strangelove (@Dr. Strangelove) 1629698726
If mega-bullshitter Rachel Campos-Duffy wants to blame Jill Biden for "allowing" Biden to run for President then we should all be able to blame every woman for the shit-show that would occur when they voted for Dummy in 2016.— KT (@KT) 1629682037
It's disturbing to know that millions of impressionable, weak-minded Fox News viewers will believe Rachel Campos-Duffy's nonsensical claims that the conflict in Afghanistan is the fault of @DrBiden. \n\nLet's blame Jill Biden for The Golden Girls series finale while we're at it— Elgin Charles (@Elgin Charles) 1629674651
Rachel Campos-Duffy should keep @FLOTUS\u2019s name out her mouth. Dr. Jill Biden is head-and-shoulders above a Real World/Road Rules alum.— Rex Zane (@Rex Zane) 1629726693
There are a lot of very valid criticisms to be made regarding Joe Biden\u2019s handling of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. As Fox & Friends cohost Rachel Campos-Duffy proved this weekend, Fox News is not the place to find any of them.https://www.themarysue.com/fox-news-says-jill-biden-to-blame-for-afghanistan/\u00a0\u2026— The Mary Sue (@The Mary Sue) 1629813600
WTF\n\nSuch disrespect to #FLOTUS Biden - but are we surprised - the bottom fell out long ago.\n\nAll right wing media gets away with so much, especially being like Kremlin state media, for criminal monster TFG & GQP. \n\nHow do they with straight face justify criticizing #Biden46?!https://twitter.com/HuffPost/status/1429661064048873472\u00a0\u2026— artemis888\ud83c\udf10 @SenateDems - do filibuster carve out (@artemis888\ud83c\udf10 @SenateDems - do filibuster carve out) 1629783018
This has very strong "it's your fault if your man cheats on you" energyhttps://www.thewrap.com/fox-news-host-rachel-campos-duffy-tries-to-blame-jill-biden-for-afghanistan-crisis-video/\u00a0\u2026— Heidi - Boring, but Radical (@Heidi - Boring, but Radical) 1629724363
Neither Fox News nor Campos-Duffy have responded to the backlash.
Campos-Duffy's claim President Biden is "mentally frail" is a favorite talking point in conservative circles.
However, claims President Biden has a cognitive impairment are unfounded.
In September 2020, ABC News reported the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) withheld intelligence warning of Russian disinformation attacking Biden to promote "allegations about poor mental health."
The intelligence bulletin, titled "Russia Likely to Denigrate Health of US Candidates to Influence 2020 Election," said American intelligence determined Russian operatives are sowing disinformation to convince the American electorate Biden has dementia and would be unfit to serve in office.