Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich caused a pretty awkward moment on Fox News this past Wednesday, September 16, when he brought up George Soros during an incensed rant.
The hosts of Outnumbered quickly jumped in to keep Soros out of the conversation. The liberal billionaire is at the center of many unhinged conservative conspiracy theories which can often become anti-semitic in tone.
Gingrich seemed shocked that the Fox hosts were pushing back against his rant.
What followed was an incredibly awkward pause.
Newt Gingrich: "The number one problem in almost all the cities is George Soros-elected, left-wing, antipolice pro-… https://t.co/uImmccUUmg— Justin Baragona (@Justin Baragona) 1600273961.0
People online were also a bit shocked Fox News pushed back against another Soros-based conspiracy theory, considering their track record.
Jeez, where does @newtgingrich come up with this stuff? https://t.co/4mDPKdluHk— Eddie Zipperer (@Eddie Zipperer) 1600346163.0
@justinbaragona Can @newtgingrich be more anti-Semitic?— Bernard Silverman (@Bernard Silverman) 1600288017.0
Others wondered why conservatives are so worried about George Soros all the time when they have billionaire donors of their own.
@justinbaragona Look at all these zealots for DJT and Q. You want to look at billionaires who have had actual, prov… https://t.co/IWfCHyjhJt— Augustus. NOT Gloop. (@Augustus. NOT Gloop.) 1600288775.0
@justinbaragona I really don’t understand this whole “Soros is behind literally everything” when the Koch brothers… https://t.co/LInYLO2hVv— Leigh Sloane (@Leigh Sloane) 1600289489.0
@justinbaragona Soros: a convenient boogeyman for angry people let down by politicians - assisted of course by cyni… https://t.co/6PSbwI2jPb— Mat (@Mat) 1600289431.0
What would Fox News be if the guests didn't feel the need to attack some dark, scary bogeyman?
@justinbaragona So they’ve moved on from ‘Crooked Hillary’ and Obama to Soros. The GOP invent bogeymen and sadly, i… https://t.co/XIybZs9jJZ— Dame Rose (@Dame Rose) 1600288556.0
@justinbaragona @NotHoodlum In case anybody is ever confused why they bring up George Soros all the time, it's beca… https://t.co/KIVxMoawJp— Lard of Dorkness (@Lard of Dorkness) 1600298568.0
Others on Twitter wondered why, given his track record, anyone still takes the opinions of Newt Gingrich seriously.
@justinbaragona @davidfrum Why is Newt listened to at all?— Dogmistress (@Dogmistress) 1600291119.0
@justinbaragona @katz_mum For the life of me, I can't understand why Newt Gingrich is on TV or why anyone would ask… https://t.co/xHvmYgK8qG— Random Reality Check (@Random Reality Check) 1600276785.0
@justinbaragona Ha! I’m surprised they’re even desperate enough to feature Newt at all. He’s the Republican who in… https://t.co/gh3gFXuVUC— marguerite volonts (@marguerite volonts) 1600333370.0
It seems even Fox News gets tired of the same conspiracy theories repeated ad nauseam.
@justinbaragona In 2012 Sheldon Adelson gave this man tens of millions and kept his zombie primary campaign alive f… https://t.co/7AqNcPGGdp— Forever believe in the principles of democracy. (@Forever believe in the principles of democracy.) 1600310500.0
@justinbaragona Newt ought to know what's verboten. He's the one trying to stir up problems and drive conspiracy th… https://t.co/I7UyLbkOJq— Jayne Cudzil (@Jayne Cudzil) 1600301572.0
Perhaps the next time Gingrich appears on television, he'll try to keep to the facts.