COMICSANDS
percolately
georgetakei
secondnexus
george's picks
Newsmax, the extremist, far-right news network that devotes most of its time and energy to praising Donald Trump and attacking President Joe Biden, made a major misstep on Thursday, May 13.
During a segment criticizing President Biden's response to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, host Grant Stinchfield claimed Israel was the "home country" of American Jewish people.
You can see the moment here:
Newsmax host: "If you are Jewish and you are a Democrat and you are living in America today, how do you support an… https://t.co/cEJqQVxS7y— Jason Campbell (@Jason Campbell) 1620913194.0
The statement received immediate backlash for being antisemitic.
There’s the “dual-loyalty” trope, and then there’s Newsmax’s Grant Stinchfield saying that American Jews aren’t act… https://t.co/XW1TE1vSfY— Parker Molloy (@Parker Molloy) 1620924134.0
Obviously, Jews born in the United States are US citizens and consider the USA their home country.
@JasonSCampbell Jew here. Care deeply about Israel. My wife was born there. Israel isn't my home country. 100% American.— Josh Marshall (@Josh Marshall) 1620915746.0
If you're Jewish and a Democrat and living in America today, congratulations, you're Jewish and a Democrat and living in America today— Jane Coaston (@Jane Coaston) 1620914259.0
@JasonSCampbell @mmfa Anti-Semitic concern-trolling.— Matthew Rettenmund (@Matthew Rettenmund) 1620916624.0
Stinchfield has gotten into similar trouble before for claiming there's a "strong case" President Biden is "not really a Catholic."
Also this seems like a fun way to imply that being Jewish means that you are required to hold a certain opinion abo… https://t.co/XISEjGtAbI— Jane Coaston (@Jane Coaston) 1620914961.0
Assuming👏American👏Jews👏have 👏an👏allegiance👏to👏Israel👏is👏anti👏Semitic https://t.co/B4KjNYQ7Mk— Will swart (@Will swart) 1620915814.0
@JasonSCampbell I'm a Jew. I care deeply about Israel, although I've never once visited. It's not my "home country.… https://t.co/m0qH7vVekJ— Russell Drew (@Russell Drew) 1620914972.0
After facing intense backlash from all sides, Stinchfield was removed from the air.
He was replaced temporarily by Eric Bolling, the former Fox News host who was suspended from the network after sexual harassment allegations.
It's usually the anti-semitic people who think American Jews *must* support Israel without question. Newsmax's Gra… https://t.co/1d0Ixfd75X— Jake Lobin (@Jake Lobin) 1620918864.0
In Russia, Russians didn't consider Russian Jews Russian. The result—pogroms. In Germany, Germans didn't consider… https://t.co/g6jQ4mlgrY— Seth Abramson (@Seth Abramson) 1620919542.0
@JoyousPanther @JasonSCampbell Ditto. There's a distant branch of my paternal GM's family in Israel, I've never spo… https://t.co/QC2n0Tz0zm— ✡️ MG ✡️ #LetsGetToWork #BidenAgenda (@✡️ MG ✡️ #LetsGetToWork #BidenAgenda) 1620913600.0
Many pointed out Stinchfield was spreading common antisemitic rhetoric in the guise of kindness towards the Jewish community.
@JasonSCampbell I'm Jewish. I was born and raised in Wisconsin, I've lived in Illinois and Missouri, and I'm living… https://t.co/pgdZHN6NkB— Alex Basson 💉💉🎉 (@Alex Basson 💉💉🎉) 1620914908.0
When @stinchfield1776 calls Israel the "home country" of Jewish Americans, he's explicitly saying that Jewish Ameri… https://t.co/iGBlTvUKz6— Noah Smith 🐇 (@Noah Smith 🐇) 1620928840.0
A Jewish person can care about what's happening in Israel while still considering themselves American just like the descendants of Italian immigrants can care about Italy.
This shouldn't need to be pointed out.
When someone on the far right tells American Jews that Israel is our "home country," what is being said is, "You do… https://t.co/uTBCEVn5jZ— Mark Harris (@Mark Harris) 1620926256.0
republicans have a special ability to end up being antisemitic while attempting to pander to american jews https://t.co/ZrLkr7azPs— Right Wing Cope (@Right Wing Cope) 1620926180.0
It's unclear whether Newsmax will allow Stinchfield to return to the airwaves anytime soon.
Even if he does, many viewers will likely have a hard time forgetting this uncomfortable moment.