White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is facing ongoing criticism for a comment she posted [1] on Twitter last August that is being rightly called out as “homophobic.” Psaki, formerly a paid contributor for CNN and she has served as a communications director Obama administration. That post enabled her to offer valuable insights into the messaging strategies and tactics employed inside the Trump administration, according to Mediaite. [2]
So one would think she’d be astutely able to avoid making controversial comments. And while she is almost certainly head and shoulders above Kayleigh McEnany, the recently departed press secretary, her post aimed at Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is highly offensive.
The tweet I’m referring to is this:
only in 2020 does #LadyG [3] get to push a bunch of debunked conspiracy theories while questioning @SallyQYates [4] (aka an American hero)
— Jen Psaki (@jrpsaki) August 5, 2020 [5]
Some progressives have used the derisive hashtag #LadyG to mock the senator, who went from being one of President Donald Trump’s biggest critics to one of his most ardent supporters. The suggestion behind this crude hashtag is that Graham is closeted and worried that Trump will out him as homosexual. Graham, a bachelor, has repeatedly denied he is gay. Frankly, that’s something that by now, shouldn’t even matter. We all need to be bigger than this and knock it off with the labels.
And for many people, “LadyG” is offensive. The world of identity politics is changing rapidly and while I think Psaki will do well in her new job, this is something she needs to be made aware of.
In other words, no one would mind if she offered an apology. Graham is possibly the most annoying human in the U.S. but even he doesn’t deserve something like this. I’m the last person on Earth to ever agree with conservatives but many of them are taking her to task over this and I can’t blame them.
Former Acting Director of National Intelligence under Trump Richard Grenell believes Psaki must apologize to the gay community.
Homophobia and intolerance from the Left is growing.
This should be widely condemned. @PressSec [6] https://t.co/94GW0Xzaoq [7]
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) February 3, 2021 [8]
. @PressSec [6] should apologize to the gay community. This is the type of demeaning language we should all be against. This isn’t partisan. @jrpsaki [9] https://t.co/jbzhbuHp2N [10]
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) February 2, 2021 [11]
Others feel the same way. Here’s a sampling below.
I do believe you owe a certain @LindseyGrahamSC [12] an apology.
Do better. #NotMyPressSecretary [13]
— FriendlyNeighborhoodTroll (@FrNeTr6) February 5, 2021 [14]
Well done @POTUS [15] Nice choice for your administration. Homophobia is cool, if you a Dem. Apparently.
— Chris Tsotsoros (@ctsotsoros) February 5, 2021 [16]
Thank you @jrpsaki [9] for getting Republicans to finally support the LGBTQ+ community. To all the haters: She's our new hero. ❤️ U Jen
— Wave & Web (@waveandweb) February 5, 2021 [17]
Well this hasn’t aged well…..
— JP (@diablopilot1) February 5, 2021 [18]
Are you gonna circle back on this one chief?
— VCD (@dcelaya14) February 4, 2021 [19]
Let's not play their TOXIC gameS……PLEASE DELETE AND RiSE ABOVE.
— 🆘mammawatchdog ✒️🗳️ (@redtiegrifters) February 4, 2021 [20]
This is a pretty tone deaf thing to leave up when you profess to be a part of the most inclusive administration in history. https://t.co/1CrvLo4bz8 [21]
— Virginia Kruta (@VAKruta) February 3, 2021 [22]
Did she really refer to @LindseyGrahamSC [12] as LadyG?
I guess this is “decency” we all were promised. https://t.co/sI7kcvtac8 [23]
— Will Ricciardella (@WillRicci) February 3, 2021 [24]
She shouldn’t be fired for this, cancel culture is always wrong.
But Jen needs to do better, and issue an heartfelt apology. https://t.co/Luh0hAwqhh [25]
— Donagh Corby (@DonaghCorby_) February 3, 2021 [26]