CNN host Brianna Keilar received criticism over her comments on the U.S. Marines positioned behind President Joe Biden during his speech.
During his primetime speech on Thursday night in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Marines could be seen standing behind Biden in the distance.
Nothing screams unity like a backdrop of blood red lighting and Marines positioned behind Biden as he shouts with raised clenched fists from the podium. pic.twitter.com/ZkjUPGF0WN
— Mia Cathell (@MiaCathell) September 2, 2022
Responding to the image, Keilar tweeted, “Whatever you think of this speech the military is supposed to be apolitical. Positioning Marines in uniform behind President Biden for a political speech flies in the face of that.”
She added, “It’s wrong when Democrats do it. It’s wrong when Republicans do it.”
Whatever you think of this speech the military is supposed to be apolitical. Positioning Marines in uniform behind President Biden for a political speech flies in the face of that. It’s wrong when Democrats do it. It’s wrong when Republicans do it.
— Brianna Keilar (@brikeilarcnn) September 2, 2022
Keilar’s comments sparked criticism from users on Twitter.
One user wrote, “When you’ve lost Brianna Keilar…”
When you've lost Brianna Keilar… https://t.co/AducXCsCYp
— Hammer and Nigel (@hammerandnigel) September 2, 2022
Another wrote, “It wasn’t a political speech.. it was a speech given as part of the Oath POTUS took and the oath those Marines, just like your husband took, to defend the Constitution.. that’s not political, that’s the job.”
It wasn't a political speech.. it was a speech given as part of the Oath POTUS took and the oath those Marines, just like your husband took, to defend the Constitution.. that's not political, that's the job https://t.co/d9092PKAKL
— Shannon in Ohio 4 (@ShannonFreshour) September 2, 2022
Check out more responses below:
https://twitter.com/ParkerMolloy/status/1565580077433225218
The new CNN is trying super hard to be “fair and balanced” and Brianna doesn’t want the axe 😂 https://t.co/wE5VJPGpNU
— Jenna Ellis (@realJennaEllis) September 2, 2022
https://twitter.com/goldietaylor/status/1565520002098384897
half the stuff in this lady’s bio is about being married to an Army guy. I feel like we could’ve offered more resistance to people making that a whole identity with a name. I wouldn’t guess you’re that if you didn’t tell me. can’t be that unique https://t.co/HZyC4uWVMS
— Lead Actor from Pixar’s Sodas (@ByYourLogic) September 2, 2022
Brianna Keilar’s role at CNN will also be interesting to watch https://t.co/6A9bfqYRhq
— Jeremy Barr (@jeremymbarr) September 2, 2022
The president received significant mockery and criticism for the background of his speech, as IJR reported.
Founder of Barstool Sports Dave Portnoy tweeted, “Everytime I think Biden and crew can’t be dumber they outdo themselves. Seriously who gives a speech warning people about how dangerous Republicans are to Democracy while having a background that looks like the Soviet Union and Hitler had a baby?”
Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted, “Standing in front of a hellish red background Biden called half the country, the MAGA Republicans ‘threats’ [and] ‘clear and present dangers.'”
She continued, “Then he says, ’empathy is the fuel of democracy-the willingness to see each other not as enemies but as fellow Americans…’!!!”
In his speech, Biden repeatedly went after “MAGA Republicans.”
“Too much of what’s happening in our country today is not normal. Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic,” Biden said.