White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham raised some eyebrows on Monday after she accused Democrats of “parroting Iranian talking points and almost taking the side of terrorists” in a Fox News interview.
Grisham — who has never held a press briefing but is instead a regular presence on Fox News — was responding to criticism after President Donald Trump retweeted an image of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in a hijab and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in a turban in front of an Iranian flag.
The White House press secretary said, “I think the president is making clear that the Democrats are, have been, parroting Iranian talking points and almost taking the side of terrorists and those who were out to kill the Americans. I think the president was making the point that the Democrats seem to hate him so much that they’re willing to be on the side of countries and leadership of countries who want to kill Americans.”
Here’s a clip of her remarks:
Stephanie Grisham on Trump retweeting an image mocking how Muslims dress: "I think the president is making clear that Democrats are parroting Iranian talking points and almost taking the side of terrorists and those who were out to kill Americans." 😳 pic.twitter.com/zCY6xUUj9p
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 13, 2020
Schumer responded to a story about the president’s attack on him by asking Trump, “How low can you go?” He also asked Republicans, “How long can you cover up for and defend the president’s actions.”
President Trump: How low can you go?
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 13, 2020
Republicans: How long can you cover up for and defend the president’s actions? https://t.co/MZElghurAM
The idea that Democrats are sympathizing with the Iranian regime and the terrorist organizations that it supports has been a common talking point among some Republicans.
During an interview last week, Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) also said that Democrats are sympathizing with terrorists, saying, “They’re in love with terrorists, we see that, they mourn Soleimani more than they mourn our Gold Star families who are the ones who suffered under Soleimani.”
Collins later apologized for that remark, tweeting, “I do not believe Democrats are in love with terrorists, and I apologize for what I said earlier this week.”