Twitter Furious at CNN for Chyron Mentioning ‘Alt-Right Founder’ That Asks ‘If Jews Are People’
CNN Anchor Jake Tapper Called It ‘Unacceptable’
In a segment focused on the words of white supremacist leader Richard Spencer late Monday afternoon, CNN’s chyron read: “ALT-RIGHT FOUNDER QUESTIONS IF JEWS ARE PEOPLE.”Â
It was a stunning summary of Spencer’s comments, which CNN posted as reading:
“One wonders if these people are people at all, or instead soulless golem,” which The New York Times quoted today, noting that “golem” refers “to a Jewish fable about the golem, a clay giant that a rabbi brings to life to protect the Jews.”
The CNN host called Spencer’s words, “hate-filled garbage.”
Here is the segment. That chryon. These times. pic.twitter.com/5vXn5GM7ll
— Colin Jones (@colinjones) November 21, 2016
The panel discussion debated whether or not Trump should denounce white supremacists, whom CNN is still calling the “alt-right.”
(Note: NCRM and most other news outlets used the term “alt-right” as it came into the national discussion but we have decided that it merely re-brands white nationalism and white supremacism, and will no longer use it.)
People on Twitter are furious at the cable news network for the wording of the chyron, for the chyron not denouncing the question, and for the continued normalization of white supremacy. Â
On Twitter, many denounced CNN, first because the quote was not specifically about Jews (it was actually about about the media,) and second because the segment was seen as normalizing the views of white supremacism and Donald Trump:
Congrats @CNN. Five Reifenstars for you https://t.co/tJsp3qdP1i
— Katherine Stewart (@kathsstewart) November 21, 2016
A week after the election, @CNN is discussing whether or not Jews are people. #NotNormal https://t.co/gbI51mGwpG
— Jena Friedman (@JenaFriedman) November 21, 2016
CNN is ACTUALLY DEBATING the merits of whether or not Donald Trump should denounce whether “In fact, Jews are human beings.†pic.twitter.com/GP2LZVfGaH
— Joon Lee (@iamjoonlee) November 21, 2016
I love that CNN still won’t call them Neo Nazis. “Are Jews people,” asks fun, fresh-faced organization. https://t.co/6Iz67JfIcI
— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) November 21, 2016
Hey @CNN, when they question if Jews are people, it’s okay to call them Nazis. https://t.co/MvDu0UHAC3
— kat calvin (@KatCalvinLA) November 21, 2016
Pro tip @CNN – if they ask “are Jews people” then you can stop calling them “alt-right” and start calling them Nazis.
— John Paul Davis (@youngkingrabbit) November 21, 2016
“Are Jews People?” is now a question in mainstream discourse but let’s have a hundred more thinkpieces on how fighting for minorities is bad
— Internet Of Things (@abradacabla) November 21, 2016
There isn’t a context that makes “Are Jews people?” an okay thing to say, kiddos.
— Ian Karmel (@IanKarmel) November 21, 2016
How did we go from almost electing our first female president to “ARE JEWS PEOPLE?” in two weeks? https://t.co/wfUvHG7dC2
— Drew Schnoebelen (@Dschnoeb) November 21, 2016
Are Jews people? Find out after the break on CNNhttps://t.co/DO8pNwo3gs pic.twitter.com/asIDYtJuDV
— Cory Doctorow (@doctorow) November 21, 2016
FUTURE CNN HEADLINES:
Did The Jews Kill JFK Or Just Maim Him?
Black People Sure Can Dance
Shooting Muslims Into Space: Kinda Bad Or Meh?— Sam Grittner (@SamGrittner) November 21, 2016
CNN’s own Jake Tapper stepped up, calling it “unacceptable”:
@jryanlaw @katzish @mateagold @mviser the chyron was unacceptable and though I’m off today we are handling this.
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) November 21, 2016
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |