CNN's Jake Tapper confronts Rep. Jasmine Crockett over her response to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's physical appearance attack, accusing Crockett of engaging in similar behavior.
CNN's Jake Tapper has called out Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett for her response to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's attack on her physical appearance, claiming that Crockett's actions mirrored those of Greene herself. The confrontation occurred during an interview on Sunday, where Tapper questioned Crockett's decision to trademark the phrase "bleach blonde bad built butch body" for merchandise sales.
Crockett had used the phrase in retaliation to Greene's insult about her eyelashes during a heated House Oversight Committee meeting. However, Tapper argued that Crockett's response, which included seeking to profit from the incident, was unprofessional and hypocritical.
"You're doing the same thing that Marjorie Taylor Greene did. You're attacking someone's physical appearance," Tapper said. "It's not okay. It's not right."
Crockett defended her actions, stating that she was exercising her First Amendment rights and seeking to raise funds for the Democratic Party. She also accused Greene of racism, citing her comment about her eyelashes.
"I'm not going to sit here and take abuse from Marjorie Taylor Greene or anyone else," Crockett said. "I'm going to fight back."
Greene responded to Crockett's accusations, denying any racial motivation and highlighting Crockett's fundraising efforts.
"The only person who has made this about color is Jasmine Crockett when she attacked MTG's hair," Greene's spokesperson said.
The incident has sparked a broader debate about the ethics of using personal insults in political discourse. Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, warned against linking committee actions to campaign contributions.
"There is an ethics principle that no solicitation of a campaign or political contribution may be linked to an action taken or to be taken by a member or employee in his or her official capacity," Raskin said.
Crockett's office defended her actions, arguing that they did not violate ethics rules.
"In contrast, Rep. Crockett did not engage in an official act merely by saying these six words and one would be hard pressed to find how these six words could be found as one," Crockett's office stated.
The confrontation between Tapper and Crockett highlights the ongoing tension over the use of personal attacks in politics. As the midterm elections approach, it remains to be seen whether such tactics will continue to be used by candidates and commentators alike.
