A few media outlets have suggested Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul made light of the chaos in Baltimore, Md., during an interview Tuesday with conservative radio host Laura Ingraham.
When asked about the turmoil, spurred by the recent death of a black man who mysteriously died while in police custody, Paul expressed dismay at the state of Baltimore.
“It’s depressing, it’s sad, it’s scary,” the Kentucky senator said. “I came [through Baltimore on] the train last night. I’m glad the train didn’t stop.” At this point he let out what sounded like a resigned laugh.
Some publications interpreted Paul’s laugh as flippant rather than rueful, however.
The New York Times said Paul sounded “oddly off-key” and was “chuckling.”
Mother Jones, a left-leaning news outlet, wrote that Paul was “laughing at his own unfunny joke.”
The Huffington Post said Paul was “laughing” during his comment.
Paul’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
