Cenk Uygur, co-founder of the Young Turks, called Republicans “sociopaths” in a tweet about coronavirus relief negotiations.
“You’re right that Republicans are sociopaths,” the liberal pundit said late Monday in response to a tweet that used the slur. “But yes, it’s literally Democrat leadership’s job to get more out of them [during congressional negotiations].”
You’re right that Republicans are sociopaths, but yes, it’s literally Democrat leadership’s job to get more out of them. 88% of Americans wanted $1,200 direct checks. If you can’t win on that, you kinda suck at your job. It would be journalistic malpractice not to point that out. https://t.co/hHebbpBPjz
— Cenk Uygur (@cenkuygur) December 22, 2020
Uygur, who was defeated during the 2020 primaries in his bid to be elected to California’s 25th Congressional District, is no stranger to controversy. Sen. Bernie Sanders originally endorsed his candidacy but retracted his support once Uygur’s blog posts from the early 2000s, which were described as “disturbingly sexist and racist,” were uncovered.
“.@cenkuygur has been a longtime fighter against corruption. However, our movement is bigger than any one person. I hear my supporters who were frustrated and understand their concerns,” Sanders wrote in his retraction. “Cenk today said he is rejecting all endorsements for his campaign and I retract my endorsement.?”
.@cenkuygur has been a longtime fighter against corruption. However, our movement is bigger than any one person. I hear my supporters who were frustrated and understand their concerns. Cenk today said he is rejecting all endorsements for his campaign and I retract my endorsement.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 13, 2019
The most recent round of name-calling from the California Democrat comes amid fallout from another liberal political figure’s decision to use vulgar language in describing political opponents. In spite of President-elect Joe Biden’s calls for unity, his incoming White House deputy chief of staff, Jen O’Malley Dillon, came under fire recently for insulting Republicans during a recent interview with Glamor magazine.
“In the primary, people would mock him, like, ‘You think you can work with Republicans?’ I’m not saying they’re not a bunch of f—ers. Mitch McConnell is terrible,” she said. “But this sense that you couldn’t wish for that, you couldn’t wish for this bipartisan ideal? He rejected that.”
Dillon’s colleagues were quick to defend her remarks, with incoming White House press secretary Jen Psaki arguing that the quote “needs more context.” Although Biden communications director Kate Bedingfield acknowledged that Dillon had used “spicy language,” she maintained in a tweet on Wednesday that “the point she was making…is spot on.”
So @jomalleydillon would be the first to tell you her mom doesn’t approve of the spicy language, but I would be the first to tell you that the point she was making in this conversation with @GlennonDoyle is spot on: unity and healing are possible — and we can get things done. pic.twitter.com/HOVVDbY42K
— Kate Bedingfield (@KBeds) December 16, 2020
Many Republicans aren’t buying these justifications. Dillon was roundly criticized by those on the Right, with Trump campaign deputy communications director Matt Wolkng sarcastically tweeting, “So much healing.”
Journalist Megyn Kelly cheekily issued a command to her followers who were offended by the smear: “Unite you F—ers!
Unite you F*ckers! https://t.co/N8YQY0VIJ6
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) December 16, 2020
