CNN anchor Jake Tapper questioned the patriotism of a Republican congressman who lost both legs serving in Afghanistan.
“Congressman Brian Mast… who lost his legs by the way fighting for democracy abroad, although I don’t know — about his commitment to it here in the United States,” Tapper said about Rep. Brian Mast during coverage of the vote to impeach President Trump, which was ultimately successful for the second time.
Jake Tapper:
“Congressman Brian Mast… who lost his legs by the way fighting for democracy abroad, although I don’t know — about his commitment to it here in the United States” pic.twitter.com/GidrZHUzOe
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 13, 2021
Mast, who represents Florida’s 18th Congressional District, lost both legs while serving in the United States Army as an explosive ordnance disposal technician in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Tapper’s comment immediately drew the ire of conservatives on social media.
“This might be the most vile thing ever said on cable news,” podcaster Dave Rubin tweeted. “Tapper was CNN’s last hope and he turned out to be the absolute worst.”
This might be the most vile thing ever said on cable news.
Tapper was CNN’s last hope and he turned out to be the absolute worst. https://t.co/ePR1gXaUh1
— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) January 13, 2021
“This is DISGUSTING,” Trump campaign social media director Mike Hahn tweeted. “CNN’s Jake Tapper just questioned Rep. Brian Mast’s commitment to American democracy. Rep. Mast is a veteran and lost both of his legs while serving this country.”
This is DISGUSTING.
CNN’s Jake Tapper just questioned Rep. Brian Mast’s commitment to American democracy.
Rep. Mast is a veteran and lost both of his legs while serving this country. pic.twitter.com/JlfKCnz3VD
— Mike Hahn (@mikehahn_) January 13, 2021
“Jake Tapper is a disgraceful coward who only pretends to care about veterans when he needs to use them as human PR shields whenever he gets dragged online,” Federalist co-founder Sean Davis tweeted. “As this clip shows, he loathes veterans, especially those injured in war.”
Jake Tapper is a disgraceful coward who only pretends to care about veterans when he needs to use them as human PR shields whenever he gets dragged online. As this clip shows, he loathes veterans, especially those injured in war. https://t.co/mffPRAteix
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) January 13, 2021
Fox News contributor Joey Jones, who also lost both legs serving overseas, called Tapper’s comment “disgusting.”
“So @jaketapper has written so many books-pandered enough on Twitter about other people’s heroic service he truly believes he has some assumed moral authority on it,” Jones tweeted. “What a disgusting thing to say about @BrianMastFL thankfully those of us who’ve done something can laugh it off.”
So @jaketapper has written so many books-pandered enough on Twitter about other people’s heroic service he truly believes he has some assumed moral authority on it. What a disgusting thing to say about @BrianMastFL thankfully those of us who’ve done something can laugh it off https://t.co/vkCJhw5xR8
— Joey Jones (@Johnny_Joey) January 13, 2021
Mast responded to the comment Wednesday evening, saying that Tapper has the right to say whatever he chooses.
“I lost two legs for @jaketapper‘s right to say whatever the hell he wants, but that free speech also protects the Republicans he is so eager to condemn for asking Constitutional questions about the election,” Mast tweeted.
I lost two legs for @jaketapper‘s right to say whatever the hell he wants, but that free speech also protects the Republicans he is so eager to condemn for asking Constitutional questions about the election. https://t.co/ViNrwz9cbU
— Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) January 13, 2021
CNN did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
