Politico suggested in a headline Tuesday afternoon that Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., had given a “white supremacy speech” in 2002 to a gathering that may have included members of the European-American Unity and Rights Organization, when in fact he had discussed only tax policy.
The original Politico headline read: “Steve Scalise: I ‘regret’ white supremacy speech.”
Moments later, the article’s headline was amended to read: “Scalise: I ‘regret’ speech to white supremacy group.”
The misleading headline was “merely an accident that was caught and corrected,” a Politico spokesperson told the Washington Examiner.
Scalise is scrambling to deal with controversy surrounding a speech he gave to a group founded by former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.
“Twelve years ago, I spoke to many different Louisiana groups as a state representative, trying to build support for legislation that focused on cutting wasteful state spending, eliminating government corruption, and stopping tax hikes,” Scalise, a Roman Catholic, said in a statement Tuesday.
“One of the many groups that I spoke to regarding this critical legislation was a group whose views I wholeheartedly condemn. It was a mistake I regret, and I emphatically oppose the divisive racial and religious views groups like these hold. I am very disappointed that anyone would try to infer otherwise for political gain.
“As a Catholic, these groups hold views that are vehemently opposed to my own personal faith, and I reject that kind of hateful bigotry. Those who know me best know I have always been passionate about helping, serving, and fighting for every family that I represent. And I will continue to do so.”
House GOP leaders, including House Speaker John Boenher, R-Ohio, and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., released similar statements Tuesday, throwing their support behind their embattled colleague.
