Kennedy’s comments on Arab money in D.C. met with criticism
Senator Kennedy suggested that wealthy Arab donors could be funding Democratic candidates
The comments have been met with criticism from Arab American groups and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
United States Senator John Neely Kennedy (R-LA) has come under fire for comments he made in a recent interview, in which he suggested that wealthy Arab donors could be funding Democratic candidates.
In an interview with Fox News, Kennedy said, "We have a problem in this country with Arab money coming into our elections...We have Arab sheiks who are bankrolling some of these Democratic candidates."
Kennedy’s comments were met with criticism from Arab American groups, who accused him of pedaling in anti-Arab stereotypes. Maya Berry, the executive director of the Arab American Institute, said in a statement, "Senator Kennedy’s comments are a dangerous attack on Arab Americans and our civic participation. His baseless insinuations about Arab money in our elections are not only false, but they also perpetuate harmful stereotypes about our community."
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee also criticized Kennedy’s comments, calling them “outrageous and bigoted.” DSCC spokesperson Stewart Boss said in a statement, “Senator Kennedy’s comments are a pathetic attempt to score cheap political points by pedaling in anti-Arab stereotypes. His comments are not only false, but they are also dangerous and divisive.”
Kennedy has not apologized for his comments, but he has said that he was not trying to target all Arabs. In a statement, Kennedy said, "My comments were not intended to be a blanket statement about all Arabs. I was simply pointing out that there are some wealthy Arab donors who are supporting Democratic candidates."
Kennedy’s comments come at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and some Arab countries. The Trump administration has taken a number of actions that have been criticized by Arab leaders, including withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal and moving the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
It is important to note that there is no evidence to support Kennedy’s claims that wealthy Arab donors are funding Democratic candidates. In fact, a study by the Center for Responsive Politics found that Arab American donors gave more money to Republican candidates than to Democratic candidates in the 2016 election cycle.
Kennedy’s comments are not only offensive, but they are also dangerous. They perpetuate harmful stereotypes about Arab Americans and could lead to increased discrimination and violence against our community.
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