Question about “Jewish space lasers” triggers spat between outspoken politician Marjorie Taylor Greene and Emily Maitlis.
March 6, 2024 1:10 pm CET
U.S. House Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene told British journalist Emily Maitlis to “fuck off” on Tuesday, after the ex-BBC host confronted her about spreading conspiracy theories.
Greene is a key right-wing congressional ally of Donald Trump, and she was at the Republican front-runner’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida when she got into the ruckus with Maitlis.
Maitlis, who now works for podcast The News Agents, having risen to prominence when she interviewed Prince Andrew for the BBC in 2019, first asked Greene what message she had for lagging Republican candidate Nikki Haley after another dominant electoral night for Trump on Super Tuesday. She also asked whether Greene had aspirations to be Trump’s running mate in November’s election.
But the mood shifted when Maitlis asked about conspiracy theories.
“Can you tell me why so many people who support Donald Trump love conspiracy theories, including yourself?” she asked.
Greene, still smiling, hit back: “Let me tell you, you’re a conspiracy theorist. The left and the media spread more conspiracy theories.
“We like the truth, we like supporting our constitution, our freedoms and America first,” she added.
“We are all done here,” Greene repeatedly said and turned to walk off, trying to end the interview.
“Tell us about Jewish space lasers,” Maitlis pushed, referring to a since-deleted Facebook post Greene wrote in November 2018 in which she said she believed California’s wildfires may have been caused by space lasers that were connected to the Rothschilds. The Rothschild family has featured heavily in antisemitic tropes for over a century.
The comment tipped Green over the edge.
Pointing a finger at Maitlis, she said: “Why don’t you go talk about Jewish space lasers and why don’t you go fuck off?”