Muslim Advocates Condemns Infrastructure of Hate: Trump, Fox News, Social Media, Members of Congress

Opportunistic Racism from Fox, Trump, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio and Others Incite Hate and Violence

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Muslim Advocates released the following statement from Madihha Ahussain, special counsel for anti-Muslim bigotry, in response to racist, attacks from President Trump, Sens. Rand Paul and Marco Rubio on Rep. Ilhan Omar and immigrants that were generated by Fox News and amplified on social media:

“President Trump, Fox News and congressional Republicans are recklessly wielding anti-Muslim bigotry and racism as political tools and are encouraging hate and violence in the process. 

Just this morning, Fox & Friends aired a story about Somalis arrested for wanting to join ISIS, prompting the president to tweet about Somali refugees wishing for ‘another 911.’ This follows weeks of Republican attacks on immigrants and Ilhan Omar that include Rand Paul saying that he is ‘dumbfounded how unappreciative she is of our country’ and Marco Rubio tweeting a deceptively edited video intended to make Omar look like an anti-white bigot. This formula also led to a bigoted anti-Black tirade from Trump directed at civil rights leaders and the people of Baltimore. 

This is how the Infrastructure of Hate works. Fox News and social media companies profit off of bigotry, Trump is making this hate the core message of his 2020 campaign and Senators like Paul and Rubio are excusing and amplifying it—all while racial and religious minorities are targeted for threats and hate crimes. Remember, President Trump already caused Rep. Omar to receive death threats by tweeting a video that outrageously tied her to 9/11.

This has gone too far. These are not just political attacks. This is vicious, intentional racism that threatens the safety of immigrants and people of color as well as the very soul of our nation. Republicans, Democrats, the media and all Americans need to forcefully and consistently denounce this hatred as well as everyone who excuses and encourages it.”

Muslim Advocates is a national civil rights organization working in the courts, in the halls of power and in communities to halt bigotry in its tracks. We ensure that American Muslims have a seat at the table with expert representation so that all Americans may live free from hate and discrimination. 

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