Major news organizations from Fox News to Newsweek and The Wrap took notice of a sudden social media phenomenon. The hashtag #FireChuckTodd began leading the national trends on Twitter after MSNBC anchor and “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd made a remark about Sen. Bernard Sanders and his followers at the height of the Vermont lawmaker’s presidential campaign in New Hampshire on Monday night.
“#FireChuckTodd trends after MSNBC anchor quotes article comparing Bernie Sanders supporters to Brownshirts,” said Newsweek after the hashtag hit Twitter, generating some 24,000 tweets in a matter of hours.
“Todd complained about being on the ’receiving end of the Bernie online brigade’ before quoting an article by Jonathan Last in The Bulwark that likened supporters of the Jewish candidate to Nazi paramilitaries. His decision to quote the conservative outlet outraged supporters of the Vermont senator, who took up the #FireChuckTodd hashtag and described the segment as indefensible,” Newsweek. noted.
Several of Mr. Sanders’ lead staffers expressed their display, including his press secretary Briahna Gray.
“Digital brown shirt brigade. That’s how our Jewish candidate’s supporters are being described on the [mainstream media]. The contempt shown for ordinary people is really something,” she said in her own tweet.
“Todd faced similar blowback in December, insulting Trump voters by suggesting they ’want to be lied to’ since they believe in ’fairy tales’ — like Noah’s Ark,” said Fox News in its coverage.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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