RTE viewers vent anger at Biden slur
RTÉ has been inundated with dozens of complaints after a pro-Trump commentator called US president Joe Biden a ‘criminal’.
The national broadcaster has received 38 formal complaints as well as approximately 105 emails and three phone calls with negative feedback following comments by James Conner of Republicans Overseas in Ireland. He made the accusation during RTÉ’s live coverage of the president’s inauguration in Washington DC on Wednesday.
After Mr Biden and vice-president Kamala Harris had been sworn in, the Republicans Overseas member questioned how Mr Biden would unify the country when Congress wanted to ‘reprogramme’ people and ‘track down Trump supporters’.
He accused the Biden administration of
OJAMES Conner, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, is the spokesman for Republicans Overseas in Ireland.
The Irish chapter of the international political group Republicans Overseas is organised online via Facebook and other sites.
‘We are a fairly new movement ‘race-baiting’ and sowing further division.
‘Hey, there you have it,’ he said. ‘Two frauds just got sworn in, one is a bona-fide criminal, complicit in violations of multiple intelligence oversights and directives…’
Presenter Caitríona Perry quickly interrupted Mr Conner, stating: ‘We don’t here that became more active in the last couple of months, doing interviews and events,’ Mr Conner, left, said in October.
‘Members need to keep their identities private for personal reasons. Everyone on the committee is American and living in Ireland.’ have evidence of that, James, here, so we can’t go down that road.’ To this, Mr Conner replied: ‘Sure we do.’
The clip found its way to social media, where many criticised RTÉ for inviting the hardline Trump supporter onto the air, particularly after a previous controversial appearance on the Today programme with Philip Boucher-Hayes two weeks ago.
On that occasion, he suggested anti-fascist group Antifa may have been responsible for the riots at the Capitol, rather than Trump supporters. Socialist TD Paul Murphy said it was ‘incredible that after James Conner falsely blamed Antifa for the Trumpist attack on the Capitol, that RTÉ decided he should be invited again’.
An RTÉ spokesman yesterday confirmed it received one email with negative feedback following Mr Conner’s appearance on the Today programme on January 7.
‘In relation to his contribution to the US inauguration coverage on Wednesday afternoon, RTÉ has received 27 formal complaints,’ the spokesperson added. ‘RTÉ also received 92 emails and three phone calls with negative feedback.’