Republican's ‘disgusting’ 9/11-themed attack ad earns widespread derision
Republican nominee for Michigan Governor, Rep. John James, speaks before U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks at a MAGA Inc. event in Sterling Heights, Michigan, US., August 31, 2026. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky
Republican Michigan gubernatorial nominee Rep. John James received widespread condemnation Friday after releasing a 9/11-themed campaign ad attacking his Democratic opponent Jocelyn Benson, with critics blasting its central claim as false.
“Jocelyn Benson stands with a radical left that says America deserved 9/11. I stand with you, and I say never forget,” James is heard saying in the ad.
As James spoke, the ad displayed a photo of Benson standing alongside Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. The claim, coupled with the photo, was an apparent attempt to tie Benson to progressive influencer and activist Hasan Piker, who in 2019 made the controversial remark that “America deserved 9/11.”
Piker’s remark was made during a live broadcast of himself reacting to remarks from Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) in support of American military interventionism abroad. He immediately elaborated on his controversial statement by arguing that the United States had “brought it on ourselves” due to the U.S. government “[funding] the people who did 9/11 to this day.”
Benson has never campaigned with Piker, and on Thursday actually condemned his remarks as “reprehensible.” Piker did, however, campaign with El-Sayed.
“Benson’s husband enlisted in the Army after his friend died on 9/11, I believe. What a disgusting attack from James,” wrote Democratic strategist Mike Nellis Friday in a social media post on X to his more than 142,000 followers. “These people are pathetic.”
Forbes contributor and attorney Sophia Nelson called James’ attack ad “vile” and “disgusting,” political consultant Matt Dearing called it “lower than dirt behavior,” and Oscar-nominated director Billy Ray urged James not to run for office if he couldn’t “win without lying.”
Benson herself delivered James a scathing rebuke.
“How dare you, Congressman. My husband enlisted in the Army and put his life on the line for our country after losing his friend, Todd Ouida, in the towers on 9/11,” Benson wrote.
“This is a despicable lie to the people of Michigan about what that day means to me and my family, the sacrifices made, and the devastating impact of that attack on our country. I have never, and would never, campaign with anyone who says something so reprehensible. If you have any decency, you will immediately take down this false ad.”
'Absolute madman': George W. Bush's wild 9/11 paintings spark firestormAlexander Willis
September 11, 2026
September 11, 2026
RAW STORY
Republican nominee for Michigan Governor, Rep. John James, speaks before U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks at a MAGA Inc. event in Sterling Heights, Michigan, US., August 31, 2026. REUTERS/Jeff Kowalsky
Republican Michigan gubernatorial nominee Rep. John James received widespread condemnation Friday after releasing a 9/11-themed campaign ad attacking his Democratic opponent Jocelyn Benson, with critics blasting its central claim as false.
“Jocelyn Benson stands with a radical left that says America deserved 9/11. I stand with you, and I say never forget,” James is heard saying in the ad.
As James spoke, the ad displayed a photo of Benson standing alongside Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. The claim, coupled with the photo, was an apparent attempt to tie Benson to progressive influencer and activist Hasan Piker, who in 2019 made the controversial remark that “America deserved 9/11.”
Piker’s remark was made during a live broadcast of himself reacting to remarks from Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) in support of American military interventionism abroad. He immediately elaborated on his controversial statement by arguing that the United States had “brought it on ourselves” due to the U.S. government “[funding] the people who did 9/11 to this day.”
Benson has never campaigned with Piker, and on Thursday actually condemned his remarks as “reprehensible.” Piker did, however, campaign with El-Sayed.
“Benson’s husband enlisted in the Army after his friend died on 9/11, I believe. What a disgusting attack from James,” wrote Democratic strategist Mike Nellis Friday in a social media post on X to his more than 142,000 followers. “These people are pathetic.”
Forbes contributor and attorney Sophia Nelson called James’ attack ad “vile” and “disgusting,” political consultant Matt Dearing called it “lower than dirt behavior,” and Oscar-nominated director Billy Ray urged James not to run for office if he couldn’t “win without lying.”
Benson herself delivered James a scathing rebuke.
“How dare you, Congressman. My husband enlisted in the Army and put his life on the line for our country after losing his friend, Todd Ouida, in the towers on 9/11,” Benson wrote.
“This is a despicable lie to the people of Michigan about what that day means to me and my family, the sacrifices made, and the devastating impact of that attack on our country. I have never, and would never, campaign with anyone who says something so reprehensible. If you have any decency, you will immediately take down this false ad.”
Erik De La Garza
September 11, 2026
RAW STORY
Former U.S. President George W. Bush and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (not pictured) have a conversation as the George W. Bush Presidential Center commemorates the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks in Dallas, Texas, U.S., September 9, 2026. REUTERS/Jeremy Lock
Former President George W. Bush marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks by unveiling a series of 9/11 paintings — including the moment he learned America was under attack.
The artwork quickly left social media users stunned.
“The absolute mad man. He actually did it. Unreal,” wrote podcaster Ryan Broderick, a former BuzzFeed tech reporter who now runs The Garbage Day newsletter.
“You think no George W. Bush painting could surprise you after the nude self-portraits, but then…” Semafor’s Josh Billinson posted to X.
Bush shared four paintings on Instagram Friday, including one depicting then-White House chief of Staff Andy Card whispering into his ear inside a Florida classroom after a second plane struck the World Trade Center.
Another showed smoke rising above Lower Manhattan, while a third depicted a hand holding a badge. The final painting the former president posted recreated the massive American flag draping over the Pentagon on Sept. 12, 2001.
“He nailed the dumbfounded facial expression,” one X user wrote.
“I didn't realize George Bush made a painting of *that* moment,” added Business Insider features and investigations correspondent Jacob Shamsian.
Eric Michael Garcia, Washington bureau chief for The Independent and an MS NOW columnist, declared in his own post: “This belongs in the National Portrait Gallery.”
Bush, for his part, wrote on Instagram that the paintings — along with others in the collection — would be on display all month at The George W. Bush Presidential Center.
“Twenty-five years ago, the actions of an enemy revealed the spirit of the American people,” Bush wrote Friday. “These and other paintings are my reflections of this solemn anniversary.”
He added: “May we always honor the precious lives stolen, and may God bless America.”
No comments:
Post a Comment