AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) said Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) peddled “lies” and “tropes” about the pro-Israel lobbying group in his interview with Tucker Carlson.
“Once again, @MassieforKY peddles lies and tropes about AIPAC. We are a U.S. organization of 4.5 million American members funded only by Americans,” AIPAC said.
“Massie’s disdain for Israel, and for fellow Americans, will not deter us from working to strengthen our country’s ties with Israel,” it added.
Once again, @MassieforKY peddles lies and tropes about AIPAC.
We are a U.S. organization of 4.5 million American members funded only by Americans.
Massie’s disdain for Israel, and for fellow Americans, will not deter us from working to strengthen our country’s ties with Israel. https://t.co/ZchFb7wy68
— AIPAC (@AIPAC) June 7, 2024
In the interview, Massie discussed the lobbying group’s vast influence over American lawmakers.
“Everybody but me has an AIPAC person,” Massie said.
Carlson asked what does that mean.
“It’s like your babysitter. Your AIPAC babysitter who is always talking to you for AIPAC,” Massie explained.
“That’s how it works on the Republican side,” he said.
“And when they come to DC, you go have lunch with them. And they’ve got your cell number and you have conversations with them,” Massie said.
“I’ve had four members of Congress say I’ll talk to my AIPAC person and it’s really what we call them, my AIPAC guy. I’ll talk to my AIPAC guy and see if I can get him to dial those ads back,” he explained.
“Ostensibly, it’s a group of Americans who lobby on behalf of Israel. They’re for anything Israel and they’re a very effective lobbying group,” he added.
WATCH:
Mediaite reports:
Carlson followed up by asking if any other countries have similar “guys” for whipping lawmakers.
“They pay for trips for congressmen and their spouses to go to Israel,” He continued. “I’m not the only Republican who hasn’t taken the AIPAC trip to Israel, but I’m probably one of a dozen that hasn’t taken that trip and the other ones just haven’t got around to it.”
Though it has long been a powerful lobbying group, AIPAC only began raising money for individual candidates in 2021. Since that time, it has run negative ads against lawmakers it views as hostile to Israel or insufficiently supportive of the country.
AIPAC spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads against Massie before his primary election.
Last week, AIPAC bought $300,000 worth of ads against Thomas Massie because he wants to prioritize America over Israel.
It seems like that’s what the American people want too, because they raised over $100,000 for him shortly after.
He also took a poll asking whether AIPAC… https://t.co/OOc31y7spk pic.twitter.com/g2egVNyf0u
— MIA (@_Mama_Mia10) May 14, 2024
The day after I vote against @SpeakerJohnson, AIPAC announces a $300,000 ad buy against me. I hope Americans see what’s happening here. pic.twitter.com/a2cGSVjqxt
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) May 9, 2024
From 100 Percent Fed Up:
AIPAC-affiliated United Democracy Project reportedly intends to run ads against Massie for his refusal to vote for aid to the Israeli government and legislation to combat anti-Semitism since October 7th.
“UDP spokesperson Patrick Dorton said the group is ‘not playing [around]’ in Massie’s May 21 primary election, where he faces no serious primary opposition. The group is making an initial buy of $300,000 in TV air time on all Fox affiliate channels in Kentucky,” Jewish Insider reports.
“We are shining a spotlight on Tom Massie’s atrocious anti-Israel record,” Dorton said.
Massie remains among the few public servants who doesn’t capitulate to sending American taxpayer dollars to fund foreign conflicts.
The Kentucky Republican has remained principled on his stance against foreign aid.
Additional comments from Massie on AIPAC’s influence:
WATCH: @RepThomasMassie explains to @TuckerCarlson how every GOP member of Congress has an @AIPAC "babysitter" that monitors them. pic.twitter.com/eUObDGFRgv
— DV (@DV2O24) June 7, 2024
Watch the full interview below:
Rep. Thomas Massie doesn’t care what you think of him, which is pretty great.
(3:19) Where Does US Debt End?
(10:32) Why Massie Voted 15 Times Against Funding Israel
(14:53) AIPAC
(34:04) Mitch McConnell
(42:25) Area 51
(50:32) Massie's Relationship with Trump
(57:09) Kill… pic.twitter.com/VBOiWjq056— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) June 7, 2024
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