What's happened
US politician Marjorie Taylor Greene confronts journalist Emily Maitlis during an interview about conspiracy theories, leading to Greene telling Maitlis to 'F*** Off'. The tense exchange occurred at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago headquarters in Florida.
Why it matters
The confrontation between Marjorie Taylor Greene and Emily Maitlis sheds light on the persistence of conspiracy theories in US politics and the challenges journalists face when questioning politicians. This incident underscores the divisive nature of political discourse and the importance of holding public figures accountable for their statements.
What the papers say
The Guardian focuses on Greene's dismissal of Maitlis and her refusal to address questions about conspiracy theories. The Scotsman highlights Greene's aggressive response to Maitlis' questioning, emphasizing the tense nature of the exchange. The Mirror covers the shocking nature of Greene's response to Maitlis and provides context on the interview setting at Mar-a-Lago. Politico delves into the confrontation between Greene and Maitlis, emphasizing the shift in tone when conspiracy theories were brought up. The Independent provides details on the interview between Greene and Maitlis, focusing on Greene's aggressive reaction to questions about conspiracy theories.
How we got here
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican congresswoman and staunch supporter of Donald Trump, has been known for promoting conspiracy theories. Emily Maitlis, a journalist formerly with the BBC, confronted Greene about her past statements, including a theory about Jewish space lasers causing wildfires. The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of addressing misinformation and conspiracy theories in political discourse.
More on these topics
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Emily Maitlis is a British journalist, documentary filmmaker and newsreader for the BBC. She is the lead anchor of BBC Two's news and current affairs programme Newsnight, and also covers elections for the BBC in UK, US and Europe.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.