'Defund NPR' trends after outlet tweets disclaimer on Declaration of Independence



Conservatives on Twitter skewered National Public Radio over the weekend after the left-leaning news outlet added a notable disclaimer to its annual broadcast reading of the Declaration of Independence.

What happened?

In a Twitter thread posted on Independence Day, the taxpayer-funded outlet noted that the Declaration, one of America's prized founding documents, is filled with "flaws and deeply ingrained hypocrisies."

"245 years ago today, leaders representing 13 British colonies signed a document to declare independence. It says 'that all men are created equal' — but women, enslaved people, Indigenous people and many others were not held as equal at the time," NPR said in a tweet. "The document also includes a racist slur against Indigenous Americans."

It went on to add: "In this thread of the Declaration of Independence, you can see a document with flaws and deeply ingrained hypocrisies. It also laid the foundation for this country's collective aspirations — the hopes for what America could be."

🧵 245 years ago today, leaders representing 13 British colonies signed a document to declare independence.It says… https://t.co/sWrnliWK2M

— NPR (@NPR) 1625411033.0

In this thread of the Declaration of Independence, you can see a document with flaws and deeply ingrained hypocrisi… https://t.co/Bpf6joXaVw

— NPR (@NPR) 1625411035.0

The same statement was read aloud during NPR's reading of the document along with some further context, provided by a staffer.

"After last summer's protests and our country attempting to confront its history, we want and need to be honest about the words in this document," the staffer said.

What happened next?

In response to the disclaimer, several critics — discontented by the outlet's decision to criticize America on a day set aside for its celebration — called on government officials to "defund NPR."

Florida Republican congressional candidate Lavern Spicer quipped, "Today is a great day for America to declare its independence from NPR which is currently attacking our Constitution."

Today is a great day for America to declare its independence from NPR which is currently attacking our Constitution… https://t.co/lpeE3bHq1V

— Lavern Spicer (@lavern_spicer) 1625483718.0

"Why in the hell are American taxpayers funding this nonsense? #DefundNPR," California Republican congressional candidate Buzz Patterson added.

Why in the hell are American taxpayers funding this nonsense?#DefundNPR https://t.co/x2eXXyniFh

— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) 1625448638.0

Sebastian Gorka stated simply: "#DefundNPR Already," as did Kurt Schlichter.

#DefundNPR Already.

— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) 1625502659.0

Defund NPR https://t.co/POqAmzQLYy

— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) 1625417325.0

Inez Stepman blasted "what is essentially a trigger warning at the start [of the document] to let people know that they're about to read something offensive."

"Maybe we should add a similar rider to our tax dollars," she suggested.

The Declaration of Independence requires what is essentially a trigger warning at the start to let people know that… https://t.co/yyYVi5l3pL

— Inez Stepman ⚪️🔴⚪️ (@InezFeltscher) 1625489204.0

Political advisor Blair Brandt tweeted: "Defund NPR - an Anti American outlet funded by American taxes."

Defund NPR - an Anti American outlet funded by American taxes.

— Blair Brandt (@BlairBrandt) 1625428072.0

Spectator contributor Stephen L. Miller responded to the controversy by re-upping a column he wrote last summer in which he questioned whether taxpayers should "continue to fund these enterprises, when they clearly focus less on educating the public, and more on pushing commentary and opinion, and now, even libel?"

Yeah some of us wrote that a few months ago https://t.co/gqwtHR1eac https://t.co/QRVwPzuAUF

— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) 1625454798.0

Vanessa Williams sparks outrage for closing PBS ‘Capitol Fourth’ concert with ‘black national anthem’



Vanessa Williams and PBS both sparked major backlash after Williams helped to close the network's "Capitol Fourth" concert with the "black national anthem" — widely known as "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

The network aired its 41st annual special Sunday night.

What are the details?

Williams, who also hosted the long-running event, told the Associated Press on Friday that her decision to sing the song was in "celebration of the wonderful opportunity that we now have to celebrate Juneteenth."

"So we are reflective of the times," she said. "We are reflective of the times and I'm happy to be a part of a tremendous show that the producers are aware and willing to make the changes that have happened within the past year and a half."

Before launching into the song, Williams dedicated the performance to her ancestors.

"I dedicate this to our ancestors, to our new federal holiday Juneteenth, and to all who celebrate freedom," she said.

Earlier during the program, she also performed "God Bless America," and said that she was filled with "the spirit of freedom and the perseverance that is required to achieve that most precious right."

A Capitol Fourth 2021 | PBSyoutu.be

What was the response?

Lavern Spicer, Florida Republican House candidate, tweeted, "Vanessa honey, a BLACK national anthem is something a Black African Country would have, not a country like America that exists for everyone."

Vanessa honey, a BLACK national anthem is something a Black African Country would have, not a country like America… https://t.co/ig8K9pIOg0

— Lavern Spicer (@lavern_spicer) 1625330346.0

Newsmax host Steve Cortes added, "We have one national anthem..."

We have one national anthem… https://t.co/pLFbB28OIJ

— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) 1625340551.0

Author Tim Young wrote, "This isn't unity... it's division."

This isn't unity... it's division. https://t.co/EwLuZdoxeq

— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) 1625410363.0

Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Rob Maness wrote, "There is only one national anthem. This is segregationism pure and simple. Shame on @JoeBiden if he doesn't demand an end to this racist activity."

There is only one national anthem. This is segregationism pure and simple. Shame on @JoeBiden if he doesn’t demand… https://t.co/iSInzkgJ8P

— 🇺🇸Col. Rob Maness ret. (@RobManess) 1625344009.0

Former CIA ops officer Brian Dean Wright responded, "We're witnessing the unraveling of E pluribus unum in real time. The consequences will be dire."

We’re witnessing the unraveling of E pluribus unum in real time. The consequences will be dire. https://t.co/AjEHq6V0g5

— BDW (@BryanDeanWright) 1625353752.0

Another wrote, "I 100% refuse to recognize the black national anthem. We are one nation, under God and indivisible. There are no separate national anthems."

"Who's singing the Asian and Latino ones? " quipped another.

'Sell your Tesla!': Critics go after AOC for posting photos of her grandma’s hurricane-ravaged home to attack Trump instead of helping her out



Critics slammed Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y) online on Wednesday after the progressive lawmaker opted to use her sick grandmother's plight in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico as a way to attack former President Donald Trump.

Detractors took issue with the notion that Ocasio-Cortez — a well-paid member of Congress who reportedly owns a Tesla and rents two apartments — would use her grandmother's suffering as a means to make a political point instead of quietly helping her out.

What are the details?

"Just over a week ago, my abuela fell ill," Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a lengthy Twitter thread. "I went to Puerto Rico to see her- my 1st time in a year+ bc of COVID."

"This is her home," she added, showing pictures of the home with a damaged roof, very little furniture, and no bed. "Hurricane María relief hasn't arrived. Trump blocked relief $ for PR. People are being forced to flee ancestral homes, & developers are taking them."

Just over a week ago, my abuela fell ill. I went to Puerto Rico to see her- my 1st time in a year+ bc of COVID.Th… https://t.co/CQz9O72juo

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) 1622656813.0

"Honey, you drive a Tesla and have two apartments. If your grandmother is living poor that's because you don't help her out," charged Florida Republican congressional candidate Lavern Spicer in response to the tweets. "I'm surprised that a socialist wouldn't redistribute that wealth to their grandma. Sad!"

@AOC Honey, you drive a Tesla and have two apartments. If your grandmother is living poor that’s because you don’t… https://t.co/TijyQ3rAZz

— Lavern Spicer (@lavern_spicer) 1622657826.0

"Shameful that you live in luxury while allowing your own grandmother to suffer in these squalid conditions," Daily Wire contributor Matt Walsh added.

@AOC Shameful that you live in luxury while allowing your own grandmother to suffer in these squalid conditions

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) 1622659148.0

Walsh later lambasted Ocasio-Cortez for using her grandmother's suffering to "score political points" after the lawmaker responded to him saying, "Instead of only caring for mine & letting others suffer, I'm calling attention to the systemic injustices you seem totally fine w/ in having a US colony."

What else?

Others joined the onslaught, telling Ocasio-Cortez, "Sell your Tesla!" and suggesting that she care for her grandmother instead of requesting that the government take care of everything.

Daily Wire writer Harry Khachatrian posted an image displaying two options that Ocasio-Cortez had: "Using her $174,000 salary to help her abuela" and "using her abuela to help attack Trump for Twitter clout."

AOC in a nutshell: https://t.co/Q0uaiJIrAc https://t.co/0ep7Kth4xr

— Harry Khachatrian (@Harry1T6) 1622660643.0

The Libertarian Party of Tennessee quipped: "So you agree, the government is incompetent with getting relief [money] to the people and would be better done through voluntarily contributions?"

Anything else?

Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, killing thousands and leaving thousands more with severely damaged property. The recovery there has been hampered by a series of earthquakes in 2019, as well.
A government probe made public this year found that Trump administration officials did delay about $20 billion in post-Maria recovery funding. The New York Post noted that Trump routinely bickered with Puerto Rican officials during his presidency, accusing them of being corrupt and inept, and opposing sending federal dollars there.
Despite that, over the course of his presidency, Trump did approve sending more than $16 billion to Puerto Rico to rebuild vital infrastructure.