Rashida Tlaib staffer accused of assaulting Fox News cameraman during interview. Video evidence available
A Fox News cameraman was interfered with by an aide to Rep. Rashida Tlaib, leading to an incident on Capitol Hill, termed as “Umbrellagate.” Meanwhile, Israeli PM Netanyahu’s upcoming speech to Congress amid war crimes allegations has sparked controversy. The tense encounter was captured on video, raising concerns about press freedom and appropriate behavior on the political stage. The interference of a Fox News cameraman by an aide to Rep. Rashida Tlaib, known as “Umbrellagate,” and the controversy surrounding Israeli PM Netanyahu’s speech to Congress amid war crimes allegations highlight concerns about press freedom and political conduct. The captured video of the tense encounter adds to the debate on journalistic rights and appropriate behavior in politics.
By Jack Davis May 24, 2024 at 7:23am
A Fox News camera operator was jostled by an umbrella-toting aide to Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan Thursday on Capitol Hill.
The interaction was dubbed “Umbrellagate” by Fox News host Brett Baier, according to Fox News.
Or, as Fox News reporter Chad Pergram said, “an aide to Squad member Rashida Tlaib deployed an umbrella to block the sunlight of questions.”
Puns and jokes aside, on Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would address a joint session of Congress, according to The Hill. The announcement comes days after the International Criminal Court indicated it might seek to arrest Netanyahu on war crimes charges connected with Israel’s response to the massacre of its civilians by Hamas.
As shown in a video posted to X, Pergram sought comment on the invitation from Tlaib, who has publicly voiced her disdain for Netanyahu and her support for the Palestinian cause.
JUST IN: Staffer for Rep. Rashida Tlaib attempts to block Fox News cameraman with an umbrella as @ChadPergram asks questions pic.twitter.com/8YNoKoPMLz
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) May 23, 2024
The video opens with Pergram asking Tlaib questions as an aide using an umbrella tried to block the camera operator.
“What happens if Netanyahu comes to speak?” Pergram said, dodging the umbrella-toting aide to move to the other side of Tlaib.
Should the this staffer be punished?
“Ms. Tlaib, what happens if Netanyahu comes to speak? Is that a mistake by the speaker to extend this request? What do you think of the Democratic leaders agreeing to that request as well?” Pergram said
The umbrella is closed as the camera moves to show Tlaib and Pergram.
“I don’t know, inviting a war criminal to Congress is a sham. It’s shameful,” Tlaib said.
As Tlaib talks, the aide tries again to block the camera operator. The aide opens the umbrella. The sound of contact can be heard before the camera operator momentarily loses control of the camera.
This is outrageous. Worthy of censure. A member of Congress paying a thug to block press cameras on the grounds of the people’s house. Disgraceful. https://t.co/mHUnygYDm3
— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) May 24, 2024
“He hit me with an umbrella,” the camera operator said.
“I did not hit you with an umbrella,” Tlaib’s staff member said.
“We have it on video, guys. He hit him with an umbrella,” Pergram said. “This is ridiculous. That’s assault.”
Tlaib and the aide continued walking into the Capitol.
Fox News said it contacted Tlaib’s office for comment but said none was received.
A Note from Our Deputy Managing Editor:
I heard a chilling comment the other day: “We don’t even know if an election will be held in 2024.”
That wasn’t said by a conspiracy theorist or a doomsday prophet. No, former U.S. national security advisor Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn said that to the founder of The Western Journal, Floyd Brown.
Gen. Flynn’s warning means that the 2024 election is the most important election for every single living American. If we lose this one to the wealthy elites who hate us, hate God, and hate what America stands for, we can only assume that 248 years of American history and the values we hold dear to our hearts may soon vanish.
The end game is here, and as Benjamin Franklin said, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
All of this means that without you, it’s over. We have the platform, the journalists, and the experience to fight back hard, but Big Tech is strangling us through advertising blacklists, shadow bans, and algorithms. Did you know that we’ve been blacklisted by 90% of advertisers? Without direct support from you, our readers, we can’t continue the fight.
Can we count on your support? It may not seem like much, but a Western Journal Membership can make all the difference in the world because when you support us directly, you cut Big Tech out of the picture. They lose control.
A monthly Western Journal Membership costs less than one coffee and breakfast sandwich each month, and it gets you access to ALL of our content — news, commentary, and premium articles. You’ll experience a radically reduced number of ads, and most importantly you will be vitally supporting the fight for America’s soul in 2024.
We are literally counting on you because without our members, The Western Journal would cease to exist. Will you join us in the fight?
Sincerely,
Josh Manning
Deputy Managing Editor
The Western Journal
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...