Twitter users called out teacher union leader Randi Weingarten for her reaction to news of Britney Griner’s release from a Russian prison, pointing out that Griner is gay and black.
Celebrating the news, the head of the American Federation of Teachers mentioned how Griner is a “gay, black woman,” leaving many scratching their heads as to why that description was necessary following the news of the WNBA player’s release. put
The Biden administration negotiated Griner’s release from Russian prison in exchange for Russian arms dealer Victor Booth. Some critics pointed to the proportionality of the deal, arguing that Booth was a known criminal who wanted to kill American citizens when he was arrested, and that the United States could have demanded the release of more Americans in return.
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AFT President Randi Weingarten joined the hosts of “Morning Joe” in November.
(Screenshot/MSNBC/MorningJoe)
In particular, they criticized Biden for not securing the release of Paul Whelan, a US Marine veteran who was sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison on espionage charges, and the Biden administration initially wanted to include in the exchange.
On Thursday morning, Weingarten responded to a tweet from President Joe Biden highlighting Griner’s release. He said on Twitter: “What a huge relief!!! Breaking news, a basketball star, but also a gay, black woman has been released.”
He added: “Yes, of course we want to free other prisoners like Paul Whelan.”
Weingarten was criticized in response from users who were shocked by his message.
Conservative commentator Jason Howerton responded on Twitter, “What a strange thing to say and think.”
Angela Morabito, spokeswoman for the Institute for the Defense of Freedom, tweeted: “WHAT. I think Paul Whelan should try to be a lesbian next time?
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Conservative radio host Tony Bruno took the opportunity to slam Weingarten over the problems with the education system. He tweeted, “Sure” Hey Randy, did you look at the disaster Portland teachers are wreaking on our schools because of your fascist union? #Hack.”
WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted from the courtroom in Khimki, near Moscow, August 4, 2022.
(AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, file)
Corey DeAngelis, senior fellow at the American Federation of Children’s, asked, “Is this a parody?[?]”
Author and New York Post columnist Douglas Murray, looking at Weingarten’s role as head of the American Federation of Teachers, wrote, “If only the head of the American Federation of Teachers could take this much interest in the education of America’s children.”
Fox News’ Joe Concha said: “The mindset of the head of the nation’s largest teachers union in less than 280 characters…”
Conservative pundit Dana Loesch called Weingarten “a complete clown.”
Matt Whitlock, a Republican operative, described the union chief’s remarks as “an excellent tweet about how some on the left judge the value of some prisoners over others.”
And Seattle radio host Jason Rantz commented on the tweet, writing: “What a weird tweet. They only wanted to let him go because he’s gay and black and a basketball player, but a white Marine veteran friend? , of course we’d like him to be released, too, I think. Maybe. I don’t know. Whatever.'”
Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout (right) walks past makeshift cameras before his trial at the Criminal Court in Bangkok on August 20, 2010.
(Christophe ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images)