Were Rula Jebreal’s remarks about Hakeem Jeffries racist?

6 latest responses. Dates: September 2, 2026 to September 5, 2026

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6 responses on this page

1. Editorial labelDefended or excusedJoy-Ann ReidReid treated the remark as a serious mistake and suggested cultural disconnection as a possible explanation rather than deliberate racial hostility.September 5, 2026Role at the time: Journalist and commentator

   "Sometimes even our friends can get it wrong. They can stumble over trying to make a point—maybe there's a cultural disconnection."

   Context, editorial note, and sources

   Responding to

   Jebreal’s “monkey” reference invoked the three wise monkeys rather than racial animosity, although the wording was inappropriate and offensive.

   Reid treated the remark as a serious mistake and suggested cultural disconnection as a possible explanation rather than deliberate racial hostility.

   Why we used this label

   The statement acknowledges wrongdoing while offering context that reduces the implied weight on intentional racism.

   Before the statement

   Jebreal had apologized after several lawmakers and the Congressional Black Caucus condemned her wording.

   After the statement

   Reid’s discussion continued the debate over intent, cultural context, and the effect of the words used.

   Jebreal remarks about Jeffries draw condemnation and debate over progressive racismSections describing the original exchange, apology, CBC response, and Joy Reid's response.

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2. Editorial labelMixed or conditionalRula JebrealJebreal apologized without condition for the wording while continuing to defend her underlying political criticism of Jeffries and AIPAC.September 4, 2026Role at the time: Journalist and commentator

   "The term that I used to describe him was inappropriate and offensive and should never have been used. I apologize unconditionally."

   Context, editorial note, and sources

   Responding to

   Jebreal’s “monkey” reference invoked the three wise monkeys rather than racial animosity, although the wording was inappropriate and offensive.

   Jebreal apologized without condition for the wording while continuing to defend her underlying political criticism of Jeffries and AIPAC.

   Why we used this label

   The statement concedes that the language was inappropriate and offensive but does not concede that the underlying criticism was racist.

   Before the statement

   Lawmakers and the Congressional Black Caucus had condemned the wording as racist.

   After the statement

   The apology separated the offensive wording from Jebreal’s continuing political criticism.

   Rula Jebreal apology for her description of Hakeem JeffriesPost 2095947359112810879

   Democratic lawmakers respond after Rula Jebreal's remarks about Hakeem JeffriesArticle paragraphs reporting the original exchange, CBC statement, Joe Neguse and Ritchie Torres responses, and Jebreal's apology.

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3. Editorial labelCondemnedRitchie TorresTorres said the term was racist when applied to a Black man and treated the issue as categorical.September 4, 2026Role at the time: United States representative

   "Calling a Black man a “monkey” is racist. Full stop."

   Context, editorial note, and sources

   Responding to

   Jebreal’s use of “monkey” and “errand boy” to describe Jeffries was racist anti-Black language regardless of her stated intent.

   Torres said the term was racist when applied to a Black man and treated the issue as categorical.

   Why we used this label

   The statement directly and unequivocally classifies the language as racist.

   Before the statement

   Jebreal had denied racial intent during the original exchange.

   After the statement

   Torres also criticized Ali’s handling of the exchange; Jebreal later apologized.

   Ritchie Torres response to Jebreal's remarksPost 2096052351530390010

   Democratic lawmakers respond after Rula Jebreal's remarks about Hakeem JeffriesArticle paragraphs reporting the original exchange, CBC statement, Joe Neguse and Ritchie Torres responses, and Jebreal's apology.

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4. Editorial labelCondemnedJoe NeguseNeguse described the rhetoric as plainly racist and offensive and called for bipartisan condemnation.September 4, 2026Role at the time: United States representative

   "Blatantly racist and offensive rhetoric—it should be condemned by everyone, across the political spectrum. Period."

   Context, editorial note, and sources

   Responding to

   Jebreal’s use of “monkey” and “errand boy” to describe Jeffries was racist anti-Black language regardless of her stated intent.

   Neguse described the rhetoric as plainly racist and offensive and called for bipartisan condemnation.

   Why we used this label

   The statement is an unqualified public condemnation of the disputed language.

   Before the statement

   The remarks about Jeffries had begun circulating widely online.

   After the statement

   Jebreal apologized for using the term while maintaining her political criticism of Jeffries and AIPAC.

   Joe Neguse response to Jebreal's remarksPost 2096026854570529210

   Democratic lawmakers respond after Rula Jebreal's remarks about Hakeem JeffriesArticle paragraphs reporting the original exchange, CBC statement, Joe Neguse and Ritchie Torres responses, and Jebreal's apology.

   Read statementLink to this statement
5. Editorial labelCondemnedCongressional Black CaucusThe Congressional Black Caucus characterized the remarks as racist and rejected the idea that the terms could be used non-racially toward Jeffries.September 4, 2026Role at the time: Congressional caucus

   "There isn't a non-racist way to call Leader Jeffries—a Black man—a “monkey” or “errand boy.”"

   Context, editorial note, and sources

   Responding to

   Jebreal’s use of “monkey” and “errand boy” to describe Jeffries was racist anti-Black language regardless of her stated intent.

   The Congressional Black Caucus characterized the remarks as racist and rejected the idea that the terms could be used non-racially toward Jeffries.

   Why we used this label

   The statement explicitly labels the language racist and condemns both the remark and the handling of it.

   Before the statement

   Video of Jebreal’s remarks circulated online and drew criticism from Democratic lawmakers.

   After the statement

   Other lawmakers issued separate condemnations, and Jebreal apologized for the wording.

   Congressional Black Caucus response to Jebreal and AliPost 2096013791708516530

   Democratic lawmakers respond after Rula Jebreal's remarks about Hakeem JeffriesArticle paragraphs reporting the original exchange, CBC statement, Joe Neguse and Ritchie Torres responses, and Jebreal's apology.

   Read statementLink to this statement
6. Editorial labelMixed or conditionalWajahat AliAli immediately warned that applying the word “monkey” to a Black person carries serious racist connotations while acknowledging Jebreal’s stated lack of racial intent.September 2, 2026Role at the time: Host of The Left Hook

   "Using monkey to anyone Black, it has terrible racial connotations. But I think you caught yourself and said you didn't mean it with any racial animosity."

   Context, editorial note, and sources

   Responding to

   Jebreal’s use of “monkey” and “errand boy” to describe Jeffries was racist anti-Black language regardless of her stated intent.

   Ali immediately warned that applying the word “monkey” to a Black person carries serious racist connotations while acknowledging Jebreal’s stated lack of racial intent.

   Why we used this label

   The response both challenges the language and gives weight to the speaker’s stated intent, so it is conditional rather than a categorical defense or condemnation.

   Before the statement

   Jebreal had called Jeffries a “bought and paid by AIPAC monkey” and then said she did not mean the term racially.

   After the statement

   Jebreal explained that she meant the three wise monkeys and later issued an unconditional apology for using the term.

   When Will America Finally Quit Israel & AIPAC? | Rula JebrealSegment discussing Hakeem Jeffries; cross-check the complete exchange against the embedded excerpt in the Fox News report.

   Democratic lawmakers respond after Rula Jebreal's remarks about Hakeem JeffriesArticle paragraphs reporting the original exchange, CBC statement, Joe Neguse and Ritchie Torres responses, and Jebreal's apology.

   Read statementLink to this statement