Were Rula Jebreal’s remarks about Hakeem Jeffries racist?

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

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2 responses on this page

1. 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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2. 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