Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson doesn't know what Aleppo is

Jeva Lange's avatar
By
published
Gary Johnson.
(Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson had a painfully cringe-worthy moment on Morning Joe on Thursday when he asked the hosts to explain to him what Aleppo was.

"What would you do if you were elected about Aleppo?" Mike Barnicle had asked Johnson.

Article continues below

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

"Aleppo."

"And what is Aleppo?" Johnson wanted to know.

Barnicle didn't seem to understand: "You're kidding," he said. "Aleppo is in Syria. It's the epicenter of the refugee crisis."

Probably needed to know that one. Watch the awkward moment, below. Jeva Lange

Explore More
Jeva Lange
Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.