Watch GOP Rep. Mark Meadows and Democrat Rashida Tlaib hug out their fiery racism dispute on the House floor
Among the many rounds of fireworks during Michael Cohen's testimony Wednesday before the House Oversight Committee was an argument between Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) over Cohen's contention that his former boss President Trump is a racist, and Meadows' "black friend defense" of both Trump and himself. Tlaib criticized Meadows for bringing Lynne Patton, a black longtime Trump employee and political appointee at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to the hearing to rebut Cohen's claim that Trump is racist.
"The fact someone would actually use a prop, a black woman in this chamber, in this committee, is alone racist in itself," Tlaib said. Meadows angrily protested that he's not racist, proffering as proof his friendship with committee Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and his black nieces and nephews. Tlaib clarified that she wasn't calling Meadows racist. And on Thursday, Meadows approached Tlaib on the House floor, they talked for about a minute, and then the two hugged it out.
"Mark Meadows came up to me and said that I had been gracious in our exchange yesterday," Tlaib told The Associated Press. Separately, Meadows said Tlaib "said she didn't mean it yesterday, so there was no need to apologize."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
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 for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The influencer court case shaking up social media
Under The Radar TikTok star accuses her rival of stealing her beige 'aesthetic' but are there shades of grey in US copyright law?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Mitch McConnell's legacy?
Talking Point Moving on after a record-setting run as Senate GOP leader
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'A man's sense of himself is often tied to having a traditionally masculine, physical job'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published