White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany fired back at Lori Lightfoot on Twitter Friday, following the Chicago Democratic Mayor calling McEnany a “Karen” on Thursday.
The exchange occurred after the press secretary suggested that Lightfoot has been neglecting the ongoing violence in her city.
During Thursday’s press briefing, Kayleigh McEnany discussed the up rise in violent crime across the nation and mentioned Chicago’s mayor, saying the “derelict mayor of Chicago should step up and ask for federal help, because she’s doing a very poor job at securing her streets.”
After the briefing, White House correspondent for Time Magazine, Brian Bennett, mentioned the McEnany’s comments on his Twitter account Thursday, which prompted Lightfoot to respond.
“White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany just called Lori Lightfoot ‘the derelict mayor of Chicago’ and said she should request federal help to secure the city,” Bennett tweeted.
Lightfoot retweeted Bennett’s post Thursday, adding: “Hey, Karen. Watch your mouth.” Continued Below
The term “Karen” is used as a pejorative term that has come to prominence to label a demanding, middle-aged white woman who displays a sense of overbearing entitlement in various societal confrontations.
Kayleigh McEnany fired back in response on Twitter, to Mayor Lightfoot, on Friday, writing: “While you’re focused on words, America is outraged by the violence perpetuated in our city.”
“One person is taking action to stop violence in our streets: President @realDonaldTrump. He’s offered your city help. It’s a dereliction of duty not to take it,” she added. Continued Below
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s tweet:
Hey, Karen. Watch your mouth. pic.twitter.com/zhjRyokKD5
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) July 16, 2020
Kayleigh McEnany’s response:
While you‘re focused on words, America is outraged by the violence perpetuated in your city.
One person is taking action to stop violence in our streets: President @realDonaldTrump.
He’s offered your city help. It’s a dereliction of duty not to take it.https://t.co/OFBwDKveax https://t.co/QLhQnQn2eW
— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) July 17, 2020
From ABC 7 Chicago:
President Donald Trump compared Chicago to a “war zone” Monday during a law enforcement round table at the White House after more than 60 people were shot, 11 fatally, over the weekend.
“It’s worse than Afghanistan. It’s worse than any war zone we’re in by a lot,” Trump said. “It makes them look like a tame place by comparison.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office responded to Trump’s remark saying, in part, “President Trump doesn’t know the first thing about keeping this nation’s cities safe.”
(Related: Reporter Rolls Her Eyes After McEnany Points Out How Chicago’s Mayor Is Doing A ‘Very Poor Job’)
