Karoline Leavitt criticized Nicolle Wallace of MSNBC for comments that linked a teenage cancer survivor to the Capitol riot that occurred on January 6.
During his speech to Congress on Tuesday night, Donald Trump appointed 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018, as an honorary Secret Service agent.
However, the president’s gesture faced immediate backlash after Wallace, 53, made a series of inappropriate remarks that overshadowed the positive intent.
Wallace began by expressing her hope that Daniel would lead the life he desires and live for another 95 years. She then shifted the conversation to the tragic events of January 6, 2021, stating, “He wants to be a cop; he knows what he wants to do, and perhaps having childhood cancer clarifies that for him.”
“As a law enforcement officer, I wish him a long life, but I hope he never has to defend the U.S. Capitol against Donald Trump’s supporters. If he does, I hope he isn’t among the six who take their own lives,” she remarked. Wallace further expressed her wish that Daniel would not have to “testify against those who committed acts of seditious conspiracy and then witness Donald Trump grant them pardons” during the segment.
The White House Press Secretary was quick to denounce Wallace’s offensive comments on social media.
Leavitt, 27, asserted that Democratic politicians and mainstream media figures “allowed their Trump Derangement Syndrome to prevent them from celebrating America” during her press briefing on Wednesday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, 27, condemned Nicolle Wallace of MSNBC after the host “disgustingly” associated a cancer-stricken boy with the tragic Capitol riot on January 6.
While discussing the terminally ill teen (left), MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace (right), 53, managed to transform the President’s commendable gesture into a negative narrative by introducing the subject of “suicide.”Mainstream media continues to struggle with understanding the situation. According to Leavitt, MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace shockingly included a 13-year-old boy suffering from brain cancer in her criticism of the president regarding the events of January 6 during her broadcast last night.
The White House representative subsequently directed her criticism towards CNN, highlighting that the network labeled the president’s speech as “divisive” on national television. “President Trump did not cause division,” she asserted, referencing a post-speech poll that revealed 69 percent of viewers reacted positively to the President’s address, thereby contradicting CNN and the Democrats, as stated by Leavitt.
Shortly thereafter, she presented a printed copy of a CBS News/YouGov survey showing that 76 percent of Americans expressed approval of the speech, claiming that the president provided her with the poll results.
Wallace returned to the air on Wednesday but chose not to address the increasing calls for her dismissal.
Despite facing significant backlash, Wallace remained unapologetic and continued to criticize President Trump during her segment.
The 53-year-old anchor was not alone in her disapproval; fellow MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, aged 51, described Trump’s tribute to Daniel as “disgusting,” while Joe Scarborough, co-host of “Morning Joe,” characterized the speech as filled with “so much nonsense” on Wednesday morning.
Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a 13-year-old cancer survivor, was appointed as an honorary member of the US Secret Service by President Donald Trump on March 4, with encouragement from his father.
After making the inappropriate remarks about the young boy with brain cancer, the controversial host returned to the air on Wednesday, ignoring the growing demands for her resignation.
Despite the intense criticism, Wallace remained defiant in her ongoing critique of President Trump during her segment. In the accompanying photo, Daniel is seen embracing Secret Service Director Sean Curran.The president’s actions were met with outrage as he publicly congratulated a young man who has thus far survived childhood cancer, implying his involvement in the situation, according to Wallace.
Despite the backlash, neither Wallace nor the network has released any statement addressing her controversial remarks, leading viewers to express their anger.
“Nicole Wallace should be dismissed by @MSNBC!!!!” one user exclaimed, while another described her as “a twisted and hateful demon,” insisting she should be removed from the network.
Another individual remarked, “Nicolle Wallace, the woman on MSNBC, must be terminated for expressing that she hopes a 13-year-old cancer patient doesn’t take his own life.” “What on earth?” questioned another commenter, who also called for her dismissal. Numerous others, primarily from the right, echoed this sentiment.
One user stated, “This is the most appalling thing I’ve ever heard,” adding, “Leave the children out of it!”
The 13-year-old, who is fighting an incurable and rare form of brain and spine cancer, had already undergone 13 surgeries by the age of 12.
As he and his family strive to raise awareness about his illness, he is working to be sworn in by as many law enforcement agencies as possible.
When diagnosed in 2018, he was told he likely had only five months to live.
During a touching moment on Tuesday night, as Republicans in the House gallery chanted his nickname, “DJ,” the cancer-stricken teen was lifted by his father while receiving his badge from Director Sean Curran.
“Becoming a police officer has always been his aspiration,” Trump remarked, despite DJ’s brain cancer diagnosis in 2018.
A boy battling brain cancer was honored as an honorary Secret Service agent by Trump.
