Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene responded with a profanity when British journalist Emily Maitlis questioned her about the “Jewish space lasers” conspiracy theory during an interview at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago Resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Super Tuesday.
The controversy stemmed from Greene’s now-deleted 2021 Facebook post where she speculated about the cause of the 2018 California wildfires. In the post, she mentioned a Democratic high-speed rail project, online reports of lasers causing the fires, and suggested a connection to “space solar generators” funded by the Rothschild investment group. The post was widely criticized as anti-Semitic for including the Rothschilds trope.
“Well, we’ve been encouraging her to drop out and support President Trump. And I think tonight is the clear message that President Trump is the clear frontrunner. He’s the winner in our Republican primary. And it’s time for Nikki Haley to drop out and support him.”
During the interview, Maitlis asked Greene about her advice for Nikki Haley, Trump’s remaining Republican rival, and whether Greene might be considered for a cabinet position or vice president in a future Trump administration. When the conversation shifted to conspiracy theories within the Trump campaign and specifically the “Jewish space lasers” theory, Greene dismissed it as a sarcastic social media post and denied being anti-Semitic.
“Oh, you know, that’s the question everyone asks. And no, I don’t think Nikki Haley should be on the list, but of course President Trump will choose who he wants for VP.”
“Would you like to be on that list?”
Maitlis persisted with the question, asking about the attraction of conspiracy theories to Trump supporters, including Greene herself. In response, Greene accused Maitlis of being a conspiracy theorist and claimed that the left and the media spread more conspiracy theories. When Maitlis pressed on the “Jewish space lasers” issue, Greene abruptly told her to “f*** off.”
“Can you tell me why so many people that support Donald Trump love conspiracy theories, including yourself?” Maitlis asked. “He seems to attract lots of conspiracy theorists.”
