Rich Lowry, the editor-in-chief of the National Review, is facing widespread criticism after an on-air slip during an appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show. In a live discussion about former President Donald Trump’s presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Lowry used a racial slur, the N-word, when referring to Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. For context, the conversation centered on a false claim, repeated by Trump during the debate, that Haitian immigrants in Springfield had been eating residents’ pets.
“Police have gone through 11 months of recordings of calls, and they’ve only found two Springfield residents calling to complain about Haitian n*gger ah mmm migrants taking geese from ponds—only two calls,” Lowry said, catching himself mid-sentence.
Rich Lowry has since taken to social media to try and cover his remarks, posting on Twitter/X, “Yep, this is exactly what happened—I began to mispronounce the word “migrants” and caught myself halfway through.”
Lowry’s use of the racial slur, widely interpreted as a Freudian slip, has sparked outrage on social media. Many critics argue that Lowry’s slip of the tongue reveals his deeper, unconscious biases toward Haitians and Black people.
As of yet, Rich Lowry has yet to apologize to he Haitian community or the city of Springfield.
Republican Officials Denounce Baseless Allegations Amid Rising Threats in Springfield
Importantly, the claim about migrant immigrants has quickly been disputed by both Springfield’s mayor, Rob Rue, and Ohio Governor Richard Michael DeWine, who are both Republicans. They emphasized that the narrative was baseless, with Mayor Rue noting that local authorities found no significant evidence supporting the claim.
This incident highlights the growing debate over racial insensitivity in political discourse, especially in media appearances where unscripted remarks can lead to serious consequences. In Springfield, Ohio, bomb threats have paralyzed the city after Donald Trump sparked fear with baseless, racist claims about Haitian immigrants. These false allegations have not only fueled extremist violence but are now threatening the safety of local residents, underscoring how harmful rhetoric can escalate into real-world dangers.
Not to defend what Mr. Lowry said or why he said it, but i noticed one of the comments (Zachary Kirk) you posted in the article implied that “they” (could be conservatives, white people, U.S. citizens, not sure what he means by “they’) see “us” (presumably Black people, could be Haitians if Mr. Kirk is Haitian) all the same. I would caution you and your publication from supporting that assertion. I don’t “see” a certain way based on whatever intersectionality trait (skin color, ideology, etc.) you or other readers choose to use, and find it ironic that Mr. Kirk is applying the same judgmental broad brush to whatever intersectional group he actually means.
Full disclosure; i’m just a retired male who happens to be white who also feels umbrage when others are slighted or discriminated because of the way they look. I’m no one important, but God is using me to make our society better one person at a time.
i think we can all do better, don’t you?