https://youtube.com/watch?v=4CfJzgBiKK8
Senator Rand Paul (R., KY) was less-than-enthused by the media’s examination of his reaction to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech before Congress on Tuesday, telling Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade that “gossipy” websites “demean” themselves by noting his response.
Paul was on Fox News Wednesday morning when Kilmeade called the senator’s response “less-than-thrilled” and quoted an NRO’s post, which said that the senator’s demeanor each time he was on-camera indicated an unenthusiastic reaction to much of Netanyahu’s remarks.
“You know, I think what’s funny about it is that you have these gossipy websites who really demean themselves by putting stuff like that out,” Paul replied. “I gave the prime minister 50 standing ovations, I co-sponsored bringing him here.”
“And on the day that I also decide to co-sponsor the Corker bill saying that any final deal [with Iran] has to be approved, we have gossipy websites looking at, you know, the metric of how fast you clap,” he said. “I mean, I think they demean themselves by putting that out.”
The senator’s did not explain the reason behind his demeanor, which — though respectful — was noticeably different from the lawmakers around him. Other media outlets, including The Washington Free Beacon and Bloomberg, also reported on Paul’s reaction, and on Tuesday night Fox News host Megyn Kelly briefly mentioned the media response to his demeanor.
On Tuesday the senator released a statement praising Netanyahu’s speech before Congress, and on Wednesday Paul approvingly told a New Jersey radio show the reaction to Netanyahu was “incredibly supportive” — adding he is “always welcome in our country.”
A representative for Senator Paul declined a request for comment.