Fact Check: Kingsley Wilson Tweeted Neo-Nazi Talking Points About Leo Frank's Lynching
What We Know
Kingsley Wilson, the deputy press secretary at the Pentagon, has come under scrutiny for her online comments regarding Leo Frank, a Jewish man lynched in Georgia in 1915. Historians widely believe that Frank was falsely accused of raping and murdering a 13-year-old girl, leading to his lynching by an antisemitic mob. In 1986, the state of Georgia posthumously pardoned Frank, acknowledging the miscarriage of justice he suffered (NPR). Despite this historical consensus, Wilson has tweeted that "Leo Frank raped & murdered a 13-year-old girl. He also tried to frame a black man for his crime," a statement that aligns closely with neo-Nazi rhetoric (Jewish News).
Wilson's comments have drawn criticism from various organizations, including the American Jewish Committee, which labeled her unfit for public office due to her propagation of antisemitic conspiracy theories (NBC News).
Analysis
The claim that Kingsley Wilson tweeted neo-Nazi talking points about Leo Frank's lynching is substantiated by her own statements. Her assertion that Frank was guilty of the crimes for which he was lynched is not only historically inaccurate but also reflects a narrative commonly espoused by antisemitic extremists (Military.com).
Critics, including Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, have pointed out that Wilson's comments are "a deep cut in terms of the sorts of antisemitic ideas that neo-Nazis and others latch on to" (NPR). The reliability of the sources reporting on Wilson's statements is high, as they include reputable news organizations such as NPR, NBC News, and the Jewish News, all of which have documented her history of extremist rhetoric and antisemitic commentary (Jewish News, Military.com).
Wilson's online persona has been characterized by provocative and often inflammatory statements, which have raised concerns about her suitability for a role in the federal government (NBC News).
Conclusion
The claim that Kingsley Wilson tweeted neo-Nazi talking points about Leo Frank's lynching is True. Her statements not only misrepresent historical facts but also echo sentiments commonly found in neo-Nazi discourse. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that her comments align with antisemitic conspiracy theories, raising significant concerns about her role in a government position.
Sources
- Pentagon aide's past comments criticized as antisemitic
- Pentagon official posted neo-Nazi talking point about Jewish lynching
- Pentagon's No. 2 Spokesperson Has Long History of Antisemitic, Bigoted Social Media Posts
- Pentagon official posted far-right conspiracy about Jewish lynching
- DOD deputy press secretary has history of tweets with racist and antisemitic conspiracy theories
- Pentagon official condemned over tweet about Jewish lynching
