Fact Check: Lt. Gov. Patrick demands Tarrant GOP chair Bo French resign over bigotry
What We Know
Recently, Tarrant County Republican Party Chair Bo French faced significant backlash after posting a controversial poll on social media that asked followers to choose between "Jews" and "Muslims" as the "bigger threat to America" (source-2). This prompted Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to publicly call for French's resignation, stating that "antisemitism and bigotry have no place in Texas" (source-2). French later defended his poll, claiming that "there is no greater threat than Islamic radicals" and that his intent was misunderstood (source-2).
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the poll, labeling it "antisemitic" and "Islamophobic," and called for French's removal from his position (source-2). Following the backlash, French deleted the poll and issued an apology, but he also stated he would not resign, asserting his commitment to the Republican Party's values (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick demanded Bo French's resignation is substantiated by multiple sources. Patrick's statement on social media explicitly called for French's immediate resignation, emphasizing that French's views do not reflect the values of the Republican Party (source-2). This aligns with the broader context of rising concerns about bigotry and antisemitism within political discourse, particularly in Texas.
French's defense of the poll, where he characterized Islamic radicals as a significant threat, raises questions about his understanding of the implications of such statements. His remarks were criticized not only by Patrick but also by advocacy groups like CAIR, which highlighted the dangerous nature of framing entire religious groups as threats (source-2).
The sources used in this fact-check are credible, including local news outlets and statements from recognized organizations. However, it is important to note that French's previous controversial statements and associations may influence perceptions of his credibility and the seriousness of his apology (source-5).
Conclusion
The claim that Lt. Gov. Patrick demanded Tarrant GOP chair Bo French resign over bigotry is True. Patrick's public call for resignation was a direct response to French's inflammatory social media poll, which was widely condemned for promoting antisemitism and bigotry. The evidence from multiple credible sources supports this conclusion, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding bigotry in political rhetoric.
Sources
- Lt. Gov. Patrick calls for resignation of Tarrant County GOP Chair over ... Fox 4 News
- Tarrant County GOP chair Bo French condemned for using slurs | The ... Texas Tribune
- Texas politician condemned for poll targeting Jews and Muslims Houston Chronicle
