A former Congressman from Tennessee set off an internet firestorm when he appeared on Fox News remotely Thursday, with a portrait of former Chairman of the People’s Republic of China and founder of the Chinese Communist Party Mao Zedong in the background.
Harold Ford Jr., a Democrat, represented Tennessee’s Ninth Congressional District for a decade, from 1997 to 2007. Now, he provides commentary frequently on Fox News.
Fox News viewers noticed some strange background decor during Ford’s appearance on “Special Report” with Bret Baier Thursday.
“Wow, [Harold Ford Jr.] rockin’ the Warhol Mao over the fireplace. I liked the Muhammad Ali better,” Tom Bevan, founder of Real Clear Politics said.
Wow, @HaroldFordJr rockin’ the Warhol Mao over the fireplace. I liked the Muhammad Ali better. pic.twitter.com/lqwmDKegpM
— Tom Bevan (@TomBevanRCP) January 14, 2021
Several Twitter users posted similar photos of the frame, sending Fox News and Ford into damage control mode.
Ford absolved himself by saying it is not his home.
“As [Bret Baier] said, I’m just renting a place – didn’t choose the art – my house has Ali and MLK on the walls – no fan of Communist China or Mao – my public record and words on Fox and elsewhere about China prove that,” he said.
As @BretBaier said, I’m just renting a place – didn’t choose the art – my house has Ali and MLK on the walls – no fan of Communist China or Mao – my public record and words on Fox and elsewhere about China prove that
— Harold Ford, Jr. (@HaroldFordJr) January 15, 2021
Baier also used Twitter to clear up the controversy.
“As noted in previous tweet Tom. — “[Harold Ford Jr.] is renting a home for a few weeks in a vacation spot – he doesn’t control the walls. Strong background analysis, but Harold is not a Maoist- he was elected in Tennessee. Thanks for watching,” Baier said in response to Bevan.
As noted in previous tweet Tom. — “Harold @HaroldFordJr is renting a home for a few weeks in a vacation spot – he doesn’t control the walls. Strong background analysis, but Harold is not a Maoist- he was elected in Tennessee. Thanks for watching” https://t.co/7caESAnmwu
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) January 15, 2021
Twitter users lambasted Baier and Ford, despite the fact that the poster does not belong to him.
“He may not control the walls but he can control the setting. Getting tired of [Bret Baier],” Twitter user @ibhigg said.
He may not control the walls but he can control the setting. Getting tired of @BretBaier
— ibhigg (@ibhigg) January 15, 2021
“Gee, if I were just renting a place that had a giant picture of Mao in the living room I might say ‘ugh’ and take my video calls in a different room but that’s just me,” Twitter user @Latentem said.
Gee, if I were just renting a place that had a giant picture of Mao in the living room I might say "ugh" and take my video calls in a different room but that's just me
— Latentem (@Latentem) January 15, 2021
This is not the first time in recent memory that Democrats have appeared with communist propaganda.
In 2009, the Obama Administration came under fire for decorating the official White House Christmas tree with an ornament depicting Mao.
In 2014, Obama Press Secretary Jay Carney was busted with Soviet military propaganda adorning the walls of his home after a photoshoot with Washingtonian MOM magazine, which was profiling his wife.
– – –
Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Remind me again why this dirtball is no longer in office? It seems like he would fit like a glove in the corrupt biteme administration
Hmm. There’s nothing democratic about the Democrat party. They represent the deep state and they think they have a right to rule irregardless of the way people vote.
COMMIE COMMIE TRAITOR TO MY COUNTRY!!!
Surprised? I bet he also has a Panda portrait.
Might his vacation spot have been in communist China? Pray tell?
Kinda creepy
Why would he rent a property from a communists/socialists? He must believe in socialism!! This interview continues Foxnews slide to the left!!!! Newsmax…..
Ford and Zachary ought to get a room together. Reminisce about the good old days when the Ford Family of Memphis were tangled up in the largest TennCare scandal in state history. Zachary is crowing now about this $1.5 Bn Block Grand from Medicaid to enlarge and enhance TennCare services. No strings attached, I am sure. It never ends.
Got it…so according to Ford and Baier, supporting a Communist sympathizers with rent is ok?
What a piece of trash. Another Democrat POS!
He was elected in Memphis. BLM area. And they are marxists. Fact.
How shameful! This guy almost beat little Bob Corker for the TN us Senate race! The TN GOP should be calling out this communists/socialist former congressman! Corker was not a good senator and did not uphold conservative values! RINO! Like US Senators Hagerty and Blackburn that place a higher priority on Washington events than representing the needs of Tennesseans! Primary all the RINOS!!!!
If there was a photo of President Trump on the wall you would be branded a racist and in insurrectionist. But these days someone responsible for the murder of millions of innocent human beings is worshiped by the Democrats. Truly the party of the anti-Christ.
This is like the fourth time in a year (and I’m not looking for it) to see ass kissing toward china with displays of sentiment toward communism. I bet if that picture was of two men kissing in the nude he would have noticed that in a hot second..but ok you didn’t notice a mass murderer on the wall I’m sure you will be alert to any dangers coming….moron
sometimes the truth leaks out and they have to scramble
Being elected in TN doesn’t mean he ISN”T a Maoist. Listen to pretty much any politician from Memphis and they sound like they’re reading straight from the Chairman’s Little Red Book. But then do so most of Nashville’s pols.
Not sure why Bret would think being elected in Tennessee would automatically not make someone a communist? He was elected in the same Tennessee congressional 9th district as the chicken boy that replaced him when he quit for a failed senate race. Chicken Boy, Steve Cohen (google chicken boy steve cohen) who is white and Jewish and campaigned in 2006 saying that he was a white man who would vote “like a black woman” and pledged to seek membership in the Congressional Black Caucus.
It’s “Democratic Congressman.” It’s not politics, just basic English and knowing the difference between a noun and an adjective.
They are not democratic (small d), not at all, so I REFUSE to call them Democratic. Theyare the Democrat Rep, or whatever.
It does make them mad, so that is a plus.
Just my thing.