U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, whose district includes all of Flagler County, attacked people who accused him of wanting to “nuke” Gaza as idiots and said those are probably from Gaza, where he claimed half the population is incestuously married and therefore prone to being idiots. Gaza’s population is 2 million.
Fine made the comments to Flagler Broadcasting’s Liz Ryan in a brief news clip WNZF has been broadcasting today, five days after he told Fox News that the Palestinians of Gaza should be treated the same way Germans and Japanese were treated in World War II. The Israeli war on Gaza has so far caused upward of 52,000 deaths, and significantly more according to a study by The Lancet, the British medical journal
“In World War Two, we did not negotiate a surrender with the Nazis,” Fine had said on May 22. “We did not negotiate a surrender with the Japanese. We nuked the Japanese twice in order to get unconditional surrender. That needs to be the same here.” Fine did not qualify his statement at the time.
Today, he said: “People claiming I said Israel should nuke Gaza are idiots. But remember, they may be from Gaza, and in Gaza, 50 percent of people are married to their cousins, so obviously they do have a lot of people who aren’t very smart.”
Fine’s original comments drew rebukes by Americans in the American press, though not widely, and have been reported in the Times of Israel. His statement that half the people of Gaza–an enclave the size of Bunnell–are married to their cousins is false, and mirrors a mounting record of racist and degrading statements Fine has been making about Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims simultaneously with claims that critics of Israel or Israel’s war in Gaza are anti-Semitic.
The American Conservative magazine has called for his resignation or for his colleagues to oust him from Congress. The Council on American-Islamic Relations said his May 22 statement “represents one of the most dangerous and dehumanizing remarks ever made by a sitting member of Congress and marks an escalation of Fine’s long-standing pattern of inciting violence and bigotry.”
He was not challenged during the Flagler Broadcasting interview, which was the first of two. Ryan is to speak with Fine “about his Preventing Anti-Semitic Harassment on Campus Act.” Asked whether Ryan intends to challenge Fine’s claims or his anti-Arab bigotry, David Ayres, the station’s president, said “it was a news story, not a debate, not our opinion, straight-out news, that’s why we put their voices on there without us telling people what somebody said. I think people are smart enough to figure out Randy Fine.”
In the radio report, he appeared to walk back the comments he’d made last week, repeating them in their essence: “When we fought evil in World War Two, we didn’t go, boo hoo hoo. The Germans are suffering. Let’s cut a deal. We didn’t say to the Japanese, oh no, you’re suffering. Let’s cut a deal. No, we nuked them twice in order to get them to unconditionally surrender. And Gaza is a situation no different. So Israel needs to do what is necessary in order to win the war.” (Germany was not nuked before it surrendered, though the bombing of its cities was in several cases more devastating than the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Israel, a nuclear power, is believed to have a stockpile of some 90 warheads, according to the Arms Control Association.)
The news clip referred to Tucker Carlson saying Fine should “get the help he needs,” prompting Fine to tell WNZF a string of falsehoods–that Calson “just takes Muslim terrorist money,” that “he’s just bought off by the Qataris,” and that “he’s just a nut.”
The president, who endorsed Fine in the special election Fine won on April 1 to replace Mike Waltz, has just accepted the gift of a $400 million jet from the Qataris.
Deborah Coffey says
Can there be anybody that voted for this fool that is proud of his/her vote? Certainly, Americans believe that we deserve representation by people of character and values. Randy Fine is a stupid man and a total embarrassment…another one along with Trump and his entire cabinet.
c says
Why do I have nightmares of Randy Fine dating Marjorie Taylor-Green?
And, how can I stop them !!!
Thomas Hutson says
Pugsley, Pugsley,Pugsley(aka (Fine) you really need to get a “Life “ ! Open your mouth once again and prove you have nothing but SHIT for brains! Please do Florida a great service and shut your stupid mouth until after the 2026 elections! Give up trying the mimic the Orange Man you don’t have a clue!
R.S. says
Incestuous idiot? Hmmm. I don’t think I would apply that term to Gazans, but looking at that picture . . . . .
Sherry says
How embarrassing and troubling for “anyone” who voted for this complete “JERK”!
justbob says
Joe Mullins, Ed Danko, Victor Barbosa, Mike Norris, Alan Lowe, Randy Fine. So many bad choices…it speaks loudly to the mentality of our area voters.
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
Just a buffoon that only one circus would take with the Ringmaster a convicted felon.
PaulT says
I’m in agreement with Deborah Coffey in that I can’t believe anyone supports Randy Fine, but I’m not sure he’s stupid, even in his day Harvard didn’t hand degrees and mba’s to complete dolts though every rule has it’s exceptions.
But Fine is certainly a foul mouthed, racist bigot. Fine is a multi millionaire rabble rouser who has sworn absolute loyalty to Trump’s misguided misogynist policies and has admitted to being disinterested in his constituents.
Pogo says
@Now
… someone tell me it’s NOT Floriduh; there’s no f’ing way to wash your hands after voting for monsters like trump, desantis, scott, bondi, fine, and the rest of these loathsome hyenas that floriduhians have elevated to elected office.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
It burns me up that we’ve had that that crass loudmouth Randy Fine foisted on us as our Congressman. It’s worse than a shotgun marriage because we don’t even know the guy! He doesn’t live in the area and probably never even passed through here until Trump anointed him. I’m an independent voter who voted for Trump, and I have to say the appointment of Fine as the Republican candidate to run for Mike Waltz’s seat was one of the three most colossally stupid moves Trump has made since taking office. Fine is an embarrassment, and I’m ashamed that he represents us. He’s not fit to be the mosquito officer.
T says
So truth is out fine is incest and disgrace
BillC says
Randy Fine is a swine.
William Moya says
A reminder, that what this man is saying has been echo, retroactively by Netanyahu and his gang of fascists, with the tacit support of the US government, both Republicans and Democrats, and Americans still in a somnambules state afraid to wake up and face reality.
The dude says
In other words… he represents this area perfectly.
Foresee says
Fine “claimed half the population is incestuously married and therefore prone to being idiots.”
In the Old Testament, both daughters of Lot had sex with their father and got pregnant. (Gen 19:33)
Lot was the nephew of Abraham and accompanied him on his journey to the land of Caanan.
David Schaefer says
He is nothing but a PIG along with his boy TRUMP….
Endless dark money says
lol the republicans are the inbred terrorist! Starving children, imprisoning people without trials! When are we going to round up the republican gang and hold them accountable for their crimes. The punishment for treason is death according to the old constitution.
Jim says
@Keep Flagler Beautiful says: “It burns me up that we’ve had that that crass loudmouth Randy Fine foisted on us as our Congressman.”
Just to be clear, Fine was not “foisted on us” as you state. Trump endorsed Fine and all the MAGA’s fell in line (like you) and voted him into office. MAGA (and you) had the opportunity to look at Fine and his opponent Josh Weil and vote for who you thought was the best candidate. As far as I know, Fine never even campaigned; he knew he’d win because Trump anointed him. If you and others had just taken some time to look at your choice you might have voted for Weil and Fine wouldn’t be “representing” this area now. But that didn’t happen and here we are. You say you are an “independent” voter. If that’s the case, did you not compare the candidates or did you conclude Fine was the better of the two? Either way, I’m not sure what you “independently” look for in a candidate but since Fine apparently got your vote, you might want to re-evaluate your requirements for candidates. Fine didn’t hide his nasty side.
Joe D says
Randy Fine’s comments and behavior are so outrageous, that I’m EMBARRASSED to have to admit to Friends and Relatives, that he is MY representative! Is he REALLY the best that Flagler County has to offer the local voters (how SAD)?
Has anyone verified that he still has his “primary” residence in Flagler County? Does he still even LIVE at the rental home in Flagler County that the Republican Party arranged for him, so he could “qualify” ( what a SHAM), as a Flagler County “resident” for the election. I would be interested in how much time he actually SPENDS at his Flagler County “residence,” instead of his (I guess now officially his “vacation”) prior residence he was in, prior to be the TRUMP supported candidate to fill the vacancy.
I see now there has been local calls for his resignation (good luck). He is a true TRUMP acolyte…so he is going nowhere…at least not until the 2026 elections. But even then, the APPARENTLY OBLIVIOUS Flagler County voters will probably cement him in for another full term. It’s not like his inappropriate conduct wasn’t well known BEFORE his appointment! But his blind support for the current MAGA crowd seems to be his only STRONG POINT.
COME ON Flagler County voters…there has to be someone better out there for his position…there just HAS TO BE….anyone?!!
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
Jim Says: You run your mouth a lot, but maybe you should know the facts before you embarrass yourself. As it happens, I did not vote for Randy Fine. I voted for Trump because the alternative was completely unacceptable, but I couldn’t bring myself to vote for the repulsive gas bag Fine, who has no connection to our community at all. To be fair, Weil wasn’t from here either, but at least he made an effort to connect with the people and he seemed like a normal person, which is not something we see much anymore in candidates. It sounds like you needed someone to unload on and I was convenient for that purpose. Perhaps you should rethink what you write as you hide behind a veil of anonymity.
What Else Is New says
Keep Flagler Beautiful, bless your heart. Please explain how you could vote for a racist, fascist, corrupt, “They’re eating the cats, they’re eating the dogs,” criminal grifter who exhibited his ignorance of the Constitution and rule of law prior to the election. You knew full well he planned to pardon the January 6th rioters and jailed judges, tax cheats and more thugs. You voted for Trump? You call Randy Fine, not fit for the office he holds? Trump and Randy were cut from the same cloth. Shame on you. Our country is being led to destruction by the inhumane.
“The death of human empathy is one of the earliest most telling signs of a culture about to fall into barbarism.” Hannah Arendt
Kennan says
These problems have become uniquely our own. We have no standards. The more cruel, The more vindictive you are, The more petty you are, the less integrity you have, That seems to be seen as a value, especially on the Right.
This lack of standards and morals, is the reason why someone like Randy Fine can rise up and pull himself out of a dirty toilet and find a voice.
This glutinous warthog of a man is a rank coward. Afraid of the truth, and like so many others of like mind, will sell their souls and spread lies, not just based on his own stupidity, but his own shameless evil.
Randy, do you realize when you call representative Ilhan Omar a terrorist. when you say, she is not for America and supports Muslim terrorists, and you even go as far to say, as she probably thought those two Israelis that were killed in front of their embassy a good thing? Do you realize you are begging for a defamation of character lawsuit? One I would gladly slam your way if I were Ilhan Omar.
Do you realize in a normal society with checks and balances, you would’ve been asked to step down long ago, you at the very least would’ve been censured, but it’s OK that you and your right wing racist say the things you do and do the things you do. Meanwhile: Rashida Talib get censured for defending the defenseless people of Gaza in the throes of a genocide That you support fully.
Our current president has none of the values that we were all taught as children that were good. You guys think that being cruel, taking away civil rights, human rights, and a person’s right to defend themselves.??? In your mind, that’s being edgy. In reality that means you have no moral compass, your party thinks that’s A-OK. You are the bright spot in a malignant cancer that is Spreading throughout our nation.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
What Else Is New: Yes, as I stated openly, honestly and without any shame, I am an independent voter who voted for Trump, and in spite of his shortcomings, I would do it again if the opponent were someone as incompetent and ill-prepared for the job as Kamala Harris. And I will say this again, as it doesn’t seem to have sunk in: I did not vote for Randy Fine. Instead of hurling insults — and I notice you haven’t mentioned who you voted for, or if you even voted — why not try to come up with something constructive to add to the dialogue? You really are over the top. Real heart attack or stroke material.
Let’s go Denmark says
Shows our republican fascist leadership! Haha they already forgot about 9/11 down with the TSA! Amazing the gop domestic terror organization has the hearts and minds of so many here. Looks like the billionaires are winning!
Concerned in Flagler says
People of Flagler County who voted this guy in the Congressional Seat never really Paid attention to his Views when he was sitting in Tallahassee.
1. I was Deployed to the Middle East During Operation Iraqi Freedom and we had to take a seminar on the Muslim People so that we don’t Cause an International Incident. They do not Marry their Cousins, it is strictly by the Koran dictates Marriages in the Muslim/Islam Communities. You will see Men have many wives, it is against their laws for a woman not to live with men or mingle with them in a home without being Married or the Family will arrange the Marriages.
2. Royalties use to Marry their Close Relations so to Keep the thrown, it was ok back during the Civil War times for you to marry either your first Cousin and definitely okay to marry your 2nd Cousin. I am Southern so I know all about the Laws in regards to Marrying Cousins.
Jerry Lee Lewis who was awesome on the Piano married his 1st Cousin and no one thought more of it until he toured the UK and they did not like the idea he married his cousin.
3. What Fine stated was so derogatory and Racist to the Palestinians, Threaten them with Nuking them, Being in the Military I learned that Russia was brokering Peace from Japan and the United States when they Dropped the Atom Bomb. The Most Famous Words I am the Destroyer of Worlds. Today People in Asia are still feeling the Affects of the radiation.
4. Look I did not Vote For Trump Nor did I vote for Randy Fine and I think it is about time that Intellectual People be Heard and Not Vote in these MAGA Politicians who won’t stand up for the Constitution and Making Comments that could Lead to Israel to Bomb Palestine with Nukes. This goes against the World Court and you telling to completely decimate a culture of People.
5. Last I would like to add With Christian Nationalism they are trying to Rule the Whitehouse and stating that only Christianity is allowed in the United States. Just like Catholics did to the Native Americans because they followed a different belief system. Just Like the Crusades when Catholic Priests wanted and called for the annihilation of the Non Christian Peoples. This is a Scary time to be living in.
6. I can’t wait until Next year when there will be a Wave of Blue since all of this Mess we are in today because of Misrepresentation of the American Peoples.
DoubleGator says
I wish the people who voted for Fine would wear a sign indicating such. Just would like to easily identify people with that stupidity.