Kyrie Irving and others criticized Van Jones after his remarks on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” where he suggested Iran and Qatar run a “disinformation campaign” around images of “dead Gaza babies.” He described social media feeds filled with these images as part of this campaign, eliciting laughter from the audience. Following backlash, Jones apologized, acknowledging his comments as insensitive and easily misunderstood. He emphasized the reality of suffering in Gaza and expressed remorse for making light of it.
Critics, including Irving and filmmaker Boots Riley, rebuked Jones for framing the situation as disinformation rather than recognizing the humanitarian crisis. Riley contended that Jones was providing cover for atrocities committed in Gaza. YouTuber Ms. Rachel highlighted the personal impact on grieving families, stating that the deceased children had names and stories. Others, including Democratic senator Chris Van Hollen and radio host Peter Rosenberg, also condemned Jones, accusing him of spreading “propaganda.” The UN reports significant casualties and humanitarian issues in Gaza, further intensifying reactions to Jones’ comments.
