Mark Kauzlarich/Reuters
During a discussion about the Republican Party’s longstanding shortcomings with minority voters, GOP Rep. Steve King made the argument that white people have contributed more to society than other “sub-groups” throughout history.
“Where did any other sub-group of people contribute more to civilization?” King said Monday evening on MSNBC. Asked if he was referring specifically to white people, King mentioned western and eastern Europe, as well as the U.S. and “every place where the footprint of Christianity settled the world.” King also said it was not necessary for the Republican National Committee to conduct an “autopsy report” after the 2012 election.
Anchor Chris Hayes ended the segment abruptly, and later tweeted that he was “taken aback” by King's comments. In addressing criticism he received for not allowing panelist April Ryan to respond to King’s remarks, Hayes said the debate King was trying to raise is “as odious as it is preposterous.”