In our era of hyper-polarized politics, the incentive structures are such that people are encouraged to drop hot takes and blow people up on social media.
And Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), one of the eight Republicans who voted against then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), had an excellent chance to capitalize on torching a cable news host — but took a different route.
On Wednesday, “Fox & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade interviewed Burchett and things got a little testy as he pressed the congressman on whether he really would have moved against McCarthy if Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) did not lead the charge.
“You’re happy following Matt Gaetz? Is that your leader?” Kilmeade asked.
The Tennessee Republican answered, “I’m not following Matt Gaetz. I made my own decision.”
When Burchett insisted he would have challenged McCarthy without Gaetz, Kilmeade shot back, “Oh, come on. Please. You’re praying about it one minute, [and] the next minute you’re going to lead an insurgency?”
As Kilmeade continued pressuring him on the matter, Burchett said, “Listen, you’ve got a predetermined answer to everything. I prayed about it.”
The moment went viral as far-right activist Kingsley Cortes wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Establishment mouthpiece [and] Swamp shill Brian Kilmeade mocks TN Rep. Tim Burchett for praying. Disgusting behavior from Murdoch News!”
WATCH: Establishment mouthpiece & Swamp shill Brian Kilmeade mocks TN Rep. Tim Burchett for praying.
— Kingsley Wilson (@KingsleyCortes) October 4, 2023
Disgusting behavior from Murdoch News! pic.twitter.com/7tNQ4XyrcF
Meanwhile, commentator Benny Johnson accused Kilmeade of launching a “full-scale combative [sic]” on the congressman.
Given that Burchett had already stated his vote against McCarthy was “sealed” after the former House speaker allegedly mocked him for praying before the motion to vacate came up, he probably could have made a big deal out of the Kilmeade exchange.
He could have shared a video of the interview and said something like, “This is what happens to people of faith when they go against the establishment. The leadership and their mouthpieces in the media attack you and your faith.”
And since Fox News is not in the best standing with conservatives right now, there is a good chance he could have received a lot of attention and raked in donations.
But rather than trying to blow Kilmeade out of the water or make a fuss about the interview, Burchett chose the road of trying to diffuse tensions. In a post on X, he wrote, “It can’t all be slow pitch. He was fine, just doing his job.”
It can’t all be slow pitch. He was fine, just doing his job. https://t.co/S8us2C0wx3
— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) October 5, 2023
Perhaps at another time in our past, a story about a congressman not attacking a journalist to get clicks and attention wouldn’t be a big deal.
But in today’s politics, it’s refreshing to see a politician stay classy and not get into fights with journalists or join the mob of people attacking them to try to further their interests.
