Rep. Thomas Massie reveals the influence and tactics of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in a candid interview with Tucker Carlson.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Rep. Thomas Massie has brought to light the “bullying” behavior of the pro-Israel lobbying group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), during a two-hour interview with Tucker Carlson. The interview, posted on Twitter, delved into AIPAC’s opaque influence in Washington and its use of a “buddy system” to ensure Republican politicians align with Israel’s interests.
Massie described how this system works: “I have Republicans who come to me on the floor and say, ‘I wish I could vote with you today. Yours is the right vote, but I would just take too much flak back home.’ And I have Republicans who come to me and say, ‘That’s wrong what AIPAC is doing to you. Let me talk to my AIPAC person.’”
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He elaborated on the role of the “AIPAC person,” stating, “It’s like your AIPAC babysitter, who is always talking to you for AIPAC. They’re probably a constituent in your district, but they’re firmly embedded in AIPAC.” Massie noted that every Republican congressman or woman has such a person, who meets with them in Washington, has their cell number, and maintains ongoing communication.
When asked by Carlson why this situation is not widely known, Massie explained, “It doesn’t benefit anybody. Why would they want to tell their constituents that they’ve basically got a buddy system with somebody who’s representing a foreign country? It doesn’t benefit the congressmen for people to know that, so they’re not going to tell you that.”
Massie argued that no other country exerts such influence over US politics as Israel, stating there are no equivalent “Putin guys” or “Britain guys” in Washington.
Massie has faced significant pressure from AIPAC due to his repeated votes against funding for Israel, particularly following the October 7 attacks. AIPAC has targeted him heavily, spending over $300,000 on attack ads during his recent primary campaign. One of these ads accused him of being “hostile to Israel,” emphasizing his votes with “anti-Israel radicals.”
This revelation by Rep. Massie highlights the complex and often unseen influence of lobbying groups in American politics, raising questions about the transparency and accountability of such relationships.