Rahm Emanuel praised Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Erika Kirk for publicly rejecting toxic political rhetoric and demonstrating self-reflection. Emanuel referenced Greene’s apology on CNN and Kirk’s remarks at a eulogy, calling both gestures examples of generosity of spirit. He acknowledged his own role in contributing to political toxicity and urged politicians and media figures to take responsibility for their words. Emanuel contrasted these responses with what he described as a lack of accountability among some other political leaders.
Rahm Emanuel Praises Marjorie Taylor Greene and Erika Kirk for Rejecting Toxic Political Rhetoric
Rahm Emanuel praised Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Erika Kirk for publicly rejecting toxic political rhetoric and demonstrating self-reflection. Emanuel referenced Greene’s apology on CNN and Kirk’s remarks at a eulogy, calling both gestures examples of generosity of spirit. He acknowledged his own role in contributing to political toxicity and urged politicians and media figures to take responsibility for their words. Emanuel contrasted these responses with what he described as a lack of accountability among some other political leaders.
03:37 AM, 11/18/2025Politics
Former Chicago mayor and prominent Democrat Rahm Emanuel on Monday commended two Republican women for publicly rejecting the poisonous rhetoric that has become common in American politics.
Emanuel, who is weighing a possible 2028 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, made the remarks during a televised interview with CNN host Wolf Blitzer. Blitzer raised Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)'s recent disagreement with former President Donald Trump over the Epstein files and played a clip of Greene telling Dana Bash, "I would like to say humbly, I'm sorry for taking part in the toxic politics."
Emanuel said he accepted Greene's statement and also referenced Erika Kirk, who spoke at a recent eulogy and expressed forgiveness toward the shooter. He framed both women's responses as examples of self-reflection and generosity of spirit.
"I think both Republican women — and I mean this sincerely — have shown a generosity of spirit and also a sense of self-reflection that all of us should," Emanuel said. "They appear willing to own their actions in a way many of the Republican men have not. When the president went to a eulogy and said, 'I hate my enemies,' the bereaved wife showed more generosity of spirit."
He added: "Our politics is way too toxic. I’ve participated in my own kind of poisoning the pool. All of us have to own our actions. We can have our disagreements without making it a 'Hunger Games.'"
Emanuel also contrasted public apologies and gestures of forgiveness with what he described as ongoing toxic rhetoric from some media figures and political leaders. The interview included video of Greene's apology and the eulogy remarks Emanuel cited.
Context: Emanuel’s comments attracted attention because they came from a seasoned Democratic figure considering a presidential run and because they singled out Republican women for taking public responsibility amid rising partisan hostility.
Watch the relevant clip on CNN for the full exchange.