Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz criticized GOP presidential candidate Marco Rubio for a planned fundraiser at a Dallas home where paintings by Adolf Hitler are housed.
But she quickly came under fire herself from critics who said the host, Harlan Crow, is not a Nazi sympathizer and has the items only as a small part of a much larger collection of historical artifacts.
"An event at a home with items like these is appalling at any time of the year. Adding insult to injury, Rubio is holding this event on the eve of the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur," Wasserman Schultz said, according to a report by the
Tampa Bay Times.
"Holding an event in a house featuring the artwork and signed autobiography of a man who dedicated his life to extinguishing the Jewish people is the height of insensitivity and indifference. There’s really no excuse for such a gross act of disrespect."
Crow's massive collection of artifacts does include two paintings by Adolph Hitler and a signed copy of Hitler’s autobiography, "Mein Kampf," as well as place settings and linens used by him, the
Washington Free Beacon reports, but has at times also included Frederick Douglass’ Bible, doodles by Abraham Lincoln, George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation, and statues of communist heroes Vladimir Lenin and Che Guevara.
Crow's mother was almost killed by a Nazi U-boat attack on the S.S. Athenia. Crow also owns items from that British ship.
Buzzfeed's Andrew Kaczynski tweeted that the DNC appears to think the public is "stupid."
Wasserman Schultz noted that Rubio represents a sizable Jewish population and "should cancel this tasteless fundraiser. It is astounding that the presence of these items that represent horror for millions of Jews the world over, would not stop Mr. Rubio or anyone on his team in their tracks when planning this event."
Republican National Committee National Press Secretary Allison Moore responded that rather than manufacturing a "false controversy over a collection of historic memorabilia that includes a statue of Margaret Thatcher and effects belonging to Abraham Lincoln, Debbie Wasserman Schultz should have opposed the weak Clinton-Obama Iran deal that puts Israel’s safety in jeopardy."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.