Roseanne Barr ranted about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's Jewish heritage during a new interview with Piers Morgan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, claiming the war was intended to liberate the Ukrainian government from the control of "Nazis", but analysts have dismissed that reasoning, as Zelensky himself is Jewish. Still, many who are skeptical of the Ukrainian cause have backed the narrative that Ukraine is run by Nazis, pointing to some far-right elements among the Ukrainian military.
Barr, a comedian who has made headlines over her conservative beliefs in recent years, blasted Zelensky on Monday's episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored. Morgan offered her a chance to defend her recent remarks about the Holocaust that some interpreted as denial that the Holocaust occurred, but that defenders say were clearly sarcasm.
In defending her remarks, Barr, who is Jewish, said her critics are fed "bulls*** 24/7 over the media" and that she is "about to go crazy" over support for Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, as there is a "large faction of Nazis" in Ukraine, explaining that Nazis in Ukraine killed members of her family.
"I don't understand why everybody's Ukraine, Ukraine. Well I do understand, and that's what terrifies me," she said. "People better wake up and do some research on their own instead of buying what comes across on the screen."
Morgan responded to Barr's stance on Ukraine by pointing out that Zelensky is Jewish and "de facto, not a Nazi," prompting Barr to rant about the Ukrainian president.
"I know, but he's not a good one! Are all Jews the same? For God's sake, talk about anti-Semitic! Just cause the guy's a Jew doesn't mean he likes Jews or that he is doing anything good for the Jews. I mean, so what?" Barr said.
She continued: "Who cares what anybody is? That was the whole point of my tweet. Just cause they're kin folk, don't mean they're kin folk, you know what I mean? Just because they're the same color as you don't mean they ain't trying to lock your a** up. Wake up, people. Snap out of it."
When reached by Newsweek on Tuesday, Barr's son and spokesperson Jake Pentland referred to Barr's podcast, writing, "Click bait is so 2004 bro, defund the corporate media."
While Zelensky critics have not presented credible evidence to tie him to neo-Nazi movements, experts have raised concerns about far-right neo-Nazi elements in Ukraine. NBC News reported in March 2022 that Ukraine had experienced an uptick in antisemitic displays, prompting the government to pass a law criminalizing antisemitic acts and that far-right groups held some political power in the country.
Meanwhile, some Ukrainian forces, specifically the Azov Brigade, have drawn criticism for their ties to neo-Nazis. There have also been some isolated instances where Ukrainian soldiers are spotted wearing Nazi imagery while fighting against Russia.
Still, most analysts don't buy Putin's justification that the Ukraine invasion is to rid the government of Nazis. Most view it as an act of aggression aimed at seizing control of Ukrainian territory, perhaps as a means to secure his own legacy. Some Russian soldiers have also been spotted wearing Nazi imagery amid the war.
Update 07/11/2023 5:08 p.m. ET: This story was updated with comment from Barr's spokesperson.
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