Trump Ally Bragged About Asking Muslims With 'Rag' on Their Heads If They Were Terrorists

The director of a pro-Trump group once bragged about harassing Muslim-looking airline passengers who had a "rag" on their head, asking whether they were terrorists. Carl Higbie, the advocacy director for America First Policies, made the comment on an April 2013 internet radio show in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing, according to newly discovered audio released by Media Matters Wednesday.

The disclosure comes just a day before Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to be a special guest of the group during an event in New Hampshire.

"You put a rag on your head, it's my right to be suspicious," Higbie said on internet-based network Renegade Talk Radio. "When I get on an airplane and I'm sitting next to some Muslim jihad-looking dude, I ask him. I say: 'Dude, are you a terrorist?'"

He added: "And he gets all bent out of shape. 'Oh, what's that supposed to mean?' Yeah. Because no 90-year-old women have brought down any planes recently. So are you or are you not a terrorist? Answer the fucking question."

As Higbie went on, the show's host Richie Keppler repeatedly used the slur "raghead" to refer to the two brothers accused of carrying out the Boston Marathon Bombing, who were both Muslims.

Further explaining his rationale, Higbie claimed that "we need to get over the fact that, you know—'Oh, you can't insult the prophet. You can't insult Islam.' Who the fuck cares how you feel? You're in my country, all right? We're not a Muslim country."

muslim ban protest
Demonstrators gather near The White House to protest President Donald Trump's travel ban on seven Muslim countries on January 29, 2017 in Washington, DC. Trump ally Carl Higbie has recorded making further anti-Muslim comments. Zach Gibson/Getty Images

The comments are far from the first controversy involving Higbie or America First Policies. In January, Higbie was forced to resign as the head of external affairs in Trump's Corporation for National and Community Service after CNN detailed previous racist, sexist, anti-Muslim and anti-LGBT comments he had made.

America First Policies, a non-profit group, has also faced scrutiny for its close ties to Trump, including hiring Trump pollsters to conduct the sort of research usually conducted by the Republican National Committee, CNBC reported.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Jason Le Miere is from the British island of Jersey, which has absolutely no relation to the Garden State, other than ... Read more

To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go