On CNN, Rick Santorum tries to walk back his remarks about Native American culture

Santorum on his remarks that dismissed Native Americans: “I was not trying to dismiss Native Americans”

Written by Media Matters Staff

Published

From the May 3, 2021, edition of CNN's Cuomo Prime Time

RICK SANTORUM (CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR): I was not trying to dismiss Native Americans. In fact, I mentioned them because, yes, they were here, and they did have an impact. In fact, in this country, you're right, they have a huge impact, particularly in the west and many other areas of the country, where they have a huge impact on American culture. I was talking about, and I misspoke in this respect, I was talking about the founding and the principles embodied in the founding. 

I would never -- and, you know, people have said, oh, I'm trying to, you know, dismiss what we did to the Native Americans, far from it. The way we treated Native Americans was horrific. It goes against every bone and everything I have ever fought for as a leader in the Congress. I believe, as our founding document says that we are endowed by -- created with inalienable rights and that we are all equal.

The Native American Journalists Association had spoken out about Santorum's prior disparaging remarks:

The Native American Journalists Association is now urging Native American and Alaska Native reporters not to work with CNN over Rick Santorum's comments, and the network's other “racist ... and insensitive reporting directed at Indigenous people.” pic.twitter.com/uJW1pV83Ar

— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) April 28, 2021