Joy Reid declared that she has become a “former” New York Giants fan after quarterback Jaxson Dart introduced President Donald Trump at a rally in New York last month — ripping the signal-caller as an “idiot”.
The former MSNBC host made the remarks during an appearance on the left-leaning MeidasTouch podcast “On Sunday with Jack Cocchiarella.”
Reid blasted Dart while discussing the fallout from the Giants quarterback’s introduction of Trump at an event in Rockland County on May 22.
“[A]s somebody who grew up as a Giants fan I was repulsed by Jackson Dart,” Reid said.
Reid zeroed in on Dart’s wording during the introduction, ridiculing him for saying he was “pleasured” to meet the president.
“First of all he didn’t say he was happy he said he was pleasured to meet the president,” Reid said.
“I’m pleasured to meet — like what does that even mean? First of all he’s an idiot, okay? What do you mean you’re pleasure[d] to meet the president? Like is English your first language? What are you saying?”
Reid said the appearance was enough to sour her on the franchise she supported growing up.
“I was really kind of repulsed as a Giants fan — former now,” she said.
The comments came days after Dart publicly addressed criticism over his appearance alongside Trump at Rockland Community College.
“Obviously this was a unique opportunity, being asked and given the opportunity to introduce the President of the United States,” Dart told reporters.
“My thinking was pretty simple in the fact, I’ve always loved this country,” he said, adding that members of his family served in the military and that he has “always” respected the office of the presidency “regardless of political affiliation.”
Dart also acknowledged the scrutiny that comes with being the quarterback of the Giants.
“I also understand in this world, politics can be a sensitive matter, a sensitive topic,” he said.
“I also understand that I’m the quarterback of the New York Giants and that involves a lot of responsibility — it’s under a limelight, under a microscope.”
Reid rejected arguments that Dart was merely showing respect for the presidency.
“The reality is Donald Trump is not a normal president,” she said.
“This isn’t praising the presidency or praising the idea of America or an American president.”
Reid went further, claiming Trump is “a wannabe king.”
“We’re in the 250th anniversary of our divorce from the king of England and Donald Trump is trying to be a king,” she said.
Dart’s appearance at the event sparked internal discussions within the Giants organization and drew criticism from teammate Abdul Carter before the two publicly reconciled and embraced following practice.
Dart defended his decision to introduce Trump, telling reporters that he viewed the invitation as a chance to show respect for the office of the presidency rather than make a political statement.
“Obviously this was a unique opportunity, being asked and given the opportunity to introduce the president of the United States,” Dart said.
He added that he comes from a family with a history of military service and public service, saying he has “always” respected the presidency “regardless of political affiliation, regardless of political party.”
The second-year quarterback also acknowledged that the appearance generated controversy because of his role as the face of the Giants franchise.
“I also understand in this world, politics can be a sensitive matter, a sensitive topic,” Dart said.
“I also understand that I’m the quarterback of the New York Giants and that involves a lot of responsibility — it’s under a limelight, under a microscope and there’s a lot that comes with that, and it’s something that I’ve embraced.”
Dart said the episode led to candid conversations inside the Giants locker room but insisted the team remains united despite differing political views.
“I can honestly say that I love every single one of my brothers, my teammates on this team, regardless of politics, regardless of religious beliefs, regardless of anything that may be different between us,” he said, adding that he hoped to keep those discussions private.
The Post has sought comment from Dart and the Giants.
