Clarke at CPAC | Photo: Wikimedia/Gage Skidmore
Former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke is under fire after making a homophobic joke on Twitter about former Vice President Joe Biden.
But first this story requires some background.
On Tuesday (20 March), Biden gave a speech at the University of Miami. And he did not hold back. He discussed President Donald Trump and his treatment of women.
‘A guy who ended up becoming our national leader said, “I can grab a woman anywhere and she likes it.” … They asked me if I’d like to debate this gentleman, and I said no,’ Biden said.
‘I said, “If we were in high school, I’d take him behind the gym and beat the hell out of him.”‘
Biden continued: ‘I’ve been in a lot of locker rooms my whole life. I’m a pretty damn good athlete. Any guy that talked that way was usually the fattest, ugliest SOB in the room.’
Unsurprisingly, Trump called him out on Twitter. However, it’s Clarke’s Twitter response that’s drawing the most ire.
JOE BIDEN: “I’VE BEEN IN A LOT OF LOCKER ROOMS IN MY LIFE.”
Really Joe? Please tell us why and what you were doing hanging around all those locker rooms, Joe? Taking in the sights? Did the soap keep falling out of your hands Joe? Huh? Tell us Joe. #MAGA. https://t.co/NbMVGH4qqB— David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) March 21, 2018
Regardless of opinions on Biden’s comment (and the opinions are varied), Clarke’s blatant homophobia did not win over many people.
‘Locker room talk’
People responded to and tweeted about Clarke’s comments, immediately calling him out.
I’ve been in a lot of locker rooms, too, Dave. Interesting that you think going into one immediately involves lots of gay sex.
I guess that ridiculous beard you sport is also metaphorical, huh?
— Dane (@SeeDaneRun) March 21, 2018
I saw him give a motivational talk in an NCAA locker room during March Madness. You don’t seem like an athlete or a team player. The soap thing happens in prison I think, or jails where guys like you and Joe Arpaio cause people’s deaths.
— Deena (@Dlstoke) March 21, 2018
You have odd ideas of what goes on in locker rooms, man.
— poljunk (@poljunk) March 21, 2018
— MB (@Muh_Berry) March 22, 2018
What exactly does David Clarke think happens in locker rooms?https://t.co/aK0h87OPxe
— andrew kaczynski🤔 (@KFILE) March 21, 2018
Clarke resigned from his sheriff post in August. More recently, Twitter temporarily banned him for inciting violence against the media.
