MSNBC congressional reporter Luke Russert considered Kim Kardashian West’s tweets in support of a Democratic sit-in on gun control to be of vital importance to his reporting Thursday, referencing it twice as proof of the significance of the protest.
Russert reported on Republican leaders adjourning the House until July 5 and what the next step would be for Democrats during his report from Capitol Hill just after 3 a.m.
"Do they stay on the floor tomorrow and Friday?" Russert asked. "Do they decide, you know what, we brought all this attention—I mean, Kim Kardashian was tweeting about this. That does not happen a lot."
Kardashian, who is known for starring on the show Keeping Up With The Kardashians, taking selfies, and being married to Kanye West, expressed support for the Democratic protest via Twitter. Russert was quick to notice.
I missed this---escalated quickly. https://t.co/rUeuMnZCrN
— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) June 23, 2016
In a later interview with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.), Russert referenced Kardashian West’s tweets again.
"Were you surprised at how large this got?" Russert asked. "I mean, Kim Kardashian was tweeting about it."
"No, I see what they wanted to be able to achieve," McCarthy said. "I think it was more about press."
McCarthy noted the high volume of fundraising emails Democrats sent trying to raise money off the sit-in.
Russert shouldn’t have been surprised about Kardashian’s interest in the protest. She has tweeted her support for gun control pushes before, and she is a backer of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who favors stricter gun control.
The fact that anyone can so easily access guns is so scary & after all of the devastating loss the Senate should have not failed us!!!
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 21, 2016
So sad! The senate voted against background checks being needed to buy guns. So terrorists on fbi's wanted lists can legally still buy guns
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 21, 2016
We have repeatedly called on Congress to close this loophole that makes it easy for dangerous people to get guns & kill.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 12, 2016
Under current federal law people on terror watch lists can legally buy guns – this is called the Terror Gap
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 12, 2016
Wore my Yeezy Season 2 heels &🍊 Pablo shirt yest in support of gun violence awareness day. Something has 2 change 🚫🔫 pic.twitter.com/isq8RE07NP
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 3, 2016
He purchased the gun & ammo ONLINE! How is it so easy to purchase guns online!!! Does this not sicken you? No background checks needed!!!!!
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) August 13, 2015