MSNBC Host Trolls: 'Grievance, Persecution' Fuel Conservatives

Liberal MSNBC host Chris Hayes stirred up a hornet's nest Tuesday when he accused the "right-wing media" of caring about college campus protests against conservative speakers because their "emotional fuel is grievance and persecution."

Hayes, describing the often violent protests against conservative speakers as "current campus controversies," mocked conservatives' focus on the unrest, saying on Twitter, "You'd think liberals arts undergrads had the nuclear codes."

If you haven't been paying attention to right wing media recently,it's *amazing* how much attention current campus controversies have gotten

— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) April 25, 2017

The reason, I think, is that the right now controls most state houses and all three branches of federal gov't. They have *tons of power*

— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) April 25, 2017

But modern conservatism's emotional fuel is grievance and persecution, so they need to focus on Berkeley campus.

— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) April 25, 2017

"The Death of Expertise" author Tom Nichols was among the first to fire back, saying the real concern is with how fragile liberal students seem to be.

@chrislhayes Some of us are more worried in a broader context about the fragile and insular nature of the modern student.https://t.co/Ntbc2ButlQ

— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) April 25, 2017

Others chimed in as well, from both sides of the debate:

@chrislhayes I've litigated campus 1A cases for 15 years. We represent students arrested for distributing the Constitution. https://t.co/lwv5Kg30yO

— Casey Mattox (@CaseyMattox_) April 25, 2017

@CaseyMattox_ @YALiberty @yaf @Students4LifeHQ Great! My point wasn't really about advocates such as yourself.

— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) April 25, 2017

@chrislhayes @CaseyMattox_ @YALiberty @yaf @Students4LifeHQ Your "point" wasn't about anything but your tired crap- It's"amazing" hacks like u make snide insinuations about ANY free speech defenders.

— Glenn Little (@GlennLittle5) April 25, 2017

• Megan McArdle: Berkeley Stood for Free Speech, But Now It Caves
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