
U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands Pete Hoekstra denied saying that there were "no-go zones" in the country--then denied his denial after being proven wrong by video evidence. (Photo: @Amyatfacts/Twitter)
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands Pete Hoekstra denied saying that there were "no-go zones" in the country--then denied his denial after being proven wrong by video evidence. (Photo: @Amyatfacts/Twitter)
Journalists and Trump critics cringed on Friday as Pete Hoekstra, former congressman and the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands, was caught blatantly lying to a Dutch reporter and attempting to hide behind President Donald Trump's pet phrase--"fake news."
A journalist with the Dutch news program Nieuwsuur asked Hoekstra about his claim, made at a congressional hearing in 2015, that "chaos" brought on by Muslims in the Netherlands had forced the country to establish "no-go zones."
The ambassador quickly called reports of the statement "fake news"--offering the phrase as one commonly used by Americans--only to be proven immediately wrong by a video of him at the hearing. He then went on to deny that he had used the term "fake news" only moments before.
The journalist openly laughed after the exchange, while critics on social media denounced Hoekstra's interview as an embarrassment to the U.S.
\u201cWhat\u2019s truly impressive is that @petehoekstra has not taken up his duties yet as Ambassador to the Netherlands and he\u2019s already pissed away his credibility. https://t.co/7iCHMjamqj\u201d— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1513945461
\u201cCurrent US Ambassador to Netherlands Pete Hoekstra. Dutch treat him like a joke. https://t.co/HzUA66lps9\u201d— David Rothschild \ud83c\udf3b (@David Rothschild \ud83c\udf3b) 1513943766
\u201cThanks to Trump and his people like @petehoekstra our country is now the lying laughingstock of the whole world. #MAGA https://t.co/GZAlDU0zx7\u201d— Billy Corben (@Billy Corben) 1513953155
The Dutch press has previously criticized Hoekstra, who was born in the Netherlands and immigrated to the U.S. as a child, for his anti-Muslim and anti-LGBTQ views, which put him at odds with his birthplace's largely socially progressive values. When Trump appointed him ambassador, the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant called Hoekstra "a Dutchman from the Netherlands of the '50s."
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Journalists and Trump critics cringed on Friday as Pete Hoekstra, former congressman and the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands, was caught blatantly lying to a Dutch reporter and attempting to hide behind President Donald Trump's pet phrase--"fake news."
A journalist with the Dutch news program Nieuwsuur asked Hoekstra about his claim, made at a congressional hearing in 2015, that "chaos" brought on by Muslims in the Netherlands had forced the country to establish "no-go zones."
The ambassador quickly called reports of the statement "fake news"--offering the phrase as one commonly used by Americans--only to be proven immediately wrong by a video of him at the hearing. He then went on to deny that he had used the term "fake news" only moments before.
The journalist openly laughed after the exchange, while critics on social media denounced Hoekstra's interview as an embarrassment to the U.S.
\u201cWhat\u2019s truly impressive is that @petehoekstra has not taken up his duties yet as Ambassador to the Netherlands and he\u2019s already pissed away his credibility. https://t.co/7iCHMjamqj\u201d— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1513945461
\u201cCurrent US Ambassador to Netherlands Pete Hoekstra. Dutch treat him like a joke. https://t.co/HzUA66lps9\u201d— David Rothschild \ud83c\udf3b (@David Rothschild \ud83c\udf3b) 1513943766
\u201cThanks to Trump and his people like @petehoekstra our country is now the lying laughingstock of the whole world. #MAGA https://t.co/GZAlDU0zx7\u201d— Billy Corben (@Billy Corben) 1513953155
The Dutch press has previously criticized Hoekstra, who was born in the Netherlands and immigrated to the U.S. as a child, for his anti-Muslim and anti-LGBTQ views, which put him at odds with his birthplace's largely socially progressive values. When Trump appointed him ambassador, the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant called Hoekstra "a Dutchman from the Netherlands of the '50s."
Journalists and Trump critics cringed on Friday as Pete Hoekstra, former congressman and the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands, was caught blatantly lying to a Dutch reporter and attempting to hide behind President Donald Trump's pet phrase--"fake news."
A journalist with the Dutch news program Nieuwsuur asked Hoekstra about his claim, made at a congressional hearing in 2015, that "chaos" brought on by Muslims in the Netherlands had forced the country to establish "no-go zones."
The ambassador quickly called reports of the statement "fake news"--offering the phrase as one commonly used by Americans--only to be proven immediately wrong by a video of him at the hearing. He then went on to deny that he had used the term "fake news" only moments before.
The journalist openly laughed after the exchange, while critics on social media denounced Hoekstra's interview as an embarrassment to the U.S.
\u201cWhat\u2019s truly impressive is that @petehoekstra has not taken up his duties yet as Ambassador to the Netherlands and he\u2019s already pissed away his credibility. https://t.co/7iCHMjamqj\u201d— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1513945461
\u201cCurrent US Ambassador to Netherlands Pete Hoekstra. Dutch treat him like a joke. https://t.co/HzUA66lps9\u201d— David Rothschild \ud83c\udf3b (@David Rothschild \ud83c\udf3b) 1513943766
\u201cThanks to Trump and his people like @petehoekstra our country is now the lying laughingstock of the whole world. #MAGA https://t.co/GZAlDU0zx7\u201d— Billy Corben (@Billy Corben) 1513953155
The Dutch press has previously criticized Hoekstra, who was born in the Netherlands and immigrated to the U.S. as a child, for his anti-Muslim and anti-LGBTQ views, which put him at odds with his birthplace's largely socially progressive values. When Trump appointed him ambassador, the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant called Hoekstra "a Dutchman from the Netherlands of the '50s."