NewsParis Olympics sparks outrage: Republicans blast White House

Paris Olympics sparks outrage: Republicans blast White House

Leader of the Republicans in the House of Representatives and its Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the White House
Leader of the Republicans in the House of Representatives and its Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the White House
Images source: © Getty Images | Bill Clark

7:52 AM EDT, August 1, 2024

The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris sparked enormous controversy worldwide. Now, the leader of the Republicans in the House of Representatives and its Speaker, Mike Johnson, has spoken out on social media, sharply criticizing the White House.

The opening ceremony stirred strong emotions and controversies globally due to a segment where a group of extravagantly dressed individuals banqueted at a huge table. Many Catholics saw it as a reference to Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper."

Numerous well-known individuals and politicians have already commented on the topic, worldwide. Now, the leader of the Republicans in the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, has spoken out on social media.

The White House has had every opportunity to condemn the Olympics’ shameful mockery of the Last Supper, but they refuse to do it. Their silence should be taken as an endorsement. The more than 200 million Christians in America should take note, he wrote on platform X.

Mike Johnson criticizes the White House

In his post, the Speaker of the House of Representatives added a video in which, during a press conference, a question is asked about the White House's stance on the mentioned part of the ceremony. Spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre refused to comment on the matter.

Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris, denied on Sunday that he was inspired by the "Last Supper" in the scene that provoked protests from the Catholic Church. He also assured that he did not intend to mock anyone.

I think it was quite clear that it was Dionysus arriving at the table, he is the god of the Feast, of wine and father of Sequana, the goddess linked to the river. The idea was a great pagan festival linked to the gods of Olympus... Olympus, Olympus, Olympic spirit..., Jolly explained in an interview with BFMTV.

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