Who is Aaron Mate? Delaware Senator Chris Coons threatens to have journalist 'thrown off' Amtrak train
DELAWARE: Senator Chris Coons found himself embroiled in an unexpected exchange aboard an Amtrak train, where he threatened to have journalist Aaron Mate ejected after being confronted about his stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The incident, captured on video, escalated quickly as Mate questioned Coons on his reluctance to advocate for a cease-fire in Gaza, as per New York Post.
Independent journalist Aaron Mate confronts Senator Chris Coons on a train asking him why he won't call for a ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/0dwXQFtZcl
— Mnar Adley (@MnarMuh) November 13, 2023
Chris Coons' tense encounter with Aaron Mate aboard an Amtrak train
Seated in the train's quiet car, Coons was approached by Grayzone reporter Mate, who extended an apology before delving into inquiries about the senator's stance on the Gaza cease-fire.
Coons, visibly confused, initially questioned Mate's identity, citing the car's rule against conversation. The senator attempted to evade the interview, seeking assistance from an Amtrak employee as Mate persisted with his line of questioning, emphasizing the impact of US weapons in Gaza.
Coons eventually clarified his position, expressing support for humanitarian pauses and urging Israel to target Hamas. Despite Coons' attempts to halt the conversation, Mate continued probing, leading the senator to threaten expulsion from the train, citing disruptions in the quiet car's etiquette.
The confrontation concluded with Coons leaving his seat nearly three minutes after the exchange began, and Mate claimed in a subsequent post that he was asked to relocate and ultimately removed from the train at the following stop in Philadelphia.
After questioning Sen. Coons about his support for Israeli massacres in Gaza, I was asked to move to a different seat. I complied. About 30 mins later, he walked by me. We did not exchange words. At the next stop, in Philadelphia, I was removed from the train. I assume this was… pic.twitter.com/Odbr36CJJx
— Aaron Maté (@aaronjmate) November 13, 2023
Who is Aaron Mate?
Mate, a Canadian writer and journalist, hosts 'Pushback with Aaron Mate' on The Grayzone and occasionally contributes to the 'Useful Idiots' podcast. His extensive career includes reporting and production roles with various media outlets like Democracy Now!, Vice, and Al Jazeera.
Notably, he challenged the allegations of collusion between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign, earning recognition for his work.
Currently affiliated with The Grayzone, described as a far-left platform, Mate's coverage often supports controversial stances on governments like Russia, Syria, and China, according to Coda Story.
The outlet has faced criticism for its perspectives on the Uyghur cultural genocide, allegations of chemical weapon use by the Assad regime in Syria, and the treatment of the Uyghur community in Xinjiang province by the Chinese Communist Party.
Controversies surrounding The Grayzone
The Grayzone's editorial choices have drawn attention for their critical stance toward Israel, particularly concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict.
They have consistently expressed dissent against Israeli actions, reporting substantial casualties in Gaza and suggesting a disproportionate response from Israel.
Additionally, The Grayzone has published contentious theories, including claims that contradict widely accepted narratives about events in Syria and Xinjiang.