via Getty
US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. – Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
via Getty
US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. – Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
The detention of WNBA star Brittney Griner in Russia has become a concerning issue for the US. The State Department is currently negotiating with Moscow on a deal to bring her home. Meanwhile, athletes, celebrities, and fans have all expressed various opinions on the matter. Many people have demanded Griner’s safe return no matter the cost.
On the other hand, others have questioned the potential prisoner swap deal proposed by the Biden Administration. Notably, a popular and influential TV personality Lawrence Jones III ended up making a distasteful joke about Brittney Griner on Twitter.
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Jones is a renowned TV presenter for Fox News. He also hosts the Lawrence Jones Cross Country show on the media network. The show revolves around traveling to different places and depicting the pressing issues faced by Americans in different sectors. The Cross Country team recently took a trip to Idaho to cover the mystery behind the murder of four University students a couple of weeks ago.
Lawrence Jones makes a Brittney Griner joke
In the recent episode of his show, Lawrence had a conversation with the father of one of the victims about the progress of the investigation. He also interviewed a forensic pathologist to discuss the details of the mysterious murders.
Earlier, Jones posted a tweet to inform his followers about the Cross Country trip to Moscow, Idaho. Lawrence Jones III wrote, “Cross Country is live from Moscow, Idaho tonight.”
Cross Country is live from Moscow, Idaho tonight.
— Lawrence Jones III (@LawrenceBJones3) November 26, 2022
The renowned rapper and political activist Maj Toure reacted to the tweet. Toure made a joke about the Idaho town sharing its name with the capital city of Russia. He wrote, “Oh! I was about to say!!! Brother, you be safe in Mother Russia!!”
Toure was referring to how unsafe it was to travel to Russia currently, given the political uncertainties between USA and Russia. Jones quickly responded to Toure’s comments with a joke on Britteny Griner, which might be deemed insensitive by some, considering the critical situation the WNBA star is in currently. Lawrence Jones responded, “Oh hell no. Don’t want end up like Brittney Griner.”
Oh hell no. Don’t want end up like Brittney Griner
— Lawrence Jones III (@LawrenceBJones3) November 26, 2022
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Jones clarified that he was traveling to Idaho and not to Russia. However, he ended up making a distasteful joke about not getting stuck in Moscow like Griner.
Griner’s situation in Russia
Brittney Griner has begun her prison sentence of nine years in the IK-2 penal colony in Mordovia. The WNBA star is battling some of the most difficult conditions inside the penal colony.
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US diplomats working tirelessly to bring her home. The State Department is currently negotiating a prisoner swap deal, which appears to be the only hope for Griner right now.
