Jake Tapper's Pointed Response to Viewer Angry That He Interviewed 'Vile, Hate-Spewing Bigot' Pamela Geller

Jake Tapper, CNN's host of "The Lead," interviewed Pamela Geller on Thursday, focusing on reports that the creator of last month's "draw Muhammad" contest in Garland, Texas, was allegedly a target for beheading by terror suspect Usaamah Rahim.

Target of beheading plot @PamelaGeller: ISIS is here, Islamic terrorism is here https://t.co/eLyYpj4m9W #TheLead pic.twitter.com/4VOmMXh50i

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 4, 2015

But not everyone was happy about Tapper's choice for an interview subject:

@jaketapper seriously dude?

— Reza Aslan (@rezaaslan) June 4, 2015

@jaketapper Why are you giving this vile, hate-spewing bigot a platform? Disappointed.

— Shoshana (@shoshpd) June 4, 2015

After Tapper tweeted a link to CNN's Wednesday coverage, one Twitter user persisted with anger over his decision to interview Geller:

@jaketapper She is still a vile, hate-spewing bigot. Nothing, of course, that justifies being executed. But a KKK member shouldn't get a...

— Shoshana (@shoshpd) June 4, 2015

@jaketapper ... platform to spew their bigoted views either just because extremists opposed to him plot to kill him.

— Shoshana (@shoshpd) June 4, 2015

To which Tapper offered a pointed reply:

@shoshpd maybe next time the alleged terrorists can select for a beheading someone more to your liking?

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper)

June 4, 2015

"...maybe next time the alleged terrorists can select for a beheading someone more to your liking?" he asked.

Following additional pro and con opinions in the thread, Tapper circled back with a very basic reason for interviewing Geller:

@shoshpd I'm a reporter, she's in the news. My questions were primarily about about threats of violence to her.

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 4, 2015

(H/T: Twitchy)

This story has been updated.

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Follow Dave Urbanski (@DaveVUrbanski) on Twitter