Outrage as GOP Rep Scott Perry compares freed Russian prisoner Evan Gershkovich to 'a spoon'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Rep Scott Perry (R-PA) stirred controversy after making derogatory remarks about the prisoners freed in President Joe Biden's recent deal with Russia.

During an appearance on Fox News, Perry dismissed the significance of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was part of the exchange, comparing him to a piece of cutlery.

In March 2023, Gershkovich was taken into custody alleging that he collected state secrets on the Russian military on behalf of the US government — becoming the first American journalist to be detained in Russia since the Cold War.

Rep Scott Perry says US-Russia prisoner swap deal was 'like trading a rifle for a spoon'

Speaking about the prisoner swap deal between the US and Russia, Scott Perry said, "Essentially we've traded journalists for murderers and thieves. It's like trading a rifle for a spoon."

Perry's comments come after former president Donald Trump angrily responded to the news of Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan being freed from Russian custody.

"This just emboldens Vladimir Putin to continue to broker these kind of deals and to take our people prisoner to get these kind of deals," said Perry. "It's patently absurd, it's a terrible deal," he added.

Responding to the criticism, Biden asked why Trump was not able to secure a better deal while serving presidency, according to Raw Story.

Democratic strategist Matt McDermott slams Rep Scott Perry's 'spoon' remarks

Expressing outrage at Scott Perry's comparison of Evan Gershkovich to a piece of cutlery, Democratic strategist Matt McDermot wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Is any journalist — anyone? — going to speak out against Republicans comparing the life of Evan Gershkovich to a spoon? It’s disgusting. There’s zero difference between this swap deal and others in recent history. They’re just mad because Biden succeeded where Trump failed."

Internet rips Rep Scott Perry for comparing Evan Gershkovich to 'a spoon'

After Scott Perry compared freed prisoner Evan Gershkovich to a common table item, netizens slammed the representative for Pennsylvania for insulting the journalist.

"Did he say that to the Americans face that they weren’t worth bringing home?" a user wrote on X.

Another user tweeted, "Wrong analogy. Our Americans held hostages were not 'spoons'. They're actually heroic for enduring their years in Putin's hellhole prisons."

"My goodness. How low can they go? This is disgusting," a netizen commented.

Someone else penned, "Just disgraceful. If Trump did the exact same deal they would be praising his 'brilliance'"

"What a loser! Repeating what weirdo Trump said. Americans are back home, Biden got them out. That’s all that matters," a user remarked.

Another individual opined, "Human lives are neither rifles or spoons. This man is disgusting."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.