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Florida City Today
By the People, for the People
Florida Congressman Sparks Outrage with Anti-Muslim Tweet
Rep. Randy Fine's comments about dogs and Muslims draw backlash
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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Congressman Randy Fine, a Republican representing Florida's 6th Congressional District, sparked controversy after posting a tweet defending dogs and offending Muslims. Fine's comments were in response to a post by activist Zahra Kiswani, who had jokingly complained about dog waste in New York City. However, Fine misinterpreted Kiswani's comments as a call to ban dog ownership, leading to a wave of Islamophobic reactions from his supporters.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between some politicians and the Muslim community in the United States, as well as the potential for social media posts to be misinterpreted and escalate into larger controversies. It also raises questions about the appropriate way for elected officials to engage with and respond to public discourse.
The details
On February 15, Congressman Randy Fine took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to defend dogs and offend Muslims. Fine posted that 'If they force us to choose, the choice is easy - we'll keep our dogs and we'll get rid of you.' This was in response to a post by activist Zahra Kiswani, who had jokingly complained about the visible dog waste problem in New York City. Kiswani later clarified that she was not calling for a ban on dog ownership, but Fine's comments were interpreted by many as a direct attack on the Muslim community.
- On February 15, 2026, Congressman Randy Fine posted his controversial tweet.
- On February 20, 2026, Fine introduced a bill in the House targeting the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
The players
Congressman Randy Fine
A Republican representing Florida's 6th Congressional District, Fine has a history of making Islamophobic remarks during his brief time in Congress.
Zahra Kiswani
An activist who jokingly complained about the dog waste problem in New York City, sparking Fine's controversial response.
What they’re saying
“If they force us to choose, the choice is easy - we'll keep our dogs and we'll get rid of you.”
— Congressman Randy Fine (X (formerly Twitter)
“Lmao at the Zionists frothing at the mouth at this, thinking they're doing something. It's obviously a joke I don't care if you have a dog, I do care if your dog is shitting everywhere and you're not cleaning it.”
— Zahra Kiswani, Activist (X (formerly Twitter)
What’s next
On February 20, 2026, Fine introduced a bill in the House targeting the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), further escalating the tensions between the congressman and the Muslim community.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in navigating the intersection of politics, social media, and sensitive cultural issues. It underscores the need for elected officials to engage with the public in a more thoughtful and nuanced manner, and for all parties to approach such discussions with empathy and a willingness to understand different perspectives.
