Chicago's Lightfoot calls White House's McEnany a 'Karen' after reported 'derelict mayor' slight

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White House, Chicago mayor in war of words over gun violence in city

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot calls White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany a 'Karen' for criticizing the city's handling of crime; Fox News contributor Guy Benson reacts.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot called White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany a "Karen" on Twitter Thursday, after reportedly being called a "derelict mayor" during a press briefing.

White House correspondent for Time Magazine Brian Bennett originally mentioned the slight on his Twitter account, before the message was picked up by Lightfoot.

"White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany just called Lori Lightfoot 'the derelict mayor of Chicago' and said she should request federal help to secure the city," he wrote.

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Lightfoot, a Democrat, followed up with her own tweet which referred to McEnany as "Karen" — a pejorative term that has come to prominence to label a demanding, middle-aged white woman who displays a sense of overbearing entitlement in various societal confrontations.

"Hey, Karen. Watch your mouth," the mayor wrote.

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Fox News reached out to McEnany about the comments and she pointed to a response she issued on Twitter Friday, which included a reply to Lightfoot's comments and a link to a letter from President Trump to local leaders in Illinois and Chicago.

"While you‘re focused on words, America is outraged by the violence perpetuated in your city. One person is taking action to stop violence in our streets: President @realDonaldTrump," she wrote. "He’s offered your city help. It’s a dereliction of duty not to take it."