Skip to main content

The U.S. ambassador to Turkey is fighting back with humour after Ankara’s mayor called a U.S. State Department spokeswoman a “stupid blonde.”

John Bass posted a picture on his Instagram account with his normally dark hair digitally altered to a reddish blond. The caption said: “American Diplomats: We Are All Blonde.”

#ABD'li diplomatlar: hepimiz #sarışınız. #American diplomats: we're all blonde.

A photo posted by John Bass (@amerikanbuyukelcisi) on

Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek had taken to social media to go after State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf for criticizing Turkish police tactics during demonstrations.

Earlier this week, Gokcek posted a tweet with an image of police in Baltimore forcibly subduing someone during the recent unrest with a caption that said: “Where are you stupid blonde, who accused Turkish police of using disproportionate force?” When asked about the tweet, Harf has said that she did not want to dignify it with a response.

Gokcek, a longtime mayor of Ankara, is a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Gokcek is a cantankerous presence on social media, which he often uses to go after foes of his party. He was also outspoken during the large anti-government protests in 2013, attacking protesters and journalists.