Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
John McCain Is Sorry Chuck Schumer Can't Take A Joke About Long Island
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 1, 2011
Modified Dec 1, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 1, 2011
Modified Dec 1, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
During a Senate debate about the treatment of enemy combatants, GOP Arizona Sen. (and Ed Harris opposite day impersonator) John McCain made a throwaway joke about the good people of Long Island: "Last I checked, Long Island was part—albeit sometimes regrettably—of the United States Of America." Instant rimshot! Sen. Chuck Schumer didn't find it so funny though, which led to some seriously catty back and forth insults between the two.
After hearing McCain's comment, Schumer soberly tweeted, “All of America saw how heroic Long Islanders were on 9/11. Long Island deserves an apology." McCain later returned to the Senate floor and said Long Island was “wonderful” and not some unwanted land mass—but he also responded directly to Schumer, saying: “I'm sorry there's at least one of my colleagues that can't take a joke, and so I apologize if I offended him and hope that someday he will have a sense of humor."
Schumer couldn't let this stand, and tweeted in response: "NYers can take a joke. But if @SenJohnMcCain wants to mock parts of America, stick to Arizona." Does this mean Schumer and Ann Coulter have more in common than anyone would have ever imagined? Leave it to actual Long Island Rep. Steve Israel to try to clear the air Long Island-style: with a shmear. "If John McCain had ever had a Long Island bagel, he wouldn't be saying that. I'm going to send some over and then ask him for an update on his views," he said, according to the Daily News.
Tagged
chuck schumer
john mccain
jokes
long island
offend
sense of humor
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
The mayor said his administration would review ICE and NYPD actions surrounding Thursday’s shooting.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 11, 2026 at 1:49 p.m. ET
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters
By
Mike Hayes
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .