Randy Fine, a Republican member of the US House of Representatives from Florida, drew widespread online attention after posting on X that “the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one,” a remark that circulated widely and prompted responses from politicians, media figures and advocacy organisations.
The comment was posted in response to a message by Palestinian-American activist Nerdeen Kiswani, who had written that dogs are “unclean” and should not be kept as indoor pets, describing the view as rooted in religious and cultural tradition. Fine replied that if Americans were forced to choose, the decision would favour dogs.
Following the post, several public figures responded publicly. Democratic congressman Ro Khanna commented on the statement, as did media figures including Megyn Kelly and CNN anchor Jake Tapper.
Muslim advocacy organisations also referenced the post in statements addressing political rhetoric in the US.
Fine was born on April 20, 1974, in Tucson, Arizona, and raised in Kentucky. He earned a degree in government from Harvard University and later completed an MBA at Harvard Business School. Before entering politics, he worked at McKinsey & Company and later held academic and executive roles, including in the casino gaming industry.
He entered Florida politics in 2016, serving multiple terms in the Florida House of Representatives. In 2024, he was elected to the Florida Senate but served briefly before winning a special election to Congress in April 2025 to replace Mike Waltz. He represents Florida’s 6th congressional district and serves on House committees including Foreign Affairs and Education.
Fine is known for a strong pro-Israel stance and frequent use of social media to comment on foreign policy and cultural issues. The exchange also drew attention to Kiswani’s activism and her group’s support for New York assembly member Zohran Mamdani, placing the episode within broader US political debate related to Gaza and Middle East policy.
