Fox News contributor Erick Erickson responded to President Obama's press conference addressing the Islamic State by asserting that he understands why “so many” believe Obama “is a closet Muslim jihadist sympathizer.”

On August 28, Obama held a press conference to deliver remarks on the Islamic State and recent developments in Ukraine. During his statement, Obama explained that U.S. airstrikes have allowed Kurdish forces to push back the extremists, but added that more needed to be done with allies to root out the “cancer” that is the Islamic State:

As I've said, rooting out a cancer like ISIL will not be quick or easy, but I'm confident that we can and we will, working closely with our allies and our partners. For our part, I've directed Secretary Hagel and our Joint Chiefs of Staff to prepare a range of options. I'll be meeting with my National Security Council again this evening as we continue to develop that strategy. And I've been consulting with members of Congress, and I'll continue to do so in the days ahead.

Despite Obama's strong condemnation of the Islamic State, Erickson said on his radio show that “I don't believe Barack Obama is a closet Muslim jihadi sympathizer. But I now - today, after this press conference -- totally understand why so many of you think he is.” Erickson repeated the incendiary comment on Twitter: 

Erickson's inflammatory remark is the latest in a long line of extreme rhetoric from the Fox contributor. In 2012, Erickson called Obama a “composite Kenyan” on his blog RedState. He also has a history of sexist and homophobic comments: Erickson labeled Texas state lawmaker and gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis “Abortion Barbie” and claimed that gay people need to “overcome” the “struggle” of homosexuality.