Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett is being scrutinized for comments she made Monday evening about Greg Abbott, referring to the paralyzed governor of her state as “Governor Hot Wheels.”
Newsweek reached out to the offices of Abbott and Crockett for comment.
Why It Matters
Crockett, who was elected to the U.S. House in November 2022 and represents District 30 in Texas, has become one of the louder voices within the Democratic Party about issues ranging from budget cuts, culture war issues and the perceived power of Elon Musk.
Last month, she accused “mediocre white boys” of being the loudest to complain about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Earlier this month, she was vocal about Democrats “carrying the load” for voters across party lines due to purported disenfranchised Republicans questioning President Donald Trump, Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during local town halls.
She’s told members of the press that Musk should “f*** off.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi warned Crockett on Sunday to “tread carefully” in her purported messages to have Musk “taken out” on her March 29 birthday—the same day that over 500 protests are expected to take place nationally as part of the so-called Tesla Takedown.
What to Know
Abbott was 26 years old in 1984 when he was jogging in a west Houston neighborhood and a large oak tree along his path cracked and fell on his back, leaving him forever paralyzed from the waist down. He suffered several crushed vertebrae splintering into his spinal cord, broken ribs and damage to vital organs.
On Monday, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC)—the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization—hosted its annual dinner in Los Angeles, California, to gather hundreds of advocates and members from across the country.
Crockett was one of the invitees. About 4 1/2 minutes into a 21-minute speech, Crockett brought up her state and Abbott.
“We in these hot a** Texas streets, honey,” Crockett said. “Y’all know we got Governor Hot Wheels down there, c’mon now. The only thing hot about him is that he is a hot a** mess.”
People in the crowd can be heard audibly laughing and clapping at the comments. Crockett then made a quick joke about “going off script.”
Newsweek reached out to the HRC for comment.
President Donald Trump, during his first presidential campaign in 2015, appeared to mock a handicapped New York Times reporter, Serge Kovaleski, who suffers from a congenital joint condition called arthrogryposis.
“Now, the poor guy — you’ve got to see this guy!” Trump said of Kovaleski during a rally in South Carolina.
What People Are Saying
The National Republican Congressional Committee’s (NRCC) press secretary, Mike Marinella, said: “Jasmine Crockett is the perfect spokesperson for today’s Democrats: out of touch and completely unhinged. When you’ve got no message and no agenda, all that’s left is hate.”
Turning Point CEO Charlie Kirk said on X: “Jasmine Crockett continues to embarrass herself, the state of Texas, and the U.S. Congress. Gov. Abbott was paralyzed at the age of 26 when an oak tree fell and crushed his spine while jogging. This woman is trash.”
Libs of TikTok on X: “Gov Abbott is in a wheelchair because he became paralyzed from an accident. This is sickening.”
What Happens Next
Neither Abbott nor his office has publicly commented on Crockett’s remarks.
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