‘We All Are Going to Die’: Ernst Faces Backlash Over Medicaid Comments

Parkersburg, Iowa — U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, faced heated questioning from constituents during a town hall on Friday, igniting tensions over her support for President Trump‘s proposed Medicaid cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

During the meeting, Ernst made a controversial remark in response to concerns about the cuts, stating, “We all are going to die.” The comment was met with immediate backlash, leading to shouts and boos from the audience.

The town hall shifted tone quickly after Ernst initially received a friendly question about speaking at a Memorial Day event for the American Legion. However, as constituents pressed her about the Medicaid cuts, the atmosphere grew tense.

Ernst defended the bill, claiming that those who would lose Medicaid benefits were not eligible for them in the first place. “When you’re arguing about illegals that are receiving Medicaid benefits, 1.4 million (people)… they are not eligible so they will be coming off,” she said.

In response to her comment, a man shouted, “People are going to die.” Ernst replied, “Well, we all are going to die,” which sparked an uproar from the crowd that had already been losing patience.

The GOP’s budget package, which Ernst supports, aims to provide significant tax cuts for the wealthy while drastically cutting funding for social programs, including Medicaid and food assistance. A version of the bill recently passed in the House with a narrow vote of 215-214 and now faces scrutiny in the Senate.

During the town hall, a Navy veteran and retired school superintendent confronted Ernst over Trump’s leadership style. He asked her directly, “Are you afraid of Trump? Are you corrupt like Trump?”

Ernst, appearing defensive, countered by saying, “Obviously I don’t agree because I don’t think our country is being destroyed.” The crowd responded with loud protest.

Later, Ernst took to social media, seemingly unfazed, expressing appreciation for the constituents who attended. The day after the town hall, she shared a sarcastic apology video where she stood near tombstones. She said, “I made an incorrect assumption that everyone understood that yes, we are all going to perish from this Earth,” adding a religious note by encouraging viewers to embrace her faith.