Online Outcry Follows Congressman’s Remarks on Governor Abbott

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, sparked widespread outrage after referring to Texas Governor Greg Abbott as “Governor Hot Wheels” during a Human Rights Campaign event. Her comments, delivered in a viral video posted on X, have drawn mixed reactions from users online.

“We in these hot ass Texas streets, honey. Y’all know we got Governor Hot Wheels down there. Come on now. And the only thing hot about him is that he is a hot ass mess, honey,” Crockett said, inciting a flurry of responses from the internet community.

Governor Abbott, who has been paralyzed from the waist down since a tree fell on him while jogging in 1984, has been a significant figure in Texas politics, serving as the state’s governor since 2015 and being re-elected for a third term in 2022. He was named one of TIME‘s 100 Most Influential People in 2024.

The reactions to Crockett’s remarks varied. While some found her comments amusing, others condemned them as disrespectful. One user commented, “That is a really low blow. Abbott is a great man who has sadly been confined to a wheelchair since he was paralyzed in 1984. Show some respect, Crockett.”

On the contrary, Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, stated, “It’s pretty funny,” indicating a divide in public perception of Crockett’s statement.

Critics of Crockett further emphasized a perceived double standard in political discourse, with one user remarking, “Imagine the outrage if a Republican said this. The double standards are remarkable.” In a social media reaction, Tesla CEO Elon Musk also responded by posting two exclamation marks in the comments section of Crockett’s video.

Governor Abbott’s extensive political career includes serving as Texas’s longest-serving attorney general and holding positions as a state district judge and a justice on the Texas Supreme Court. Abbott was born in Wichita Falls and raised in Duncanville before earning his law degree from Vanderbilt University.

Married to Cecilia Abbott, the first Hispanic First Lady of Texas, since 1981, the couple shares one daughter, Audrey. As the state governor, Abbott has focused on various initiatives affecting Texas residents, all while managing the challenges associated with his disability.