TacoGate has arrived.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden is facing serious backlash after comparing the Latino community to breakfast tacos while giving a speech at the 2022 UnidosUS Annual Conference in Texas on Monday. In her speech, Biden said, “the diversity of this community, as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio, is your strength.”
Biden was booed immediately on social media, with many Hispanic lawmakers pointing out the offensive nature of the comment. Newly-elected Rep. Mayra Flores (R-TX) says liberals “just don’t get it.”
“They just don’t get it. Latinos aren’t buying their liberal pandering; we care about the rising costs of housing, food, gas, issues that impact everyday Americans. No matter how loud they yell their made up words, it won’t change the reality of their failed policies.”
They just don’t get it. Latinos aren’t buying their liberal pandering; we care about the rising costs of housing, food, gas, issues that impact everyday Americans. No matter how loud they yell their made up words, it won’t change the reality of their failed policies. @theMRC pic.twitter.com/gXK7BVUMpF
— Mayra Flores Vallejo (@MayraFloresTX34) July 12, 2022
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) poked fun at FLOTUS by updating his profile pic to a picture of a taco.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/QsYqCaNOoP
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 12, 2022
Cassy Garcia, a Hispanic Republican who is running to unseat Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar in Texas, also made light of the tone-deaf gaffe, saying “Thank you Dr. Jill Biden, Ed.D. for clarifying that Democrats think Hispanics are ‘unique’ like tacos. However, I think you’re confused. We Texans love our bodegas. Bowguhdahs must be where Joe’s Latinx puppet Henry Cuellar shops.”
Thank you Dr. Jill Biden, Ed.D. for clarifying that Democrats think Hispanics are “unique” like tacos.
However, I think you’re confused. We Texans love our bodegas.
Bowguhdahs must be where Joe’s Latinx puppet Henry Cuellar shops. https://t.co/VM68QqZTqq
— Cassy Garcia (@CasandraLGarcia) July 11, 2022
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) struck a more serious tone, blasting the First Lady in a short statement on Twitter.
“NAHJ encourages @FLOTUS & her communications team to take time to better understand the complexities of our people & communities. We are not tacos. Our heritage as Latinos is shaped by various diasporas, cultures & food traditions. Do not reduce us to stereotypes.”
NAHJ encourages @FLOTUS & her communications team to take time to better understand the complexities of our people & communities.
We are not tacos.
Our heritage as Latinos is shaped by various diasporas, cultures & food traditions.
Do not reduce us to stereotypes. pic.twitter.com/KQIq5gwsht
— NAHJ (@NAHJ) July 12, 2022
Press Secretary for the FLOTUS Michael LaRosa sent an “apology” tweet Tuesday morning.
“The First Lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community.”
The First Lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community.
— Michael LaRosa (@MichaelLaRosa46) July 12, 2022
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