Fox Business congressional reporter Hillary Vaughn confronted Democrat Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett Wednesday night over her refusal to apologize to Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for mocking his physical disability.
Crockett came under scrutiny for labeling Abbott as “Governor Hot Wheels,” given that the Texas governor became paralyzed from the waist down when he was 26 years old after a tree fell on his back and has spent decades in a wheelchair. As Vaughn pressed Crockett, the congresswoman claimed that she did not need to issue an apology because she addressed the comment publicly.
“You didn’t apologize, do you plan on apologizing?” Vaughn asked.
“Why would I apologize when I put out a statement?” Crockett replied. “My statement was clear.”
Crockett denied that she ever alluded to the governor’s condition, claiming in a Tuesday statement that she was referring to the “planes, trains and automobiles” that Abbott used to transfer illegal immigrants to communities “led by Black mayors.”
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Vaughn further asked if Crockett understands how her remark was seen as offensive.
“You were calling him ‘Governor Hot Wheels’ when he gets around in a wheelchair,” Vaughn continued. “Do you understand how that’s offensive to people?”
“I don’t understand why you need me to repeat this to you,” Crockett said.
“Right, but why won’t you apologize?” Vaughn pressed, with Crockett telling her to read her statement. “I did read it. [There was] no apology. You don’t feel bad about making fun of someone who is in a wheelchair?”
A visibly fed up Crockett then fled the conversation, saying she was “done with” with the questioning.
In her statement, Crockett further said she was “appalled” by supporters of President Donald Trump for showing outrage toward her remark and accused them of distracting the public from the real issues.
“Literally, the next line I said was that he was a “Hot A** Mess,” referencing his terrible policies. At no point did I mention or allude to his condition. So, I’m even more appalled that the very people who unequivocally support Trump—a man known for racially insensitive nicknames and mocking those with disabilities—are now outraged,” Crockett said in the Tuesday statement.
“Keep that same energy for all people, not just your political adversaries. Finally, this is yet another distraction. Instead of obsessing over and hanging on to my every word, maybe my political foes should focus on doing the work of the people who elected us to improve their lives,” she continued.
Republican Texas Rep. Randy Weber announced his plan to introduce a resolution to censure Crockett for appearing to mock Abbott’s disability.
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