A Texas Democrat running for Congress is facing a wave of scrutiny over a string of past social media posts and controversial appearances — but his defense is raising just as many eyebrows as the allegations themselves.
Bobby Pulido, a Tejano music star now challenging Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz in Texas’ 15th Congressional District, is attempting to explain away years of explicit and questionable content by arguing that critics simply don’t understand his humor.
“My sense of humor on social media — and it’s very much in Spanish, I have a lot of fans in Mexico — sometimes that humor doesn’t translate,” Pulido told the Associated Press earlier this year.
That explanation is now being put to the test as resurfaced content continues to circulate.
Pulido’s campaign has largely avoided directly addressing specific allegations, instead pointing back to his earlier comments. Meanwhile, reports detailing his online history paint a picture that critics say goes far beyond misunderstood jokes.
Between 2013 and 2024, Pulido allegedly shared or promoted explicit material on multiple occasions, including directing followers to pornographic websites such as YouPorn and XVideos. In one instance, he reportedly encouraged fans to visit adult sites if they were bored. In another, he shared explicit images involving other musicians while questioning whether they had been paid.
Big news: I’m running for Congress in South Texas!
Follow my campaign here@PulidoForTexas
Donate: https://t.co/IGQdOwScZU
— Bobby Pulido (@bobbypulido425) September 17, 2025
Watch my announcement: His posts also included crude humor that has drawn backlash. A widely cited example from 2016 shows an image of two women holding donuts — one noticeably altered — accompanied by a caption in Spanish comparing the image to the effects of childbirth.
The controversy doesn’t stop at social media.
Pulido is also facing renewed attention over a 2010 music video in which he appeared to portray an exhibitionist. The video included scenes of him exposing himself while wrapped in a blanket and depicting suggestive behavior toward another character. The performance stirred media speculation at the time, prompting Pulido to publicly deny rumors about his sexuality.
“I can swear on the Bible that I’m not,” he said in response to those reports.
Now, as he seeks federal office in one of the most heavily Hispanic districts in the country, those past moments are re-emerging with political consequences.
Critics argue the pattern raises serious questions about judgment and fitness for office, while supporters may view the resurfaced content as an attempt to derail his campaign.
Pulido has not responded to multiple inquiries seeking clarification on the specific incidents.
As the race heats up, the controversy underscores a broader reality in modern politics: in the digital age, past posts rarely stay buried — and explanations like “it was just humor” may not be enough to quiet the backlash.
