A new video featuring members of the Young Republicans of Texas sparked outrage online after someone called Talarico a “queer.” Not only did the video irritate people online, but it was also used as an example of how the party’s bigotry likely contributed to the Republican Party losing in Texas.
The News Agents recently shared a video on X in which a reporter interviewed a couple of men who belonged to the Young Republicans of Texas. Austin Young Republicans Chairman Benjamin Schrader described Gov. Greg Abbott’s defeat as “surprising” and a “major loss” for the party.
What initially seemed like a normal interview was interrupted by bigotry, however. As another man was speaking to the reporter, an individual in the background yelled, “Talarico is a queer.”
Clearly ashamed, the second man tried to explain that “there’s some anger and animosity” right now. Schrader claimed that the people there “had too much to drink” or were upset about losing their jobs, as many of them had worked directly with Abbott. Both men agreed that the homophobic display was unnecessary, however.
Internet Slams Republicans After Homophobic Remarks
The video sparked fury on X, as many viewers believed that the GOP members were acting like children: “Republicans acting like republicans do. Childish. It’s telling how he said that Abbott did a lot for ‘him’ and not ‘everyone.’ Conservatives are only concerned with themselves.”
Others argued that this was why Republicans were becoming so unpopular in elections: “This is why republicans lost. Hateful [expletive] who can’t govern and everybody sees it.” Someone else added: “Every Republican ran on insults and slurs. Democrats ran on policy.”
An individual wrote: “Nothing to see here, just some Republican Party operatives being: — very sore losers — openly homophobic — too cowardly to stick their faces in front of cameras while they shame themselves.”
Some viewers made fun of the men depicted in the video, too, saying that “the white guy [was] holding back tears the whole time.”
What really irked some people online was the expectation that others would quickly jump to defend the homophobic reaction: “They can say the worst things in the world, and all we get is justification. Even if they riot, they are called people with legitimate concerns. Time this stopped.”
With the blue wave in Texas, Republicans are scrambling to reorganize, and the next few months will likely be key for the party to understand how it lost and what to do about it.
