‘The stigma is real’: Disability rights advocates express disappointment over Jasmine Crockett's 'Governor Hot Wheels' remark
Some contended that her remarks contradicted her overall endorsement.
TroibNews 
Multiple prominent disability rights organizations have voiced their disappointment with Rep. Jasmine Crockett following her apparent mockery of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s wheelchair use during a speech on Saturday.
Nevertheless, some advocates still view Crockett as an ally and are open to giving her another chance.
“Governor Abbott sometimes has policies that are harmful to people with disabilities, and that's terrible,” remarked Josie Byzek, senior communications and digital experience director at the United Spinal Association. “Representative Crockett has a history of protecting the programs and rights of people with disabilities, and that's wonderful. At the same time, the stigma is real.”
Disability rights advocates who spoke with PMG on Tuesday characterized Crockett's comment as indicative of the current political climate and a cautionary signal for the Democratic Party.
“If the Democrats want to be as inclusive as they claim they do and ensure that people with disabilities are actually recognized as being welcome under their political umbrella, then you have to be thoughtful about your words,” noted Emily Ladau, a disability rights advocate and author. “And when Crockett made that joke, she was really punching down, and she knew that she would get a laugh.”
Crockett's remark, made during a speech over the weekend, gained significant traction on social media by Tuesday, eliciting strong backlash from Republicans, with Rep. Randy Weber stating his intention to file a censure resolution.
“Y’all know we got Governor Hot Wheels down there. Come on now,” Crockett quipped at a Human Rights Campaign dinner in Los Angeles Saturday. “And the only thing hot about him is that he is a hot ass mess, honey.”
Abbott has been paralyzed for over 40 years after a tree fell on him during a run.
Initially, Crockett told reporters that her statement "speaks for itself." However, she later clarified on X that she was not considering the governor’s wheelchair when making her comment, but was referencing “the planes, trains, and automobiles he used to transfer migrants into communities led by Black mayors, deliberately stoking tension and fear among the most vulnerable.”
In correspondence with PMG, Crockett's chief of staff, Kimberly McClain, stated that Crockett “in no way, meant any harm toward the Governor OR meant to take lightly any medical conditions that he may have,” emphasizing that she would “continue to advocate for the needs of our disabled neighbors.”
The governor’s team has yet to respond to a request for comment.
“When public figures use language that mocks a person’s disability, they fuel the stigma that already keeps people with disabilities out of public office, workplaces, and other spaces where decisions are made,” remarked Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States. “We can debate policies without using language that demeans an entire community.”
Some advocates who spoke to PMG contended that Crockett’s remarks do not overshadow her generally strong support for people with disabilities.
“Right now we're in really tenuous times where you don't want to make a foe out of someone who was otherwise a friend like Crockett clearly is,” Ladau said. However, “we cannot hold one side to account and not the other.”
Chase Bearden, executive director of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, underscored that the reaction to Crockett’s comment serves as a reminder for all political factions to “stop using someone’s disability as the basis of an insult.”
“A person's disability doesn't affect their ability to do their job, whether they're a governor, a reporter, or an air traffic controller,” Bearden stated. “Lawmakers of all stripes should spend their energy crafting and implementing policy that serves all Americans, not mudslinging.”
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
Nevertheless, some advocates still view Crockett as an ally and are open to giving her another chance.
“Governor Abbott sometimes has policies that are harmful to people with disabilities, and that's terrible,” remarked Josie Byzek, senior communications and digital experience director at the United Spinal Association. “Representative Crockett has a history of protecting the programs and rights of people with disabilities, and that's wonderful. At the same time, the stigma is real.”
Disability rights advocates who spoke with PMG on Tuesday characterized Crockett's comment as indicative of the current political climate and a cautionary signal for the Democratic Party.
“If the Democrats want to be as inclusive as they claim they do and ensure that people with disabilities are actually recognized as being welcome under their political umbrella, then you have to be thoughtful about your words,” noted Emily Ladau, a disability rights advocate and author. “And when Crockett made that joke, she was really punching down, and she knew that she would get a laugh.”
Crockett's remark, made during a speech over the weekend, gained significant traction on social media by Tuesday, eliciting strong backlash from Republicans, with Rep. Randy Weber stating his intention to file a censure resolution.
“Y’all know we got Governor Hot Wheels down there. Come on now,” Crockett quipped at a Human Rights Campaign dinner in Los Angeles Saturday. “And the only thing hot about him is that he is a hot ass mess, honey.”
Abbott has been paralyzed for over 40 years after a tree fell on him during a run.
Initially, Crockett told reporters that her statement "speaks for itself." However, she later clarified on X that she was not considering the governor’s wheelchair when making her comment, but was referencing “the planes, trains, and automobiles he used to transfer migrants into communities led by Black mayors, deliberately stoking tension and fear among the most vulnerable.”
In correspondence with PMG, Crockett's chief of staff, Kimberly McClain, stated that Crockett “in no way, meant any harm toward the Governor OR meant to take lightly any medical conditions that he may have,” emphasizing that she would “continue to advocate for the needs of our disabled neighbors.”
The governor’s team has yet to respond to a request for comment.
“When public figures use language that mocks a person’s disability, they fuel the stigma that already keeps people with disabilities out of public office, workplaces, and other spaces where decisions are made,” remarked Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States. “We can debate policies without using language that demeans an entire community.”
Some advocates who spoke to PMG contended that Crockett’s remarks do not overshadow her generally strong support for people with disabilities.
“Right now we're in really tenuous times where you don't want to make a foe out of someone who was otherwise a friend like Crockett clearly is,” Ladau said. However, “we cannot hold one side to account and not the other.”
Chase Bearden, executive director of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, underscored that the reaction to Crockett’s comment serves as a reminder for all political factions to “stop using someone’s disability as the basis of an insult.”
“A person's disability doesn't affect their ability to do their job, whether they're a governor, a reporter, or an air traffic controller,” Bearden stated. “Lawmakers of all stripes should spend their energy crafting and implementing policy that serves all Americans, not mudslinging.”
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
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