Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) made an unforced political error during a town hall Friday morning when she reminded constituents worried about Medicaid cuts that “we are all going to die.”
But when she tried to put a positive spin on the event after it concluded, social media wouldn’t let her ignore her controversial comments.
During the meeting in Parkersburg, Iowa, Ernst faced questions from voters concerned about proposed cuts to Medicaid and food stamp benefits.
“We are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable,” Ernst tried to assure the crowd, ABC Iowa City affiliate KCRG TV reported. “We will protect them. OK? Medicaid is extremely important here in the state of Iowa. … Leave those dollars for those that are eligible for Medicaid.”
Ernst then claimed the efforts to roll back Medicaid benefits would only affect people who aren’t eligible for them, which led one woman in the crowd to yell, “People will die.”
The senator had a callous response.
“People are not ― well, we all are going to die. So, for heaven’s sakes, folks,” she said while the audience jeered.
Yes, there’s video. Thank you for asking.
Indeed, all living forms on this planet will eventually cease to exist, but bringing up this truth sarcastically during a town hall meeting of concerned voters was probably not the wisest move.
Still, Ernst posted a “rah rah” message about the town hall afterward, thanking constituents for listening to her “sharing my work to cut government red tape for you.”
Many people on X didn’t appreciate Ernst’s attempt to sweep her deadly serious comment under the rug ― and, much like the crowd in Iowa, they went off.
HuffPost reached out to Ernst’s office for comment on the reaction to her quote.
And a spokesperson responded… with a statement that actually doubled down on the inevitability of death.
“While Democrats fearmonger against strengthening the integrity of Medicaid, Senator Ernst is focused on improving the lives of all Iowans. There’s only two certainties in life: death and taxes, and she’s working to ease the burden of both by fighting to keep more of Iowans’ hard-earned tax dollars in their own pockets and ensuring their benefits are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse.”
