Joni Ernst's Sarcastic 'Apology' for Medicaid Cuts Response Sparks Fury
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Iowa Senator Joni Ernst has sparked fury online after she shared a sarcastic apology on her Instagram story in response to a heated exchange at a town hall event in Butler County.
The tense discussion had been about impacts the proposed Medicaid cuts could have on vulnerable populations. An attendee said these could result in people dying, and the Republication senator responded by saying: "Well, we are all going to die."
Why It Matters
Medicaid has been a hot topic in recent weeks as the GOP budget bill progresses through the legislative ranks. The bill instructs the committee to reduce the Department of Health and Human Services budget by $880 billion over 10 years, which would include cuts to Medicaid alongside other measures such as implementing work requirements.
Critics warn this will substantially weaken the Medicaid system, the largest public health insurance program in the country, by forcing millions off the service, while supporters of the plan argue that work requirements will foster employment, reduce fraudulent claims, and improve personal responsibility.
Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, arrives for a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing in Dirksen building on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, arrives for a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing in Dirksen building on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP
What To Know
After the tense exchange at the town event, Senator Ernst posted an apology on her Instagram account, which some said made matters "worse."
While seeming to be apologetic at the start the video, saying she wanted to "apologize for a statement that I made yesterday at my town hall," she then continued: "I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes we are all going to perish from this earth."
The sarcasm of her apology ramped up even higher as she added: "I'm really, really glad I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well."
In the background of the video, which has since widely circulated on X, she appears to be walking through a cemetery as what look like gravestones can be seen scattered behind her on the grass.
After she shared the video, the internet exploded with comments responding to the senator's statement.
Keith Edwards, a political commentator and YouTuber with more than 138,000 followers on X, wrote on the social media platform: "Against all odds, Joni Ernst has made it worse."
The post, which was shared on Saturday, went viral, accumulating more than 1.2 million views.
Independent journalist Aaron Rupar, who has more than 971,000 followers on X, also wrote on the platform on May 31: "Absolutely bonkers—Joni Ernst doubles down on her "we are all gonna die" defense of Medicaid cuts while walking through a cemetery."
His post also went viral, gathering more than 912,000 views on the platform.
California congressman Ro Khanna also took to X to respond to the Iowa senator's remarks, and wrote: "Telling people 'we're all going to die' in response to Medicaid cuts & then doing a video quoting Jesus is stunning. Jesus healed the sick. He didn't cut their care."
The Medicaid changes have divided Republican lawmakers, some expressing concerns over the risk to constituents losing benefits, while other members have pushed for deeper cuts.
House Democrats unanimously opposed the bill, arguing in a joint statement that it would "rip health care and food assistance away from millions of people in order to provide tax cuts to the wealthy, the well-off, and the well-connected."
What People Are Saying
Joni Ernst, said in a video she posted on her Instagram story: "I would like to take this apology to sincerely apologize for a statement that I made yesterday at my town hall. I was in the process of answering a question that had been asked by an audience member when a woman who was extremely distraught screamed out from the back corner of the auditorium, 'People are going to die,' and I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes we are all going to perish from this earth. So, I apologize and I'm really, really glad I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well. But for those that would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my lord and savior Jesus Christ."
What Happens Next
The budget, which proposes to bring in cuts to the Medicaid program, is now awaiting further progress in the Senate.
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