Latest news with #Parkersburg
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Joni Ernst doubles down on bleak ‘We are all going to die' comments in sarcastic non-apology
Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst doubled down on her bleak comments in response to potential Republican Medicaid cuts by posting a sarcastic apology video on social media. The senator went viral after she said, 'We all are going to die,' when responding to a question about the proposed cuts in President Donald Trump's tax legislation during a town hall in Parkersburg on Friday. As Ernst began to answer the question, a person in the audience shouted, 'People will die!' "People are not — well, we all are going to die. For heaven's sakes, folks,' she said in response. The comment received national media attention and was widely criticized by Democrats who have slammed the possible ramifications of the proposed cuts to Medicaid. Ernst shared a video on her Instagram story on Saturday where she spoke directly to the camera, seemingly from a cemetery. "Hello everyone. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize for a statement that I made yesterday at my town hall," said before going on to describe what happened. "I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes, we are all going to perish from this Earth," she added. "So I apologize. And I'm really, really glad that 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," said Ernst. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Republican tax bill will cut Medicaid spending by $723 billion over the next 10 years. The number of uninsured people could rise by as much as 7.6 million. During the town hall event in Parkersburg, Ernst argued that the goal of the legislation is to ensure that those not eligible for Medicaid don't get the benefits. "What you don't want to do is listen to me when I say that we are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable," she said. "Those that meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid, we will protect. We will protect them. Medicaid is extremely important here in the state of Iowa. If you don't want to listen, that's fine." She subsequently went on to blame the "hysteria that's out there coming from the left" for the criticism of her initial statement. Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger responded to Ernst's Instagram story on X, writing: 'Whelp. No sense of goodness left in her now.' 'I'm sorry… is she walking through a cemetery as she makes this?' Democratic strategist Tim Hogan added.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Joni Ernst doubles down on bleak ‘We are all going to die' comments in sarcastic non-apology
The senator went viral after she said, 'We all are going to die,' when responding to a question about the proposed cuts in President Donald Trump 's tax legislation during a town hall in Parkersburg on Friday. As Ernst began to answer the question, a person in the audience shouted, 'People will die!' "People are not — well, we all are going to die. For heaven's sakes, folks,' she said in response. Ernst shared a video on her Instagram story on Saturday where she spoke directly to the camera, seemingly from a cemetery. "Hello everyone. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize for a statement that I made yesterday at my town hall," said before going on to describe what happened. "I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes, we are all going to perish from this Earth," she added. "So I apologize. And I'm really, really glad that 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," said Ernst. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Republican tax bill will cut Medicaid spending by $723 billion over the next 10 years. The number of uninsured people could rise by as much as 7.6 million. During the town hall event in Parkersburg, Ernst argued that the goal of the legislation is to ensure that those not eligible for Medicaid don't get the benefits. "What you don't want to do is listen to me when I say that we are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable," she said. "Those that meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid, we will protect. We will protect them. Medicaid is extremely important here in the state of Iowa. If you don't want to listen, that's fine." She subsequently went on to blame the "hysteria that's out there coming from the left" for the criticism of her initial statement. Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger responded to Ernst's Instagram story on X, writing: 'Whelp. No sense of goodness left in her now.' 'I'm sorry… is she walking through a cemetery as she makes this?' Democratic strategist Tim Hogan added.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
GOP Senator Doubles Down On 'We All Are Going To Die' Comment In Wild Non-Apology
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) has doubled down on her dismissive response to worries about GOP legislation that includes huge Medicaid and food assistance cuts. On Friday, Ernst faced angry constituents at a town hall in Parkersburg, Iowa, with one woman in the crowd yelling, 'People will die.' Ernst replied, 'People are not ― well, we all are going to die. So, for heaven's sakes, folks.' The retort was met with backlash and mockery. On Saturday afternoon, Ernst addressed the controversy with what may have initially appeared to some to be a genuine apology. 'Hello everyone, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize for a statement that I made yesterday at my town hall,' Ernst said in a video posted to her Instagram Story. Ernst's tone began to shift as the video continued. 'See, 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!'' It soon became crystal clear that Ernst had no intention of delivering a real apology. 'And I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes, we are all going to perish from this earth,' Ernst said. 'So I apologize. And I'm really, really glad that I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well.' In a second video, she followed up with a pitch for Christianity. 'But for those that would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my lord and savior, Jesus Christ.' Eagle-eyed observers may also notice both videos were filmed in a cemetery. The non-apology went viral, with one X user noting that 'Against all odds, Joni Ernst has made it worse.' The Republican legislation that sparked the town hall exchange on Friday includes $1 trillion in cuts to federal health and food programs and would result in an estimated 8 million fewer Americans having access to health insurance. The massive cuts offset the bill's nearly $4 million in tax cuts, which mostly benefit higher earning people. GOP Senator Pooh-Poohs Fears On Medicaid Cuts: 'Well, We All Are Going To Die' GOP Senator Ignores Insane Town Hall Gaffe — And Social Media Goes Off House Passes Trump's Tax And Spending Cuts
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
GOP Senator Doubles Down On 'We All Are Going To Die' Comment In Wild Non-Apology
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) has doubled down on her dismissive response to worries about GOP legislation that includes huge Medicaid and food assistance cuts. On Friday, Ernst faced angry constituents at a town hall in Parkersburg, Iowa, with one woman in the crowd yelling, 'People will die.' Ernst replied, 'People are not ― well, we all are going to die. So, for heaven's sakes, folks.' The retort was met with backlash and mockery. On Saturday afternoon, Ernst addressed the controversy with what may have initially appeared to some to be a genuine apology. 'Hello everyone, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize for a statement that I made yesterday at my town hall,' Ernst said in a video posted to her Instagram Story. Ernst's tone began to shift as the video continued. 'See, 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!'' It soon became crystal clear that Ernst had no intention of delivering a real apology. 'And I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes, we are all going to perish from this earth,' Ernst said. 'So I apologize. And I'm really, really glad that I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well.' In a second video, she followed up with a pitch for Christianity. 'But for those that would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my lord and savior, Jesus Christ.' Eagle-eyed observers may also notice both videos were filmed in a cemetery. The non-apology went viral, with one X user noting that 'Against all odds, Joni Ernst has made it worse. Against all odds, Joni Ernst has made it worse — Keith Edwards (@keithedwards) May 31, 2025 The Republican legislation that sparked the town hall exchange on Friday includes $1 trillion in cuts to federal health and food programs and would result in an estimated 8 million fewer Americans having access to health insurance. The massive cuts offset the bill's nearly $4 million in tax cuts, which mostly benefit higher earning people. GOP Senator Pooh-Poohs Fears On Medicaid Cuts: 'Well, We All Are Going To Die' GOP Senator Ignores Insane Town Hall Gaffe — And Social Media Goes Off House Passes Trump's Tax And Spending Cuts
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Ernst draws groans at Iowa town hall after retort on Medicaid cuts, saying 'we all are going to die'
DES MOINES, Iowa — Republican Sen. Joni Ernst was met with shouts and groans when she said 'we all are going to die' as she addressed potential changes to Medicaid eligibility at a town hall in north-central Iowa on Friday. She had been consistent in her message throughout the contentious forum at a high school in Parkersburg, Iowa, as she defended the tax and immigration package that has passed the House and is now under consideration in the Senate. Facing several constituents concerned about cuts to Medicaid, she defended the $700 billion in reduced spending, saying it would keep immigrants in the U.S. illegally and those who have access to insurance through their employers off the rolls.
