Republican Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas sparked outrage Tuesday when he suggested that the 60% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck may not work as hard as he does, after boasting about his plans to buy lobster tails and ribeyes for July 4th.
Reporters asked Nehls how House Republicans would convince constituents they are fighting for affordability. Instead of a soothing soundbite, Nehls replied: “Affordability? What are you talking about? I’m gonna go there tomorrow. ... I’m gonna get me a couple of big lobster tails. I’m gonna get me some nice ribeyes.” He added that he would celebrate “the greatest president in my lifetime, Donald J. Trump,” and called rising energy costs “temporary.”
Nehls Dismisses Struggling Americans
When a reporter noted that many Americans cannot afford such luxuries, Nehls responded: “Maybe not. Maybe the 60% of Americans don’t work as hard as I do either. I mean, I don’t know.” The comment drew immediate backlash on social media, with critics calling it tone-deaf and out of touch.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger tweeted “Wow,” while journalist Mehdi Hasan said Democrats should turn the clip into an ad. The Democratic Party’s official account posted the video with the caption: “The Republican affordability plan.”
Journalist Julie K. Brown wrote that she found the dismissive comment about struggling Americans “more offensive” than the lobster boast. Commentator Jonathan Chait called it “the most tone-deaf thing I’ve heard a politician say.”
Statue of Liberty Bedsheet Proposal
Nehls also called for a 10-year moratorium on immigration, suggesting “a big bedsheet” be placed over the Statue of Liberty. “She’s gotta go to sleep for a while ’cause we’re not letting anybody in anymore,” he said. “Instead of having a torch, maybe it needs a stop sign.”
HuffPost reached out to Nehls’ office for comment but received no immediate response. The remarks come as affordability remains a key issue for voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
