Ohio Representative Jim Jordan is facing criticism for writing a Thursday morning tweet about COVID-19 that many have deemed as insensitive.
“Real America is done with #COVID19,” the Republican lawmaker wrote. “The only people who don’t understand that are Fauci and Biden.”
His message soon went viral and was met with a swift backlash, including by many commenters who cited the deaths the nation—and Ohio—has experienced due to the virus.
Real America is done with #COVID19.
The only people who don’t understand that are Fauci and Biden.
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) December 2, 2021
Matt McDaniel was one of the early critics to respond. McDaniel, a senior director of programming for Pluto TV, wrote: “104 Ohioans were done with Covid on Tuesday. (They died of it.)”
Jordan’s tweet comes as many public officials—including President Joe Biden and his chief medical advisor, Dr. Anthony Fauci—speak about concerns regarding the new COVID variant Omicron.
Along with numerous civilians speaking out against Jordan’s comments, fellow politicians have criticized him. This includes Illinois Representative Sean Casten.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
“Regardless of what you may hear from this gentleman, Ohio is, in fact a part of Real America. As such, it’s a good place to get vaccinated,” Casten wrote. “We don’t want to lose any more of you.”
“Republicans seek to divide us,” California Representative Ted Lieu wrote. “There is no such thing as Real America. Whether you are a long suffering Browns fan or a Lions fan; live in Paris TX or Perris CA; slurp kale smoothies or eat apple pie; prefer beer that tastes great or is less filling, WE ARE ALL AMERICANS.”
This is a breaking story and will be updated.