U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is under fire after controversial comments at a May 30 town hall in Butler County. When a constituent raised concerns that Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) could cause deaths due to cuts in Medicaid and SNAP, Ernst replied, “Well, we’re all going to die.” Her offhand remark quickly went viral, sparking outrage and concern across political and religious communities.
Senator Doubles Down With Christian Message
The following day, Ernst released a video from a cemetery in which she reiterated her belief in death’s inevitability. She framed her previous comment as a misunderstood truth and then transitioned into a religious appeal. Encouraging viewers to “embrace my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Ernst turned what began as an apology into a statement of evangelical faith. Critics said the video lacked compassion and failed to address policy concerns.
Public Reaction: Accusations of Cruelty and Contempt
Reaction to Ernst’s video was swift and divided. Critics, including faith leaders and columnists, accused her of showing contempt for her constituents and exploiting Christianity to justify harmful policies. The Rev. William Barber II said Ernst’s remarks distorted the message of Jesus, stating, “The Jesus I know never charged a leper a co-pay.” Online, users accused Ernst of using religion to excuse neglect of the vulnerable.
Columnists Decry Rise of MAGA Evangelicalism
Writers like Amanda Marcotte and David French argued that Ernst’s comments reflect a broader trend within Christian nationalism. Marcotte wrote that her message symbolizes how some evangelicals now rationalize cruelty in the name of faith. French noted that Ernst’s actions promote a “vertical faith” that ignores community responsibility. He warned that this attitude undermines empathy and distorts Christianity’s core teachings.
Political Fallout and a New Challenger
In response to Ernst’s remarks, Democratic State Rep. J.D. Scholten announced his candidacy for her Senate seat. He stated that Ernst had “disrespected” Iowans. The fallout from Ernst’s comments could influence Iowa’s political landscape and intensify scrutiny of faith-based political rhetoric in the Trump era.
Source:
Sen. Joni Ernst Labeled ‘Callous’ for Faux Apology Video That Mentions Jesus
Photo by Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash
About Post Author
