Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday tweeted a bizarre stock photo to promote a bill that he said would criminalize online sexual harassment. The now-deleted photo depicted a man in his underwear grinning with glee as he takes a NSFW photo.
“Sexual harassment on social media is out of control. Here’s an idea to rein it in. State Representative @MorganMeyerTX Files Legislation To Criminalize Digital Sexual Harassment,” Abbott tweeted along with the photo.
In promoting a bill tackling a legitimate policy issue, the governor of Texas highlights an…unfortunate photo to his 240,000+ followers https://t.co/HUm9ZqbTL9 pic.twitter.com/fiuBUBFVde
— Aman Batheja (@amanbatheja) March 4, 2019
Many were quick to call attention to the lawmaker’s social media activity.
“OH SWEET JESUS,” wrote Texas journalist Emily Ramshaw.
OH SWEET JESUS. (The governor deleted this tweet). https://t.co/aBRVUIQRz0
— Emily Ramshaw (@eramshaw) March 4, 2019
“That pic, though. 🤣👌🏻” Twitter user @jerrasic1 wrote.
https://twitter.com/jerrasic1/status/1102651995763236864
“Um. That picture is… unfortunate,” Justin Waldrop replied.
https://twitter.com/JustinWWaldrop/status/1102650555837677568
“Well done @GregAbbott_TX!! 🙄 #ThisIsTexas,” wrote Cornell Woolridge.
https://twitter.com/RenaissanceXM/status/1102677709585637376
There were plenty more reactions ranging from mockery to disgust.
— Mary Waggener (@marywag2947) March 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/caromero0101/status/1102683820560662528
https://twitter.com/wangjexi/status/1102658242830831616
The Dallas Observer has dubbed Abbott’s Twitter “President Donald Trump Lite.” The social media account has been home to political memes and, once, a fake Winston Churchill quote.
@realDonaldTrump: Gun free zones are target practice for sickos. #CNBCGOPDebate pic.twitter.com/2S33DKEfoK
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) October 29, 2015
Abbott’s office did not immediately respond to the Daily Dot’s request for comment.
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