Beto’s dental cleaning & Navarro’s nail file: US immigration debate takes crazy turn
Amid the ongoing US government shutdown over border security funding, politicians and pundits have resorted to unusual behavior to get their points across, from instagramming their dental appointments to grooming on live TV.
Seeking to highlight the role of immigrants in America, Texas Democrat Beto O’Rourke – who narrowly lost his bid to unseat Senator Ted Cruz last November, and is rumored as a potential Democrat presidential candidate in 2020 – put on Instagram his dental cleaning appointment in El Paso.
Beto is Instagramming his dental cleaning pic.twitter.com/BWyncSW3OK
— andrew kaczynski (@KFILE) January 10, 2019
The oversharing wasn’t just about making O’Rourke seem relatable to ordinary Americans. In a series of Instagram videos, he interviewed his Mexican-American dental hygienist, who spoke of her life in El Paso and how her mother got help from neighbors to pass the US citizenship test.
Happening now on @BetoORourke’s Insta story: “I’m here at the dentist, and we’re going to continue our series about people who live along the border. My dental hygenist, Diana, is going to tell us about growing up in El Paso.” pic.twitter.com/WsGZ9c9IBD
— Grace Panetta (@grace_panetta) January 10, 2019
To many journalists, however sympathetic of O’Rourke, his dental chair stunt appeared a bit cringe-worthy, as they expressed hope he doesn’t instagram another type of medical appointment, going forward.
God I hope Beto O'Rourke doesn't need a colonoscopy anytime soon
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) January 10, 2019
Boundaries, Beto, boundaries. https://t.co/UJ5Rcngtar
— Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) January 10, 2019
Guys if you think this is bad, just wait until Beto instagrams his prostate exam next week.
— Esoteric Jeff (@EsotericCD) January 10, 2019
Many politicians are resorting to sharing videos of themselves doing ‘normal’ things on social media in an effort to appear relatable to voters. For example, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) awkwardly drank a bottle of beer on a live stream after announcing intent to run for president.
Another cringe-worthy visual stunt that went viral on Thursday involved CNN pundit Anna Navarro. Billed as a “Republican strategist,” the frequent critic of everything President Donald Trump does reacted to another guest, who was talking about victims of crime committed by illegal immigrants, by rolling her eyes and filing her fingernails.
WATCH: CNN's Ana Navarro files nails during immigration debate with Trump ally https://t.co/iJJc1MDxqipic.twitter.com/zOJnNYY173
— The Hill (@thehill) January 10, 2019
“You know who can’t do their nails are people who have been killed, Ana, by dangerous, known illegal aliens who have been allowed to stay in this country because of the leftist policies that people like you promote in so-called sanctuary cities,” pundit Steve Cortes said in response.
Navarro then got angry at being called a leftist, claiming she is a true conservative while Trump is not. Conservative twitter was not amused.
Ana Navarro is a pathetic actress on CNN, not a serious analyst. It's ridiculous that they even call her a "Republican Strategist"; I can't remember the last time she said anything positive about Republicans or conservatism. https://t.co/eVfVeUzemV
— Kristin Tate (@KristinBTate) January 10, 2019
AWFUL! Star @CNN Contributor Ana Navarro Files Nails on Live TV as Guest Discusses Murders by Illegal Aliens (VIDEO) https://t.co/1gxmKFHxZ9 via @gatewaypundit
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) January 10, 2019
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!