Outgoing Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett is facing renewed criticism after making comments about Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's disability in a video posted to her X account on Wednesday, reopening scrutiny over her past remarks about the paralyzed governor.
In the video, Crockett said: "It was a tree that ended up making [Abbott] a part of the DEI class, just so y'all know. He is DEI, yes, because he is uniquely-abled, or actually he ain't abled, child." She claimed Abbott became wealthy after legislation allowed him to sue following an incident when a tree fell and crippled him while on a jog at age 26.
The incident left Abbott partially paralyzed and wheelchair-bound. The governor responded with his own post on X: "Uniquely abled," along with an AI-generated photo of himself in a superhero suit while in his wheelchair, according to screen captures reported by Fox News.
Crockett's office directed inquiries to her previous public statements when reached for comment by news outlets Thursday.
The controversy follows Crockett's 2025 remark calling Abbott "Governor Hot Wheels," which the lawmaker denied was tied to the Republican governor's disability. Critics on social media called her latest remarks "low IQ" and expressed confusion over her comments, according to posts cited in reporting.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive voices have pointed out that Crockett has been a vocal critic of Abbott's immigration policies and other conservative initiatives. In her previous statement about the Hot Wheels comment, Crockett said she was focused on policy rather than the governor's condition: "At no point did I mention or allude to his condition."
She also argued at the time that critics were selectively outraged: "I'm even more appalled that the very people who unequivocally support Trump—a man known for racially insensitive nicknames and mocking those with disabilities—are now outraged," she wrote in a statement.
Crockett, who launched a Senate bid but lost the Democratic primary in March, did not seek re-election to her House seat. Her congressional term ends in 2027, according to official records.
Some progressive commentators have noted that Crockett's departure from Congress removes one of the party's more combative voices from the Texas delegation as she transitions out of federal office.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative critics and Republican officials have condemned Crockett's remarks as inappropriate and offensive. The governor's office directed reporters to Abbott's X post in response to inquiries about her comments, signaling the administration's position through his public reply.
Fox News contributor Joe Concha posted on X: "'I only mocked a paraplegic and suddenly people have a problem with me,'" mocking what he described as Crockett's apparent attitude toward criticism.
Other conservative voices on social media expressed disbelief at the remarks. One account posted simply: "Uh. What." Another wrote: "How does she think of this ridiculous stuff she says," according to posts cited in news coverage.
Texas Republican officials have pointed to the comments as evidence of what they describe as personal attacks from Democratic opponents rather than substantive policy critique, with some noting Crockett's status as an outgoing representative who will soon leave federal office.
What the Numbers Show
Crockett was first elected to Congress representing Texas's 33rd district in 2023, serving one term before launching her Senate bid. She lost the March Democratic Senate primary, finishing behind Colin Allred and James Talarico in the contest for the nomination to challenge Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.
Abbott has served as Texas governor since 2015, winning three consecutive gubernatorial elections. He was 26 when a tree fell on him during a jog in 1984, resulting in his paralysis below the waist. He subsequently became an attorney and built a career in public service before being elected to statewide office.
The Bottom Line
Crockett's comments represent another episode in what has become a protracted personal conflict between the outgoing Democratic congresswoman and the Texas governor. With her congressional term ending in 2027 and no future federal office on the horizon, the remarks mark a final chapter in her tenure characterized by combative rhetoric toward Republican leadership.
The incident raises questions about political discourse and the boundaries of partisan criticism. Crockett's defenders argue she was focused on policy disagreements with Abbott, while critics say personal attacks on disability are beyond acceptable political debate regardless of broader context.