Jim Jordan’s Thanksgiving Social Media Post Sparks Controversy
According to a report by Mediaite on Friday, November 24, 2023, Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH), the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, sparked controversy on Thanksgiving Day by posting on social media about the “Cowboys and Redskins” NFL game.
Jordan tweeted “Hope everyone enjoys the Cowboys and Redskins game today. Happy Thanksgiving!” His post referred to the matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders, who were previously known as the Redskins until changing their name in 2020 after years of criticism that it was offensive toward Native Americans.
The tweet immediately drew backlash from many who saw Jordan’s use of the old team name as an intentional provocation.
Critics accused the congressman of deliberately using the outdated name in order to troll progressives and “own the libs” on a day meant for unity.
Jordan has developed a reputation for using his social media accounts to stoke partisan outrage and spread misinformation.
According to Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell, “Jim Jordan finds new ways to be an a**hole every day, but mocking Native Americans on Thanksgiving to trigger libs may be his worst yet.”
Others pointed out the hypocrisy of Jordan claiming to stand for “traditional American values” while also disrespecting indigenous people on a day meant to celebrate diversity and immigration.
“Nothing says ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ like a little racism to bring us all together,” quipped political commentator Wajahat Ali.
Jordan’s post also drew backlash from Native American advocacy groups like the National Congress of American Indians, who called it “unacceptable for any public official to use this offensive and racist team name.” They urged Jordan to “educate himself about Native American history and culture” and apologize.
The congressman is no stranger to controversy, having been accused of turning a blind eye to sexual abuse allegations against a team doctor while he was assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University in the 1990s.
Earlier this year, Jordan was also heavily implicated in former President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
As chair of the House Freedom Caucus, Jordan has established himself as one of the most combative and polarizing figures in Congress. He is currently seeking the position of House Speaker, hoping to rally support from the chamber’s most conservative members.
Jordan’s Thanksgiving tweet is being seen by many as a calculated move to boost his standing with the Republican base by provoking anger from the left. So far, Jordan has not backed down or apologized, insisting that his post was harmless fun not meant to offend.
But Native American leaders remain deeply offended, arguing that Jordan should use his platform to unite rather than divide. In their view, the Congressman’s actions on Thanksgiving Day represent a profound lack of wisdom and compassion from someone seeking to lead the House of Representatives.
Jordan continues to double down in defending the post, claiming he was simply referring to the teams by their historical names and meant no disrespect.
However, many remain skeptical of his intentions given his reputation for embracing far-right positions and making inflammatory statements.
The controversy surrounding Jordan’s Thanksgiving tweet is likely just the latest example of the Congressman purposefully engaging in culture war battles for political gain.
As he vies for the Speaker’s gavel, Jordan seems intent on proving his conservative credentials and riling up the Republican base.
But critics counter that a true leader would avoid needlessly divisive rhetoric, especially on a holiday meant to bring Americans together.
They argue that Jordan’s social media provocation is the last thing needed from the potential leader of the House of Representatives in these already polarized times.
