Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett stepped into a storm of controversy when she called Governor Greg Abbott “Governor Hot Wheels” during a speech in Los Angeles. Abbott, a Republican who’s been in a wheelchair since a 1984 accident left him paralyzed, became the target of Crockett’s jab at a Human Rights Campaign dinner.
Jasmine Crockett, a Dallas Democrat in her first term in Congress, is known for her sharp tongue and progressive fire. She’s been a rising star since 2023, pushing hard on civil rights and taking swings at conservatives like Trump and Ted Cruz. Greg Abbott, Texas governor since 2015, is a Trump ally who’s made waves with tough border policies and Operation Lone Star. He’s been paralyzed from the waist down since age 26, when an oak tree fell on him while jogging, crushing his spine—a story he’s shared openly, as noted on his official site.
Crockett’s “Hot Wheels” line wasn’t random—it’s a jab at Abbott’s disability, tied to her gripes about his leadership. But it’s landed her in hot water with more than just Republicans.
It went down at the Human Rights Campaign’s 2025 Los Angeles dinner on Saturday, March 22. Crockett was hyping up the crowd when she said, “We in these hot ass Texas streets, honey. Y’all know we got Governor Hot Wheels down there, come on now! And the only thing hot about him is that he is a hot ass mess, honey!”. She laughed, the room clapped, but by March 25, the clip was everywhere—social media.
She’s since tried to backtrack, posting on X that she wasn’t mocking his disability but his policies—like busing migrants to Black-led cities. “I wasn’t thinking about the governor’s condition”. Critics aren’t buying it, saying the “Hot Wheels” bit was too pointed to miss.
The speech happened Saturday night, March 22, 2025, in Los Angeles, but the fallout hit Texas—and the whole U.S.—by Monday, March 24. Posts on X started popping off around 7:30 PM +04 on March 25, with Charlie Kirk and others calling her out. By March 26, it’s a full-on national story, with outlets like The Independent and Politico covering the backlash. This isn’t some local spat—it’s a coast-to-coast debate about decency and politics.
Crockett’s no stranger to bold talk—she’s told Elon Musk to “f**k off” and said Ted Cruz needs a hard knock. Her “Hot Wheels” line fits her pattern: loud, brash, and unfiltered. She’s playing to her base—progressives who love a fighter—while slamming Abbott’s policies, like his migrant busing or border walls. But why go there? Some say it’s a cheap shot to grab attention; others, like disability advocates in Politico, call it a misstep that fuels stigma.
Abbott’s team says it’s proof Democrats have “no vision, just hate,” as he told Fox News’ Sean Hannity on March 25. Crockett’s defenders argue it’s fair game—Trump mocked a disabled reporter in 2015 and still won, notes strategist Mike Nellis on X.
The reaction’s been a wildfire. Republicans are livid—Charlie Kirk called her “trash” on X, saying, “Gov. Abbott was paralyzed at 26… This woman is trash.” Texas AG Ken Paxton dubbed her “despicable,”. Rep. Randy Weber’s even pushing a censure resolution. Disability groups, like The Arc’s Katy Neas, told Politico it’s a blow to inclusion: “Mocking disability keeps us out of power.”
But not everyone’s mad. Some on X—like @BballMichael—say it’s hypocritical to clutch pearls when Trump’s done worse. Crockett’s sticking to her guns, claiming it’s about policy, not wheelchairs. Still, the heat’s on—her office told Politico she’ll keep fighting for disability rights, but the damage might stick.
This isn’t dying down soon. Weber’s censure could hit the House floor, and if it passes, Crockett faces a formal slap. Lawsuits? Maybe—legal eagles like Marc Elias, who’s battled Trump’s election moves, might see a free speech angle. Public pressure’s building too—#JasmineCrockett trended on X by 3 AM +04 on March 26, with calls for apologies or worse.
For Abbott, it’s a chance to rally his base—expect him to lean into the “Dems hate us” line. For Crockett, it’s a test: can her firebrand style survive this misfire?