MAGA erupts as Democratic senator wears Mexico | Political News

Democratic Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly is under fire from MAGA trolls for supporting Mexico in the World Cup.

Kelly posted pictures of himself and his spouse, ex-Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, sporting Mexico jerseys at a watch social gathering in Tuscon for the Mexico v. England sport on Sunday night. He wrote on X, “Lots of people out in Tucson to watch Mexico take on England. Tucson and La Rosa sure know how to do the World Cup!”. Mexico finally misplaced the sport 3-2 to England.

Kelly is a former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain accused by the Trump administration of sedition after collaborating in a video with 5 other Democratic veterans urging troops to resist “illegal orders,” sparking legal backlash.

Subsequently, conservative critics have launched assaults against the lawmaker over his patriotism.

Kelly, 62, represents the southwestern state of Arizona, which shares a almost 400-mile border with Mexico, and, according to The Arizona Republic, has one of the most important and fastest-growing Latino populations.

According to 2021 US. Census Bureau data, there are 2.3 million Latinos in Arizona, which displays a bounce from 2 million in 2010 and 1.3 million in 2000.

Percentage-wise, that makes about 33% of Arizona’s population of almost 7.4 million people of Latino descent — and Mexicans characterize the bulk of the state’s Latino population.

And a statewide outlet notes that some of Arizona’s Mexican population have roots that date back generations to when the state of Arizona belonged to Mexico, referencing the common saying, “They didn’t cross the border. The border crossed them.”

An estimated 2 million Latinos residing in Arizona have Mexican heritage, which is equal to about 85% of its Latino population. Mexicans in Arizona, alone, make up more than a quarter of the state’s population, the state outlet reviews.

Based on that census data, Arizona ranks as the fourth state with the most important Latino population behind Texas in third, California in second, and New Mexico in first.

Still, the show of solidarity appeared to set off MAGA trolls and conservative commentators alike.

Fox News contributor Clay Travis said Monday on his podcast that it was “a cardinal sin, especially for a sitting U.S. senator,” including that he hadn’t posted a {photograph} of himself in a U.S. jersey throughout the World Cup, which started last month.

“That to me is more worthy of criticism than anything Trump did,” he said, referring to the president’s personal call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review a pink card shown to USA striker Folarin Balogun.

Travis added, “Surprised you weren’t sporting an Iran jersey, senator.”

Similarly, conservative GWN analyst Scott Jennings scoffed at the show, writing, “Modern Democratic Party: wear another country’s jersey and post a photo of yourself taking a photo of yourself.”

Kelly was also billed a “loser” for sporting “a foreign jersey, as America plays in the same tournament” by conservative commentator and former Trump advisor Steve Cortes.

Several X customers called Kelly a “traitor” in response to the post as nicely as a “loser” after Mexico misplaced the match to England.

Kelly’s workplace has not addressed criticism of his post at press time.