Texas Governor Greg Abbott faced mockery for a tweet offering condolences to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter following the death of former President Jimmy Carter. The statement, released shortly after Carter’s death on Sunday, expressed “prayers and deepest condolences” to Rosalynn Carter and her family. However, Rosalynn Carter passed away on November 19, 2023, at the age of 96.
The Democratic Party of Collins County, Texas, quickly highlighted the blunder on X, questioning the proofreading process within the governor’s office. Other social media users also pointed out the error, expressing incredulity at the mistake.
A revised statement, issued a couple of hours later, omitted the reference to Rosalynn Carter, simply offering condolences to “the entire family.” The original statement had, however, been effusive in its praise of Jimmy Carter, highlighting his presidency and his Nobel Peace Prize. It lauded Carter’s impact on American freedom and opportunity.
This gaffe is not Abbott’s first misstep to garner negative attention. In the summer of 2023, he shared a fake news article from a satirical website claiming country singer Garth Brooks was booed off stage for supporting Bud Light. Abbott accompanied the post with the phrase “Go woke. Go Broke.” The article originated from the Dunning-Kruger-Times, a site clearly identified as satire. While Abbott deleted the post, screenshots circulated widely online, further fueling criticism.
Abbott, who has served as Texas governor since 2015, is known for his political agenda focused on promoting the gun industry, opposing immigration, and incorporating Christian values into public education.