Republican Sen. Mike Bohacek is speaking out against President Donald Trump following the use of an ableist slur directed at Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
The controversy stems from a Thanksgiving post Trump shared on Truth Social, in which he described Walz as “seriously r-------” while criticizing his immigration policies.
Bohacek, who represents Indiana’s 8th District and has served in the state Senate since 2016, highlighted his personal connection to the issue: he has a daughter with Down Syndrome and has long been an advocate for people with intellectual disabilities.
“Many of you have asked my position on redistricting," Bohacek wrote on Facebook. "I have been an unapologetic advocate for people with intellectual disabilities since the birth of my second daughter.”
He added, “This is not the first time our president has used these insulting and derogatory references, and his choices of words have consequences.”
Bohacek’s post included a screenshot of a Newsweek article covering Trump’s remark. He also said he intends to oppose redistricting in the state legislature as a direct response to the president’s language.
“Perhaps he can use the next 10 months to convince voters that his policies and behavior deserve a congressional majority,” Bohacek concluded.
History of Ableist Comments
This is not the first time Trump has faced criticism for using ableist language. In September 2024, he reportedly used the same slur to refer to then-Vice President Kamala Harris during a private dinner with donors, according to The New York Times. He also drew backlash in 2015 for mocking a disabled journalist on the campaign trail.
At the time, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) condemned Trump’s comments, stating, “Donald Trump’s ableist comments say far more about him and his inaccurate, hateful biases against disabled people than it does about Vice President Harris, or any person with a disability.”
Broader Context
Trump’s Thanksgiving message also targeted other politicians, including Somali-American Representative Ilhan Omar, whom he described in derogatory terms, and criticized U.S. citizens he claimed were “just plain STUPID” regarding immigration. Walz responded with a brief social media post: “Release the MRI results.”
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Source: People Magazine