Sen. Josh Hawley Mocked For Spreading Unverified Kamala Harris Rumor
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) on Wednesday tried to spread some gossip about how Kamala Harris came to choose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice presidential running mate over Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. However, the rumor-mongering backfired on Hawley when people simply didn’t buy it.
The Missouri Republican and self-described Christian nationalist took to X, formerly Twitter, to share an unsubstantiated claim about why the Democratic presidential nominee picked Walz:
So I hear Kamala had chosen SHAPIRO last week - but the lefty Dems had a meltdown. So she caved and went with Gov. Angry Old Man instead.
So I hear Kamala had chosen SHAPIRO last week - but the lefty Dems had a meltdown. So she caved and went with Gov. Angry Old Man instead. Great decision making skills there, Kamala
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) August 7, 2024
Hawley didn’t provide any sourcing for his would-be scoop, instead letting the phrase “so I hear” do some rhetorical heavy lifting.
But his claim didn’t match reporting on how Harris made her pick. Outlets like The Associated Press said that her decision was based on factors like a personal chemistry with Walz and on his background.
For his part, Shapiro reportedly expressed reservations about no longer leading Pennsylvania. And while he has faced left-wing criticism for his views on Israel amid the war in Gaza, among other things, there is no evidence that Harris had chosen and then dropped Shapiro due to a progressive “meltdown.”
As a result, many people responding to Hawley’s X post were skeptical about his claim.
Very skeptical.
source: i made it up
— sam (@sam_d_1995) August 7, 2024
Yes, I’m sure Josh Hawley is in the loop with Kamala Harris’ close personal advisors and top Dems. Nice try.
— Andrew Abramson (@AbramsonFL) August 7, 2024
Others adopted Hawley’s rhetorical device to mock him harder.
When you start a paragraph with Trumps favorite lead up to a lie "So I hear," you're lying too Josh. Haven't you folks learned that no one besides your brain washed cult members believe a word you're saying? Tough luck having to deal with Trump and now Vance. Thanks for the win,…
— Ron Fancy Defender of AMERICAN DEMOCRACY (@RonFancy) August 7, 2024
I mean, as long as we're talking about what we HEAR - I hear JD Vance fucks couches.... so.... yeah
— Sarah Burris 🌻 (@SarahBurris) August 7, 2024
“So I hear” is Josh Hawley for “I’m gonna make some shit up, then skip away.” https://t.co/kZvS6IwrKe
— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) August 7, 2024
So I hear Josh Hawley made this up. Just like everything else he says.
— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) August 7, 2024
And some X users just went for the jugular.
You’re such a loser your own Angry Old Man chose JD Vance over you while you cower from a Minnesota teacher cuddling a piglet.
No one falls for your act, and no one cares if you fall.
You have no place in this system anymore. I’d feel sorry for you if it weren’t self-inflicted.— Sarah Kendzior (@sarahkendzior) August 7, 2024
H/T Raw Story
