A social media post by Texas Republican Bo French has ignited a significant political dispute within the state's GOP, just days after a thrilling college football upset. On Sunday morning, French, the Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, commented on a photograph depicting University of Texas students celebrating their victory over Ohio State. His remarks, posted on X, focused on the presence of what he described as "apparent foreign nationals" in the student section at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium. The controversy quickly drew widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum, including from prominent members of French’s own party.
"I heard UT graduation this year looked like this. I didn’t believe it. The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined." Bo French, Texas Railroad Commissioner Nominee
The photograph at the center of the dispute captured a section of the student crowd during celebrations following the University of Texas Longhorns' dramatic 24-23 comeback win against the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday night in Austin. Texas, then ranked fourth nationally, trailed by three possessions entering the final quarter before securing the unexpected victory. The win prompted students to pour into the stadium's stands and surrounding areas in jubilation, leading to the widely circulated image. However, reports indicate that the specific image shared by French did not fully represent the diverse array of fans present at the stadium during the game.
French's post on X read, "I heard UT graduation this year looked like this. I didn’t believe it. The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined." This statement quickly spread online, prompting immediate and strong reactions. Within hours of its publication, several high-profile Republicans publicly criticized French. Senator John Cornyn, a long-serving Texas Republican, unequivocally called French's remarks racist. Similarly, Representative Dan Crenshaw, another notable Texas Republican, leveled the identical accusation against French. The criticism was not confined to these two lawmakers; a broader coalition of Republicans and Democrats joined in, transforming what began as an observation on a football celebration into a full-blown intraparty debate for the Texas GOP.
The involvement of figures like Cornyn and Crenshaw adds a layer of complexity to the unfolding controversy, particularly given their recent political experiences. Both lawmakers faced primary election defeats earlier this year, a detail that resurfaced during the exchange over French’s post. Senator Cornyn’s primary defeat, reportedly at the hands of Ken Paxton, ended his bid for another term in the U.S. Senate. Cornyn has since confirmed his intention to retire from public office, concluding a decades-long career representing Texas in Washington. Representative Crenshaw also lost his primary election, making him the only Texas Republican in Congress this cycle to run without an endorsement from President Donald Trump, according to The Western Journal.
Crenshaw's criticism of French went beyond a simple accusation of racism, referencing French's past. In a post on X, Crenshaw stated, "Aren’t you the guy who used Navy SEAL Chris Kyle’s death to make yourself a bunch of money? Didn’t his widow have to sue you to get you to stop? Or was that a bunch of foreigners from UT who screwed over the widow of American Sniper?" This pointed retort brought a historical personal dispute into the current political fray. Other Texas politicians also voiced their dismay. State Representative Lacey Hull posted on X, "Please delete this. This post breaks my heart. I see college kids cheering on their football team. I see Texans."
As of Sunday, Bo French had not issued any public statement retracting or clarifying his initial remarks. The ongoing dispute continues to attract significant online attention and highlights the evolving political landscape within the Texas Republican Party. The clash arrives at a moment when two of the party's more prominent officeholders, Cornyn and Crenshaw, are preparing to exit their current roles following their primary defeats. The 24-23 finish of Saturday's game will be remembered as one of the most dramatic upsets of the college football season, yet the game itself was swiftly overshadowed by the political storm that erupted in its wake. The incident underscores the sensitivities surrounding issues of national identity, immigration, and diversity in a state with rapidly changing demographics, particularly as political figures navigate public discourse on these topics.
