Republicans Mock Cori Bush After Primary Defeat

On Tuesday night, Missouri Democrat Rep. Cori Bush faced a significant primary defeat, losing her congressional seat to Wesley Bell, the St. Louis County prosecutor, who led by over 10 points. Bell secured 54.9% of the vote to Bush’s 41.8%, as confirmed by Decision Desk HQ.

Following Bush’s defeat, Republicans took to social media to mock the outcome.

Pro-Trump comedian Terrance K. Williams posted on X, formerly Twitter: “A ‘BLACK JOB’ IS SOMETHING CORI BUSH DOES NOT HAVE. OH HAPPY DAY! OH HAPPY DAY."

“She is the Second Squad member to lose her seat! I can’t wait until they are all gone. They are all full of hate [and] stupidity. I’m laughing so hard. Who’s laughing with me?” he added.

Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, a fellow member of the House Judiciary Committee, posted sarcastically: “I will miss Cori Bush missing every committee meeting.”

Ryan Fournier, a co-founder of the Students for Trump group, also commented: “The Squad’s Cori Bush has LOST her primary. Join me in saying GOOD RIDDANCE! Hamas might be hiring, Cori!”

Actor Michael Rapaport, who has voiced support for Israel, added: “Tonight at the rally they said let’s bring back ‘JOY’ to politics and boom CORI BUSH is done with Politics…. I feel JOY all of a sudden.”

Leading up to Tuesday’s primary, polls indicated Bush faced strong competition.

Bush initially gained political prominence after the Ferguson protests and was known for her advocacy on issues surrounding the death of Michael Brown. After unseating William “Lacy” Clay Jr. in 2020, she represented Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, covering St. Louis City and parts of St. Louis County. Her tenure was marked by her alignment with progressive lawmakers like Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).

After the October 7th attack by Hamas on Israel, Bush faced criticism for supporting pro-Hamas demonstrators on American college campuses. This controversy was further compounded by allegations that she paid her husband for “security” services while advocating for reduced police protections amid rising crime rates in her district.

Bush’s primary loss follows that of Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who also faced a substantial defeat after endorsing pro-Hamas demonstrators on college campuses. Both Bush and Bowman attributed their losses to financial influence from pro-Israel group AIPAC, rather than to their own political views.