The governors of Texas and Mississippi responded to President Joe Biden’s assertion that their decision to reopen their states was the result of “Neanderthal thinking.”
“I think it’s a big mistake,” Biden said in a response to a question about the two states. “Look, I hope everybody’s realized by now these masks make a difference. We are on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way in which we’re able to get vaccines in people’s arms. We’ve been able to move that all the way up to the end of May to have enough for every American, to get every adult American to get a shot.”
“The last thing, the last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime everything’s fine, take off your mask,” Biden continued. “Forget it. It still matters. … And it’s critical — critical, critical, critical — that they follow the science. Wash your hands, hot water, do it frequently. Wear a mask and stay socially distanced. And I know you all know that; I wish the heck some of our elected officials knew it.”
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves (R) was the first to respond to Biden’s remark, writing on Twitter: “President Biden said allowing Mississippians to decide how to protect themselves is ‘Neanderthal thinking.'”
“Mississippians don’t need handlers,” Reeves said. “As numbers drop, they can assess their choices and listen to experts. I guess I just think we should trust Americans, not insult them.”
President Biden said allowing Mississippians to decide how to protect themselves is “neanderthal thinking.”
Mississippians don’t need handlers. As numbers drop, they can assess their choices and listen to experts. I guess I just think we should trust Americans, not insult them.
— Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) March 3, 2021
Renae Eze, press secretary for Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R), responded to Biden’s remarks in a statement to The Daily Wire.
“The Governor was clear in telling Texans that COVID hasn’t ended, and that all Texans should follow medical advice and safe practices to continue containing COVID,” Abbott’s office said. “The fact is, Texas now has the tools and knowledge to combat COVID while also allowing Texans and small businesses to make their own decisions.”
“It is clear from the recoveries, the vaccinations, the reduced hospitalizations, and the safe practices that Texans are using, that state mandates are no longer needed,” the statement added. “We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans. The Governor’s focus has been, and always will be, protecting the lives and livelihoods of Texans.”
Abbott later took a more direct shot at Biden from his personal Twitter account over a recent report from NBC News that the Biden administration was allegedly releasing some asylum-seekers into the U.S. who, after being released, were quickly tested for coronavirus and were confirmed to have it.
“The Biden Administration is recklessly releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants who have COVID into Texas communities,” Abbott tweeted. “The Biden Admin. must IMMEDIATELY end this callous act that exposes Texans & Americans to COVID.”
The Biden Administration is recklessly releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants who have COVID into Texas communities.
The Biden Admin. must IMMEDIATELY end this callous act that exposes Texans & Americans to COVID.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 3, 2021
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) fired back at Biden, mockingly calling him “Uniter-in-chief,” while tweeting out a GIF of a Neanderthal.
Uniter-in-chief. https://t.co/Lw4JXyvDuS pic.twitter.com/SyzYp7DwN6
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 3, 2021