Republican 'don't be weak and gay' campaign goes viral

Republican campaign ads are usually full of guns, American Flags, and screeching bald eagles, but one conservative politician decided to add in *check notes* homophobia.

On May 12, Valentina Gomez, a Republican running for Missouri secretary of state, posted a bizarre campaign video on X (formerly Twitter) showing her jogging down the middle of a street wearing a weighted vest while she says a line that has the whole internet roasting her.

“In America, you can be anything you want,” Gomez says while running. “So don’t be weak and gay. Stay f—ing hard.”

Then, the video, which feels more like a fake Saturday Night Live ad than something a real politician would make, ends with a still image of the 25-year-old Colombian immigrant and real estate investor smiling at the camera while holding a giant gun. And because she clearly thought it was necessary to hit all of the Republican cliches in a single video, there is also a pickup truck and an American flag behind her. This shouldn't be surprising, considering she once made a similar video that featured her setting LGBTQ+ books on fire with a flamethrower.

🚨Don’t be weak and gay🚨August 6th is the day we take Missouri back from these corrupt politicians. @Cobratate @TateTheTalisman🔥MAGA pic.twitter.com/sKoY650Dmw
— Valentina Gomez (@ValentinaForSOS) May 13, 2024

The video has gone viral on social media — at the time of this writing, it has already been viewed 4.3 million times on X — and prompted a deluge of reactions, ranging from people like lesbian tennis star Martina Navratilova calling it “homophobic” to clever parodies and hilarious jokes.

Even fellow politicians were commenting on the video. Out lesbian Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt) took to X to make light of the ridiculous campaign ad, writing, “Not weak, just gay,” alongside the painting nails emoji.

“So refreshing to see a female GOP candidate who never served in the military doing the whole veteran cosplay, stolen valor, bigotry as a substitute for strength routine as well as any man,” former Secretary of State Jason Kander wrote on X.

So refreshing to see a female GOP candidate who never served in the military doing the whole veteran cosplay, stolen valor, bigotry as a substitute for strength routine as well as any man. https://t.co/SVCBAxYCBF
— Jason Kander (@JasonKander) May 14, 2024

Not weak, just gay. 💅 https://t.co/qc1qg618sA
— Becca Balint (@BeccaBalintVT) May 15, 2024

But our favorite responses may be from people who took the time to create parody videos. Drag queen and activist Pattie Gonia made a parody campaign commercial featuring her jogging through a park, saying, “In America, you can be anything you want. So don’t be weak, be gay, and stay f—ing hard.”

Comedian Britt Migs made a similar parody where she says, “In America, you can be anything you want, so don’t be weak and straight. Stay f—ing gay,” and then end with a photo of her holding a dildo that has been blurred in place of the gun Gomez wields in the original video.

Post by @pattiegonia
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that one politician from missouri but better pic.twitter.com/eKJHbUAXrb
— limp brittzkit (@Brittymigs) May 15, 2024

In a statement, instead of apologizing for her demeaning video that equates gayness with weakness, she doubled down and pledged allegiance to former President Donald Trump. “President Trump and I are leading the charge to take our country back from the weak and gay Biden administration that has destroyed our country,” she said, reports NBC News. “I look forward to accepting his endorsement so I can ensure a free and fair election to the people of Missouri, where dead people and illegals will never be voting.”

The news cycle during an election cycle can be harrowing, so you have to stop and appreciate the comedy wherever you can find it.

Keep scrolling to see more hilarious social media reactions!

You heard her gays Stay Hard. Don’t be weak. pic.twitter.com/smAiAuuisB
— Timothy 🇺🇸 (@timsown) May 17, 2024

Gay, weak, and going hard pic.twitter.com/MSFbnInjmC
— Ambi (@JerseyShade) May 16, 2024

Republicans in 2016: marriage is between a man and woman

Me: I’m outraged and disgusted!

Republicans in 2024: don’t be weak and gay, stay fucking hard

Me: omg yes pop off queen give us camp we love you!!!!! pic.twitter.com/1ugChrzLPG
— Jack (@GayLaVie) May 15, 2024

if you’re weak and gay and soft dm me https://t.co/bytn38YRFa
— Mel Stone (@melstonemusic) May 15, 2024

HAHAHAHAHA is this real? Oh my god what a trainwreck.
— Conservative Women Are Fancy Doormats 🇺🇸 (@CarolLago128065) May 14, 2024

What if being weak and gay makes me hard? What then??? https://t.co/tmie7RJWJ9
— Joan 🆓🇵🇸 (@Joan_Atoms) May 15, 2024

Jokes on you, I’m weak, gay, AND hard https://t.co/yidXL2yLWm
— jacob (@cantbejacob) May 14, 2024

I know it's not the point but the whole "Weak and Gay" thing is funny since the gay dudes at my gym are far more jacked than I am and can probably lift more than Valentina can. Same goes double for the lesbians. https://t.co/im6HZJNGJR
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) May 15, 2024

“Don’t be weak and gay.
Stay fucking hard.
Take a pill.
Do some push ups.
Have sex with that dude.
You deserve him.”
-Valentina Gomez
*Lupe starts playing* https://t.co/gNhj5o53mj
— Riley Kennemer (@RiKennemer) May 15, 2024

“Don’t be weak and gay” supremely underestimates the strength required to coexist with idiots like this every day pic.twitter.com/TBdqDGHhan
— Brandon Wolf (@bjoewolf) May 14, 2024