Don't Put 'DEI Hire' and Gov. Greg Abbott in the Same Sentence
Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett referred to Gov. Greg Abbott as a 'DEI hire' due to his use of a wheelchair, drawing criticism for the remark. Abbott responded with humor, creating a meme portraying himself as a superhero, while advocates noted such language can be patronizing to people with disabilities. The article emphasizes that Abbott's disability is unrelated to his governance, particularly his leadership of Operation Lone Star.
- ▪Rep. Jasmine Crockett called Gov. Greg Abbott a 'DEI hire' because he uses a wheelchair.
- ▪Abbott responded by creating a lighthearted meme depicting himself as a 'uniquely abled' superhero.
- ▪Many people with disabilities find terms like 'differently abled' to be condescending and infantilizing.
- ▪Operation Lone Star was cited as evidence of Abbott's active governance independent of his disability.
- ▪The article argues that Abbott's disability does not define his role or qualifications as governor.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Don't Put 'DEI Hire' and Gov. Greg Abbott in the Same Sentence Ashli-Meghan Eskeldson | 10:49 AM on May 04, 2026 AP Photo/Julio Cortez On April 27, Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett called Gov. Greg Abbott "part of the DEI class" and "a DEI hire" simply because he moves in a wheelchair. When he was younger, Abbott went on a walk and became injured when a heavy tree landed on his back with intense force. He had taken a break from his bar exam study session and was merely planning to enjoy the fresh air. Since this incident, he has used a wheelchair. Advertisement googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display("div-gpt-300x250_3"); //googletag.pubads().refresh([gptAdSlot["div-gpt-300x250_3"]]) }); Yes, Abbott uses a wheelchair. It just is.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at PJ Media.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from PJ Media
