Valentina Gomez, aspiring MAGA congresswoman, ignites controversy with violent rhetoric
Valentina Gomez, a self-styled MAGA firebrand and former candidate for Missouri Secretary of State, has once again courted controversy with a campaign video that depicts a mock execution of an immigrant. The video, which Gomez shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, has drawn widespread condemnation and reignited debates about political extremism and violent rhetoric in U.S. politics.
A disturbing display: mock execution of a migrant
In the video, Gomez, 25, is seen firing a handgun into the back of the head of a dummy tied to a chair with a black bag over its head. She declared that undocumented individuals who commit violent crimes “deserve to be ended.”
“It’s that simple,” she said. “Public executions for any illegal that rapes or kills an American. They don’t deserve deportation, they deserve to be ended.”
The video was flagged by X for potentially violating its rules against “violent speech” but remained available on the platform as of Tuesday. Gomez captioned the post, “Public executions for any illegal that rapes or kills an American.”
Social media backlash and global criticism
The video was met with swift backlash from social media users, many of whom described Gomez’s actions as “psychopathic.” One user commented, “What’s wrong with these people?” while another called her “unhinged, mentally ill, and sociopathic.”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro also weighed in, denouncing Gomez, who is of Colombian descent, for promoting hatred against migrants. “She is not just an American fascist. She is Colombian. And being a migrant, what she wants is to unleash hatred against migrants. Most Americans are killed by Americans,” Petro stated.
However, Gomez’s supporters, including far-right provocateur Laura Loomer, defended her actions. Loomer called the video “bold” and expressed her approval, writing, “Love this.”
A pattern of inflammatory rhetoric
Gomez is no stranger to controversy. During her unsuccessful campaign for Missouri Secretary of State earlier this year—where she garnered just 7.4% of the vote and finished sixth out of eight candidates—Gomez frequently made headlines for her incendiary remarks and provocative campaign videos.
Her previous statements included homophobic slurs, setting fire to LGBTQ-inclusive books, and referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as a “hoe” and a “little b*.” She described transgender individuals with a slur and labeled Democrats as “full of gay s.”
Her rhetoric mirrors that of President-elect Donald Trump, who has advocated for the death penalty for undocumented individuals who commit violent crimes. Trump has criticized President Joe Biden for pardoning the majority of federal death row inmates, aligning his tough-on-crime stance with that of Gomez.
Relocation and new ambitions
Despite her poor showing in the Missouri race, Gomez announced last week that she is relocating to Texas to challenge Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw for his seat. “I don’t fear PDFs, criminals, or the crooks in DC. I only fear God,” she wrote in a post announcing her congressional bid.
Gomez has framed her campaign as a fight against the political establishment, claiming, “I’m the biggest threat to the establishment because I call it like I see it. I give people hope, and I don’t need their money. Remember, nobody is coming to save us. Stay strapped.”
The broader implications
As Gomez’s video continues to circulate, the incident underscores the escalating use of violent imagery and rhetoric in political discourse. Critics argue that such actions not only degrade the quality of political debate but also risk inciting real-world violence.
While Gomez’s provocative tactics may resonate with a segment of the MAGA base, her divisive approach raises questions about the future of U.S. politics and the potential consequences of normalizing such extreme rhetoric.
