Comedians Apologize After Discouraging Donations to Jasmine Crockett’s Senate Run
A wave of criticism prompted apologies from comedians Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers after they publicly questioned the viability of Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas and discouraged their audience from donating to her campaign. The controversy highlights the complex dynamics of celebrity influence in political fundraising and the strategic calculations already underway for the 2028 election cycle.
The backlash stemmed from a recent episode of the “Las Culturistas” podcast, where Rogers expressed skepticism about Crockett’s chances, stating, “Any time a politician is making it too obviously about themselves, I’m already done,” and directly advising listeners, “And don’t waste your money sending to Jasmine Crockett. Do not do it.” He later elaborated, arguing that “If Beto O’Rourke couldn’t do it, Jasmine Crockett is not going to do it,” acknowledging that this wasn’t a personal critique but a judgment of her electoral prospects in the state.
A tweet from @keithedwards on January 8, 2026, captured a portion of the conversation, further amplifying the initial criticism.
Following the online uproar, both comedians issued apologies via instagram. Rogers stated he was “a very progressive person who cares deeply about winning these elections, but my phrasing was not right,” and pledged to be “more thoughtful.” He also expressed “great respect and admiration for Rep.Crockett,and I regret that my words suggested otherwise.” Yang echoed this sentiment,stating he “shoudl not have cursorily weighed in on this” and committed to using his platform “responsibly.”
The incident occurred against a backdrop of strategic maneuvering by national Republicans, who reportedly view crockett as a favorable opponent. According to reports, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) actively sought to encourage Crockett’s candidacy, believing she would be the most vulnerable Democratic contender in a statewide race in Texas. The NRSC allegedly ran an “astroturf” campaign, amplifying favorable polls and “seeding them in progressive digital spaces,” as reported by NOTUS, in an effort to draw her into the race.
Crockett herself acknowledged the encouraging poll numbers when announcing her campaign in December, stating, “The more I saw the poll results, I couldn’t ignore the trends that were clear.”
The situation underscores the increasing influence of media personalities on political discourse and the potential for unintended consequences when those voices weigh in on campaigns. While the comedians’ initial comments were met with swift condemnation, the revelation of the NRSC’s strategy adds another layer of complexity, raising questions about the manipulation of public perception and the lengths to which political organizations will go to shape the electoral landscape.
Why did this happen? Comedians Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers discouraged donations to Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s Senate campaign, citing concerns about her viability in Texas. Concurrently, the national republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) reportedly attempted to encourage Crockett to run, believing she would be the weakest Democratic candidate.
Who was involved? Rep. Jasmine crockett, comedians Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), and political commentator @keithedwards.
What occurred? Rogers and Yang publicly questioned Crockett’s chances in the Senate race, prompting apologies after a social media backlash. The NRSC allegedly engaged in a strategy to boost Crockett’s candidacy through manipulated online engagement.
How did it end? both comedians apologized for their comments. Crockett announced her campaign, acknowledging favorable poll numbers. The incident sparked debate about celebrity influence and political manipulation, with the NRSC’s actions adding a new dimension to the controversy. The outcome of the Senate race remains to be seen.
