Republican lawmakers and candidates for elected office are sounding the alarm on the recent "Breakfast Tacos" comment First Lady Dr. Jill Biden (D) made at a rally. While giving a speech in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Biden said that attendees are "as unique as... breakfast tacos." The comment has angered Latino groups and Republicans like Anna Paulina Luna, who argue that it could lead to a "Latin-Exit of the DNC this November."
While speaking at the UnidosUs annual conference titled "Siempre Adelante: Our Quest for Equity," Dr. Biden praised Raul Yzaguirre, who led the advocacy organization that was formerly known as the National Council of La Raza.
In her comments, Dr. Biden said that “Raul helped build this organization with the understanding that the diversity of this community — as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami, and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio — is your strength."
The comments were met with low cheers, and it has since gone viral with some criticizing it.
In response to the comments, congressional hopeful Anna Paulina Luna took to Instagram to chide the comments, writing that "Hillary Clinton is to hot sauce as Jill Biden is to... TACOS," adding that voters should "get ready for the Latin-exit of the DNC this November."
Likening the comment to a much-criticized "hot sauce" comment from Secretary Hillary Clinton (D) on an appearance during the Breakfast Club while campaigning in the 2016 presidential election, Luna also joked that if she was a taco, she was "the Doritos supreme from Taco Bell."
Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R) further commented that "if Jill Biden is going to compare Hispanic Americans to breakfast tacos then she could at least use more inclusive language: it's 'TacX,' Jill."
If Jill Biden is going to compare Hispanic Americans to breakfast tacos then she could at least use more inclusive language:
It’s “TacX,” Jill.
— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) July 11, 2022
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists also released a statement, rebuking the comments.
In the statement, the group commented that "Using breakfast tacos to try to demonstrate the uniqueness of Latinos in San Antonio demonstrates a lack of cultural knowledge and sensitivity to the diversity of Latinos in the region," adding that they encourage "Dr. Biden and her speech writing team to take the time in the future to better understand the complexities of our people and communities."
The group concluded by saying "We are not tacos."
NAHJ encourages @FLOTUS & her communications team to take time to better understand the complexities of our people & communities.
We are not tacos.
Our heritage as Latinos is shaped by various diasporas, cultures & food traditions.
Do not reduce us to stereotypes. pic.twitter.com/KQIq5gwsht
— NAHJ (@NAHJ) July 12, 2022
