The general consensus among Twitter users appears to be that Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) spectacularly missed the mark with his attempted wisecrack about President Joe Biden and Neanderthals.
Biden sparked faux outrage among conservatives on Wednesday when he described as “Neanderthal thinking” the decision to lift mask mandates ― amid the coronavirus pandemic ― in states such as Texas and Mississippi.
Rubio chimed in Thursday with this “joke” on Twitter:
President Biden’s use of an old stereotype is hurtful to modern Europeans, Asians & Americans who inherit about 2% of their genes from Neanderthal ancestors. https://t.co/aXHJV5wLlr
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 4, 2021
He should apologize for his insensitive comments and seek training on unconscious bias.
“I’m assuming this is satire. So hard to tell with people who suck at this,” responded “Star Trek” actor George Takei.
Other critics weighed in with their own takes on the alleged gag:
“Why aren’t there more conservative comedians?”
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) March 4, 2021
I’m assuming this is satire. So hard to tell with people who suck at this. https://t.co/B0fK4Uwbu0
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) March 4, 2021
Is this satire? I can’t tell anymore https://t.co/PvAT0CmKKN
— Aki Peritz (@AkiPeritz) March 4, 2021
Funny but not in the way he thinks it’s funny. https://t.co/maJedRQemW
— Kim Masters (@kimmasters) March 5, 2021
hi @marcorubio — I fixed it for you!! https://t.co/0HCJcHYt0N pic.twitter.com/RzmTdS1s1l
— claire de lune (@ClaireMPLS) March 5, 2021
Seriously? Neanderthals, Dr Seuss, Potatoheads... you would never know that thousands are dying daily from Covid, millions are in desperate need of economic relief. And Republicans like Rubio don’t give a damn. https://t.co/zEQHPA1bfq
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) March 5, 2021
Imagine wanting to be a victim this badly https://t.co/nXUoCpeW7x
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) March 4, 2021
Don't look now, but Marco just acknowledged Evolution is real. https://t.co/xJ65MSHUWk
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) March 4, 2021
I love this tweet because I like imagining how much Rubio and his staffers were giggling before they sent it out, just 100% conviction that they were sending out an absolute banger https://t.co/uJSUiOvRbw
— Brian Gaar (@briangaar) March 5, 2021
Guys, this is personal for him. Lay off. https://t.co/ABBbyRu4Jz
— Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (@AbdulElSayed) March 5, 2021
.@TheOnion isn’t hiring, Senator. Dial it back. https://t.co/FQxRgeu5Qr
— rosanne cash (@rosannecash) March 4, 2021
Wait... are you literally trying to denounce president Biden for saying these “let COVID rip” governors are THINKING like neanderthals by calling white Americans ACTUAL neanderthals? Because I don’t think that’s the mic drop you think it is, Senator. Maybe YOU should apologize. https://t.co/GAFIkUJQuJ
— Joy-Ann Pro-Democracy & Masks Reid 😷 (@JoyAnnReid) March 4, 2021
this is bait https://t.co/Zh6o86VpMn
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 4, 2021
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.