The real problem isn’t Jasmine Crockett’s words — it’s the double standard

Jasmine Crockett is qualified, intelligent, and one of the most brilliant politicians of our time. Period. 

She’s sharp, she’s bold and she’s unafraid to speak truth to power — even when it makes people uncomfortable. Maybe she shouldn’t have said out loud what a lot of Texans say behind closed doors. Maybe her passionate dissent keeps some folks from truly hearing her. But regardless of how you feel about her presentation, my issue is the double standard.

Crockett called Governor Greg Abbott “Governor Hot Wheels” during a Human Rights Campaign event — a jab, she later clarified, that was about his cruel policy of busing migrants into cities led by Black mayors, not his disability. Was it the best choice of words? No. But the immediate, loud and bipartisan backlash she faced has less to do with the comment itself and more to do with who said it.

Let’s rewind to 2015. Donald Trump, in full view of the world, mockingly flailed his arms while referencing journalist Serge Kovaleski, who has a disability. It was cruel, it was unmistakable and it was caught on camera. What happened next? Crickets from many of the same conservatives now calling for Crockett’s censure.

When Trump supporters labeled Joe Biden “Sleepy Joe,” hurled misogynistic insults like “Joe and the Ho,” and took every opportunity to demean the Obamas, where was that moral outrage? 

Trump has 12 PhDs in name-calling. He’s poisoned the well of political rhetoric. From “birdbrain” Nikki Haley to “Lyin’ Ted Cruz,” he’s made personal attacks his political brand.

But now suddenly, the same folks who’ve cheered on every Trump insult are clutching their pearls and calling Crockett “unbecoming”? 

Make it make sense.

Let’s be clear: none of it is okay. Not from Democrats. Not from Republicans. Not from anyone. But accountability only means something when it’s applied across the board — not just when it’s politically convenient.

Crockett is being dragged through the mud for one comment, while Trump was rewarded with the presidency after years of mocking, bullying and belittling. 

That’s not accountability. That’s hypocrisy.

We absolutely should have conversations about tone, language and the importance of respectful political discourse. But we can’t let those conversations be lopsided. We can’t weaponize decency as a tool to silence Black women while excusing vile behavior from others because it fits a particular narrative.

Crockett can handle critique — she’s built for this. But if we’re going to hold her to a standard, we need to hold everyone to it. Fair is fair.

The real scandal isn’t what Crockett said. It’s how quickly people forget what’s been said — and done — by those they support. If we truly care about creating a respectful political culture, the work has to start with consistency. Not convenience.