Read the room, pal.
In the early hours of New Year’s Day, a terrorist named a Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a Texas-born, US Army veteran who had been radicalized by ISIS, floored a pickup truck into a crowd of people on New Orleans’ famed Bourbon Steet, killing at least 15 people and injuring many, many more. He exited the vehicle and engaged police officers in a firefight, where he was ultimately killed. Two officers were shot in the gunfight and are being treated at local hospitals in stable condition.
Jabbar also had a black ISIS flag affixed to the hitch of the Ford F-150 Lightning truck, which also contained explosives and firearms. He also reportedly made videos declaring his allegiance to ISIS ahead of the attack. The FBI is currently investigating, and suspects that other terrorists may be involved in the planning and execution of the senseless attack.
An absolutely disgusting, wicked, and evil act of radical Islamic terrorism, it’s really hard to find the words to properly describe the amount of devastation. My heart breaks for the families of everybody involved.
However, less than 24 hours later, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry was enjoying himself a big fat steak over at Bon Ton Prime Rib, just a 10 minute walk from where the carnage occurred on Bourbon Street earlier that morning.
“Ate dinner tonight in New Orleans. Proud to be a part of this incredibly resilient city. See everyone at the game tomorrow!”
Ate dinner tonight in New Orleans. Proud to be a part of this incredibly resilient city. See everyone at the game tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/JhEJDb5E9P
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) January 2, 2025
And look, I’m not saying the man can’t have dinner, and I’m not even saying the man can’t have a nice dinner, but to post about like this? Are you insane? Do you have a PR team? Somebody needs to take your phone away…
Amid the backlash, the Governor added some more context with a follow-up tweet:
It’s important to understand that we have many visitors in the city of New Orleans right now. Safety is our top priority and we want our guests and the world to know that Louisiana does not cower to radical Islamic terrorists.
Our restaurants and all New Orleans has to offer remain open for business!
It’s important to understand that we have many visitors in the city of New Orleans right now. Safety is our top priority and we want our guests and the world to know that Louisiana does not cower to radical islamic terrorists.
Our restaurants and all New Orleans has to offer…
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) January 2, 2025
And look… I get it. You wanna show strength and resiliency, which one could argue people in Louisiana have as well as any state in the country. You want to show these radical terrorists that we will not bow down and live in fear of them and their evil. You want to show people that it’s safe to spend those tourism dollars in NOLA, especially ahead of a big college football game and Mardi Gras coming up… BUT…. a picture in front of Bon Ton Prime Rib with a $135 tomahawk ribeye on the menu ain’t it, buddy. Could you possibly be more tone deaf? The city is grieving, there’s still blood in damn the streets, and you’re bragging about a steak dinner? I mean, why stop there? How were the friggin’ crab cakes?
Needless to say, the post did not go over well with the general public, from both sides of the aisle, who left a bevy of comments on the post:
Honestly I don’t know much about the governor of Louisiana but is he always this stupid? https://t.co/ivqy3OUTX7
— Courtney McKinney (@CourtAnne1225) January 2, 2025
Multiple residents were just murdered in a terrorist attack in your state, yet @LAGovJeffLandry thought it was a good idea to post a photo at Prime Rib. Either his staff are incompetent, or he is. Either way, this is tone-deaf and should be taken down immediately. https://t.co/Hyda8SK8oN
— Shermichael Singleton (@MrShermichael) January 2, 2025
I know nothing about this governor, his politics, or anything at all. I just know he needs a new PR team. Read the room. https://t.co/FIGPiFYEfg
— Leslie Rubin (@LeslieRubinWCHS) January 2, 2025
This… is a real post https://t.co/MKXt5GTvBy
— Maddy Wierus (@MaddyReports) January 2, 2025
This is just incredibly tone deaf. The bodies are still warm. There hasn’t been a press conference since 1 pm. There is a lot of contradictory information in the public domain and the governor is posting about eating prime rib. https://t.co/Sk6zUZlBXF
— CJ Mordock (@CJMordock) January 2, 2025
Someone take his phone. https://t.co/VS1taGssrL
— S. (@sshantaesmith) January 2, 2025
Who told the Governor of Louisiana that this post was a good idea? https://t.co/RH4tJrbdAj
— Rachel (@allthedogspleaz) January 2, 2025
Tone deaf Hall of Fame. https://t.co/HIj7DOIHd9
— IT Guy (@ITGuy1959) January 2, 2025
This may be the most tone deaf post I’ve ever seen… https://t.co/JKu9RERKHp
— Conner Jones (@connerijones) January 2, 2025
Omg I seriously thought this was a fake account at first because I cannot fathom whoever runs the governor’s account being this insensitive and tone-deaf https://t.co/IW71Vo1O5E
— Nola (@AwkwardBlondie) January 2, 2025
Total inability to read the room https://t.co/FHArMhmdSg
— Peter Wrangel (@PeterWrangel) January 2, 2025
I like Jeff Landry, so will extend him the benefit of the doubt that this was meant to be a positive and upbeat post for a city in shock, but it totally misses the mark. https://t.co/OwI17EvYjf
— Jenna Ellis 🐊 (@realJennaEllis) January 2, 2025
Ladies and gentleman, Mr. Jeff Landry… First Team All-Tone Deaf Politician.
