Donald Trump Jr chimes in on the Texas Senate race name-game
Donald Trump, Jr. has chimed in on the name-game that’s been simmering in the Texas Senate race between Republican candidate Ted Cruz and Democratic candidate Beto O’Rourke.
On Monday, Donald Trump, Jr. tweeted a response to the ABC News article titled ‘Authenticity now the attribute craved by national Democrats,' which focused mainly on Democratic candidate O'Rourke.
What’s authentic about an Irish guy pretending to be Hispanic? Asking for some friends Texas. https://t.co/c30OjHdN8j
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 15, 2018
Read More: Is Beto O’Rourke the new Bobby Kennedy?
Trump, Jr. said, “What’s authentic about an Irish guy pretending to be Hispanic? Asking for some friends Texas.”
In the tweet, Trump Jr. is referring to Beto O’Rourke, the Democratic Senate candidate for Texas, and his nickname ‘Beto,’ short for Robert.
Some Republicans have taken aim at O’Rourke’s ‘Beto’ nickname, insisting that he’s using it to appeal to the Hispanic vote.
Trump, Jr. evidently finds O'Rourke's nickname inauthentic as well as an attempt to be Hispanic.
Many replies to the Trump, Jr. tweet, however, insist that the nickname ‘Beto’ is a Texas habit and not a Hispanic one.
He has been called Beto for most of his life. As a native of Texas, it is VERY common for ANYONE with the name Robert to be called Beto. It’s a TEXAS thing, not a Hispanic thing. Also, ethnic arguments are sign one of racism. So, nice job riling up the neo nazi base.
— Tony Tellez (@tonytellez) October 15, 2018
In a political ad earlier this year, Republican Senate candidate for Texas Ted Cruz called out O’Rourke for using the nickname ‘Beto.’
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"I remember reading stories,” says the ad, “liberal Robert wanted to fit in. So he changed his name to Beto and hid it with a grin."
In a response to the ad, O’Rourke said "My parents have called me Beto from day one, and it's just -- it's kind of a nickname for Robert in El Paso. It just stuck.”
O'Rourke even shared a childhood photo on his Instagram in February that included in him wearing a sweater with BETO stitched in the front:
The attack ad on O'Rourke is perhaps ironic, as Ted Cruz’s real name is Raphael Edward Cruz.
Do you think Beto O’Rourke is trying to appeal to the Hispanic population with his nickname? Sound off in the comments
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