On 2nd June 2021, that is, on Tuesday, the famous American news TV cable channel encountered an adverse reaction during the reporting hours of Andrea Mitchell. The channel aired text-based video graphics in which a photo of the Government of Texas, “Greg Abbott” was shown and was captioned with “Texas Two-Step”. The chyron was basically aired in context to the new questionable election bill of Texas named, “Senate bill 7”. However, the audience demanded a quick apology from MSNBC and accused the network of insulting the governor of Texas. It was actually the picture and the caption that created all the fuss.
Greg Abbott is the third governor of any US state that uses a wheelchair. In the picture, the Texas governor was seen in the wheelchair and was captioned with “Texas Two-step”. Many tweeter users also reprimanded the channel and even tweeted, ‘what the hell is this MSNBC? and how can the channel make fun of Greg Abbott just because he cannot walk.’ However, another user replied back saying that it is okay because Greg is from the Republican party. Nonetheless, most of the viewers demanded an apology from the channel for disrespecting and disregarding the governor of Texas.
Back in 1984, Abbott was 26 years old and just graduated from law school. However, his life took a major turn when one day he went for a jog but all of sudden a big oak tree crackled and fell on him. This accident changed the life of Abbott forever, as his lower part was completely paralyzed for the rest of his life. However, it did not stop Abbott from achieving his dreams. According to him, our lives are not defined by the hurdles, but, it is our mental attitude how we respond to those hurdles and obstructions.
Abbott faced many nasty as well as bad remarks from broad-minded political supporters for being in the Wheelchair. In fact, during the 2014 elections, his opposition party leader, Wendy Davis from the Democratic party also released an ad that has the image of Abbott in the wheelchair and then she criticized him for not doing a considerable amount of work for the disabled community, when in fact he is getting a massive treatment. Even during the Wuhan virus pandemic, he became the target of the authorities for once again opening Texas completely and also for removing the rule of mandatory use of the mask.
At that time also, the anchor of MSNBC, ‘Stephanie Ruhle’ raised a question that the states like Texas must face the consequences for not following the social distance norms and other safety measures. She also asked the viewers whether the state should be provided with emergency federal help if the Wuhan virus cases rise in the said state. However, the governor of Texas, Abbott was extremely glad to announce that in April 2021, the state of Texas recorded zero patient of the ongoing virus. As of now, the MSNBC channel has not responded to any of the comment of the users and neither has apologized for the same.
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