Texas GOP Rep Troy Nehls served Democrats red meat for Independence Day when he bucked the media’s “affordability” narrative.
Nehls was approached by MediasTouch’s reporter Pablo Manriquez on the Capitol steps and asked how he and fellow House Republicans plan to run on the issue.
“Affordability — what are you talking about?” Nehls said before dropping the bomb.
“Over the Fourth, I’m going to get me a couple of big lobster tails, I’m going to get me some nice rib-eyes. I’m going to sit in my backyard with my family [and] my neighbors, and we’re going to be enjoying the Fourth, celebrating 250 years, the birthday [of America],” he added.
The always unapologetic Republican also said that he’ll be “celebrating” President Donald Trump, whom he called “the greatest president of my lifetime.”
Nehls doubled down when another reporter asked if Americans who live “paycheck to paycheck” can afford the same holiday fare.
The Texas Republican, who is not seeking another term, responded by rhetorically asking if those people “work as hard as I do.”
Manriquez’s clip garnered plenty of anger on X:
Nehls just told working Americans they don’t work hard enough while he eats steak and lobster on their dime.
Tone deaf doesn’t even cover it.
— TinHatBearAK (@Konstoyouralas1) June 30, 2026
Nehls is completely out of touch. He thinks 60% of Americans do not work as hard as he does. It is this kind of arrogance that turn people’s stomachs.
Nehls does not think there is an affordability problem. He is going to go home and buy a couple of large lobster tails and a…
— mindy (@mindy0739365693) July 1, 2026
“This is exactly why Democrats are gonna wipe the floor in the midterms you f**king dumb ass f**ker,” another frustrated voter wrote.
Right or wrong, Nehls has never shied from controversy and is one of the few Republicans coming out to fight for the SAVE American Act and supports “nuking” the filibuster.
Without election integrity, we have no country.
The Senate needs to NUKE the filibuster and pass the SAVE America Act.
The future of our country depends on it. @RealLindellTV pic.twitter.com/e3e35OCG4B
— Congressman Troy E. Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) July 1, 2026
