![Then-Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett joined Democratic lawmakers at a press conference in Washington, D.C., on July 23, 2021.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4275x3206+267+0/resize/1100/quality/100/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff3%2F3d%2Ff4082d794a16beea540ed52dda75%2Fgettyimages-1330258043.jpg)
Then-Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett joined Democratic lawmakers at a press conference in Washington, D.C., on July 23, 2021. Crockett, now a member of the House of Representatives, got into an altercation with Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene during her committee hearing. last week.
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During a regular House Oversight Committee meeting on whether to charge Attorney General Merrick Garland with contempt of Congress, controversial far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene attacked a fellow lawmaker's appearance.
In an interview with Rep. Jasmine Crockett, the Georgia Republican suggested that Crockett's “fake eyelashes” were preventing her from reading and understanding the main points of last week's hearing.
In response, Crockett accused Greene of having “bleach blonde hair and a butch body with a bad build.”
Jasmine Crockett on Marjorie Taylor Greene's “bleach blonde, bad physique, butch body” during a House committee oversight hearing.
This started after MTG said her 'fake eyelashes were messing up her reading.'pic.twitter.com/kuPKMFAjFu
— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) May 17, 2024
The exchange quickly went viral on social media, with many people enjoying the fun of watching the two lawmakers bicker. This was pretty much what you typically see on reality TV.
Crockett relied on word of mouth of the moment. She applied for a trademark for the phrase “B6” and announced a “Crockett Clapback Collection” line of merchandise to benefit House Democrats.
So we're going to delete “A Crockett Clapback Collection.” This collection contains a variety of embellishments that include random things I said. That money will be used to help us have a Democratic House! Please give us some time to actually get the item online etc. But B6 will fall… pic.twitter.com/7RnPQ4jVHs
— Jasmine Crockett (@JasmineForUS) May 18, 2024
Meanwhile, Green maintained her figure and boasted of an active and healthy lifestyle.
Yes, my body is strong and strong 💪 Not through nips, bibs, plastic or silicone, but through a healthy lifestyle. I will soon be turning 50, but God willing, I will continue to lift, run, swim, play sports, surf, ski, hike, and enjoy everything about this life to the fullest. pic.twitter.com/DSkqJEuEnM
— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) May 20, 2024
Among the jokes, memes, and even parody songs about the congressional fight, there were conversations about race, gender, and stereotypes.
Crockett called the comment about her eyelashes racist, noting that black women's appearance is often criticized. Whether that's because of their natural appearance or because of style choices that are often made to better appeal to European beauty standards.
Crockett's comments also sparked an immediate backlash within the halls of Congress, in contrast to the general silence from Republicans over Greene's comments about Crockett's appearance.
Many pointed to the fact that there were immediate calls for Crockett to soften her tone after she was attacked, as opposed to an implicit acceptance of Green's comments about Crockett.
During the raucous hearing, Crockett was repeatedly told by Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna to “calm down” and that Greene was “out of control,” even though she was the one inciting his back. – About appearance.
On the other hand, some have accused Crockett of using transphobic language when he used the word “butch” in his response to Green.
Can we just acknowledge that black lesbians, including black butch lesbians, exist and ask them to talk about what Rep. Crockett said? How queer black voices are always ignored. Meanwhile, who could be more homophobic and transphobic than Margarine Devil Toes?
— Metal's Uppity Black Faerie Gothmother 🖤 (@FountainPenDiva) May 18, 2024
“There was no intent to harm anyone,” Crockett said. [LGBTQ] Community.”
She wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I will always be involved with the community,” she wrote.