A Republican senator faced backlash for his insensitive behavior during the “No Kings” protest in South Carolina https://thenerdstash.com/tag/south-carolina/. Senator Tom Fernandez drove his truck through a group of protestors and allegedly made obscene gestures toward them.
A video shared on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/PublicFreakout/comments/1lezeox/sc_state_senator_drives_into_peaceful_protest/”>View on Reddit
captured the incident, showing the senator in his Apocalypse Truck blasting a loud horn, resembling a train whistle, as he passed the peaceful demonstrators. The truck, valued at over $250,000, was adorned with three American flags mounted at the rear. Despite the protestors’ boos, the senator continued to blow the horn even louder.
SC State Senator Drives into Peaceful Protest Blaring Train, Flips Off Protestors, and then Plays Victim
https://www.reddit.com/r/PublicFreakout/comments/1lezeox/sc_state_senator_drives_into_peaceful_protest/”>View on Reddit
by u/Tyghes https://www.reddit.com/user/Tyghes/ in PublicFreakout https://www.reddit.com/r/PublicFreakout/
During the commotion caused by the truck’s deafening horn, a protestor yelled, “F*ck you Tom.” The vehicle then pulled over to the side. Although the video ends abruptly without showing what happened next, the caption attached to the post provided further details about the episode.
The caption explained that the senator drove past the protestors multiple times, seemingly attempting to provoke a reaction. It described how one protestor shouted “F**k you Tom,” and Senator Fernandez responded by flipping off that person and others in the crowd. It also mentioned that a member of the senator’s team filmed the encounter to upload online, apparently aiming to portray the protestors as the aggressors.
Furthermore, the caption highlighted that Senator Fernandez runs a public Facebook group where he shares his political views but has blocked several constituents who disagreed with or criticized him, even in a respectful manner. This behavior violates established First Amendment court rulings that prevent public officials from blocking critics on platforms used for official activities.
Alongside the post was a petition link https://www.change.org/p/protect-free-speech-hold-senator-fernandez-accountable calling for the South Carolina Senate Ethics Committee and media to take action. The petition urges an investigation into whether the senator infringed on constitutional free speech rights and calls for the reinstatement of those barred from his social media. It also demands greater transparency from public officials across the state.
The Republican’s conduct ignited outrage on social media, with many mocking his perceived fragile ego. One user taunted, “Bro’s driving the insecure-mobile,” while another commented, “And got his wittle feelings hurt!” A third sarcastically added, “Emotional support truck.”
Another netizen remarked that “elected officials are being paid too much money,” while a separate commentator stated, “Owning a truck like that should be disqualifying for public office.” Describing the vehicle as the “douchiest truck,” one user wrote, “Politics aside, you truly have to be a supreme douche to even sit in that monstrosity, much less drive it.”
Following the incident, Tom Fernandez confirmed online that he did make the obscene gesture towards the protestors but justified it as a response to the curse words directed at him by demonstrators.