May 31, 2025 – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst (R) sparked outrage at a town hall in Butler County, Iowa, on Friday, May 30, 2025, when she responded to concerns about proposed GOP Medicaid cuts with the quip, “We all are going to die.” The remark, made during a heated exchange with constituents over President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” has gone viral, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats and fueling debate as Ernst gears up for her 2026 re-election campaign.
The contentious moment occurred at Aplington-Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, Iowa, where Ernst faced a vocal crowd pressing her on the House-passed spending bill, which includes cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits. According to a Congressional Budget Office analysis, one provision could cause 1.4 million people to lose Medicaid coverage, particularly those without verified immigration status. When an attendee shouted, “People are going to die,” Ernst responded, “Well, we’re all going to die,” prompting gasps and boos from the audience. She continued, “Listen to me when I say that we are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable,” but the crowd remained unconvinced, with shouts persisting throughout the event.
Democrats quickly seized on the comment, with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee circulating a video clip, labeling it a callous dismissal of constituents’ fears. Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, stated, “Joni Ernst said the quiet part out loud: Republicans do not care about whether their own constituents live or die as long as the richest few get richer”. A Democratic House aide called it “one of the worst politician quotes I’ve ever seen”. On X, users amplified the controversy, with posts like @IowaDem4Change calling Ernst’s remark “tone-deaf and cruel,” though some, like @GOPVoiceIA, defended her, arguing she was highlighting the need to protect eligible beneficiaries. These posts reflect public sentiment but are not conclusive evidence.
Ernst’s spokesperson defended her, stating, “While Democrats fearmonger against strengthening the integrity of Medicaid, Senator Ernst is focused on improving the lives of all Iowans”. Ernst also faced questions about her support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts, which she has championed as Senate DOGE leader. Her push to eliminate waste, such as a $56 million savings by phasing out the penny, has been a point of pride, as noted in her May 22 X post.
The town hall incident comes as Ernst, seeking a third term in 2026, faces growing political challenges. Nathan Sage, a Marine and Army veteran, announced his candidacy to unseat her, criticizing her ties to corporate interests and Trump’s agenda, including tariffs that could harm Iowa farmers. Sage’s campaign has drawn attention for its blunt rhetoric, though the National Republican Senatorial Committee dismissed him, predicting Iowans will re-elect Ernst. Ernst also faces potential GOP primary challengers after initially hesitating to support Hegseth’s nomination, which drew ire from some conservatives.
Ernst’s recent actions, including her push to reel in a federal grant to a fishing nonprofit over alleged executive salary padding, underscore her focus on curbing government waste. However, her “death” comment has overshadowed these efforts, with outlets like The New York Times and Politico noting its rapid spread online. As one USA TODAY opinion piece quipped, Ernst has given the GOP a grim slogan: “We’re all going to die”.
With the 2026 midterms looming, Ernst’s remarks could haunt her campaign, especially in a state where she narrowly won 52% of the vote in 2020. The controversy highlights the risks of defending Trump’s domestic policies amid public unease. For the latest updates, tune into NPR’s State of the World or visit nbcnews.com.
