Schumer is sick.
In a recent press conference, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) made an eyebrow-raising remark about President Trump’s decision to freeze federal grants. Schumer claimed that the policy had “aroused” the American people, suggesting that it had sparked an intense reaction across the country. His comments, however, quickly became the subject of ridicule and disgust on social media, with many questioning his choice of words.
Schumer argued that Trump’s actions were a direct attack on working-class Americans, claiming that the freeze on federal grants showed the Trump administration’s true priorities: favoring the wealthy over middle-class families. He then went on to say, “I haven’t seen people so aroused in a very, very long time.” His statement, which was meant to highlight the growing frustration among Americans, instead left many with a bad taste in their mouths—literally.
Social media users wasted no time in pointing out how awkward and off-putting Schumer’s phrasing was. One user remarked, “Eww!” while another sarcastically posted, “I just ate lunch!” The word “aroused” quickly became the subject of memes and jokes, with many questioning why Schumer didn’t choose a less cringe-worthy term like “focused” or “energized” to describe the public’s reaction. Some even took it a step further, referencing Schumer’s previous comments about Trump “inciting the erection” during the aftermath of the January 6th Capitol riots.
The backlash was swift, with several users mocking Schumer’s choice of language, while others demanded he never use the word again. “Nobody wants to hear you say that word. Ever again,” one user tweeted.
This incident underscores the disconnect between the political elite and the average American. While Schumer tries to capitalize on public outrage, his comments only seem to add to the growing frustration that so many Americans feel towards Washington. Whether or not the Senate Minority Leader intended to spark further controversy, his words are only furthering the divide between the political class and the hardworking people they’re supposed to represent.