Rep. Burgess Owens declines to comment on or condemn Loomer's remarks
Burgess OwensU.S. Representative for Utah's 4th district, answering a reporter in a Capitol hallway
Asked whether he had any comment on Laura Loomer's remarks about Black women in politics, and then whether he would condemn them, Rep. Burgess Owens said he had no idea what the reporter was talking about and walked away.
“I have no idea what you're talking about, buddy.”
Original post
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Laura Loomer’s remarks about Angie Nixon and other Black women in politics
Laura Loomer described Florida Democratic Senate nominee Angie Nixon and four other prominent Black women using the word “ghetto” and a gendered slur, said the stereotype exists, and later defended the wording as an accurate description of Nixon’s conduct, race, and ideology. Nixon and political figures and commentators across party lines called the remarks racist, sexist, degrading, offensive, or vile. The dispute concerns whether Loomer’s stated political criticism can be separated from the racial and gender stereotypes used in the original and follow-up statements.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Zeteo reporter Prem Thakker's post with a two-minute video of hallway questions to House Republicans about Laura Loomer's remarks. The members are identified in Raw Story's account of the same video. The video file carries a September 1, 2026 upload time; the post went up on September 2.
Reporting
About this source
Raw Story's account of Zeteo reporter Prem Thakker's hallway video, identifying each House Republican asked about Laura Loomer's remarks and quoting their answers.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
In late August 2026 Laura Loomer called Angie Nixon, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Cori Bush and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson "ghetto" and used a gendered slur. In a hallway video Zeteo reporter Prem Thakker posted on September 2, he asked House Republicans whether they would comment on or condemn the remarks, describing Loomer as someone who had advised Trump. Thakker repeated Loomer's words to Owens and asked for comment; Owens said he had no idea what Thakker was talking about.
After the quotation
Owens began, "I'm not gonna," and left as Thakker said Loomer had advised Trump on staffing changes.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is Laura Loomer's remarks about Angie Nixon and other Black women in politics. Owens was read the remarks and asked twice whether he would comment or condemn them; he said he had no idea what the reporter was talking about, began "I'm not gonna" and left. A refusal to engage after a direct question fits Explicitly stayed out. Condemned and Defended or excused both lose because he gives no evaluation of the remarks. Evidence level: video of the exchange, with the speaker identified and the answer quoted by Raw Story.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Laura Loomer
More from this case
Read the full caseLoomer renews the language she used to criticize Nixon
“Twerking with drag queens is not only ghetto, but it's also beneath anyone running to become a US Senator.”Read statement
Joanna McClinton calls on Trump to condemn Loomer's remarks
“We need the president to condemn these comments... Unfortunately, attacking Black women is nothing new... We have been fighting with racism and misogyny for as long as we have been a democratic republic.”Read statement
Laura Loomer repeats “ghetto behavior” characterization in X reply
“THIS IS GHETTO BEHAVIOR!”Read statement
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- Rep. Burgess Owens declines to comment on or condemn Loomer's remarks
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- https://disputeindex.com/events/4805-asked-whether-he-had-any-comment-on-laura
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Rep. Burgess Owens declines to comment on or condemn Loomer's remarks". First published: 2026-10-06. Last updated: 2026-10-06. https://disputeindex.com/events/4805-asked-whether-he-had-any-comment-on-laura