Andy Kim says Asian American voters saw the posts as xenophobic and racist
United States senator speaking to a news outlet
“Everyone was talking about it. Every single Asian American that I was with yesterday raised this with me. They were saying this is an example of, ‘Not only are they not courting us or engaging with us, but they’re actively demonizing us, actively being xenophobic and racist towards us.’ We need leaders that stand up against this.”
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Politico report timestamped 5:00 AM ET on September 15, 2026. It states that no Republican explicitly called for French to drop out, that Dan Patrick did not respond to a request for comment, and that two students in the photo told the Dallas Morning News they are US citizens.
Before the quotation
Kim had campaigned with James Talarico in Houston on the Sunday the post appeared.
After the quotation
Politico reported that the episode could have lasting political effects with Texas's Indian American population, which is concentrated around Dallas and Houston.
How this statement is classified
Case context: Was Bo French’s UT Austin post racist?
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
The conduct under scrutiny is French's posts. Kim relays and endorses the view that they are xenophobic and racist, and calls for leaders to oppose them.
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Was Bo French’s UT Austin post racist?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
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“Look, it was an idiotic tweet that he sent. I wish he hadn't sent it. And I got to say, I am celebrating every student at UT, and I was proud to be there in Austin, and it was a hell of a win. Hook 'em horns.”Read statement
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