Rove calls French a "bigot," says he'll vote Democrat
Karl RoveRepublican strategist; former George W. Bush senior adviser
GOP strategist Karl Rove told a private Austin lunch he will vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal over Bo French, breaking a three-decade streak of voting only Republican, and called French a "bigot."
“bigot”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Was Bo French’s UT Austin post racist?
After the University of Texas football team’s September 12, 2026 comeback win over Ohio State, Republican Railroad Commission nominee Bo French posted a still image of apparent South Asian fans and called what it showed a “problem.” He later said social media was exposing Americans being displaced by foreigners and accused UT of prioritizing foreigners over Texans. French and several supporters framed the posts as a legitimate criticism of immigration and admissions policy. Republican and Democratic officials, along with other commentators, condemned the use of the fans’ appearance as racist or xenophobic. Governor Greg Abbott rejected French’s interpretation of the image while reaffirming support for restrictive immigration policies.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Texas Tribune report on Karl Rove telling a private Headliners Club lunch he will vote for French's Democratic opponent, and Trump's subsequent Truth Social response.
Before the quotation
Speaking to attendees at a private Headliners Club lunch in Austin, September 14, 2026.
After the quotation
Trump attacked Rove on Truth Social later the same evening.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Rove directly condemns French as a 'bigot' over the UT Austin post and breaks a decades-long voting pattern in protest, a strong condemnation from a prominent figure within French's own party.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Bo French
More from this case
Read the full caseRosenthal calls donations a rejection of French
“The people are rejecting this bold, racist campaign of his.”Read statement
Krishnamoorthi calls French’s UT fan post a xenophobic attack
“The Department of Education seems to be playing dog whistles to Bo French’s tune just days after his xenophobic attack on South Asian students for cheering for their own college football team. South Asian Americans are as American as anyone.”Read statement
French says his UT fan posts were about culture, not race
“It’s fair to say that Texas doesn’t look and feel like it did when I was a kid, and that’s not racist.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Rove calls French a "bigot," says he'll vote Democrat". First published: 2026-09-17. Last updated: 2026-09-17. https://disputeindex.com/events/813-gop-strategist-karl-rove-told-a-private-austin