By most accounts, former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke was the loser of last night’s Democratic primary debate. However, he did provide us with one hilarious moment.
O’Rourke was asked by NBC’s Savannah Guthrie if he would support an individual tax rate of 70% on earners making more than $10 million a year. He uttered a few platitudes and then…began speaking in Spanish. The quizzical look on New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker’s face was priceless!
It was a combination of disbelief and amusement. If Booker hadn’t been on national television, he would have rolled his eyes and said “FFS.”
It’s possible that Booker’s humorous expression was due to the fact that he is also fluent in the language and had planned to answer a question in Spanish later in the debate – which he eventually did.
Elizabeth Warren looked on expressionless. Maybe she was wishing she could speak fluent Cherokee.
The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah had the best response by far. Noah tweeted: “When Dad says “Hola, como estas?” to the waiter at the Mexican restaurant @DemDebate”
Here are some other reactions from Twitter:
Gif showing comedian Seth Meyers: “Is this motherf**cker for real right now?”
“Think people reading too much into Booker’s expressions. He always looks like that!”
“Next thing will be Elizabeth Warren sending smoke signals.”
“In What country is Beto O’Rourke making a run for office?”
“I’m sorry, if they want to ask & answer the questions in Spanish. BROADCAST THE DEBATE ON TELEMUNDO!!!!”
“Ohh the memes that will come out from this”
“The moment when the other Democratic candidates realized that the threat is real.”
“Booker was salty when Beto beat him with the Spanish bit.”
Beto never did answer Guthrie’s question. He refused to be pinned down to a 70% tax rate, even on the wealthy.
Round Two Tonight!
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