Bo French, the Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, has sparked fierce backlash from prominent figures within his own party following a series of xenophobic social media posts directed at college football spectators. The controversy escalated rapidly after outgoing U.S. Sen. John Cornyn openly rebuked French for targeting student supporters of South Asian descent.
The incident originated following a major college football matchup held at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. During the high-stakes Saturday night showdown, the Texas Longhorns secured an exciting comeback victory over the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, sending the home crowd into widespread celebration.
However, the joyful atmosphere inside the stadium took a contentious political turn when French, watching the broadcast from his television screen, shared an image of the celebratory crowd on social media early Sunday morning. The photograph depicted a gathering of students cheering enthusiastically late in the fourth quarter or immediately following the game's final whistle.
French focused his attention on the visible ethnic background of the spectators, many of whom appeared to be of South Asian descent. Expressing dismay at the student makeup, French accompanied the image with commentary suggesting that the state's flagship university was undergoing an unacceptable demographic shift.
In his initial message, French wrote that he had previously heard rumors that the University of Texas graduation ceremonies looked similar, though he claimed he had not initially believed the reports. He concluded his post by asserting that the perceived issue was visibly far more severe than anyone had previously anticipated.
French extended his commentary in the post's reply section, making direct allegations regarding the university’s enrollment procedures. He argued that students who appear to be of South Asian heritage are being granted preferential treatment by admissions officials, claiming the institution favors foreign nationals over native Texas residents.
Approximately one hour after his initial post, French doubled down on his assertions by publishing the same image a second time. In this follow-up statement, he drew a comparison between social media platforms and law enforcement body cameras, arguing that both tools expose wrongdoing by revealing what he termed the displacement of American citizens by foreigners.
The nominee’s remarks quickly elicited sharp condemnation from top Texas Republicans, led by outgoing Sen. John Cornyn. Taking to the social media platform X, Cornyn delivered a direct critique of French’s conduct and questioned the broader direction of the party regarding such rhetoric.
In his public post, Cornyn underscored that French serves as the party's official candidate for a statewide executive position. The senator challenged other Republican officials to make their positions clear, asking whether they would speak out against intolerance and racism or allow such behavior to be normalized within the political sphere.
Cornyn went on to issue a stark warning about the long-term ramifications of tolerating such rhetoric, stating that allowing intolerance to take root is precisely how prominent political organizations self-destruct. He concluded his post with a simple condemnation, describing the situation as sad.
Other influential Texas state leaders quickly joined Cornyn in demanding accountability. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows publicly called on French to remove the offensive social media posts from his profile, signaling widespread discomfort among legislative leadership.
Similar calls for retraction were voiced by members of the Texas House of Representatives. State Rep. Jeff Leach and state Rep. Lacey Hull both pressed French to take down the controversial posts, further demonstrating the growing rift between the nominee and elected Republican officials.
Unmoved by the wave of criticism from within his party, French launched a combative counterattack against Cornyn shortly after the senator's remarks appeared. The railroad commission nominee showed no willingness to back down or apologize for his statements.
French accused Cornyn of being a Republican in name only and claimed that state institutions have been compromised by foreign nationals and undocumented immigrants due to establishment policies. He further charged that Cornyn and other political opponents were merely frustrated that Texas Republicans are prioritizing an "America First" agenda.
This latest episode is not the first instance in which French, who previously served as the chairman of the Tarrant County Republican Party, has drawn condemnation for inflammatory rhetoric. In March, French faced severe criticism from fellow Republicans after making anti-Muslim statements, claiming that Islam would infiltrate and conquer Texas while urging the deportation of American Muslims.
The recurring friction highlights deep ideological divides within the Texas Republican Party as candidates navigate high-stakes statewide campaigns. As French continues his campaign for Texas Railroad Commissioner, his confrontational posture toward established leaders and aggressive rhetoric regarding demographics remain a central flashpoint.
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