Joni Ernst’s “We All Are Going to Die” Comment Sparks Outrage and a Sarcastic Cemetery Apology

Posted on Boncopia.com | Category: News & Politics | Subcategory: U.S. News & Politics | June 1, 2025

A Town Hall Gone Awry

On May 30, 2025, Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst stepped into a firestorm at a town hall in Parkersburg, Iowa. Facing a crowd of roughly 100 constituents at Aplington-Parkersburg High School, Ernst was grilled over her support for President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a sweeping legislative package that includes significant cuts to Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). The bill, which narrowly passed the House, has become a lightning rod for controversy due to its $700 billion reduction in Medicaid spending over a decade and new work requirements for recipients.

As Ernst defended the bill’s aim to remove ineligible recipients—such as undocumented immigrants and those with access to employer-based insurance—a constituent interrupted, shouting, “People are going to die!” Ernst’s response was immediate and shocking: “Well, we all are going to die.” The crowd erupted in boos and groans, with some calling her a “liar” and others accusing her of callousness. The moment, captured on video, quickly went viral, drawing national attention and fierce criticism from Democrats and constituents alike.

A Sarcastic Apology from a Cemetery

Rather than diffusing the situation, Ernst doubled down the next day with a sarcastic apology video posted to her Instagram Stories. Filmed in what appears to be a cemetery, with tombstones visible in the background, Ernst began, “I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize for a statement that I made yesterday at my town hall.” But any hope for contrition was quickly dashed. “I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes, we are all going to perish from this Earth,” she continued, adding, “I’m really, really glad I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well.” She concluded with a religious flourish, urging viewers to “embrace my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” for “eternal and everlasting life.”

The video, far from calming the controversy, ignited a new wave of backlash. Political commentator Keith Edwards, with over 138,000 followers on X, wrote, “Against all odds, Joni Ernst has made it worse.” Independent journalist Aaron Rupar called the cemetery setting “absolutely bonkers,” while California Congressman Ro Khanna labeled the remarks “stunning.” On X, users were even harsher, with one stating, “She is absolutely going to Hell,” and another calling her apology “condescending” and “tone-deaf.”

The Bill at the Heart of the Storm

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is a cornerstone of President Trump’s second-term agenda, combining $3.8 trillion in tax cuts (largely benefiting high earners), a $4 trillion increase in the national debt ceiling, and stringent immigration measures like fees on asylum seekers. Its most contentious provisions, however, are the $700-$880 billion in Medicaid cuts and new 80-hour-per-month work requirements for able-bodied adults aged 19-65. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), these changes could reduce Medicaid enrollment by 10.3 million nationwide, including 58,084 Iowans, and increase the number of uninsured Americans by 7.6-8.6 million over a decade.

Ernst has defended the cuts, arguing they target “waste, fraud, and abuse” by removing ineligible recipients, such as 1.4 million undocumented immigrants she claims are receiving benefits. However, this figure is misleading: undocumented immigrants are generally ineligible for federally funded Medicaid, and the CBO’s estimate of coverage losses primarily affects eligible low-income and disabled Americans. Critics, including Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, have called Ernst’s stance “immoral and un-Christian,” accusing her of prioritizing tax breaks for the wealthy over the needs of vulnerable constituents.

Constituents Speak Out

At the town hall, Iowans voiced deep concerns about the human cost of the proposed cuts. Elizabeth Kehret, a worker with Lutheran Services in Iowa, highlighted Medicaid’s role in supporting pregnant women, noting that it covers gaps left by private insurance. “Medicaid is extremely important to the smallest and most vulnerable population in Iowa,” she said, referencing her own experience as a mother of four. Another constituent, a Navy veteran and retired school superintendent, challenged Ernst on Trump’s authoritarian tendencies, while others criticized the bill’s tax cuts for the wealthy as a “tax shelter.”

Ernst maintained that the bill protects “those that meet the eligibility requirements” and strengthens Medicaid by redirecting funds to the most vulnerable. Yet experts argue that tightening eligibility is effectively a cut, as it reduces access for millions who rely on the program. Rural hospitals and community health centers, which depend on Medicaid revenue, could face closures, further straining Iowa’s healthcare system.

Political Fallout and 2026 Implications

Ernst, serving her second term, is up for re-election in 2026, and her comments have given Democrats ample ammunition. State Representative J.D. Scholten, a potential Senate candidate, posted on Instagram, “We all don’t have to die so billionaires can have a bigger tax break.” State Representative Josh Turek echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Medicaid’s alignment with “pro-life” values of caring for the poor. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee labeled Ernst’s remarks “stunningly callous,” framing the Medicaid cuts as a trade-off for tax giveaways to billionaires.

Even within her party, Ernst faces challenges. While Iowa Republican Party Chair Jeff Kaufmann defended her, accusing Democrats of “fear-mongering,” some GOP senators, like Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, have expressed reservations about the bill, comparing it to the “Titanic.” The Senate is expected to revise the House version, but Ernst’s vocal support—and her dismissive tone—may complicate her re-election bid in a state where Medicaid serves over 700,000 people.

A Pattern of Controversy

This isn’t Ernst’s first brush with controversy. Known for her 2014 campaign ad boasting about castrating hogs to “make ’em squeal,” she’s built a reputation as a tough-talking conservative. But her “we all are going to die” remark and cemetery apology have struck a nerve, with critics like former Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger lamenting, “No sense of goodness left in her now.” The cemetery setting, in particular, has been called “tone-deaf” and “insulting,” amplifying perceptions of Ernst as out of touch with Iowans’ struggles.

The Bigger Picture

Ernst’s comments reflect a broader tension in American politics: balancing fiscal responsibility with social safety nets. Republicans argue that Medicaid cuts and work requirements promote efficiency and personal responsibility, citing the nation’s $36 trillion debt. Democrats, however, warn that slashing programs like Medicaid and SNAP will devastate low-income families, exacerbate health disparities, and destabilize rural economies. The CBO’s projections of millions losing coverage underscore the stakes, particularly in states like Iowa, where Medicaid is a lifeline for many.

Ernst’s attempt to deflect criticism with sarcasm has only deepened the divide. Her invocation of Jesus Christ in the apology video drew particular ire, with one X user writing, “Using Jesus’ name to make fun of the needy is evil.” As the Senate debates the bill, Ernst’s words—and her decision to film in a cemetery—will likely haunt her, both politically and in the court of public opinion.

What’s Next?

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” now faces a contentious Senate battle, with reconciliation allowing Republicans to bypass a Democratic filibuster. Ernst has signaled that the Senate version will differ, but her unwavering defense of Medicaid cuts suggests she’ll push for significant reductions. Meanwhile, Iowans and advocacy groups are mobilizing, urging senators to reject the bill. With Ernst’s re-election looming, her handling of this controversy could shape her political future.

Thought Questions for Readers:

1. Was Senator Ernst’s response at the town hall and her subsequent apology video a misstep or a calculated move to appeal to her base? How might this affect her 2026 re-election campaign?

2. Do you believe the proposed Medicaid cuts are necessary to address “waste, fraud, and abuse,” or do they disproportionately harm vulnerable populations? Why?

3. How should politicians balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining social safety nets like Medicaid? What would you prioritize in their position?