Joni Ernst dismisses health concerns by claiming we all will die

In the United States, during a town hall meeting held on May 30, 2025, Senator Joni Ernst faced significant backlash from constituents regarding proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP programs as part of President Donald Trump’s budget bill. Attendees expressed concerns that these changes could threaten the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations, prompting heated discussions between Ernst and the crowd. One participant specifically warned that lives could be at risk due to the cuts, which would disproportionately affect low-income individuals and families. In response, Ernst infamously remarked, "Well, we all are going to die," which led to audible jeers and groans from the audience. She defended her stance by asserting that the GOP’s budget measures were aimed at correcting what they perceived as overpayments and removing ineligible recipients from Medicaid, including the claim that about 1.4 million undocumented immigrants were currently enrolled. Though Ernst insisted that eligible Medicaid recipients would not lose their benefits, many critics questioned the implications of the proposed plans, noting that such cuts could potentially strip health coverage from millions. This controversy quickly attracted national attention and condemnation from opposition leaders, as well as advocacy groups expressing fears that the legislation could result in detrimental economic impacts on communities relying heavily on these programs. The proposed budget cuts included a reduction of nearly $700 billion in federal Medicaid support over a decade, raising alarms about who might fall through the cracks and lose essential coverage. Following the town hall incident, Ernst released a sarcastic apology video, referencing her comments while emphasizing the inevitability of death, which failed to assuage public discontent. Critics across social media drew parallels between Ernst's comments and a notorious line from the animated movie Shrek, highlighting what they deemed a lack of compassion for constituents facing real-life threats to their health and living conditions. With the elections approaching, Ernst's comments and the GOP's healthcare strategies are likely to become focal points in discussions about social welfare, leading to increased scrutiny on how proposed policies will affect the American populace, particularly the most vulnerable members.