Bo French, the chair of the Tarrant County Republican Party in Texas, has come under intense criticism for a series of social media posts in which he repeatedly used slurs targeting gay people and individuals with disabilities.
In October 2024, French posted comments calling political opponents “homo” and using the word “retarded” multiple times, including in response to a Democratic advertisement and during discussions about political figures. His posts included a poll asking followers to choose whether Kamala Harris supporters were “Ignorant,” “A liar,” “Retarded,” or “Gay.”
“This is the gayest ad in history,” French, 55, wrote in an Oct. 11 response to a Democratic advertisement on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Guarantee every one of these ‘dudes’ is a homo. There is literally nothing manly about any of them.
”Retard strength,” he wrote Tuesday under a video from the Major League Baseball World Series. “Never go full retard,” he said in response to former Republican U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney on Oct. 4.
The reaction to French’s statements has been swift and divided within Republican circles. Several Republican officials from Tarrant County and other parts of Texas publicly condemned French’s behavior, with some describing it as part of “a broader normalization of hateful and dehumanizing rhetoric in the party.” Tarrant County Precinct Chair Sheena Rodriguez demanded French’s resignation, calling his comments “outright vile and dehumanizing,” while former GOP precinct chair Stacy Reddy said she stepped down from her position because of French’s behavior.
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick responded on X:
Texas Rep. Craig Goldman (R):
State Sen. Tan Parker (R):
Texas Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R):
However, French has also received support from some party members who view the criticism as an attack on free speech, with one precinct chair defending French and telling his critics to switch parties. French himself has downplayed the controversy, referring to his critics as “fragile snowflakes” while continuing to post provocatively on social media.
The support French has received appears to come primarily from lower-level party activists and precinct chairs rather than established political figures.
French’s comments are nothing new.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has yet to publicly respond to the matter.
Yet another fatal accident involving a pedestrian occurred overnight.
Police are searching for suspects in connection with an assault at a South Austin homeless encampment earlier this month.
Meanwhile, two people have been arrested in connection with a murder that occurred back in December.
Tirerina’s killing was Austin’s 69th homicide of 2024.
Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office is requesting $101 million from the city council to address homelessness, with $15.6 million allocated to sustain programs losing federal funding and $33 million earmarked for new investments to expand services and shelter beds.
DocumentingATX via X has been highlighting the hidden and not-so-hidden encampments across the city.
A Travis County jury has convicted a former Lyft driver of aggravated kidnapping and sexual assault in a 2024 incident. (CBS Austin)
In Mustang Ridge, officers are arresting intoxicated drivers.
Round Rock police are warning of a scam.
A 30-foot tall oak tree fell across Gaston Avenue in Central Austin Wednesday, crushing two parked vehicles.
Delta Air Lines is extending two new nonstop routes from Austin—to Palm Springs, California, and San José del Cabo, Mexico—before they even launch. Flights to Palm Springs begin November 8, and service to San José del Cabo starts December 20.
The landowner of a closed landfill off U.S. Highway 290 is aiming to take legal action against Travis County over its “substantial endangerment to the environment and the public” of the management of the property according to a notice of intent (NOI) to Travis County.
CapMetro marks its 40th anniversary on July 1st with free fares, a celebration at its East 5th Street facility, and proclamations from local and state leaders declaring the day as “CapMetro Day”.
A recent bear sighting in a Buda neighborhood has put Hays County residents on alert. A flyer circulating online shared the warning. (FOX 7 Austin)
WEATHER
Three families, whose relatives died while in Texas prisons during a summer heat wave, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in U.S. District Court Thursday against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, or TDCJ, for “cruel and unusual punishment”.
Meanwhile, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s decision to take over the management of seven privately run jails will result in approximately 900 Texans losing their jobs by the end of August, according to a new filing with the Texas Workforce Commission. (My San Antonio)
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 Friday to uphold a Texas law requiring pornographic websites to verify users’ ages, setting a precedent that could affect similar legislation in more than 20 states.
The Texas Supreme Court has ruled two of Texas’ most powerful leaders do not have to release years of emails related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and communications with gun lobbyists after the 2022 Uvalde shooting. (CBS Austin)
Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday set a special election for Nov. 4 to fill the Texas Senate seat vacated by Republican Kelly Hancock, who resigned from the Legislature earlier this month to become the acting state comptroller. (Texas Tribune)
Two men were sentenced in a San Antonio federal court on Friday for the 2022 smuggling deaths of 53 immigrants, including six children. The sentencing took place on the three-year anniversary of the horrific discovery of the victims in a sweltering tractor-trailer, marking the deadliest human smuggling incident in modern U.S. history. (Texas Public Radio)
It was just over two weeks ago that 13 people were killed in a historic flood event in San Antonio. New video of that morning’s tragedy has emerged.
Terry Virts, a retired NASA astronaut, is throwing his space helmet into the political ring. On Monday he announced he is running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Senator John Cornyn.
(Episode from June 27, 2025)
Starting Sept. 1, the University of Houston-Victoria will officially become Texas A&M University–Victoria, making it the 12th university in the Texas A&M University System.
The largest cable-stayed bridge in the United States is now open in Corpus Christi.
The new Harbor Bridge debuted this weekend, a major infrastructure milestone for the area that will improve port access and spur economic growth. (Chron)
A 58-year-old Texas man received a 50-year prison sentence for his 7th DWI conviction after crashing into a fire truck on July 4, 2024.
SPORTS
MLS: Austin FC will be on the road tonight when the VERDE & Black take on the Seattle Sounders at 7:30 p.m. PT/9:30 p.m. CT at Lumen Field. (Austin FC)
MLB: The Houston Astros won at Wrigley last night to extend their winning streak to five-in-a-row.
Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first game against the Cubs since being traded to Houston and Brandon Walter threw six solid innings in his first MLB victory as the Astros beat Chicago 7-4 on Friday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
The Texas Rangers are struggling to get back to the .500 mark.
Miles Mastrobuoni had a two-out RBI single in the 12th inning after making an incredible catch to extend the game and the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 7-6 on Friday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
Texas State University has been formally invited to join the Pac-12 Conference and is expected to accept the invitation, making them the eighth football-playing member of the newly rebuilt Pac-12. (KXAN-TV)
An earlier item mentioned the new Harbor Bridge in Corpus Christi.
Let’s take a ride…
