Caitlyn Jenner hits back at ‘condescending’ Rep Ted Lieu in Twitter spat over California crime rate
CAITLYN Jenner traded Twitter barbs with California rep Ted Lieu after the pair became embroiled in a spat over the state's crime rate.
The former Olympian, who announced her run for California governor on Friday, accused the Democrat of being "condescending" after he questioned her understanding of how government works.
The tweetstorm began when reality TV star Jenner needled California Governor Gavin Newsom for his flops in district attorneys in the state, claiming they are soft on crime by “releasing dangerous criminals back on to our streets.”
She buttoned the tweet with: “Enough is enough” and added the hashtag: “#RecallGavin”
The tweet was highlighting a case featured in a San Francisco Chronicle story where an baby named Synciere Williams was allegedly killed by 26-year-old Joseph Williams, who had been reportedly released twice without charges for felony domestic violence.
Lieu fired back against Jenner's attack on Newsom, suggesting she has plenty to learn about politics.
"Dear @Caitlyn_Jenner: District Attorneys are elected by voters, not appointed by Gov @GavinNewsom.”
After correcting Jenner by informing her that the state’s prosecutors are “elected by voters” the congressman asked: “Also, do you know how a bill becomes a law?”
He proceeded to link to a children’s cartoon explainer where a rolled-up bill sings a jingle about how a bill becomes law or dies trying.
“Here is a cool Schoolhouse Rock video for you to educate yourself," Lieu wrote, featuring a YouTube link to Schoolhouse Rock: America - I'm Just a Bill Music Video.
In it, a rolled-up piece of potential legislation struggling to get through committees and land at the president’s desk to get signed and “make me a law.”
Lieu then asked: "Do you know what 'veto' means? Or 'budget'?"
Jenner, whose Twitter account includes the tagline: “California is worth fighting for,” landed a counterpunch against the congressman for having airs.
"Ted, that kind of condescending tone is whats wrong w/ politics. Of course I know DAs are elected, but as the CEO of the state, the buck stops with Newsom,” she tweeted, while informally addressing Lieu by his first name.
“If you want to defend the status quo then fine, but if you want to talk solutions to the crime in our streets, call anytime.”
As the peanut gallery of Twitter user comments questioned the Democratic congressman’s condescending tone, Lieu tried to defend himself.
“It’s called satire,” he wrote. “Also, any candidate running for Governor needs to understand the Governor doesn’t appoint or control DAs.”
Jenner’s run to become California’s next governor comes at a time when the Republican contender is trying to bounce Newsom out of Sacramento in a recall election.
The movement for fresh blood as the top job in the state has momentum with over 1million verified signatures turned in since the campaign launched to oust him back on June 10, 2020, according to KCRA.
Newsom’s political peril increased after financial struggles plagued the country’s most populous state during his reign during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jenner has comne under a slew of criticism since announcing her intentions to run for governor.
Last week, The View host Joy Behar suggesting the ex-Keeping Up With The Kardashians star "should take a seat - someone with credentials should take on California."
Cable political comedian Bill Maher mocked her run on his show Friday night:
"I know you think of her as a reality show star, but come on, people change. She is trans, rested and ready.
"She's got a great slogan: take the 'sack' out of Sacramento."
The rookie candidate has attracted ex-Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale to advise her.
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Parscale gained notoriety as a numbers wiz while serving as the senior adviser for data and digital operations for Donald Trump's 2020 campaign, but announced in September that he was stepping down to deal with personal issues.
If Jenner succeeds to unseat Newsom, it will be the first time the Republicans have won the governorship in the state since 2003, when Arnold Schwarzenegger led the way for two terms.