Dem senators debate whether to retweet Cardi B video criticizing Trump over shutdown

Democratic senators publicly debated on Twitter on Wednesday night about whether they should retweet a video Cardi B posted sharply criticizing President Trump over the ongoing government shutdown and for his order summoning some federal workers back to work without pay.

“I just want to remind y’all, because it’s been a little over three weeks … Trump is ordering and summoning federal government workers to go back to work without getting paid,” Cardi B says in the video, which she posted to Instagram on Wednesday night.

{mosads}”Now, I don’t want to hear y’all motherf—ers talk about ‘Obama shut down the government for 17 days’ — yeah, bitch, for health care! So your grandmother can go check her blood pressure … with no motherf—ing problem,” she continued.

The viral video sparked debate among Democratic senators, including Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who debated whether to retweet the video. 

Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted late Wednesday night, “(Trying to decide whether or not to retweet the Cardi B video).”

(Trying to decide whether or not to retweet the Cardi B video)

— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) January 17, 2019

Moments later, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy responded to Schatz’s tweet, writing that he was also grappling with a similar decision. 

“Omg, I had the same argument with myself 30 minutes ago!” Murphy replied.

Omg, I had the same argument with myself 30 minutes ago!

— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 17, 2019

“Ok you do it. And say retweets are not endorsements, especially the language, and I will retweet,” Schatz said in response. Shortly after, Murphy replied “DHYB,” an online abbreviation for “don’t hold your breath.”

DHYB

— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 17, 2019

Schumer then chimed in on the debate, tweeting: “Guys, I’m still holding my breath. Are you gonna RT Cardi B or not?”

Guys, I’m still holding my breath. Are you gonna RT Cardi B or not?

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 17, 2019

Schatz later tweeted that neither of the senators decided to retweet Cardi B, saying it “wouldn’t be senatorial.”

Cardi B tweeted later on Wednesday night:”Why am I trending?”

Why am I trending?

— iamcardib (@iamcardib) January 17, 2019

The message was the rapper’s second attack aimed at Trump over Instagram in just a day. Cardi B ripped Trump in an Instagram Live video earlier Wednesday, accusing him of promising his supporters that his administration would construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border while knowing that he could not follow through.