“What’s That?” Governor faces criticism for strange grilling photo with a ‘weed-wacker’

Governor Spanberger’s Grilling Photo Sparks Backlash

Virginia’s new Democratic governor, Abigail Spanberger, has faced a wave of mockery on social media following the posting of a photo of herself grilling, which many users found alarming. The image showed what seemed to be shredded meat on the grill, leading to various reactions.

Having campaigned as a moderate Democrat, Spanberger is under fire not just for her grilling skills but for implementing policies such as ceasing cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives. However, the latest criticism stemmed from a cheerful photo she shared on Thursday, captioned “Order.”

This post quickly became a focal point for ridicule, with comparisons drawn to a famous image of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who was once photographed smiling while holding raw hamburger patties—in one instance, a piece even had cheese already placed on it.

Commentator Greg Price chimed in, juxtaposing Spanberger’s grilling pic with those of Schumer, New York Governor Cathy Hochul, and former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, humorously wishing that Democratic politicians would keep sharing such images.

Spanberger’s photo featured her wearing a black apron emblazoned with “Beef, this is what’s for dinner,” and the post garnered a flood of comments questioning the peculiar appearance of the meat.

Independent journalist Briana Morello asked, “Ma’am, what is that?” A satirical account, Three Year Letterman, humorously remarked about missing cats in the neighborhood and suggested Spanberger should be arrested. Another user, Parker Thayer, quipped, “Did you cut the meat with a Weedwacker?” while Jason Bedrick, a researcher at the Heritage Foundation, sarcastically claimed that her meat preparation violated the Geneva Conventions.

Comments ranged from conservative commentator David Freeman’s blunt “No thanks” to beef supplier Meriwether Farms expressing concern that “Virginia is in trouble.”

This isn’t the first time a politician has faced grilling criticism; Schumer previously encountered backlash over a Father’s Day post that was viewed as awkward and ultimately deleted. In that instance, he was also criticized for his burger-handling skills.