Controversial Video Resurfaces for Oklahoma’s First Democratic Socialist Senate Nominee

A video featuring N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas, the first democratic socialist to win a primary in Oklahoma, is drawing attention—and not the positive kind. The clip, originally published last September, parodies a scene from “Mean Girls,” where a teenage girl cuts out and mocks her rival’s photo in a laughable way.

In the video, Thomas portrays the hysterical teen, holding up an image of Markwayne Mullin, who was an Oklahoma senator at the time. Republicans have brought the video back into the spotlight, using it as an example of what they allege to be Thomas’ extreme views.

Responses to the resurfacing of the video have varied, with some individuals finding it troubling. For instance, Senator Ted Cruz commented, “These people are cray-cray.” Others reacted with incredulity, implying that this sort of behavior raises questions about her fitness for office.

One critic went as far as to ask, “Are they mocking mental illness or promoting it? Why would they do this?” Comments like these capture the mixed reactions—some find the video bizarre and concerning, while others are simply incredulous that a candidate would engage in such antics.

Thomas achieved her primary victory despite being significantly outspent by a more traditional candidate. Now, she’s gearing up to face Representative Kevin Hern for the Senate seat, which became available after Mullin exited to take a position in the Department of Homeland Security.