Missouri congresswoman Cori Bush has been mocked by MAGA figures after she became the second member of the progressive Democratic group known as the “Squad” to lose a primary race this year.
Bush was defeated by St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell in the Democratic primary for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District by about 6 points, according to the Associated Press.
The influential pro-Israeli lobbying group the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) spent about $8.5 million trying to unseat the congresswoman due to her vocal criticism of the war in Gaza. Bush was one of the first members of Congress to call for a ceasefire after Israel responded to the October 7 attacks from the Palestinian military group Hamas, and she described Israel’s retaliation as an “ethnic cleansing campaign.”
In June, another member of the Squad, New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman, lost his democratic primary to a pro-Israeli centrist candidate George Latimer after AIPAC’s Super Pac, United Democracy Project, spent $15 million on the race to oust him.
Bush has been ridiculed on social media in the wake of her primary defeat by MAGA and pro-Israel supporters.
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Pro-Trump comedian Terrance K. Williams posted on X, formerly Twitter: “A ‘BLACK JOB’ IS SOMETHING CORI BUSH DOES NOT HAVE. OH HAPPY DAY! OH HAPPY DAY.
“She is the Second Squad member to lose her seat! I can’t wait until they are all gone. They are all full of hate [and] stupidity. I’m laughing so hard. Who’s laughing with me?” he added.
In a sarcastic post, Florida GOP rep. Matt Gaetz, who is on the House Judiciary Committee along with Bush, wrote: “I will miss Cori Bush missing every committee meeting.”
Ryan Fournier, a co-founder of the Students for Trump group, posted: “The Squad’s Cori Bush has LOST her primary. Join me in saying GOOD RIDDANCE! Hamas might be hiring, Cori!”
While referencing the campaign speech from Vice President Kamala Harris and her newly announced running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, actor Michael Rapaport, a vocal Israel supporter, added: “Tonight at the rally they said let’s bring back ‘JOY’ to politics and boom CORI BUSH is done with Politics…. I feel JOY all of a sudden.”
Bush’s office has been contacted for comment via email.
In her concession speech, Bush, told a crowd of her supporters that she will “keep supporting a free Palestine.”
Bush also attacked AIPAC’s campaign, noting that many of its donors are Republicans.
“This is only the beginning,” Bush told the Associated Press. “Because if they can unseat me, then they’re going to continue to come after more Democrats.”
In a statement, United Democracy Project said that Bush’s and Bowman’s defeats, along with John McGuire’s recount victory over rep. Bob Good in the GOP primary in Virginia, is “further proof that being pro-Israel is good policy and good politics on both sides of the aisle.
“UDP will continue our efforts to support leaders working to strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance while countering detractors in either political party.”
In a post on X, AIPAC added: “The Many have spoken!
“Congratulations to pro-Israel progressive leader Bell on your big win against anti-Israel Squad member Rep. Cori Bush! AIPAC and our 4.5 million grassroots members are proud to stand with Wesley Bell!”
Bell is expected to now go on to win the safe Democratic congressional seat in November’s general election.
