A video featuring six Democratic congresswomen posing as video game characters sparked widespread criticism from conservatives on social media Thursday, with many mocking the stunt as out of touch and ill-advised.
The video, posted by social media influencer Jessica Woo, included Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Katherine Clark (D-MA), Judy Chu (D-CA), and Susie Lee (D-NV). In the clip, the lawmakers mimicked the selection screen of a fighting video game, jumping up and down in a fighting stance while text overlays described their backgrounds and political accomplishments.
The video quickly gained traction online, drawing significant pushback from conservative commentators and Republican lawmakers. Critics focused on the timing of the post, as it came just days after congressional Democrats faced backlash for their reactions during President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday. Some conservatives compared the video to those moments, referencing instances where Democrats did not applaud key moments of the speech, including Trump’s recognition of a 13-year-old cancer survivor.
The White House rapid response social media account took aim at the video, posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Democrats Not Be Cringe Challenge. Level: Impossible.”
Fox News contributor Joe Concha questioned the strategy behind the post, writing, “It’s as if the party is trying to implode itself…”
Political commentator Ryan James Girdusky suggested the lawmakers lacked guidance in their public messaging, stating, “There are just some people who don’t have anyone in their lives willing to tell them to stop.”
Even Jimmy Kimmel got in on the action:
UH OH: Even Jimmy Kimmel is mocking the Democrats’ “Choose Your Fighter” video
The dissatisfaction with their feeble resistance is really boiling over if the most shameless of their shills is criticizing the party in public pic.twitter.com/PbtWoU1TjS
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) March 7, 2025
Others within the Republican Party echoed similar sentiments. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) directly tied the video to Democratic lawmakers’ behavior during Trump’s speech, writing, “Trump Deranged Democrats release ‘choose your fighter skit’ after refusing to stand and clap for a child with cancer during President Trump’s address to Congress. Democrats have sunk so low that I’m actually starting to feel sorry for them. Pitiful.”
Former Trump campaign senior advisor Tim Murtaugh expressed disbelief at the video, writing, “My God, who is advising the Democrats?” Meanwhile, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) linked the video to broader political trends, stating, “I’ll take ‘Reasons why Democrats are not in the majority’ for $1,000.”
Communications strategist Erica Knight pointed to potential electoral consequences for Democrats, posting, “Anyone that has any doubt that the GOP can keep the House in 2026 should rest assured. But at least they like American flags again.”
While the video received widespread criticism from conservative circles, it was not immediately clear what the intended goal of the post was. As of Thursday evening, none of the six Democratic lawmakers involved in the video had responded to the backlash.
