Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, 41, died from the coronavirus on Tuesday night and reactions from some within the media were predictably low.
"Journalists" like Vox.com's Aaron Rupar, who runs a popular Twitter account where the videos he posts often gain a lot of traction within liberal circles, took issue with how Letlow had advocated towards a balanced approach to dealing with COVID-19, specifically with how the long-term economic effects lockdowns will have on the country.
Our economy is vital to future of our state and our country.
— Luke Letlow (@LukeLetlow) October 8, 2020
“So while we’ve been cautious and I think both the state and federal level have taken numerous precautions for COVID-19. We’re now at a place if we do not open our economy we’re in real danger.” pic.twitter.com/g3WKTuwMj2
Rupar shared Letlow's tweet from October and said curtly, "Congressman-elect Letlow, 41, just died of Covid. A tragedy."
Congressman-elect Letlow, 41, just died of Covid. A tragedy. https://t.co/iHFJ6dC7Wx
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 30, 2020
People on Twitter were quick to condemn Rupar for his dunking on a man who had just died.
Get off Twitter, Aaron. See a therapist. https://t.co/4HfxYjT0YL
— Emily Zanotti (@emzanotti) December 30, 2020
You are utterly devoid of class & grace. https://t.co/JoTuGuc0Fl
— Jerry Christmas (@JerryDunleavy) December 30, 2020
Vox’s Aaron Rupar showing the world who he is.
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) December 30, 2020
Shameful. https://t.co/pEew5iLSKz pic.twitter.com/McZw9aHUi3
Rupar is worst Minnesotan in history https://t.co/2u0Oblc97P
— Anders Hagstrom (@Hagstrom_Anders) December 30, 2020
Rupar addressed the avalanche of criticism he was receiving by stating, "I mean it sincerely -- Letlow's death is tragic. It was also avoidable." But many did not buy what he was selling.
I mean it sincerely -- Letlow's death is tragic. It was also avoidable. It shouldn't take tragedies for policymakers to treat the coronavirus pandemic with the seriousness it deserves.
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 30, 2020
It’s completely disingenuous to imply he didn’t take COVID seriously.
— Erin Gaetz (@ErinGaetz) December 30, 2020
He routinely wore a mask. He made an effort to hold events outside and distance.
Maybe think about his two children waking up without a father instead of trying to construct a divisive partisan narrative. https://t.co/Sd6SQsbdgf pic.twitter.com/pJSS0nx2Ts