Freshman member of Congress, Republican Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado, tried to insult the White House Press Secretary. The Republican politician claimed Jen Psaki—who holds a degree in sociology and English from the College of William and Mary—should take a cognitive test.
The test is one former President Donald Trump continues to brag about acing. It's administered mainly in emergency rooms to check for brain injury, dementia, stroke or psychosis.
It's also utilized to test for competency to care for oneself, but makes no assessment of intelligence.
Boebert—who dropped out of high school but earned her GED just before being elected in 2020—has made a name for herself in speeches and on social media for being unable to understand basic concepts like grammar, health, or even her own political party. But her recent tweet made even less sense than normal.
Boebert's insult sounds like a simple jab at another's intelligence, but context...
Jen \u201cCircle-Back\u201d Psaki says she has a hard time keeping up with Biden. \n\nMaybe she also needs a cognitive test.— Rep. Lauren Boebert (@Rep. Lauren Boebert) 1624909827
The tweet above is referencing something Secretary Psaki said at a press briefing more than a month before. More importantly, Psaki was referencing President Joe Biden's physical health, not mental abilities.
So why would she need a cognitive test to assess if, like Trump, she can recognize pictures and remember a few common words for a minute?
Attempting to insult Psaki and failing did open Boebert up to a lot of criticism and insults from people online.
A lot of insults.
You should not be throwing shade about cognition or intelligence. You JUST got your GED and how old are you? Go do some work for your constituents. You're nothing but a crisis actor.https://twitter.com/RepBoebert/status/1409600098787549184\u00a0\u2026— Sunray(e) Continues to Resist the GQP (@Sunray(e) Continues to Resist the GQP) 1624971849
There is nothing wrong with getting a GED, but what was your score? Did you earn a high enough score for a college scholarship? I did. And I went on to get my Master's degree. Even with that, I know I'm not qualified to represent the people in my area, and that's also how I know— Radical Benni (@Radical Benni) 1624926927
Just stop. A wise man once said, it's better to remain silent be presumed a fool, than to open your mouth and erase all doubt— Donny Barnett (@\ud83c\udfe1) \u267f (@Donny Barnett (@\ud83c\udfe1) \u267f) 1624925383
I'm confused. Is earning a GED on the 3rd try a good thing?— micki hunter (@micki hunter) 1624912461
Honey, you are waaaay out of your league— Kjensen (@Kjensen) 1624916994
You first. And a psychiatric evaluation while you are at ithttps://twitter.com/RepBoebert/status/1409600098787549184\u00a0\u2026— Brian Frydenborg\ud83d\udc89\ud83d\udc89\u2696\u270d (@Brian Frydenborg\ud83d\udc89\ud83d\udc89\u2696\u270d) 1624966340
Boebert is no stranger to being a lightning rod to online criticism.
She's believed to have lied about her family's political beliefs, claiming she rose up to be conservative out of a very democratic household with little evidence backing it up.
More infamously, she and her husband own a restaurant where servers are encouraged to open carry firearms. This was less of an issue than the fact the restaurant failed to follow health regulations and gave people food poisoning.
Both Boebert and her husband have a lengthy criminal history including assault and indecent exposure in front of minors.
All of this would be less troubling if Boebert was working hard—or at all—to represent and help her congressional district. But she's getting a failing grade at that too.
Colorado's 3rd Congressional District has been held by Republicans since 2010. But her constituents say they're frustrated with Boebert's greater focus on her own stunts and celebrity rather than fighting for policies that would benefit them.
Overall, people online think Boebert just isn't qualified to be in Congress.
Do you ever say anything nice. I\u2019m embarrassed you represent me in Congress.— Chris Holkestad (@Chris Holkestad) 1624909935
Seems that the constituents who voted you in might well be thinking the same..pic.twitter.com/y5mIQKPH77— Frankie Mac9\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddea#NotMovingOn #NotGoingAway 3.5% (@Frankie Mac9\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddea#NotMovingOn #NotGoingAway 3.5%) 1624910160
She shows up every day and hears the questions. And answers them. It may not be the answer YOU want. Thats her job. \n\nWe all know your constituents are fed up with you. You are ignoring them, refusing to be at your office, and you arent addressing their concerns.— Estella Hamilton (@Estella Hamilton) 1624915750
Not a word about the closing of I-70 due to a mudslide. Boobert is useless to the citizens of Colorado.https://twitter.com/RepBoebert/status/1409600098787549184\u00a0\u2026— Darryl Konig (@Darryl Konig) 1624931032
"Never a kind word" boebert is all for scoring cheap political points.https://twitter.com/RepBoebert/status/1409600098787549184\u00a0\u2026— therebis (@therebis) 1624930857
Twitter Analytics show Boebert Brand severely damaged with negative responses outweighing positive responses 6:1. Is that why she had a 14% approval rating in her district?— carolyn adams (@carolyn adams) 1624919354
People aren't terribly worried about Press Secretary Jen Psaki's feelings in all this. She's proven tougher than a childish tweet from a member of Congress.
