Remarks from a Texas Democratic leader are drawing renewed scrutiny after a resurfaced podcast clip showed state Rep. Gene Wu urging minority groups to unite against a shared “oppressor” and saying they could “take over this country.” The comments, made in late 2024, sparked sharp backlash from Texas Republicans and conservative leaders statewide.
The Wu remarks came during a Dec. 31, 2024, episode of the “Define American” podcast hosted by Antonio Vargas. In the interview, Wu argued that opposition to immigration is rooted in racial anxiety. “The scary thing for me is that what is driving this newest round of anti-immigrant sentiment is purely a sense of White nationalism,” Wu said.
He continued by claiming some Americans believe “God gave America to White people to rule,” and view minority advancement as a threat. Later in the discussion, Wu encouraged coalition-building across racial lines. “I always tell people the day the Latino, African-American, Asian and other communities realize that they are — that they share the same oppressor is the day we start winning,” Wu said. “We have the ability to take over this country and to do what is needed for everyone and to make things fair.”
The clip’s resurfacing triggered swift responses from Republican officials. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote, “Gene Wu is a radical racist who hates millions of Texans just because they’re [W]hite.” Sen. Ted Cruz responded, “The Democrat party is built on bigotry.”
After the backlash, Wu said he was referring to Republicans, not White people. Houston Chronicle reporter Evan Mintz noted that Wu later clarified, “Republicans” were the “shared oppressor,” though Wu had referenced “White people” earlier in the interview.
