---
title: "Republican Bo French's racist UT post draws bipartisan condemnation"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/republican-bo-frenchs-racist-ut-post-draws-bipartisan-condemnation"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/republican-bo-frenchs-racist-ut-post-draws-bipartisan-condemnation"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/republican-bo-frenchs-racist-ut-post-draws-bipartisan-condemnation.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/republican-bo-frenchs-racist-ut-post-draws-bipartisan-condemnation"
category: "Politics"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-09-16T00:05:17.054Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-15T21:00:43.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-16T00:05:17.054Z"
trust_score: 68
critic_score: 67
hype_score: 30
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-16T00:00:14.206542+00:00"
---

# Republican Bo French's racist UT post draws bipartisan condemnation

*Texas GOP officials denounced the social‑media photo while former adviser Karl Rove announced he will back Democrat Jon Rosenthal.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 68 of 100, higher is better. Many digests name sources like Karl Rove and Republican officials, and multiple independent outlets report the story.
- Craft 67 of 100, higher is better. Specific dates, places and follow‑up actions are given, and writing is clear and cohesive.
- Hype 30 of 100, lower is better. Language is mildly emphatic but not overly sensational relative to the facts.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Bo French posted a social‑media image that mocked South Asian/Indian students at a University of Texas football game.
- Republican officials John Cornyn and Dustin Burrows publicly condemned the post.
- Former GOP adviser Karl Rove said he will vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal because of the remarks.

During the University of Texas football game against Ohio State, Bo French shared a photo that portrayed South Asian and Indian‑American students as a problem "far worse than anyone imagined." The post was described by multiple outlets as racist and xenophobic.

Texas Republican leaders, including U.S. Senator John Cornyn and House Speaker Dustin Burrows, issued statements condemning the image and the language used by French. Their comments were reported by a range of outlets across the political spectrum.

Former Republican strategist Karl Rove announced that he would support Democratic candidate Jon Rosenthal for the same Railroad Commissioner race, citing French's remarks as the reason for his shift.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left‑rated digests mention Karl Rove’s pledge to vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal. No right‑rated digests mention that pledge either. Among centre‑rated digests, only Awful Announcing includes the Rove statement; the other centre digests omit it.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 41 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 49% (20)
- Centre: 39% (16)
- Right: 12% (5)

9 of 50 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-16T00:00:14.206542+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-16T00:15:13.179Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left‑rated digests highlighted the university community’s reaction, noting that students called the comments "disgusting" and "too familiar" with past racist attacks. They reported condemnation from Republican officials and stressed that the incident reflected broader xenophobic trends. The reports quoted university officials and student voices, and described the post as racist without mentioning Karl Rove’s endorsement of a Democrat.

### Centre

- Centre‑rated digests focused on the bipartisan condemnation, naming John Cornyn and Dustin Burrows as leading critics. They repeated the description of the post as racist and noted the university’s statement praising all its students. One centre outlet, Awful Announcing, also reported Karl Rove’s decision to vote for Jon Rosenthal, while the other centre digests omitted that detail.

### Right

- Right‑rated digests centred on the condemnation from Texas Republicans, repeatedly naming Cornyn and Burrows as voices denouncing the post. They described the image as xenophobic and reported the backlash against French. None of the right‑rated digests mentioned Karl Rove’s statement about voting for a Democrat.

**Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- high: 36
- unknown: 10
- veryHigh: 4

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Awful Announcing](https://awfulannouncing.com/college-football/republican-bo-french-racist-x-post-texas-longhorns-fans-karl-rove-vote-democrat.html) — Republican Bo French's racist X post about Longhorn fans earns rebukes from Texas Republicans
- [washingtonsun.com](https://washingtonsun.com/texas/university-of-texas-bo-french-racist-post) — University of Texas Responds to GOP Candidate’s Racist Posts
- [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/national/us-government/11142340/ut-students-attacked-by-bo-french-call-his-comments-disgusting-and-too-familiar.html) — UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” and too familiar
- [Talking Points Memo](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/gop-mad-at-candidate-for-doing-xenophobia-the-wrong-way) — GOP Mad at Candidate For Doing Xenophobia The Wrong Way
- [San Antonio Current](https://sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/not-all-texas-republicans-are-condemning-bo-french) — Not all Texas Republicans are condemning Bo French
- [CBS News](https://cbsnews.com/texas/news/bo-french-ut-austin-comments-9-15-2026) — UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments "disgusting" and too familiar
- [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/us-politics/2026/09/ut-students-attacked-by-bo-french-call-his-comments-disgusting-and-too-familiar) — UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” and too familiar – WTOP News
- [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/ut-students-attacked-by-bo-french-call-his-comments-disgusting-and-too-familiar/article_e339903b-f494-5c1f-b7e8-54d194de698b.html) — UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” and too familiar
- [Loonie Politics](https://looniepolitics.com/ut-students-attacked-by-bo-french-call-his-comments-disgusting-and-too-familiar) — UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” and too familiar
- [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/ut-students-attacked-by-bo-french-call-his-comments-disgusting-and-too-familiar) — UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” and too familiar
- [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/texas-french-football-racist-16519b7da3e617a33c60ee7f5a5ec712) — UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” and too familiar
- [OutSmart Magazine](https://outsmartmagazine.com/2026/09/bo-french-racist-post-ut-ohio-state) — Bo French Stands By Racist Post
- [The Washington Post](https://washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/09/15/university-texas-responds-after-gop-statewide-candidates-racist-posts) — University of Texas responds after GOP statewide candidate’s racist posts
- [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/world/united-states/ut-students-attacked-by-bo-french-call-his-comments-disgusting-and-too-familiar/article_2d8695fd-744e-5738-809e-97a394aa8c4e.html) — UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” and too familiar
- [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/united-states/ut-students-attacked-by-bo-french-call-his-comments-disgusting-and-too-familiar/article_84c114fa-76d0-569a-ae1f-b390e2f6eda5.html) — UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” and too familiar
- [The Gilmer Mirror](https://gilmermirror.com/2026/09/15/ut-students-attacked-by-bo-french-call-his-comments-disgusting-and-too-familiar) — UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” and too familiar
- [NBC Dallas-Fort Worth](https://nbcdfw.com/news/local/ut-students-attacked-by-bo-french-call-his-comments-disgusting-and-too-familiar/4077433) — UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” & too familiar
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/09/15/ut-students-attacked-by-bo-french-call-his-comments-disgusting-and-too-familiar) — UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” and too familiar
- [Telemundo Houston](https://telemundohouston.com/noticias/local/candidato-comisionado-ferrocarriles-texas-publicacion-redes-sociales/2581518) — Republicans Question Texas Railroad Commissioner Candidate for Network Publication · Global Voices
- [Telemundo San Antonio (60)](https://telemundosanantonio.com/noticias/texas/candidato-comisionado-ferrocarriles-texas-publicacion-redes-sociales/2522008) — Republicans Question Texas Railroad Commissioner Candidate for Network Publication · Global Voices
- [Telemundo McAllen (40)](https://telemundo40.com/noticias/texas/candidato-comisionado-ferrocarriles-texas-publicacion-redes-sociales/2545584) — Republicans Question Texas Railroad Commissioner Candidate for Network Publication · Global Voices
- [Telemundo Dallas (39)](https://telemundodallas.com/noticias/texas/candidato-comisionado-ferrocarriles-texas-publicacion-redes-sociales/2603620) — Republicans Question Texas Railroad Commissioner Candidate for Network Publication · Global Voices
- [KUT](https://kut.org/politics/2026-09-15/faced-with-condemnation-over-alleged-racism-texas-republican-bo-french-doubles-down) — Faced with condemnation over alleged racism, Texas Republican Bo French doubles down
- [KSAT 12](https://ksat.com/news/texas/2026/09/15/ut-students-attacked-by-bo-french-call-his-comments-disgusting-and-too-familiar) — UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” and too familiar
- [WFAA 8abc](https://wfaa.com/article/news/politics/bo-french-doubles-down-racist-remarks-ut-ohio-state-football-game/269-5484eff9-39df-4f93-b634-8227f42ace7c) — Bo French doubles down on racist remarks after UT-Ohio State football game
- [KYTX](https://cbs19.tv/article/news/politics/bo-french-doubles-down-racist-remarks-ut-ohio-state-football-game/269-5484eff9-39df-4f93-b634-8227f42ace7c) — Bo French doubles down on racist remarks after UT-Ohio State football game
- [Raw Story](https://rawstory.com/karl-rove-2677858622) — Karl Rove ditches GOP after 30 years to back a Democrat over Bo French's racist rant
- [The American Bazaar](https://americanbazaaronline.com/2026/09/14/raja-krishnamoorthi-condemns-bo-frenchs-ut-remarks-488104) — Raja Krishnamoorthi condemns Bo French’s UT remarks
- [The Texas Tribune](https://texastribune.org/2026/09/14/bo-french-kal-rove-endorsement-jon-rosenthal) — Karl Rove will vote for Democrat over Bo French
- [The Texas Observer](https://texasobserver.org/not-all-texas-republicans-are-condemning-bo-french) — Not All Texas Republicans Are Condemning Bo French
- [Houston Public Media](https://houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/election-2026/2026/09/14/561784/gop-texas-railroad-commissioner-candidate-bo-french-doubles-down) — Faced with condemnation over alleged racism, GOP Texas railroad commissioner candidate Bo French doubles down
- [The Center Square](https://thecentersquare.com/texas/article_3bfe58bf-0fdb-4c84-91e8-d19c80b40abe.html) — Republicans condemn Bo French posts about Indian UT students
- [Star Local](https://starlocalmedia.com/news/state/republicans-condemn-bo-french-posts-about-indian-ut-students/article_67b16faf-16e8-5ac6-b428-015a9dbe6e52.html) — Republicans condemn Bo French posts about Indian UT students
- [Politico](https://politico.com/news/2026/09/14/bo-french-ut-football-students-01075214) — Texas GOP candidate stands by xenophobic comments following backlash
- [Mediaite](https://mediaite.com/media/news/karl-rove-trashes-bigot-republican-reportedly-says-hes-voting-for-a-democrat-for-first-time-in-30-years) — Karl Rove Trashes ‘Bigot’ Republican — Reportedly Says He’s Voting for a Democrat for First Time in 30+ Years
- [Attack of the Fanboy](https://attackofthefanboy.com/news/texas-republicans-go-into-full-blown-internal-war-with-gop-candidate-bo-french-after-his-racist-tirade-against-asian-ut-students-goes-public) — What Did Bo French Say About Asian UT Students?
- [tpr.org](https://tpr.org/news/2026-09-14/faced-with-condemnation-over-alleged-racism-gop-texas-railroad-commissioner-candidate-bo-french-doubles-down) — Faced with condemnation over alleged racism, GOP Texas railroad commissioner candidate Bo French doubles down
- [lonestarleft.com](https://lonestarleft.com/p/republicans-pretend-to-be-outraged) — Republicans Pretend To Be Outraged At Bo French’s Racism, Because It’s Election Time
- [KATV](https://katv.com/news/nation-world/texas-republicans-john-cornyn-dustin-burrows-denounce-gop-statewide-candidate-bo-french-for-xenophobic-social-media-post) — Texas Republicans denounce GOP statewide candidate for xenophobic post
- [Washington Examiner](https://washingtonexaminer.com/news/washington-secrets/4725553/maga-world-splits-bo-french-race-baiting-post) — MAGAworld splits over Bo French's race-baiting post
- [southtexasnews.com](https://southtexasnews.com/beeville_bee_picayune/several-texas-republicans-condemn-french-s-posts-calling-asian-students-at-ut-a-problem/article_4ddabea2-c79b-4f93-9c65-78ac8fd73e37.html) — Several Texas Republicans condemn French’s posts calling Asian students at UT a ‘problem’
- [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/09/14/karl-rove-will-vote-for-a-democrat) — Karl Rove Will Vote for a Democrat
- [Spectrum Local News](https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2026/09/14/republicans-condemn-the-party-s-railroad-commissioner-candidate-over-racist-online-post) — Republicans condemn railroad commissioner candidate over online post
- [AsAm News](https://asamnews.com/2026/09/14/texas-railroad-commissioner-candidate-condemned-for-anti-asian-remarks) — Texas Railroad Commissioner candidate condemned for Anti-Asian Remarks
- [Bloomberg](https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-14/texas-republican-slammed-for-racist-post-about-ut-football-fans) — Texas Republican Slammed for Racist Post About UT Football Fans
- [Axios](https://axios.com/2026/09/14/gop-controversy-brandon-herrera-bo-french) — Bo French, Brandon Herrera offensive comments split Texas GOP
- [CBS Austin](https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/texas-gop-rail-nominee-bo-french-draws-backlash-over-ut-photo-immigration-remarks) — Texas GOP rail nominee Bo French draws backlash over UT photo, immigration remarks
- [Firstpost News](https://firstpost.com/explainers/bo-french-racist-attacks-indian-students-ut-austin-texas-republican-14045727.html) — Who is Republican Bo French, facing backlash over racist post on Indian students?
- [KDFW](https://fox4news.com/news/statewide-gop-nominee-bo-french-sparks-outrage-after-targeting-ut-football-fans-online) — Statewide GOP nominee Bo French sparks outrage after targeting UT football fans online
- [KTBC](https://fox7austin.com/news/statewide-gop-nominee-bo-french-sparks-outrage-after-targeting-ut-football-fans-online) — Statewide GOP nominee Bo French sparks outrage after targeting UT football fans online

## Questions

**What did Bo French post that caused the controversy?**

Bo French shared a social‑media photo during a University of Texas football game that mocked South Asian and Indian‑American students, describing them as a problem "far worse than anyone imagined," which outlets described as racist and xenophobic.

**Which Republican officials condemned the post?**

U.S. Senator John Cornyn and Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows publicly condemned Bo French’s post, with their statements reported across left, centre and right‑rated outlets.

**Why did Karl Rove say he would vote for a Democrat?**

Former GOP adviser Karl Rove announced he would support Democrat Jon Rosenthal for Railroad Commissioner, citing Bo French’s racist remarks as the reason for his decision, a detail reported only by one centre‑rated digest.

**Did any outlets report a cost or financial impact of the controversy?**

No outlet’s digest mentioned a cost estimate or financial impact related to the controversy; all reports focused on the political and social reactions.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/republican-bo-frenchs-racist-ut-post-draws-bipartisan-condemnation. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Republican Bo French's racist UT post draws bipartisan condemnation", https://mediabias.news/politics/republican-bo-frenchs-racist-ut-post-draws-bipartisan-condemnation