Michele Tafoya Makes Epic Gaffe While Promising to be Independent From Trump

Michele Tafoya, the veteran sports broadcaster turned GOP nominee for U.S. Senate in Minnesota, joined Hugh Hewitt’s show on Thursday and made an epic gaffe while arguing she will be an independent voice in the U.S. Senate.

During the friendly discussion, Hewitt praised Tafoya’s long career and time in the public eye.

“Look, as you mentioned, I spent over 30 years in sports journalism. I had a career. I had my education. I loved my career. I was very blessed, Hugh. I’m not in this because I’m desperate to become a politician. I am in this because I love my country. I love this state of Minnesota,” Tafoya replied, adding:

And to watch it speeding 100 miles per hour in the wrong direction over these past years has been heartbreaking, to see it happen — because we’ve had single-party rule. We gave them a shot, Hugh. We gave them their chance, and they failed. They absolutely failed. So other people have to come in now. Look, we have a crisis of leadership. People need to step up. I’m ready to do that for this state that I love and for this country that I love.

“And so, last question, really in the weeds — have you seen help from people like the Senate Leadership PAC and some of the outside groups and the Republican Party, which can now coordinate with you under the new Supreme Court rule?” Hewitt followed up.

“Yeah, it’s been great. Well, since I got in in January, the NRSC — Tim Scott was one of the first people to endorse me. The great Rudy Boschwitz here in Minnesota endorsed me. I’ll be working with the Senate Leadership Fund starting next Monday. And so yes, we’ve had some just absolutely wonderful support in terms of fundraising, in terms of getting the message out. We can’t wait to work with these people to continue to make things better. And as I’ve told all Minnesotans, I’m going to work for them, Hugh. Theirs is the endorsement that I care about most. I’m going to work for them. When I think the administration is right, I will say it. When they’ve made an error, I’ll say it,” Tafoya replied, offering solid political rhetoric before stumbling into the gaffe:

The last people I’m going to answer to are the Minnesotans who send me there.

Neither Tafoya nor Hewitt appeared to pick up on the error, and she just continued, “So let’s go — let’s take our Minnesota common sense with us, and let’s have some sober leadership with a spine back in the Senate.”

“Boy, that would that be a change for Minnesota. MichelleTafoya.com, MichelleTafoya.com. If you want to follow her on X, it’s Michelle_Tafoya — but start at MichelleTafoya.com. Find out, especially if you’re listening to me right now in Minnesota, and we cover most of the state. If you’re listening to me right now in Minnesota, go sign up for a campaign,” Hewitt replied before taking a jab at Tafoya’s Democratic opponent.

Tafoya also raised some eyebrows earlier in the month by telling Fox News it is “embarrassing” for Minnesotans to tell people in other states where they live. While the jab was meant to be directed at the Democrats running Minnesota, some critics argued it is unwise to suggest that the state you are running to represent is “embarrassing.”

Watch the clip above via C-SPAN.

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