08/31/2026
We have a bullying problem in American politics, and social media and would-be influencers are making it worse. Anger gets clicks. Outrage builds followers. Increasingly, people parade from one city council meeting to another looking for the next culture-war controversy they can inflame, film and turn into content. They don’t have to live in the community or deal with the consequences.
We’re seeing it right here in McKinney. Some of the loudest voices pushing the recall don’t even live here. They don’t even live in TX-03. They come from outside our community, vilify Muslims and local elected officials, spread lies about people who challenge them, and then lash out when somebody pushes back.
And perhaps unsurprisingly, people who run around casting judgment on everyone else, often on a loudspeaker, tend to respond with name-calling, vitriol and vulgarity when their own rhetoric is challenged.
I’m not going to name them or amplify their content because attention is exactly what they want. But some of the ugly threats these individuals have made against my career, my wife and my family are beyond the bounds of legitimate political disagreement.
This is the 1% politics of division and distraction, not the 99% politics of real issues. Regular people are worried about groceries, healthcare, housing, schools, infrastructure, taxes and making ends meet. They deserve leaders focused on those problems, not an endless culture war designed to keep neighbors angry at one another.
So Congressman Keith Self, we disagree on plenty. But you know who these individuals are. They repeatedly invoke you as an ally, and you have publicly supported the recall movement they are promoting.
I’m asking you to draw a simple line: denounce these individuals and the bullying, lies and intimidation they are engaging in. If you want to see the threats for yourself, I’m happy to send them to you. Choose healthy dialogue and debate over vulgarity. Choose moderation over extremism.
We can have sharp and witty banter. We can call each other out. We can argue passionately. I’ve even gotten used to the baseless insults. That’s politics. That’s democracy.
But we should all be able to agree that there is a line. And threatening someone’s career, spouse or family crosses it.
Keith Self for Congress