Musk Calls Spanberger Racist and Sexist Over Her “Most Diverse” Virginia Cabinet Photo

Billionaire Elon Musk accused Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger of being “racist and sexist” after she posted a group photo of her cabinet on X, WJLA/7News reported.

In the post, Spanberger wrote: “I’m proud to have the most talented, hardworking cabinet in Virginia’s history. They’re also the most diverse Virginia has ever seen.” She added that “every single one of our cabinet secretaries were selected because they’re the best in their respective fields.”

Musk replied directly to the post. “You are utterly racist and sexist regarding white men. Shame on you,” he wrote.

The photo drew quick criticism from conservatives who questioned the governor’s definition of diversity and pointed to the apparent absence of white men in the group.

Katie Miller, wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, wrote that about 30% of Virginia residents are white men and that none were represented in the photo.

Commentator Matt Walsh also weighed in on X. “We have always known that ‘diverse’ means no white men, but it’s nice to have Spanberger come out and illustrate the point so explicitly,” he wrote. Newsweek reported that the governor was facing backlash over the post.

Spanberger has emphasized that her cabinet members were chosen for their qualifications and their ability to serve Virginians. She wrote that she is “grateful to get to work with these incredibly dedicated and hardworking, talented cabinet officials to serve the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

On Virginia Insider, Uriah Kiser walked through the WJLA report, the original post and the photo, and the reaction online. He described the photo as showing six Black cabinet members and two white women, including Spanberger, with no white men.

Kiser argued that voters elected Spanberger on promises about lowering costs and affordability, not on the makeup of her cabinet.

Kiser also noted that the governor held a cabinet meeting the same day that was closed to the press. He said Spanberger rarely takes unscripted questions from reporters.

He recalled his own attempts to question Spanberger when she served in Congress. Kiser said that when he asked her about the Chinese spy balloon that crossed the continental United States while she sat on the House Intelligence Committee, she told him raising the debt ceiling was more important. He said that when he later asked whether Virginia National Guard troops should be sent to the southern border, she turned, got into an SUV and left.

Kiser also pointed to WJLA reporter Nick Minock’s attempt earlier this year to ask Spanberger about Stephanie Minter, the mother killed at a Fairfax County bus stop in February. Kiser said the governor again left without answering.

The discussion also turned to how the Spanberger administration is reshaping state boards. Kiser pointed to the Virginia Parole Board, where he said grants have increased compared with the Youngkin administration.

He also discussed the role of cabinet chief of staff Candy Mundon King in replacing appointees on the parole board and on university boards at VMI, UVA and George Mason University.

Virginia Insider wants to hear from viewers: What does “diversity” mean in state government, and should it be part of how a governor presents her team? Did the cabinet photo change how you view the administration’s priorities on affordability, public safety and schools?

Watch the full breakdown on Virginia Insider, and sign up for the free email newsletter at virginiainsider.com.

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