House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday defended Texas candidate Brandon Herrera after the YouTuber made obscene comments about mothers and others.
In an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union,” host Jake Tapper pressed the Louisiana Republican on his continued support of Herrera after the streamer used sexually explicit and derogatory language to describe mothers and children, called a Nazi-era machine gun the “original ghetto blaster” and was seen goose-stepping to a Nazi marching song.
“That’s detestable language,” Johnson replied. “But I also know Brandon Herrera has been out running a very effective campaign and explaining to people that he has apologized for all that. He was a podcaster and a provocateur and tried to get attention.”
When the Democratic House Majority PAC posted the goose-stepping video to social media in March, Herrera replied, “I standby it, this shit was funny as hell.”
Johnson on Sunday added the videos were part of Herrera’s “persona online” as he argued the 28-year-old is “far superior” to Democrat Katy Padilla Stout.
“I’m telling you, this is a contrast election between common sense and crazy,” said Johnson. “Brandon Herrera will join the commonsense team of Republicans making life better for Americans.”
Known as the AK Guy, Herrera boasts a whopping 4.2 million YouTube subscribers to his channel, which features videos on guns. He has secured the endorsement of President Donald Trump as well, and Johnson attended a fundraising event for Herrera as recently as July.
Johnson initially opposed Herrera, supporting incumbent Rep. Tony Gonzales, until Gonzales resigned in March amid sexual misconduct allegations. The Cook Political Report currently rates the district as “likely Republican.”