Retired Navy SEAL and former Missouri governor Eric Greitens is under fire this week for a political ad that calls on voters to get a “RINO hunting permit.”
The joke or insinuation is that there are a lot of Republicans In Name Only (RINOs) that are ruining the GOP and need to be voted out of office.
We are sick and tired of the Republicans in Name Only surrendering to Joe Biden & the radical Left.
— Eric Greitens (@EricGreitens) June 20, 2022
Order your RINO Hunting Permit today! pic.twitter.com/XLMdJnAzSK
“I’m Eric Greitens, Navy Seal, and today we’re going RINO hunting,” the 48-year-old says in the ad, which depicts him on the porch of a suburban house holding a shotgun along with a team of well-armed operators.
“The RINO feeds on corruption and is marked by the stripes of cowardice,” he continues, before the team raids the home.
After the team forcibly gains entry, Greitens says, “Join the MAGA crew, get a RINO hunting permit. There’s no bagging limit, no tagging limit and it doesn’t expire until we save our country.”
Thank you to @washingtonpost for hosting our video on their website!
— Eric Greitens (@EricGreitens) June 20, 2022
Everybody can visit the link below to see our new ad!https://t.co/lQ4zRatxP7
Greitens, who is now running for U.S. Senate, posted the ad on social media.
Well, needless to say, it didn’t take long for Facebook to pull it down for “violating our policies prohibiting violence and incitement” and for Twitter to issue a stern warning about the nature of the content.
“This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules about abusive behavior. However, Twitter has determined that it may be in the public’s interest for the Tweet to remain accessible,” it says above the original tweet.
While one can debate the tastefulness of the ad, what cannot be argued is that it has been super effective at creating a PR frenzy for Greitens.
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On Tuesday, the ad was trending on Twitter, and those on the anti-gun Left were spouting off. No doubt that’s what Greitens, who is no stranger to controversy, wanted. All publicity is good publicity.
Here is just a small taste of what his haters are saying:
After former Missouri governor Eric Greitens was charged with violent sexual misconduct, his ex-wife says he bought and hid a gun. He also threatened to shoot himself unless she supported him publicly. Now he’s threatening to kill his political opponents. pic.twitter.com/5Ty98ghxb3
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) June 20, 2022
What America does NOT need are anymore radical America First politicians. Eric Greitens actually thinks “hunting” those you disagree with is an appropriate message in the country with the highest gun deaths in the world. MO, vote @LucasKunceMO for US Senate. https://t.co/OtXdWl5nZq
— Laurie 🇺🇦🌈💙 (@Laurieluvsmolly) June 20, 2022
This is genius. It’s a great way to draw attention to your platform of extrajudicial military raids of your political opponents. RINOs are a great start. What other family homes do you think you’ll be terrorizing as part of your campaign?
— Micah™ (@ImMicahNelson) June 20, 2022
Great stuff, hope he sees it, bro.
Early June poll numbers indicate that Greitens is ahead in the GOP primary that is scheduled for Aug. 2, according to The Hill. He’ll face off against Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, Rep. Vicky Hartzler, Rep. Billy Long, and lawyer Mark McCloskey.
We’ll should know rather soon whether this ad helped or hurt his chances. Stay tuned for updates.