'Bonkers': Joni Ernst mocked for making scandal worse with cemetery selfie video

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) was brutally ridiculed by political observers on Saturday after she released an awkward selfie video at a cemetery in response to a recent town hall scandal.

The Iowa Republican came under fire at her town hall when she defended rolling back benefits for those she said were not supposed to be eligible for assistance. "People will die," one woman shouted out.

Ernst horrified social media users with her sarcastic response to the woman. "Well, we are all going to die," Ernst said, which elicited more angst in the auditorium and online.

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Over the weekend, Ernst released what purported to be an apology video but was ultimately mocking those she offended.

"I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes, we are all going to perish from this Earth," she said. "So I apologize. And I’m really, really glad that I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well."

"But for those that would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my lord and savior, Jesus Christ," she added.

The backlash was instant.

Not only was Ernst ridiculed on MSNBC, but onlookers also took to social media.

Popular YouTuber Keith Edwards wrote, "Against all odds, Joni Ernst has made it worse."

Edwards also asked, "Is she at a cemetery?"

Conservative commentator Bill Kristol wrote, "For a pro-life party, they’re kind of pro-death."

Journalist Aaron Rupar called it "absolutely bonkers."

"Joni Ernst doubles down on her 'we are all gonna die' defense of Medicaid cuts while walking through a cemetery," Rupar wrote Saturday.

Strategist Aaron Parnas said on Substack Saturday, "Senator Joni Ernst doubled down on the idea that everyone is going to die, in response to constituents being upset that Medicaid cuts will literally lead to some earlier deaths, by filming a fake 'apology' video in a cemetery and trolling those who’s healthcare she is about to cut."