U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner waves onstage during the Republican National Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas, U.S., September 9, 2026. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
A gesture by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner at the Republican midterm convention is turning heads and causing disgust.
After finishing his speech and walking off the stage at Wednesday's Trumpapalooza in Dallas, Turner appeared to try to smack the rear end of MAGA Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) as she walked by him.
The political news network MeidasTouch reported that the "bizarre moment" that happened in a split second during the event was first spotted by MeidasTouch digital editor Acyn Torabi.
Luna was waving toward the seats, which reporters noted were largely empty while the event was already well underway. Turner clearly extends his hand towards Luna's buttocks as she passes, and online commentators were caught off guard by what appeared to be an attempt to slap her behind.
"Did someone just smack her a--?" asked PatriotTakes, a popular news account. "Who was that?"
Political scientist Rachel Bitecofer also noticed that "Turner appears to attempt to slap the behind of Rep. Anna Paulina Luna when exiting the stage."
Turner is a former NFL player who has sparked backlash in the past for anti-immigrant claims, openly fighting efforts to aid the homeless and trying to reshape a Biden-era homelessness fund.
MeidasTouch reported that various other online commentators pointed out Turner's gesture, with some questioning whether it really happened and others calling it "considerably less restrained." According to MeidasTouch, one account joked that Turner "forgot it's not the strip club."
Luna faced mockery during her speech, especially because she has faced allegations of insider trading and the irony of her comments at the convention. Luna said, "Public service is not a pathway to private wealth," and members of the audience held up signs that read, "No more insider trading," while Luna spoke about Nancy Pelosi.
"I'm too sober for this," wrote journalist Aaron Rupar in reaction to Luna's insider trading comments.