Social media users criticized Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, after she made a scientific error by stating that the moon is made of gases during a speech at Booker T. Washington High School in Houston. The lawmaker's comments went viral on social media, drawing attention to her inaccuracies, especially given her past role as the leader of the House Science Committee's space subcommittee.
Responding to the backlash, Rep. Jackson Lee attributed her mistake to misspeaking and clarified that she meant to refer to the sun. She then lashed out at her Republican critics, accusing them of focusing on trivial matters instead of important issues like prenatal care, affordable housing, and student loan debt reduction.
Her attempt to shift the narrative to political issues did not sit well with social media users, with many mocking her response. Conservative figures like radio host Michael Berry and journalist Doug Powers criticized the congresswoman, while others questioned how she was elected given her inaccuracies on scientific matters.
The incident highlighted the importance of accuracy and knowledge, especially when discussing scientific topics. It also underscored the impact of social media in amplifying and scrutinizing public figures' statements, regardless of their political affiliations.
