Democratic Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has come under fire for attending The Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia on last April 13, using a private jet while her city faces ongoing violent crime issues, Fox News reported.
Real estate executive and campaign donor Jodie McClean provided the jet for the trip, which also included one of the mayor’s senior advisors and spanned over 500 miles from the nation’s capital. Initially, critics slammed Bowser for the costly journey, believing taxpayers funded it, according to Fox News. However, EDENS, McClean’s company, later confirmed that McClean had paid for the trip and planned to seek reimbursement, amid concerns over a possible conflict of interest due to the firm’s business with the city.
The event led to a flurry of criticism on social media, with commentators quick to express their displeasure.
The CEO of a company with significant business interests in D.C. arranged and paid for Mayor Muriel Bowser’s last-minute trip to the Masters golf tournament, but details were scarce until a Washington City Paper report Wednesday. https://t.co/z6TTXzapx5
— NBC4 Washington (@nbcwashington) May 9, 2024
I told you that crooked mayor was in bed with these developers.
All these swanky high end condos going up citywide I mean, c’mon.— I troll the trolls (@Redskins44EVER) May 9, 2024
DC Voters haven’t woke up yet. They keep voting for the same scum.
— CarlosAllenIII (@CarlosAllenIII1) May 10, 2024
In response to the backlash, Bowser addressed her dwindling approval ratings, which have recently dipped below 50% according to a Washington Post poll, Fox News reported. (RELATED: DC Mayor Muriel Bowser Offers Two-Word Response To Baltimore Bridge Collapse)
“I’ve always looked at polls for what they are: a snapshot, a report card, as such, in any point in time,” Bowser said Monday At the inauguration of a new public safety hub, according to Fox News. “We always work hard, regardless of what polls say, to deliver for the people of the District of Columbia. This is what I say to my team every day: People will feel better about crime when crime is better,” she added.