Video footage of Senator Ruben Gallego donning an apron and flipping burgers for the cameras in Iowa appears to show the publicity stunt backfiring on the Arizona Democrat as a chorus of merciless boos could be heard arising from the heckling crowd.
The video, shared by Turning Point Action Field Representative John J. Trotta IV, picked up traction on X with Trotta writing, “Ruben Gallego gets overwhelmingly booed while flipping patties at the Iowa State Fair. Iowans see right through radical Ruben and know he’s nothing but a fraud!”
Ruben Gallego gets overwhelmingly booed while flipping patties at the Iowa State Fair.
Host of The Afternoon Addiction on 550 KFYI Garrett Lewis shared the post with the caption, “Iowans are brutal to @RubenGallego! It’s so good! So savage! You love to see it!”
Senior Advisor for the U.S. Agency for Global Media Kari Lake shared a much different memory of her 2024 trip back to her childhood home, writing, “I had a wonderful time at the Iowa State Fair last year. I even got to educate a New York Times reporter about the various genders. ‘The New York Times should try to milk a cow and then try and milk a bull and see how that goes.’”
Lake quipped in a comment, “Of course, @RubenGallego thinks cows have nuts, so he might be in for a rude awakening there too,” referring to an August 2023 video of Gallego lampooning Republicans as people whose “cultural identity” consists of owning guns and driving jacked up trucks with “cow nuts” hanging off their tailgates.
Notabl, as AZ Free News observed at the time, “Cows don’t have testicles, or ‘nuts’; only bulls do. Hence the centuries-old proverbial folly, ‘milking the bull.’ Furthermore, if Gallego knew anything about pickup trucks, the ‘nuts’ hang from the tow hitch, NOT the tailgate.“
A torrent of posts from Turning Point Action COO Tyler Bowyer followed, with Bowyer writing in one, “Ruben Gallego is upset because we ruined his trip to Iowa. Just wait until he goes to New Hampshire!”
He followed this up with the observation that “This guy was making Pfizer burgers in Iowa today? Or was that just for Tacos. We know who owns Ruben between Big Pharma and George Soros!”
This guy was making Pfizer burgers in Iowa today? Or was that just for Tacos.
After his Iowa debacle, Gallego is set to visit the West Valley next to deliver a Capitol update at the West Valley Regional Chamber on Wednesday, according to the West Valley View.
Arizona’s Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs traveled to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to meet with Trump administration officials, including Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, to coordinate with federal authorities on the Dragon Bravo wildfire, which has claimed over 16,000 acres and is 26% contained as of this report. The move from Hobbs represents a rare departure from the governor’s antagonistic stance with Republicans in general, and the Trump administration in particular.
Along with Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle, including fellow Democrats, Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, and Republican Congressmen Paul Gosar and Eli Crane, Hobbs has called for an investigation into the measures used to control the fire and the policies that led to it as well.
In a post to X, Hobbs stood for a photo-op with the former North Dakota Governor-turned-Interior Secretary writing, “I was glad to meet today with @SecretaryBurgum. We both agreed to work together to combat the Dragon Bravo Fire and rebuild from the destruction. The Secretary also committed to an independent review of the decisions made during the Dragon Bravo Fire containment process. This accountability is essential as we work to ensure this never happens again.”
I was glad to meet today with @SecretaryBurgum. We both agreed to work together to combat the Dragon Bravo Fire and rebuild from the destruction.
The Secretary also committed to an independent review of the decisions made during the Dragon Bravo Fire containment process. This… pic.twitter.com/ud0i8GgTOT
— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) July 24, 2025
Following a tour of the devastated National Park lands on the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Hobbs said, “This is federal jurisdiction, but fire doesn’t know that boundary, and we all have to work together.”
“Seeing the complexity that goes into managing an incident like this is helpful, and certainly, I feel good about going back to Arizonans and saying, ‘Look, everyone’s concerned about making sure that we’re protecting as much as possible, and that we can rebuild, because the Grand Canyon is so important to our state,’” Hobbs said.
“I am concerned that the Dragon Bravo Wildfire is the direct result of recently inherited policies from the Biden Administration.
“We must not waver in our efforts to seek answers for the people of Arizona. Today, I call on Secretary of the Interior, Secretary Burgum, to seek answers for the people of Arizona, who want answers as to the causes of this disaster and what can be done to prevent tragedies like this in the future.
“The people of Arizona will not be calling for answers alone. I will continue to seek answers and solutions, because these wildfires deeply impact Arizonans and our state.”
Speaking with KAFF News Tuesday, Rep. Eli Crane described the fire’s devastation as “heartbreaking” and said, “Generations of Arizonans have made priceless memories at the North Rim, so this is a very tragic loss. I also want to see the North Rim built back bigger and better than ever.”
Answering a caller’s challenge to rebuild the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, lost to the flames, Crane said, “We will continue to do what we can on this issue. I know how important it is to Arizona and our district. Let’s also modernize it so it can be open year-round.”
In a tense and disorganized special meeting last week, the Arizona Democratic Party voted to remove Chair Robert Branscomb after just six months in office. The ouster followed months of infighting, public disputes with elected officials, union clashes, and growing concerns over the party’s financial health heading into the 2026 election cycle.
Branscomb, who was elected chair in January after unseating incumbent Yolanda Bejarano, faced mounting criticism from party leaders and lawmakers. Arizona’s top Democratic elected officials—including U.S. Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, Governor Katie Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes, and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes—issued a rare public rebuke earlier this year, expressing a loss of confidence in his leadership.
Despite technical problems that plagued the meeting, 476 party committee members voted to remove Branscomb through the party’s preferred voting method, surpassing the two-thirds threshold required by Arizona Democratic Party (ADP) bylaws. Some members cast votes by email due to glitches in the party’s online voting system, though the total vote count remains unclear.
“Today’s recall effort is rooted in misrepresentation, divisive tactics and does not reflect our democratic values,” Branscomb said during the meeting. He argued that his removal was not about party unity but about “distraction and dividing us at a time when unity is more important than ever.”
Several lawmakers and party officials cited concerns over Branscomb’s ability to lead Democrats to victory in the next election. “Donors have told me directly they’re sitting out until the party gets its act together,” said State Representative Aaron Márquez.
The July 16 meeting stretched on for hours as frustrations mounted over procedural confusion and technical failures. Several members said they did not receive links to vote on the quorum, raising fears that they would be disenfranchised. Over two and a half hours were spent troubleshooting the party’s online voting platform.
Much of the confusion appeared to stem from tensions between party officers and ADP Executive Director Michael Ruff, who was tasked with managing the voting system. Some staff members claimed in Zoom chat messages that they had offered to help with the process but received no response.
ADP Vice Chair Melissa Galarza criticized the disorganization, saying, “I just feel like this was not well planned, the staff was not prepared for it, Michael Ruff did not prepare us, we had a lack of conversation about this meeting.”
A new election to select the party’s next chair is scheduled for September. Branscomb has the option to challenge his removal in that meeting. Until then, ADP Vice Chair Kim Khoury will serve as interim chair.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
In a social media post that has garnered wide speculation, Arizona Democrat Senator Ruben Gallego announced that he’s headed for Iowa to hold a Quad Cities Townhall meeting and is expected to appear at the State Fair in Des Moines as part of a two-day tour on August 8th and 9th. Gallego’s staff told the Des Moines Register that the Senator intends to discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which he refers to as the “disastrous budget bill.”
Given that his visit follows one from 2028 Democrat Presidential hopeful and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in May, it appears likely that Gallego is testing the waters in the 2028 shadow primary that is unfolding in Iowa.
The Arizona Republic’s Laurie Roberts seemed to share the assessment that Gallego is eyeing the presidency in an op-ed published on Thursday in which she cited a video released by Gallego in which crowds are chanting for him set to Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” Roberts wrote that on August 8th, Gallego “will make the ritual trip of any politician who dreams of becoming president — to the Iowa State Fair to gobble down corn dogs and gobble up some attention.” She quipped that the 45-year-old first-term Senator “thinks Iowa can make him a star… He’s not. Not yet anyway. But he’s clearly hoping to become one.”
Commentary on his post to X alternated between condemnation for “already eyeing his next job,” to critics asking, “Do you ever do your job for your own damn state?”
Iowa, I’m headed your way. Republicans in Congress slashed your health care and hiked your costs to bankroll billionaires.
Gallego’s chief of staff, Raphael Chavez-Fernandez, told the Register in a statement, “Like most Iowans, Ruben Gallego didn’t grow up having things handed to him — he had to work hard and pay his dues. That’s why he’s headed to the Hawkeye State to call out those who backed Trump’s billionaire tax scam at the expense of Iowa’s good, hard-working people. Ruben’s not afraid to say the quiet part out loud: that Iowa families are getting screwed, and Iowans deserve leaders who will fight for them every single day.”
Turning Point Action’s Jeanette Garcia called the move, “Embarrassing.”
Gallego’s 2024 Republican opponent for Senate, Kari Lake, weighed in writing, “This guy has only been in the Senate for about 15 minutes, and he’s already looking for his next position. I love the people of Iowa. I love the people of Arizona. And they both deserve better than Ruben Gallego.”
This guy has only been in the Senate for about 15 minutes, and he's already looking for his next position.
Former AZGOP Exec, Member-at-Large Christian Lamar responded quipping, “Ruben Gallego is the blueprint for another useless politician, who squats in office and moves up to another higher office. Gallego actually believes he’s more popular than Kamala Harris.”
Emerson College polling released in June seemed to disagree though, determining that former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stands to be the leading contender in a potential 2028 DNC Primary followed by Former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Gallego didn’t appear among the 15 potential candidates.
In May, prior to speaking to voters in Pennsylvania at a similar speaking event, Gallego seemed to demure from talk of a 2028 Presidential Run in comments to NBC News when he called the question of a presidential run “a land mine,” adding, “Has it ever crossed my mind? F—ing of course, I’m an elected official, it crosses my mind. Am I thinking about it right now? Absolutely not.”
However, Gallego boasted, “Big donors, big organizations, well-known political big Democratic operatives that have encouraged me to run. I’m not denying that.”
Senator Ruben Gallego lionized a California Senator detained for disrupting an immigration-related media event by the Trump administration.
California Senator Alex Padilla was detained for disrupting a news conference on immigration by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles amid the ongoing anti-ICE protests and riots.
Federal agents removed and handcuffed Padilla on the belief he was an unidentified man breaching the news conference. While the senator admitted he wasn’t originally included or expected in the news conference, he claimed he did identify himself.
“After identifying myself and trying to ask a question, I was aggressively pushed out of the room, forced to the ground, and handcuffed,” said Padilla.
If that’s what they do to a United States Senator with a question, imagine what they can do to any American that dares to speak up. We will hold this administration accountable. pic.twitter.com/ZMExvMmZfE
— Senator Alex Padilla (@SenAlexPadilla) June 12, 2025
Videos of the incident show Padilla initially interrupted the news conference without identifying himself, walking quickly toward Noem at her podium while interrupting her with questions. Reports also indicate Padilla’s attire didn’t confirm his insistence after interrupting Noem and while being detained that he was, in fact, a U.S. Senator.
New video showing Senator Padilla was being disruptive and was removed.
This is all a theater. He should not have assaulted the officers.
Gallego sided with Padilla’s version of events. The senator called the arrest a “raw abuse of power,” implying a pattern of the current administration acting unlawfully in regard to immigration.
“They shoved, pinned, and handcuffed Senator Padilla – for asking a question to protect his community,” said Gallego. “A sitting U.S. Senator.”
They shoved, pinned, and handcuffed @SenAlexPadilla —for asking a question to protect his community. A sitting U.S. Senator.
— Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego) June 12, 2025
Noem said in interviews that Padilla was arrested for interrupting the news conference without identifying himself and engaging in troubling behaviors. Noem shared that she met with Padilla after his arrest to hear his concerns.
“This man burst into the room, started lunging towards the podium, interrupting me, and elevating his voice, and was stopped, did not identify himself, and was removed from the room,” said Noem.
After he interrupted our press conference with law enforcement, I met with Senator Padilla for 15 minutes. We probably disagree on 90% of the topics but we agreed to exchanged phone numbers and we will continue to talk—that is the way it should be in this country.
The arrest preceded a federal court order reverting California National Guard authority back to California Governor Gavin Newsom starting Friday. The Trump administration appealed.
Gallego chose to raise awareness of Padilla’s arrest as an injustice before upcoming anti-ICE protests nationwide on President Donald Trump’s birthday — Flag Day — which many believe will devolve into violence, given the recent riots in Los Angeles and spurts of violence emerging at anti-ICE demonstrations locally, like the incident on Tuesday in Peoria in which protesters assaulted an officer.
The organization behind the coordinated protests that have many concerned, No Kings, has listed dozens of protests across Arizona for Saturday: Anthem, Buckeye, Bullhead City, Casa Grande, Cottonwood, Douglas, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Glendale, Globe, Green Valley, Kingman, Maricopa, Mesa, Nogales (two), Oracle, Oro Valley, Page, Patagonia, Payson, Peoria, Phoenix (two), Prescott, Safford, Scottsdale (two), Sedona (two), Show Low, Sierra Vista, Sun City, Surprise (two), Queen Creek, Tempe, Tucson, Vail, Williams, and Yuma.
In a pre-mobilization call on Thursday, No Kings insisted their protests remain peaceful.
Governor Katie Hobbs offered public support for the anti-ICE rioters in California. Hobbs condemned President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to control the days-long rioting in the state. The governor called the president’s actions “ineffective and dangerous,” and disrespectful of local law enforcement.
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