A recent video capturing Senator Ruben Gallego wearing an apron and grilling burgers for the media at the Iowa State Fair suggests that the event, intended as a public engagement, may have misfired. The footage reveals audible boos and heckling from the crowd, indicating a negative, if not openly hostile reception.
The video, shared by Turning Point Action Field Representative John J. Trotta IV, gained significant attention on X Tuesday afternoon. Trotta commented, “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.
Iowans see right through radical Ruben and know he’s nothing but a fraud! pic.twitter.com/UIBV21hT5Y
— John J. Trotta IV (@JohnTrottaIV) August 8, 2025
Garrett Lewis, host of The Afternoon Addiction on 550 KFYI, reposted the video, adding, “Iowans are brutal to @RubenGallego! It’s so good! So savage! You love to see it!”
In contrast, Senior Advisor for the US Agency for Global Media Kari Lake shared a positive recollection of her 2024 visit to the Iowa State Fair, stating, “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.’”
Of course, @RubenGallego thinks cows have nuts, so he might be in for a rude awakening there too. pic.twitter.com/5sFA9ZbjWt
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) August 8, 2025
She later remarked, “Of course, @RubenGallego thinks cows have nuts, so he might be in for a rude awakening there too,” referencing a 2023 video where Gallego mocked Republicans for their cultural identity, including owning trucks with “cow nuts” on tailgates.
As reported by The Daily Wire, Republican Arizona State Rep. Austin Smith, said at the time, “Cows don’t have nuts… but I guess this is his worldview outside Phoenix, very narrow minded and ignorant. DC will do that to ya!”
“And if you’re a democrat you have to have a sex change, mental illness, and drive a Prius with your own nuts hanging in the back. That’s your cultural identity now,” OutKick host Tomi Lahren tweeted.
And if you’re a democrat you have to have a sex change, mental illness, and drive a Prius with your own nuts hanging in the back. That’s your cultural identity now. https://t.co/tUDNwzNzdE
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) August 17, 2023
Turning Point Action COO Tyler Bowyer also weighed in with multiple posts, including, “Ruben Gallego is upset because we ruined his trip to Iowa. Just wait until he goes to New Hampshire!” and “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.
We know who owns Ruben between Big Pharma and George Soros! pic.twitter.com/FB3DfaRdce
— Tyler Bowyer (@tylerbowyer) August 8, 2025
Following the event, Senator Gallego is scheduled to visit the West Valley to provide a Capitol update at the West Valley Regional Chamber on Wednesday, as reported by The West Valley View in Goodyear, a city split between the conservative stronghold of Congressman Paul Gosar’s District 9 and the now-vacant District 7 held by the late Rep. Raul Grijalva.
With conservative groups like TP Action extremely active in the West Valley, Gallego may encounter a similarly hostile reception.