Newt Gingrich Mercilessly Mocked For Hot Take On Herschel Walker

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R) was blasted on social media for his bizarre defense of Herschel Walker, the former football star and Republican nominee running against Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.).

Speaking on Fox News, Gingrich hailed Walker as “the most important Senate candidate in the country” due to his “deep commitment to Christ.” That praise was offered despite Walker’s history of violence and domestic abuse and new accusations the supposed “pro-life” candidate paid for an abortion for a then-girlfriend in 2009.

Gingrich’s claim also ignored something else: Warnock is a senior pastor at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Media Matters clipped the comments:

Earlier this week, one of Walker’s sons ― conservative influencer Christian Walker ― publicly called him out.

“You’re not a ‘family man’ when you left us to bang a bunch of women, threatened to kill us, and had us move over 6 times in 6 months running from your violence,” Christian Walker wrote on Twitter.

Despite that, Gingrich talked up Walker as a “remarkable person” and praised his confidence. For some reason, Gingrich also brought up Walker’s health.

“He’s been through a long, tough period,” Gingrich said. “He had a lot of concussions coming out of football, he suffered PTSD.”

Gingrich’s critics fired back on Twitter:

His. Opponent. Is. A. Literal. Christian. Pastor. https://t.co/NJGW5xvski

— Hemant Mehta (@hemantmehta) October 5, 2022

Newt? You are so aptly named. Not fully formed, are you?!? https://t.co/1oWtydBb0m

— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) October 5, 2022

Newt Gingrich: Herschel Walker, whose brain was damaged a bunch by football, should be in the Senate because of his deep commitment to Christ -- so he can replace an actual reverend. https://t.co/EJ7OxrIEAD

— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) October 5, 2022

In terms of commitments to Christ:

We see your Georgia football player and raise you an actual, bonafide Baptist pastor @ReverendWarnock!pic.twitter.com/p1rixgHZRo

— Young Democrats of America (@youngdems) October 5, 2022

Yeah I mean I probably wouldn’t remind people about all the concussions. pic.twitter.com/mfu3o5eHE6

— BOO-is Frightsman (@LouisPeitzman) October 5, 2022

"He's had a lot of concussions!!"
Well, he's got my vote.
Thank you. ...Newt? Is that really your name? https://t.co/zakcHNj2pO

— Titus (@TitusNation) October 5, 2022

"He had a lot of concussions" is a hell of an endorsement. https://t.co/9NaU9NwQwh

— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) October 5, 2022

They're all unravelling and they might win. https://t.co/PS13HzJlHc

— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) October 5, 2022

Pretty shameless of FOX to march out Newt to talk about a fellow adulterer's "commitment to Christ." https://t.co/3bqHQ7XvW3

— DC - ExGOP Conservative Against Trumpism 🇺🇸 (@dccra) October 5, 2022

Well, if there is one asshole who could defend Walker’s “family values” it’s this asshole. https://t.co/FuLohHOmgE

— SoonerAtty (@SoonerAtty) October 5, 2022

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.