Stock-Dumping Republican Mocked After Tweeting Coronavirus Awareness Video

KEY POINTS

Sen. Loeffler criticized on Twitter after posting coronavirus video
Loeffler is accused of selling off millions in stocks after crisis briefing in Jan
Three other senators are facing similar accusations

Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., is facing backlash on Twitter after posting a video aimed at encouraging Americans to “stay strong” in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. Loeffler was one of several members of Congress accused of selling off stocks after being briefed on the impending crisis.

Loeffler attended a closed door briefing on Jan. 24 alongside other lawmakers in which health officials described how a Covid-19 outbreak is likely to reach the United States and what it could mean. Later that day, Loeffler and her husband sold nearly $400,000 in stocks; this week, it was revealed that the couple had sold off an additional $18.7 million in stocks between Feb. 26 and March 11.

Loeffler has denied any wrong doing, stating that her investment decisions aren’t made by her and her husband but instead by “multiple third-party advisors.”

On Wednesday, Loeffler posted a short video to her Twitter account with the caption encouraging people to remember that “during these times, it’s the small, positive moments that remind us why we must stay strong.”

It’s easy to feel down right now. But we can’t forget: social distancing will save lives. During these times, it’s the small, positive moments that remind us why we must stay strong.

Whether you’re on the front lines or at home, each of us plays a role in getting through this. pic.twitter.com/O5z7BDYRrU
— Senator Kelly Loeffler (@SenatorLoeffler) April 1, 2020

The senator from Georgia has, since her divestments came to light, faced severe criticism and has been accused of using privileged information about a national disaster to benefit financially. Many of Loeffler’s detractors weighed in on her coronavirus video tweet to mock her.

Author John Pavlovitz replied in a tweet that he liked “how you social distance from human decency.”

I like how you social distance from human decency.
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) April 2, 2020

Another user asked if Loeffler had got in “early on the Trump body bags? I bet you’ll make a killing.”

Did you get in early on the Trump body bags? I bet you’ll make a killing.
— Cheri Jacobus (@CheriJacobus) April 2, 2020

A number of users also called on Loeffler to resign. One said that if she did, it “would brighten the day of millions of Americans sickened by knowing that you profited from insider info.”

Your resignation would brighten the day of millions of Americans sickened by knowing that you profited from insider info about the coming pandemic while you and the rest of the GOP claimed that this would pass quickly.
— lawhawk #vaxxedforfamilyandcommunity (@lawhawk) April 2, 2020

Loeffler isn’t the only lawmaker facing heat. Sens. Richard Burr, R-N.C., James Inhofe, R-Okla., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., are facing similar accusations of selling off millions in stocks before the coronavirus pandemic reached the United States.