Story perspectives

Cornyn Condemns Bo French’s Anti–South Asian UT Post

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 6:23 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Republican Bo French posted a UT fan photo with a “far worse” caption targeting South Asian students.
Senator John Cornyn condemned the post, warning it could normalize intolerance and damage the GOP ticket.
State Rep. Jon Rosenthal said the post sparked a fundraising surge that raised about $150,000.
Karl Rove announced he will vote for Rosenthal, marking his second vote for a Democrat.

History

Historical Context

The April 29 1992 acquittal of the officers who beat Rodney King sparked the Los Angeles riots, killing 63 people and damaging over 2,300 Korean-run stores—about $400 million in losses. Those wounds resurfaced when Republican activist Bo French posted a slur-filled image of South Asian students, prompting Senator John Cornyn’s condemnation and a $150,000 fundraising surge for Democrat Jon Rosenthal.

1 of 2

Story summary

Republican Bo French posted a UT fan photo with a “far worse” caption targeting South Asian students.
Senator John Cornyn condemned the post, warning it could normalize intolerance and damage the GOP ticket.
State Rep. Jon Rosenthal said the post sparked a fundraising surge that raised about $150,000.
Karl Rove announced he will vote for Rosenthal, marking his second vote for a Democrat.

1 / 2