WASHINGTON — Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX 2nd District) has found himself embroiled in a heated dispute with social media influencer “Catturd” and facing backlash for campaign finance violations that resulted in a $42 thousand fine from the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
The conflict began when X user Catturd, an anonymous but influential figure on the platform, accused Crenshaw of misconduct related to his campaign finances and his criticism of supporters of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. Crenshaw fired back on social media, denying the allegations and hinting at possible legal action for what he described as “libelous” accusations.
“Your audience might want to start doubting you, because this is completely made up,” Crenshaw responded on X. “Knowingly spreading slander isn’t a good look, not to mention libelous, so you might want to delete.”
The dispute has rekindled scrutiny over Crenshaw’s past financial missteps. In December 2022, the FEC fined Crenshaw’s campaign committee $42 thousand for “knowingly [accepting] $223,460.26 in apparent excessive and prohibited contributions for the 2020 primary and general elections.”
According to court documents, the campaign received funds from individuals, corporations, and political action committees that exceeded legal limits.
The FEC issued four notices to the representative to return the funds over the course of months, and the fine was issued after the Crenshaw campaign failed to return the funds in a timely manner.
The Crenshaw campaign attributed the violations to “human error” and said all improper contributions have since been returned. However, critics, including Crenshaw’s former primary opponent Jameson Ellis, argue the situation reflects a broader issue of unaccountability in Washington.
“I’m not at all surprised by it,” Ellis said. “Crenshaw’s mismanagement of funds is just a microcosm of what’s been going on within the federal government for decades. This isn’t just about one congressman failing to comply with campaign finance laws… it’s a reflection of a culture in Washington that views accountability as optional.”
Ellis also criticized the pace of enforcement by the FEC, noting that the violations were flagged in 2020 but not resolved until two years later.
“The fact that the FEC flagged this issue years ago and it still escalated to a fine shows how slowly our systems work when it comes to enforcing consequences for the powerful,” he said.
The social media spat with Catturd has only added fuel to the fire, with Ellis calling it “a distraction from the real issue.” He added, “We need representatives who are willing to take responsibility for their actions, not lash out at critics. The American people deserve better.”
Crenshaw did not respond to a request for comment.
Crenshaw’s handling of both his campaign finances and public disputes highlights growing tensions between political leaders and online influencers. Critics argue it underscores a broader lack of trust in government institutions, while defenders see it as an example of the pressures faced by public figures in the digital age.
As the controversy unfolds, voters in Crenshaw’s district and beyond are left grappling with questions about accountability, transparency, and the role of social media in modern politics.