Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has been widely ripped for a “disgraceful” and “tone-deaf” photo of himself smiling and giving a thumbs-up outside a pricey steak restaurant — just hours after the deadly New Orleans terror attack unfolded.
The grinning Republican governor shared the photo of himself posing with restaurant employees outside Bon Ton Prime Rib on Wednesday night, mere blocks from where the ISIS-supporting terrorist killed 14 New Year’s revelers in the city’s famed French Quarter.
“Ate dinner tonight in New Orleans. Proud to be a part of this incredibly resilient city,” Landry wrote on X.
“It’s important to understand that we have many visitors in the city of New Orleans right now. Safety is our top priority and we want our guests and the world to know that Louisiana does not cower to radical Islamic terrorists,” he added in a follow-up post roughly 30 minutes later.
“Our restaurants and all New Orleans has to offer remain open for business!”
The backlash against Landry was swift — with many social media users tearing the governor to shreds for staging the photo op as the families of the slain victims were mourning.
“While people are suffering in the hospital, while families are mourning their dead, hell while the average American is not making ends meet you spent how much on dinner? Please tell us,” one user raged on X. “You are a coward and a disgrace.”
A 14-ounce New York strip goes for $64 at the swanky eatery, while crab cakes are listed on the menu for $49. The most expensive bottle of reserve red wine listed on the restaurant’s website is priced at a staggering $1,900.
“You should have been on the phone throughout the entire day calling parents and family members, visiting the injured at the hospital, holding the FBI responsible for getting out true facts,” another person griped.
“Many of us (in other states) could not even eat today because we were sick knowing what happened in our nation while you were more concerned about steaks and the advertisement of your restaurants.”
Many also accused the governor of being misguided — despite his apparent efforts to boost local businesses in the wake of the carnage.
“‘Doesn’t cower to terrorists … but I also am not about to miss out on this reservation.’ There’s supporting the tenacity of businesses staying open and thinking now is the time to treat yourself to a nice steak & whiskey. Roll up your sleeves, put the fork down and go do your job,” one person tweeted.
“You didn’t even take a moment to show some respect to the ones who lost their lives nor their families. You had yourself what looks like a celebratory meal,” another chimed in.
One social media user added: “I can’t imagine smiling that big after a catastrophic event.”
The backlash continued as investigators probed the terror inflicted by killer Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Texas native and military vet, when he rammed into revelers on Bourbon Street with a pickup truck at about 3 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
Jabbar was shot and killed in a firefight with cops just after mowing down his victims.
Read the full article here
