Texas House Democrat Leader Gene Wu is facing widespread criticism from conservatives after a December 2024 podcast clip resurfaced in which he urged minority groups to unite against their alleged “oppressor” and hinted at a plan to dominate the country.

The clip, from a Define American podcast episode titled “In this Texas District, 1/3 of Residents are Undocumented,” shows Wu telling host Antonio Vargas that Latino, African American, and Asian communities are intentionally divided by outside forces. “I always tell people the day the Latino, African-American, Asian, and other communities realize that they share the same oppressor is the day we start winning, because we are the majority in this country now,” Wu said. “We have the ability to take over this country and to do what is needed for everyone and to make things fair.”

Conservative leaders immediately condemned the comments. Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton called Wu “a radical racist who hates millions of Texans just because they're White.” Former Texas GOP Chairman Matt Rinaldi described the remarks as “advocacy for White genocide” and noted that Wu is not a backbencher, but the leader of the Texas House Democrats. Sen. Ted Cruz labeled the Democrat Party “built on bigotry,” while Rep. Chip Roy called for Wu’s resignation or removal from leadership.

After the clip went viral, Wu attempted to walk back his remarks, claiming that his references to a “shared oppressor” were directed at Republicans, not White people. However, the segment preceding the clip clearly discusses “White people” and their perceived anxiety over becoming a minority, making his later explanation appear evasive.

Wu’s comments sparked a broader debate over the Democrat Party’s messaging and its focus on race-based political organizing. Critics argue that urging ethnic groups to unite against a specific population, whether White Americans or Republicans, is divisive and undermines national unity.

The Houston Chronicle noted that Wu’s efforts to clarify his remarks did little to erase the context of his statements. Conservatives warn that such rhetoric, especially from a legislative leader, reflects a troubling pattern of racial and political extremism within the party. Wu’s office has not issued further comment.