Texas: A U.S. congressional candidate Valentina Gomez has triggered widespread condemnation after publicly burning a copy of the Quran in a campaign video, saying she has “no regrets” about the act.
Valentina Gomez, a Republican running for Texas’s 31st District, released footage showing herself using a flamethrower to set Islam’s holy book on fire. In the video, she claimed she wanted to “end Islam” in the United States and described the country as a “Christian nation.”
The video was later removed from social media, but not before it was widely circulated and criticized. Despite the backlash, Valentina Gomez defended her actions, posting that she would never “bend a knee” to a book she blamed for terrorism and violence.
This is not Valentina Gomez’s first controversy. Earlier this year, she disrupted a Muslim civic event at the Texas State Capitol, where she mocked Islamic practices.
She has also previously attracted criticism for stunts involving flamethrowers, including burning books and posting inflammatory videos targeting immigrants and minority communities.
Religious groups and civil rights organizations have strongly denounced the Quran-burning incident.
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The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA called it “ignorant and reprehensible,” while the Anti-Defamation League warned that such actions spread hate and risk inciting violence.
Social media users also condemned the video, with many accusing the candidate of using hate speech to draw attention during her campaign.
No formal legal action has been announced, but the incident has renewed debate over the rise of extremist rhetoric in U.S. politics.