Texas GOP Candidate Vows to End Islam
Valentina Gomez, a Republican candidate aligned with the MAGA movement, has taken political provocation to a new and alarming level. In a campaign video that has ignited outrage and concern, Gomez is reportedly seen wielding a flamethrower to burn a copy of the Quran, the Islamic holy book, while declaring her intent to end Islam in Texas. This incendiary act is more than a stunt for attention. It is a stark display of religious hatred masquerading as political theater. The video raises serious questions about the boundaries of free speech and the dangerous implications of such extremist rhetoric gaining traction in American politics.
A Campaign Fueled by Fire and Fury
The video, which has reportedly amassed nearly 3 million views on social media, opens with Gomez issuing a dire warning about the consequences of Islam's presence, before using a flamethrower to set the Quran ablaze. The scene is accompanied by a background chorus of "Hallelujah," according to BPR. The video closes with a bold message declaring her mission to end Islam in Texas, alongside a campaign logo that replaces the letter "i" in her name with a bullet, and the tagline "Powered by Jesus Christ."
This is not an isolated incident in Gomez's political career. In a previous incident, she reportedly stormed a Muslim civic engagement event at the Texas State Capitol, snatching the microphone and launching into an anti-Islam tirade. At that event, she declared that Islam has no place in Texas and vowed to end what she called the "Islamisation of America" if elected, according to the Times of India. Earlier, during her unsuccessful 2024 bid for Missouri Secretary of State, Gomez reportedly staged a mock execution of an immigrant, calling for "public executions" of undocumented migrants accused of violent crimes, according to The Daily Beast. She also used a flamethrower to burn LGBTQ+ books, pledging to ban such material if elected.
The Spectacle of Hate
Gomez's campaign is a spectacle of extremism, blending violent imagery with incendiary language. Her rhetoric paints Muslims as a violent threat to American society, accusing them of crimes and portraying Islam as an enemy religion. According to The Daily Beast, in her recent viral video Gomez said, "America is a Christian nation, so those terrorist Muslims can f--- off to any of the 57 Muslim nations."
These actions have drawn swift condemnation from civil rights groups and political leaders. According to The Times of India, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) denounced her rhetoric as dangerous and called for accountability, emphasizing the importance of protecting religious liberty in the United States. Critics warn that such hate speech risks inciting violence and deepening divisions in an already polarized political landscape.
A History of Controversy
Valentina Gomez's political journey has been marked by a series of provocative and violent stunts. Born in Medellín, Colombia, she emigrated to the United States with her family in 2009 and initially worked as a real estate investor before entering politics. Her 2024 run for Missouri Secretary of State ended in a sixth-place finish in the Republican primary, but she has continued to build her profile through incendiary content and social media provocations.
Her past actions include a video where she jogged through a pro-LGBTQ+ area wearing a bulletproof vest, declaring, "In America, you can be anything you want. So don't be weak and gay," as reported by The Daily Beast. This homophobic rhetoric, combined with her anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim stunts, paints a picture of a candidate who thrives on controversy and division.
The Dangerous Implications
The rise of candidates like Gomez signals a troubling trend in American politics where extremist views and hate speech are not only tolerated but weaponized for political gain. Her campaign video is more than a shocking spectacle; it is a call to action that could embolden others to commit acts of religious hatred and violence.
Podcaster Brian Allen warned that such incendiary acts are not politics but incitement, suggesting that when mosques start burning, Gomez's video will have been the match, with the Texas GOP handing her the lighter, as reported by The Daily Beast. This chilling observation underscores the real-world consequences of allowing such rhetoric to flourish unchecked.
What This Means for Texas and Beyond
Texas, with a Muslim population of roughly 1%, is not a state known for religious conflict on a large scale. Yet, Gomez's campaign seeks to stoke fear and hatred against a small but vibrant community. Her promise to end Islam in the state is a direct threat to religious freedom and social cohesion.
The broader political context is equally concerning. Gomez is running in Texas's 31st District, a seat that reportedly voted 61% for Donald Trump in 2024, suggesting that her extremist message may find a receptive audience among certain voters. While civil rights groups and interfaith leaders have condemned her rhetoric as dangerous and un-American, others have praised her boldness and embraced her framing of America as a Christian nation — raising questions about the direction of the Republican Party and the limits of acceptable political discourse.
This polarized response highlights the fault lines of contemporary U.S. politics. For critics, Gomez represents a dangerous escalation of religious intolerance into mainstream campaigns; for supporters, she embodies a willingness to defy political correctness and fight for values they see as under attack. Her candidacy underscores the stakes in Texas — and signals that the debate over religion, free speech, and identity in America is far from settled.
References: MAGA Candidate Valentina Gomez Torches the Quran in Deranged Flamethrower Ad | 'I will end Islam in Texas': MAGA activist sparks outrage with Quran-burning video. Who is Valentina Gomez? | TX GOP House candidate takes flamethrower to Quran in fiery ad
