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Nearly a decade before announcing his congressional bid, award-winning Tejano musician Bobby Pulido was caught in a controversial act that has resurfaced amid his campaign—filming himself urinating on President Donald Trump’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
The video, originally posted to Instagram with the caption “when you gotta go, you gotta go,” has reemerged as Pulido challenges Republican incumbent Rep. Monica De La Cruz for Texas’ 15th congressional district seat. The incident reflects a history of provocative political statements that seems at odds with Pulido’s current campaign messaging.
Pulido, a celebrated figure in the Tejano music scene, has built a successful career with hits like “Desvelado” and “Se Murió de Amor.” His musical achievements include five Latin Grammy Award nominations, winning Best Tejano Album in 2025 and 2022. However, in 2024, he pivoted from his music career to pursue elected office.
Despite marketing himself as a bipartisan candidate who’s “not team red or team blue,” Pulido’s past social media activity reveals consistent anti-Republican sentiment. Since launching his campaign, he has reportedly scrubbed these controversial posts from his accounts, though many remain accessible through archived websites.
“I am José Roberto Pulido Jr., the son of a migrant farmworker and 100% South Texas Tejano,” Pulido stated in his campaign launch video. “I won’t stand by and watch the South Texas that raised me be torn down and divided.”
The congressional district Pulido seeks to represent has been a Republican stronghold under De La Cruz, who secured her second term in 2024 with a comfortable 57.1% to 42.9% victory over her Democratic challenger, Michelle Vallejo. The district covers parts of South Texas, a region where both parties have intensified their competitive efforts in recent election cycles.
Democratic Party leaders have heavily recruited Pulido, according to Politico reporting. Federal Election Commission filings show his campaign has raised $306,000 this cycle, indicating serious financial backing for his congressional bid.
Beyond the Trump star incident, Pulido made headlines earlier in 2025 when he dressed in a bloody Trump costume, drawing criticism even from fellow Democrats. His social media history includes a 2016 post depicting Texas voting results with the caption “Blue = smart” and “Red = neck,” clearly indicating his political leanings despite current claims of bipartisanship.
In another revealing post from 2018, Pulido shared a screenshot of a text message he sent to his son, reminding him to “vote for Beto [O’Rourke] if you want to keep your inheritance,” accompanied by a winking emoji.
The resurgence of these controversial actions comes at a time when South Texas has become increasingly competitive politically. Once a Democratic stronghold, Republicans have made significant inroads in the predominantly Hispanic region in recent elections, with candidates like De La Cruz part of that shift.
Pulido’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment about the Trump star incident or his past social media activity. As the election approaches, voters in Texas’ 15th district will need to reconcile Pulido’s current messaging as a unifier with his documented history of partisan actions.
The race highlights the continuing political realignment in South Texas, where cultural identity, immigration policy, and economic issues have created a complex electoral landscape that defies traditional partisan expectations.
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10 Comments
While the candidate’s music career is impressive, this controversy risks undermining their political credibility. Voters will need to weigh this incident alongside the candidate’s policy platform.
Candidates should be judged on their entire record, not just their campaign messaging. Transparency and accountability are essential for voters to make informed decisions.
While political satire can be a valid form of expression, publicly damaging someone’s property crosses a line. This episode may undermine the candidate’s credibility with voters.
It’s concerning to see a political candidate engaging in such provocative behavior, even in the past. Voters will need to weigh this incident carefully.
Tejano music is a rich cultural tradition, but this controversy threatens to overshadow the candidate’s artistic achievements. Voters will want to see a clear condemnation of the incident.
Scrubbing social media posts raises questions about transparency. Voters deserve candidates who stand by their record, even when it’s controversial.
Defacing public property is never acceptable, regardless of political affiliation. This incident raises questions about the candidate’s judgment and commitment to civil discourse.
Voters should examine the full record of candidates, not just their campaign messaging. Transparency and accountability are critical.
This incident shows the need for candidates to be held accountable for their past actions, not just their campaign rhetoric. Voters should seek a full understanding of the candidate’s history.
Bipartisanship requires more than just avoiding partisan labels. Voters will want to see a genuine commitment to civility and respect for opposing views.