Social media users are eviscerating Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN) for his embarrassing error in a post meant to thank Donald Trump and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) for starting to de-escalate ICE-related tensions in the city.

Finstad accidentally pasted a message from a staffer above his statement into his post that revealed he not only did not write the statement, himself, but also that he was not being too careful with his social media.

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The entire post read, “Hi Brad. I am sending you a post on socials regarding the trump walz conversation, this has been approved by staff. Will be using the picture attached and caption for all three platforms. Caption: Thank you, President Trump and Governor Walz. I am pleased to see these recent developments. The only way to a resolution is through productive conversations. Public safety shouldn’t be partisan, and cooperation is how we deliver real results for our communities. Real leadership means putting law and order above politics.”

While it’s not uncommon for staffers to ghostwrite politicians’ social media messages, the intensity of the moment we’re in made his blunder all the more upsetting to many. Several folks expressed the belief that he should show more genuine concern for the carnage in Minneapolis.

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“Imagine being a congressman from Minnesota and caring so little about what’s happening here that you just copy and paste talking points,” wrote Jake Johnson, who is running to unseat Finstad. “If you’re not writing your own statements and you’re not holding town halls, what exactly are we paying you for?

Many wondered if the “staff” referred to in the post was referring to someone directly at the White House. He was also brutally mocked for reposting the message without the part from the staffer, as if nothing happened.

If there's a better metaphor than "just phoning it in", this is it.

— Kenneth W. Smith, Esq #IBlameMerrickGarland (@Attysmith) January 27, 2026

Why doesn't Brad Finstad just give the White House his social media credentials and let them run it for him?

— Kevin Woram (@KevinPWoram) January 27, 2026

When you basically couldn’t care less.

Minnesota Republican brutally mocked for copy-paste blunder on social media https://t.co/4UP5J6mpui

— Rabb Wilder (@RabbWilder) January 27, 2026

You still posted the the message after your major f up…. Hahahaha

You are a boot licker to the max.

— Cash (@Cash_Lockwood) January 27, 2026

Who do you actually work for? Apparently not the people of your district. pic.twitter.com/wUBydjr7gn

— Eliyahu Neiman (@EliyahuNeiman) January 27, 2026

So well written! How did you manage to pull this off without any help?

— The Golden God (@TheGoldenGodd_) January 27, 2026

Wow this is… really, really, embarrassing

— Tommy (@LeftWingSpiker) January 27, 2026

You’re just taking orders at this point. The maga influence is real.

— Feeling Blue (@Lindatini) January 27, 2026

Sounds like you wrote it yourself, Congressman. I’m glad you’re not just passing off White House talking points as your own reaction to this tragedy.

— Ariel Gonzalez (@ArielGonzalez_1) January 27, 2026

And you STILL post the message? Cmon Brad. I’m a constituent and you’re embarrassing all of us.

— Abills (@Abills611) January 27, 2026

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