Republican Senator John Thune and Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles (John Thune official website/Twitter)
Gymnast Simone Biles won the gold medal in the women’s all-around final yesterday and while many congratulated her on her accomplishment, one US senator used the time to promote one of his policies.
Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota took advantage of the attention on the Olympic athlete by sending a congratulatory tweet complete with an anti-tax message.
.@Simone_Biles Congrats! My bill would eliminate the taxes you’ll owe on your winnings when you get home. #taxrelief https://t.co/wc7FJgzN8A
— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) August 12, 2016
Thune pushed his tax relief bill on Biles. His tweet linked to an op-ed posted last month describing The United States Appreciation for Olympians and Paralympians Act which would allow Olympians to retain their cash prizes and the full monetary value of their medals.
Forbes reported U.S. government taxes athletes on their medals based on their fair market value when it is earned. On top of that tax, any money earned from endorsements and prizes are also taken into account. The U.S. Olympic Committee gives competitors bonus money for their medals – $25,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze.
In the article on his website, Thune said imposing an exemption on athletes’ winnings is “fair, common sense, and sends the right message to Team USA, both present and future.”
Twitter quickly lashed out at the senator for the poorly timed message.
Adrienne had a few choice words for the South Dakota native.
@SenJohnThune @Simone_Biles Senator you are a self serving dick. Leave that young girl alone and do your job. #fundzika
— Adrienne (@BeASweet1) August 12, 2016
Mel called it “inappropriate and self-serving.”
@SenJohnThune dude. Inappropriate and self serving.
— mel (@mram71) August 12, 2016
A user by the name Karl used politics against the Thune mentioning his party’s influence on Black voting rights.
@SenJohnThune @Simone_Biles tell her how your party has been working hard for the last 25 years to make sure her whole family can't vote
— Karl (@JerryMander) August 12, 2016
@eritersrepublic used a few images to describe her thoughts on his message.
.@SenJohnThune @Simone_Biles pic.twitter.com/XneSUUkpD4
— #PleaseStopScrolling (@writersrepublic) August 12, 2016
Other tweets read:
@SenJohnThune @Simone_Biles You're a robot, aren't you? Leave the champ alone. She doesn't need your bandwagoning propaganda. Geez.
— Baritone Liberavoice (@redstmiscreant) August 12, 2016
@SenJohnThune Dear Lord, just say congrats and then shut the eff up.
— Christopher Swartout (@chrisswartout) August 12, 2016
Biles has not responded to Thune’s tweet, but she continued to celebrate her gold with history-maker and fellow Olympian Simone Manuel. The duo posed for a selfie together following their wins. Manuel became the first African-American to earn a gold medal in an individual swimming event last night. She tied with Canadian swimmer Penny Oleksiak and set an Olympic record in the women’s 100 meter freestyle.
Simone x2 ?? @simone_manuel pic.twitter.com/4ktpvKECV7
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) August 12, 2016
