Outrage after MSNBC put Texas Two-Step chryon over image of Gov. Greg Abbott in a wheelchair

MSNBC is facing criticism over an on-screen graphic reading ‘Texas Two Step’ that appeared over an image of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who uses a wheelchair.

Known in the industry as a chyron or lower third, the graphic appeared on Tuesday’s episode of Andrea Mitchell Reports during a teaser for a segment on Texas Republicans‘ push for tougher election laws. 

The pairing of the name of the ‘two-step’ country-western dance with an image of Abbott in his wheelchair drew instant outrage and accusations that MSNBC was mocking the Republican governor’s disability.

‘No class,’ remarked Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, in a tweet.

A spokesperson for MSNBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the incident from DailyMail.com on Wednesday. 

Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, led criticism of MSNBC after the network paired a graphic reading ‘Texas Two Step’ over Gov. Greg Abbott in a wheelchair

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‘And the winner for the most insensitive and profoundly stupid chyron of the year goes to…’ quipped Joe Concha, a media columnist for The Hill.

‘It’s okay because it’s a Republican,’ commented Twitter user Ryan Petty. 

‘WHAT THE HELL is this MSNBC???’another Twitter user remarked. ‘Making fun of @GregAbbott_TX because he can’t walk?’ 

‘I’ll be the 1st to criticize my Governor regarding the way he runs my state…it’s my duty & my right to do so….but this inference is wrong on so many levels,’ another remarked. 

In 1984, Abbott was out jogging when an oak tree damaged in a storm fell on him, breaking his spine and paralyzing him from the waist down. 

He was 26 at the time and a recent law school graduate, and has used a wheelchair ever since.

‘Through this experience, Governor Abbott learned that our lives aren’t defined by our challenges,’ his campaign site says about his accident. 

Others responded to Cruz with criticism over his infamous Cancun vacation

‘Instead, we define our lives by how we respond to those challenges. His triumph over tragedy shows that Governor Greg Abbott doesn’t back down from challenges, but uses his lessons in perseverance to overcome them,’ the statement says.

In 2014, the MSNBC host Mitchell apologized after referring to Abbott’s ‘supposed disability.’

The blunder came when she was interviewing Abbott’s campaign opponent Wendy Davis, whose ad showed a picture of an empty wheelchair.

‘I in no way intended to question Abbott’s disability,’ Mitchell told Talking Points Memo at the time. ‘I completely misspoke.’ 

The MSNBC segment on Tuesday that generated controversy was focused on wrangling over a bill for tough election security measures in Texas that Democrats claim will disenfranchise voters.

Abbott, seen at the 2016 World Golf Championship, has used a wheelchair since he was struck by a falling oak tree while jogging in 1984

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Democrats staged a dramatic walkout from the state Capitol just before the end of the regular legislative session Sunday night in a bid to derail the bill by breaking quorum.

Abbott has said he’ll order a special session to ultimately ensure its passage, taunting Democrats with a vow to veto the part of the budget that funds legislators’ salaries.

The governor also tweeted a reminder of the last time Texas Democrats dramatically blocked a bill: when then-state Sen. Wendy Davis talked for more than 11 consecutive hours in 2013 to filibuster a sweeping anti-abortion measure, which Republicans immediately revived and passed in a special session.

‘We all know how that story ended,’ Abbott tweeted.

Republicans hold commanding majorities in both houses of the Texas legislature, and Abbott is expected to soon call a special session to push forward on the elections bill.