California GOP Governor Candidate Sparks Outrage Using Auschwitz in Policy Post

Kyle Langford, a Republican candidate for governor of California, has sparked widespread outrage after posting a photo of himself superimposed on the Auschwitz concentration camp entrance with the caption "My 0% Unemployment Plan." The Auschwitz Memorial condemned the post as a "profound moral failure" and an affront to the dignity of the victims, emphasizing that Auschwitz is not a prop for political messaging. Langford doubled down on his remarks, stating he "wasn't joking" and believes his approach is needed to stabilize California and keep people safe, even thanking the Auschwitz Memorial sarcastically by saying his "German ancestors smile upon me." His previous social media posts have also included inflammatory comments about Jewish people, including urging them to convert to Catholicism and abandon the state of Israel. Despite the backlash, Langford continues to defend his statements, while polling shows he is trailing significantly behind other gubernatorial candidates. The controversy highlights the insensitivity and disregard for historical atrocities in Langford's political messaging as he campaigns in a heavily Democratic state.