Republican Congresswoman brushes off video of Trump Cabinet member appearing to slap her backside
Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna brushed off a video that appears to show Trump Cabinet member Scott Turner reaching toward her backside during the Republican midterm convention.
Luna addressed the awkward moment after MeidasTouch reporter Pablo Manríquez asked her Monday whether Turner had “pat” her on the rear in Dallas.
“The internet wants to know. Did Scott Turner pat you on the b***?” Manríquez asked.
Luna says there was no contact
“Oh my goodness,” Luna said. She explained that she was already walking toward the stage to speak and didn’t notice what happened until she saw the footage afterwards.
Luna made it clear that Turner’s hand never touched her. “There was no contact,” she said.
The congresswoman then explained the viral moment, saying, “I think that he’s obviously a former football player, and maybe went for a high-five. I don’t know.”
The footage shows Turner walking away from the stage as Luna approaches. As they pass one another, he extends a hand downward in her direction.
Luna said she did not see the interaction in real time.
Scott Turner’s NFL background comes up
Turner’s football career became part of Luna’s explanation for what viewers saw.
The HUD (Housing and Urban Development) secretary played nine seasons in the NFL as a cornerback. His teams were the Washington Commanders, the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos.
Turner later moved into politics and government, serving as a Texas State Representative and later leading the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council before being confirmed as the 19th U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Trump administration.
Luna referenced that background when suggesting the movement could have been an awkward attempt at a high-five.
The video quickly drew attention online
The brief exchange became a talking point online after footage from the convention circulated.
The Bulwark’s Sam Stein reacted to the clip and joked that Turner looked as though he was about to “slap her a**.”
“He almost got into some serious trouble there,” Stein said while discussing the footage.
Stein then watched the video clip again in slow motion and concluded it did not look like Turner had been reaching for a conventional greeting.
“No, he did not go for a handshake,” he said.
Luna was heading to speak when it happened
The moment took place during President Donald Trump‘s two-day Republican midterm convention in Dallas.
By the time she was asked about it, the footage had already circulated widely online.
Luna did not accuse Turner of intentionally trying to touch her.