‘We Are Not Tacos’: First Lady Apologizes amid Backlash over Hispanic ‘Diversity’ Comments

First lady Jill Biden’s office issued an apology Tuesday amid backlash to her suggestion that “breakfast tacos” exemplify the diversity of Hispanic community.

Biden made the remark Monday while speaking in San Antonio at the 2022 UnidosUS Annual Conference titled “Siempre Adelante: Our Quest for Equity.” She mentioned the work of Raul Yzaguirre, the former CEO of the organization, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his civil rights advocacy.

“Raul helped build this organization with the understanding that the diversity of this community — as distinct as the [bodegas] of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami, and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio — is your strength,” Biden said, mispronouncing “bodegas,” which have been historically owned by the Hispanic community.

Biden received backlash after her comments, including from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), which asked her communications team to “take more time” to better understand the Hispanic community.

“We are not tacos. Our heritage as Latinos is shaped by various diasporas, cultures & food traditions. Do not reduce us to stereotypes,” NAHJ wrote in a statement.

Numerous Republicans issued statements criticizing Biden’s remarks.

Republican Arizona Representative Andy Biggs said her comments show why “Hispanics are fleeing the Democratic Party.”

Steve Guest, an advisor to Senator Ted Cruz, said whoever wrote the comments for Biden must have lost a bet.

“Which White House speechwriter just won a bet for getting the First Lady to say something like this?” Guest wrote.

The press secretary to the first lady issued an apology Tuesday morning, saying Biden’s words meant “pure admiration” and “love.”

“The First Lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community,” Michael LaRosa said.