Virginia Governor's Grilling Photo Sparks Backlash

Spanberger's social media post draws comparisons to Schumer's 'E. coli burger' photo

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Virginia's new Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger is facing widespread mockery and criticism on social media over a photo she posted of herself smiling over a grill, with many comparing the strange-looking meat to a previous viral photo of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's questionable grilling skills.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the political pitfalls of politicians attempting to portray themselves as relatable by posting casual photos, especially when it comes to something as universal as grilling. It also draws attention to the growing trend of social media users quickly pouncing on and mocking any perceived missteps by public figures.

The details

In the photo, Spanberger is wearing a black apron that says 'Beef, it's what's for dinner,' but the meat on her grill appears to be shredded or ground in an unusual way, prompting many social media users to express alarm and disgust. The post was immediately flooded with comments questioning what exactly she was cooking. The incident comes after Spanberger, who ran as a moderate Democrat, has faced criticism for enacting more progressive policies since taking office.

  • Spanberger posted the photo on Thursday, February 13, 2026.
  • In 2024, a similar incident occurred when Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted a photo of himself grilling burgers that were criticized for appearing undercooked.

The players

Abigail Spanberger

The new Democratic Governor of Virginia who is facing backlash over a photo of her grilling.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader whose previous photo of himself grilling burgers also drew criticism.

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What they’re saying

“Ma'am, what is that?”

— Breanna Morello, Independent journalist (Twitter)

“How many neighborhood cats are missing”

— Three Year Letterman, Satirical account (Twitter)

“Did you cut your meat with a weed wacker?”

— Parker Thayer, Researcher, Capital Research Center (Twitter)

“What you did to that meat violates the Geneva Convention.”

— Jason Bedrick, Research fellow, Heritage Foundation (Twitter)

“No thanks.”

— David Freeman, Conservative commentator (Twitter)

What’s next

The incident is likely to continue generating discussion and mockery on social media, though it remains to be seen if it will have any lasting political impact on Governor Spanberger.

The takeaway

This episode highlights the risks politicians face when trying to portray themselves as relatable through casual social media posts, as even minor missteps can quickly spiral into viral controversies that distract from their policy agendas.