Wisconsin Lawmakers Rank High in F-Word Usage on Social Media

Reps. Derrick Van Orden and Mark Pocan among top Congressional users of expletive

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:04am

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An abstract, fragmented painting of two figures in motion, their words and actions repeated in overlapping geometric shapes and bursts of vibrant color, conveying the heated, confrontational nature of political discourse.The combative dynamic between two Wisconsin lawmakers contributes to their ranking among the top Congressional users of profanity on social media.Madison Today

According to a new analysis by the New York Times, Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan are the second and third highest users of the F-word on social media among governors and members of Congress, with only Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego using the expletive more often.

Why it matters

The frequent use of profanity by elected officials on social media platforms has become a point of contention, with some viewing it as unprofessional and unbecoming of public servants, while others see it as a reflection of authenticity and relatability. This analysis sheds light on the communication styles of Van Orden and Pocan, whose combative dynamic on social media may contribute to their high rankings.

The details

According to the New York Times review, Van Orden has used the F-word 35 times in posts on X over the last six years, while Pocan has used it 30 times. The two Wisconsin lawmakers are not friendly and often take shots at each other on the social media platform, with some of their criticism turning personal.

  • The New York Times analysis was published on April 10, 2026.

The players

Derrick Van Orden

Republican U.S. Representative from Wisconsin and the second highest user of the F-word on social media among governors and members of Congress.

Mark Pocan

Democratic U.S. Representative from Wisconsin and the third highest user of the F-word on social media among governors and members of Congress.

Ruben Gallego

Democratic U.S. Senator from Arizona and the highest user of the F-word on social media among governors and members of Congress.

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What they’re saying

“I feel like I am underperforming.”

— Derrick Van Orden

“Alright!”

— Mark Pocan

The takeaway

The frequent use of profanity by elected officials on social media platforms has become a point of contention, with some viewing it as unprofessional and unbecoming of public servants, while others see it as a reflection of authenticity and relatability. This analysis sheds light on the communication styles of Van Orden and Pocan, whose combative dynamic on social media may contribute to their high rankings.