Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang respond to backlash over panning Democrat Jasmine Crockett

Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang have responded to backlash over their recent remarks undermining Democratic U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett's Senate bid.

In the latest episode of their podcast Las Culturistas, Rogers, discussing the viability of different political candidates, directly told listeners not to support the Texas Democrat. "Anytime a politician is making it about themselves, I'm already done," Rogers said. "Don't waste your money sending to Jasmine Crockett. Do not do it."

"I must agree," Yang said. Rogers added that he believed Crockett, who has represented Texas's 30th congressional district since 2023, was too "well-defined" to win the election; he cited Texas State Rep. James Talarico as a lesser-known candidate who may be better poised to speak to "the middle."

The remarks sparked a sizable backlash, with critics noting how Rogers and Yang, who are not from Texas and are not political pundits, had strayed outside their lane. Many also took umbrage that they had singled out a Black woman to undermine as a candidate.

After the backlash, Rogers released a statement Saturday to Instagram Stories, in which he admitted "my phrasing was not right."

"Hey everybody. I hear the response and I am taking every bit of it to heart, I promise," Rogers said. "Transparency and candor matter to me, especially on the podcast. I'm a very progressive person who cares deeply about winning these elections, but my phrasing was not right. I will be more thoughtful! I really do promise.I have great respect and admiration for Rep. Crockett, and I regret that my words suggested otherwise. I just want us to win and I will be better at finding ways to help."

Yang, who had briefly turned off his Instagram comments due to the backlash, reposted the statement to his own Instagram Story, adding the caption, "should not have cursorily weighed in on this. understanding the platform and will use it more responsibly."