'You elected a reality TV star': Marco Rubio roasted after criticising DNC for choosing Eva Longoria as host

Eva Longoria has a long history of political activism

Republican senator Marco Rubio has been widely mocked on social media after he criticised Democrats for choosing Eva Longoria to host the party’s national convention.

The actress, who has a long history of political activism, kicked off proceedings on day one of the convention, which concluded with a speech from former first lady Michelle Obama.

Ms Longoria, who spoke at the 2016 convention in Philadelphia, acted as emcee for the unique event which had been forced to forgo the typical large gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic. Actresses Kerry Washington, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Tracee Ellis Ross will host over the next three nights.

“Brilliant move!” Mr Rubio tweeted sarcastically, in response to Longoria’s appearance.

“No one is more in touch with the challenges & obstacles faced by everyday Americans than actors & celebrities,” the Florida senator added.

Both prominent figures and ordinary Twitter users were quick to point out to Senator Rubio that the current occupant of the White House had a lengthy stint as a reality TV star.

Others alluded to the fact that celebrities had spoken at previous GOP conventions. This year’s Republican convention is set to take place next week.

“Cuz Trumps & Kushners are so in-touch w/challenges & obstacles of everyday Americans,” tweeted Republican strategist and political commentator, Ana Navarro-Cárdenas, in a scathing rebuke.

“Unlike Trump, @EvaLongoria is self-made. She didn’t get millions in bail-outs from her daddy,” she added. “Unlike you, she doesn’t remain in complicit silence while our community is demonized.”

Responding to Rubio’s post, one Twitter user said: “Dude, you literally spoke right after Clint Eastwood at the 2012 Republican convention.

“How could you forget that? He spoke to a f***g empty chair. Nobody remembers what you said, though.”

Another simply wrote: “Not now, Marco, the grownups are talking”.

“You literally elected a Reality TV star to be the President,” another tweeted.

Fred Guttenberg, a gun control activist whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime was murdered in the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Florida in 2018, wrote: “Shame on you. I am involved in this convention but not an actor or celebrity.

“My daughter was murdered in the state you represent because of the gun violence you fail to address. This convention represents me & all others wanting leadership. Real Americans.”

Monday night’s event ended with an emotional speech by Michelle Obama. The former first lady launched a blistering attack on Trump in her pre-recorded speech.

Ms Obama, along with her husband, had until recently avoided criticising Trump by name in public.

She accused the president of “faking” his way through the presidency, adding that Mr Trump was the “wrong president for our country”.

“He is in over his head. He cannot meet the moment ... It is what it is,” she added. “He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head.”

The virtual DNC will continue on Tuesday evening and include speeches from former president Bill Clinton and New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.