‘Not a good look’: Internet outraged as Missouri GOP candidate Valentina Gomez burns LGBTQ books with flamethrower in viral video

SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI: A video posted by Missouri Secretary of State candidate Valentina Gomez showing her using a flamethrower to burn books about LGBTQ issues has prompted outrage online, as per New York Post.

The 24-year-old Republican shared the inflammatory footage on Tuesday, February 6, on social media in an attempt to bolster her platform of banning books from schools and libraries that she claims are trying to "groom" children. However, her extreme tactics have been met with widespread criticism from social media users.

Rap music plays as Valentina Gomez aims flamethrower at stack of books

In the video, intense rap music plays in the background as Gomez aims a flamethrower at a stack of books from a Missouri public library. "This is what I will do to grooming books when I become Secretary of State," she declares.

After torching two books focused on providing sexual education and support for LGBTQ teens, Gomez ominously adds while holding a large gun, "These books come from a Missouri Public Library. When I am in office, they will burn."

The books Gomez burned were 'Naked: Not Your Average Sex Encyclopedia' and 'Queer, 2nd Edition: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens.'

The former title aims to provide comprehensive and judgement-free information about sexuality to equip teens to make healthy choices. The latter is geared at supporting queer youth through education and community building.

By destroying these books, Gomez invoked images of oppressive regimes like Nazi Germany which held public book burnings in the 1930s of works they deemed "un-German".

Valentina Gomez's flamethrower stunt pushes GOP stance to extreme

Gomez’s intense demonstration comes as Republican leaders across the country have increasingly sought to ban books about race, gender, and sexuality from schools and libraries. Over 1,600 books were banned during the 2021-2022 school year alone, over half of which contained LGBTQ+ themes.

While states like Florida and Iowa have instituted measures aimed at restricting classroom discussions and library offerings related to gender and sexuality, Gomez’s book-burning tactic takes this national position to an alarming extreme.

Valentina Gomez's flamethrower video receives overwhelming pushback on social media

Following the revelation of Gomez's controversial video, the Internet quickly became a hotbed of condemnation.

One X user weighed in, stating, "Not a good look. Even for Missouri. Rethink your strategy."

Another user took a more direct approach, labeling Gomez as an "attention-seeking clown".

A third individual questioned the appropriateness of Gomez's approach, commenting, "I’m not sure 'if I elected I will burn books' is really the flex that you think it is."

A pointed observation came from another commentator who remarked, "It's always a competition in MAGA to see who can be the most vile."

A fifth user adopted a more serious tone, advising Gomez, "You really should seek professional help."

Concluding the series of reactions, a sixth user declared, "Book burners are NEVER on the right side of history."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.