Senator Chuck Schumer got attention for all the wrong reasons during remarks about President Donald Trump’s federal loan freeze.

In an unfortunate choice of words, the Senate Minority Leader complained that the federal grant freeze had “aroused” many Americans, setting off social media reactions that expressed shock and disgust.

The major gaffe occurred during Schumer’s press conference on a memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget which was later rescinded.

.@SenSchumer at news conference: “People are aroused. I haven’t seen people so aroused in a very, very long time.” pic.twitter.com/iHosSV4tua

— Jeremy Art (@cspanJeremy) January 29, 2025

“You talk about these different organizations and people in New York reaching out to you, and you’ve encouraged them to obviously keep up this effort and to possibly contact the president in any way, shape, or form,” a reporter asked the senator. “But do you realistically think that the president is going to listen to many of these people in upstate New York who are struggling?”

“The roots of democracy are deep. And what we’re saying is, go to your local official, your local congressman, your local senator, and have them get to the president,” Schumer replied. “But the roots of democracy are deep.”

“People are aroused. I haven’t seen people so aroused in a very, very long time in terms of going, trying to get this done,” Schumer added.

The poor word choice left many X users aghast and triggered reminders about the 74-year-old senator’s slip of the tongue back in 2021 when he accused Trump of having “incited the erection” at the US Capitol on January 6.

Chuck Schumer just now: “Senators will have to decide if they believe Donald John Trump incited the ERECTION” pic.twitter.com/2eu7xlw097

— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) January 22, 2021

Not only did X users have a visceral reaction to Schiumer’s use of the word “aroused,” they also found Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray’s expression very entertaining.

Very pic.twitter.com/RF2wX4frcQ

— Pearl (@USAPippa) January 29, 2025

@PattyMurray is thinking, what did he just say!

— Barbara P (@barbarapagem) January 29, 2025

“One of the words Chuck Schumer should NEVER utter is ‘aroused,'” noted columnist Brad Slager on X.

“Calm down, Chuck,” one user posted.

“Nobody wants to hear you say that word. Ever again,” posted another.

Gross

— Tmaze formally Change is Happening (@Tmaze74) January 30, 2025

I think someone needs to write a law and put it to a vote that says Schumer isn’t allowed to say “aroused”.

— cenk_uygur’s_car_bumper (@mollyd36912) January 30, 2025

And they said it was Gaza that was going to receive 50 million dollars for condoms

— Eddie Flynn (@EddieFlynnJr) January 29, 2025

pic.twitter.com/vqlFe4hUAy

— MoneyPenny700 (@MoneyPenny700) January 29, 2025

Democrats are about to accuse Trump of causing an erection again.

— Devon Gardner (@DevonRGardner) January 29, 2025

Eww!

— InstructorJohn (O-Ga) (@jej117) January 29, 2025

I need a cigarette.

— Evets (@Evets94343955) January 29, 2025

• About
• Latest Posts

Frieda Powers

Senior Staff Writer
Frieda@bizpacreview.com

Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

Latest posts by Frieda Powers (see all)

• 221 DEAD people received federal housing aid in Colorado— Trump admin. demands answers - December 18, 2025
• Cruise Line official pushes back on ‘nonsense’ drink package limit - December 18, 2025
• Border Patrol Chief and progressive mayor clash during street confrontation - December 18, 2025

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.