Nearly ten years after Tejano music star Bobby Pulido recorded an infamous moment involving Donald Trump’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star, this controversial video has resurfaced during his congressional campaign in South Texas. The clip, originally shared on Instagram in 2016, shows Pulido urinating on the star with the caption, “When you gotta go, you gotta go.” Now, as Pulido runs against Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz in Texas’ 15th Congressional District, critics are using this video to challenge his judgment and conduct.
The environment surrounding Pulido’s campaign is deeply polarized. The resurfacing of the video has reignited discussions of partisanship, drawing attention from both conservative commentators and potential voters. A viral tweet encapsulated the sentiment: “So Trump called them ‘garbage.’ And in response, they engage in garbage behavior. Trump is right about everything.” This backlash illustrates the hurdles Pulido faces as he tries to position himself as a unifying figure.
Pulido has attempted to present himself as a candidate for all of South Texas. “You may know me as Bobby Pulido the singer… I won’t stand by and watch the South Texas that raised me be torn down and divided,” he stated during his campaign announcement. Despite claiming to transcend party lines—declaring, “I’m not team red or team blue. South Texas, I’m team you”—his earlier actions complicate this narrative.
The urination video is just one event in a series of past behaviors that raise questions about Pulido’s political identity. Dressing in a blood-stained Trump costume for Halloween, mocking conservatives, and encouraging his son to vote for Beto O’Rourke further obscure his message of unity. Such behavior has led him to scrub his social media accounts, but remnants of his controversial past remain in circulation, potentially undermining his campaign.
Despite these challenges, Pulido’s fundraising efforts have been robust. In the third quarter of 2025, he raised over $306,000, signaling strong support from Democrats eager to reclaim a district that has swung toward Republican candidates in recent years. After Rep. Monica De La Cruz’s victory in 2024, the stakes are high as both parties vie for control.
The district itself has shifted politically, with Trump performing better than expected in Hispanic-majority counties during the last election cycle. As South Texas grows more competitive, Pulido’s past bravado could alienate voters looking for respect for working-class values. The disrespectful tone of the urination video resonates poorly with those who view it as an affront to the very people he hopes to represent.
Commenting on this dynamic, a local precinct chair in Hidalgo County remarked, “It’s not just immature. It shows a deep disrespect for people who supported President Trump—and that’s a growing number here.” This sentiment reflects the broader disillusionment among constituents who want practical solutions rather than cultural spectacles.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame, where Pulido’s stunt occurred, has been a site of political protest against Trump, but now it is part of a larger narrative surrounding a candidate for federal office. Political analysts suggest that while Pulido’s celebrity status might attract attention, his past antics could hinder his appeal, especially considering the real issues facing voters—jobs, immigration, and border security. “I’m not sure a viral video from Los Angeles helps with any of that,” said a political science professor from the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley.
Pulido has attempted to redirect focus to his campaign’s core message but has yet to engage directly with the controversy surrounding the video. His campaign declined to comment on the footage’s deletion or provide clarification on the matter.
Rep. De La Cruz, on the other hand, has maintained a strategic silence regarding Pulido’s past, likely aiming to reinforce her narrative of common-sense leadership and cultural respect. Her constituents, a mix of suburban and rural communities, are increasingly dismayed by theatrics and instead seek pragmatic answers to pressing issues.
As the 2024 election approaches, Texas’ 15th District serves as a critical battleground for both parties. The upcoming election will likely reflect whether Pulido’s star power and fundraising can counterbalance the negative perceptions surrounding his past.
Ultimately, the turbulence of this race highlights a wider trend in American politics, where personal theatrics often overshadow serious discussion of policy. As voters assess candidates, they might wonder whether past behaviors should determine a candidate’s qualifications or become just another skirmish in an ongoing culture war. Whether Pulido can navigate this scrutiny remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: a decade-old protest is reshaping the landscape of a critical election cycle.
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