Rep. Dave Min criticized over since-deleted X post about 'Putin-Trump relationship'

Kaitlyn Schallhorn, The Orange County Register on Aug 18, 2025

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U.S. Rep. Dave Min faced criticism over the weekend for a since-deleted X post that appeared to use a joke about same-sex couples to criticize recent world events.

The X post, shared Saturday morning, included a link to The New York Times’ live updates of the meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

Min, a California Democrat, captioned the post with commentary that seemed to be a joke about the “Putin-Trump relationship” dynamics, using a term that often describes a member of a same-sex relationship.

A spokesperson for Min declined to comment when reached Monday morning.

The post, which was deleted by Sunday morning, drew backlash on social media, including accusations that it was “homophobic” and “unprofessional.” Much of the online criticism stemmed from Republicans and GOP-aligned groups.

“In the year 2025, the congressman representing Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Seal Beach woke up and decided that his contribution to society would be a crude and derogatory gay joke,” said Will O’Neill, chair of the Orange County Republican Party.

Log Cabin Republicans of Los Angeles, a group that advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Republican Party and for LGBTQ+ Republicans in the broader community, shared a screenshot of the post, saying, “I thought you (were) the party of inclusivity and kindness. But I guess homophobic jokes are ok to use as long as it’s directed at your opponents.”

Min has been active on X since that post, on both his official congressional account and personal one, criticizing Trump for killing clean energy projects and sharing photos of his visits with local Democratic clubs in Irvine over the weekend.

He also shared another article about the meeting between Trump and Putin to X about an hour after that criticized one, this one from the Washington Post, captioning it: “Horrifying and such a terrible capitulation to evil. What did Trump and Putin discuss when they were alone in the belly of the Beast (the name used for the Presidential limo)?”

Meanwhile, Trump — who is known for his at times offensive remarks and social media posts as well — is meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday.

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