Valentina Gomez Sparks Outrage with Quran-Burning Video

Austin, Texas, August 26, 2025 - Texas Republican congressional candidate Valentina Gomez ignited a firestorm of criticism after posting a viral video on social media showing her burning a copy of the Quran. The footage, shared on X with the caption “I will end Islam in Texas so help me God,” drew swift condemnation from political leaders, civil rights organizations, and advocacy groups nationwide.

In the video, Gomez is seen setting the Islamic holy book ablaze while declaring her intent to eradicate Islam from the state. Within hours, the post amassed thousands of comments and shares, prompting the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) to denounce the act as “dangerous rhetoric that undermines religious freedom” and call for an official investigation into potential hate-crime violations.

This incident marks the latest in a string of provocative stunts by the 26-year-old candidate. In May 2025, Gomez interrupted Texas Muslim Capitol Day at the state legislature, grabbing a microphone during a civic engagement event and proclaiming, “Islam has no place in Texas. Help me to Congress so we can end the Islamisation of America. I only fear God.” Security personnel removed her from the premises after the disruption.

Gomez’s campaign has previously courted controversy with inflammatory videos targeting immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community. Last December, she released footage depicting a mock execution of an undocumented migrant and called for “public executions” of undocumented individuals accused of violent crimes. More recently, she filmed herself burning LGBTQ+ literature and vowed to ban such material if elected.

Born in Medellín, Colombia, on May 8, 1999, Gomez moved to the United States in 2009 and worked as a real estate investor before entering politics. Despite an unsuccessful run for Missouri Secretary of State in 2024, she has continued to build her profile online with incendiary content and far-right rhetoric.

As the backlash intensifies, campaign strategists and Texas GOP officials face pressure to distance themselves from Gomez’s divisive tactics or risk alienating moderate voters ahead of the November election. Civil rights advocates warn that unchecked hate speech could further embolden extremist movements and undermine social cohesion across the state.