Steve Cohen, a longstanding member of the U.S. Congress representing Tennessee’s 9th district, recently shared a series of statements on social media. Cohen, who has served in Congress since 2007 and previously held a position in the Tennessee Senate from 1983 to 2003, expressed his views on local issues and national figures.
On February 11, 2025, Cohen highlighted a local business in Memphis that he described as “Memphis‘s best taco spot.” He emphasized his hope for the business’s continued operation amidst immigration enforcement actions, stating that they are not targeting “murders rapist and pedophiles nor violent criminals who we were told Ice was after.” “Memphis‘s best taco spot. A jewel in Midtown . I hope these people are allowed to stay and continue their peaceful work which is enjoyed by thousands. Apparently not murders rapist and pedophiles nor violent criminals who we were told Ice was after.”
The following day, on February 12, Cohen critiqued Elon Musk’s approach to government programs. He contrasted Musk’s methods with those of a more precise strategy, saying: “Some say Elon Musk is a genius. He is using a sledgehammer to cut government programs. A genius would use a scalpel. A gorilla would use a sledgehammer.” Cohen invited followers to watch his remarks further through an online link. “Some say Elon Musk is a genius. He is using a sledgehammer to cut government programs. A genius would use a scalpel. A gorilla would use a sledgehammer.”
Later that day, Cohen addressed misinformation attributed to former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk regarding various financial allocations purportedly supported by Congress. He refuted claims about funding for projects such as “$3B for a football stadium,” “40% pay raise for Congress,” and “$50M for Hamas condoms,” labeling them as falsehoods used recklessly for justification purposes. “Trump and Elon Musk keep making things up. $3B for a football stadium? False.
40% pay raise for Congress? False.
$50M for Hamas condoms? False. Not even on the right continent.
This isn’t just ignorance—it’s reckless disinformation, and they’re using it to justify…”
