Elephant's 'pee-gate' at Texas GOP convention sparks viral reactions

The video of an elephant gracing the closing ceremony of the Texas Republican convention went viral for more than one reason. The Democrats noticed that the elephant, named Paige, peed on the floor soon after Governor Greg Abbott's speech. They called it the 'perfect metaphor for the Texas Republican Party'. On social media, Indian-Americans observed how the GOP always speaks about the Indian takeover of the state and how they hate Indians briging cows to their houses for house-warming but ended up bringing an elephant to their convention.

As Paige entered the hall, an announcer asked the crowd to clear the aisles for a "larger than life surprise". It was not a surprise whatsoever. "A Texas-Sized Heads-Up: Attention Please - Today's program includes a larger-than-life surprise. Please stay aware of your surroundings, keep aisles clear, and follow directions from event staff. Y'all are in for a memorable afternoon," a poster at the convention center read.

"They just led an elephant through the @TexasGOP convention and it took a giant pee right near the press area," NYT correspondent Lauren McGaughy posted. "Governor Abbott closed out his speech at the Texas GOP convention with a live elephant. It then peed on the floor as it left the room. The perfect metaphor for the Texas Republican Party," Texas Democratic Party commented. "Republicans were complaining about Hindus bringing cows in to their homes during house warming. They brought an elephant to their convention and it left a nice puddle for them to swim in," an Indian-American entrepreneur wrote on X.

Paige is part of the East Texas Elephant Experience in Cut and Shoot, Texas, the New York Post reported. She is nine feet tall and weighs about 8,600 pounds, according to the company's website. The East Texas Elephant Experience also provides educational programs across the U.S. and has participated in studies to “help better elephants in human care,” the website reads.