D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is getting a taste of controversy after slamming mumbo sauce. One person said the comments will cost the mayor the young vote. Another questioned if a mayor could be impeached. And one said you can’t trust someone from DC who doesn’t like mumbo sauce on their chicken. News4’s Derrick Ward reports.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is causing an uproar after she dissed a District staple — mumbo sauce.
Bowser posted on Facebook on Tuesday that she's "annoyed" by the sweet, sticky sauce.
"I wish people would stop suggesting that it is quintessential DC. I’m just saying I was a full grown woman before I had heard of mumbo sauce! So there, I’ve said it," her post read.
But many District residents argue it's pure D.C.
Mumbo sauce, also called mambo sauce, is as synonymous with the District as half-smokes and Ben's Chili Bowl chili. The sauce is often used at local carryouts with chicken wings and other deep-fried delights.
"Next term DC should vote Mumbo sauce for mayor over you," one critic said on Bowser's Facebook post.
Another commenter wrote, "Hi Facebook, how do you delete someone else’s post."
But a few commenters did come to the mayor's defense.
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"Loved it as a kid. Even had a sense of pride that it was a DC thing like Go Go. I wouldn’t touch it now. Not a healthy condiment," one woman wrote.
Another person wrote, "The Mayor’s comments about mumbo sauce recognizes there is no ONE lived Black experience. #IStandWithMuriel."
Since it was published, the post has been shared more than 900 times and garnered over 900 comments.
After much fury, a spokesperson for the mayor said Bowser was just trying to spark up an interesting Thanksgiving conversation.
"The Mayor wanted to provide DC residents something to discuss on Thanksgiving beyond the midterm elections, backup quarterbacks and holiday shopping deals. All may participate in the debate; however, DC residents must lead the mumbo sauce portion," the statement released Wednesday read.
Bowser's comments may call to mind failed New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon's bagel order, which horrified people in New York and beyond. In September, ahead of the election, the activist and "Sex and the City" star was caught on video ordering a cinnamon raisin bagel topped with lox, red onions, capers, tomato and cream cheese.
"Can you impeach someone who hasn't been elected?" one critic of Nixon asked on Twitter.
