House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), who is running for re-election with the endorsement of President Trump, is being criticized for giving gifts — personalized hockey jerseys — to his Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives, as seen in the video below.
Emmer wrote: “Great moments and great opportunities for this country wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of every one of our House Republican teammates!” The jerseys, which read “Team Emmer USA,” were presented in “Team Emmer” gift boxes.
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) said he plans to hang the jersey on the wall of his office. Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) said she “loved it,” and Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) said, “That’s awesome.”
This morning, Tom Emmer lied to the 6th District about the price of ground beef.
Hours later, he’s giving away tens of thousands of dollars of custom hockey jerseys (in Whip-branded gift boxes) to his House GOP colleagues before they flee town tonight to avoid the Hegseth… https://t.co/u2vJtXaaoT
— Doug Chapin for Congress (@ChapinForMN6) September 16, 2026
Emmer’s Democratic–Farmer–Labor opponent, Doug Chapin, responded to the video on social media: “This morning, Tom Emmer lied to the 6th District about the price of ground beef. Hours later, he’s giving away tens of thousands of dollars of custom hockey jerseys (in Whip-branded gift boxes) to his House GOP colleagues before they flee town tonight to avoid the Hegseth impeachment vote. (Sure hope those weren’t paid for with taxpayer funds.) I would say ‘read the room’ but he’s never in it. 48 days until Election Day.”
Emmer’s post did not identify who paid for the jerseys.
[NOTE: Emmer told Fox Business earlier this week, “Eggs are at pre-pandemic prices. Ah, beef is at, ah, less than $2 a pound for ground beef.” According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average U.S. price for a pound of 100% ground beef is $6.92.]
Emmer says Republicans need to talk more about grocery prices that aren’t expensive: “Eggs are at pre-pandemic prices. Ah, beef is at, ah, less than $2 a pound for ground beef … I think we have a lot to run on.” pic.twitter.com/AsQxgl9OJA
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 16, 2026