Cindy Hyde-Smith just launched her most baseless attack to date against her opponent. According to the Clarion Ledger, Hyde-Smith was caught on tape at a campaign event last month discussing a 2023 shooting outside her home, and implied that her opponent and his supporters were involved in the shooting, even though he did not enter the Senate race until two years after the incident.
“And with this campaign going on, my opponent, he has got his hands in so many different places. We have to be very careful,” said Hyde-Smith when discussing the shooting. She then went on to say that her opponent’s supporters are “getting caught up in it.” Charles Taylor, the executive director of the Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP, called the remarks “appalling” and said that Hyde-Smith is “potentially suggesting she’s afraid of Black Mississippians.”
“Cindy Hyde-Smith will do anything to distract from the fact that she is failing Mississippians, including insinuating that her opponent and his supporters tried to have her shot,” said American Bridge 21st Century Spokesperson Gus Nathanson. “It’s shocking that a U.S. senator would make such a baseless, inflammatory accusation about her constituents.”
Read the full transcript of Hyde-Smith’s remarks below:
Hyde-Smith: That’s right, you said I need a bodyguard?
Guest 1: You said they got that guy came by.
Hyde-Smith: Oh yeah, the guy who shot at us.
Guest 2: Somebody shot at you? Oh my god.
Hyde-Smith: But he’s in prison where he belongs. Yeah. It’s just, a lot comes with this job people don’t know about.
Guest 2: Yeah, I bet. I bet. Oh my god.
Hyde-Smith: It’s just crazy.
Guest 2: It is very crazy.
Hyde-Smith: And with this campaign going on, my opponent, he has got his hands in so many different places. We have to be very careful.
Guest 2: You mean, do you think he’s, like, hiring people to-?
Hyde-Smith: People are just crazy out there. Maybe not him doing it, they’re just supporting him and they get caught up in it.
Guest 2: Right. Well, I’m glad you’re OK.
Published: Sep 14, 2026