‘What is That?’: Dem governor roasted over bizarre ‘weed-wacker’ grilling photo

Virginia’s new Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger is being widely mocked for a photo of herself at a barbecue; Many on social media are expressing alarm and disgust at what appears to be some sort of chopped meat over a fire.

Running as a moderate Democrat, Spanberger was criticized for enacting radical day one policies, including ending cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and restoring diversity, equity and inclusion. But the main criticism leveled at him this week was when a photo of him smiling at the grill was shared on Thursday with the caption “Order.”

The post was immediately met with ridicule, with many comparing it to the viral photo of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, DY; In this photo, the senator could be seen smiling with several what appeared to be uncooked burger patties that already had cheese on them.

Conservative commentator Greg Price reacted to Spanberger’s photos of Schumer, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe in front of the grills with the caption, “I hope Democratic politicians never stop taking photos behind the grill.”

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Even though the new governor was wearing a black apron that read “Beef, what’s for dinner,” his post was flooded with comments asking what the strange-looking meat on the grill actually was.

“Ma’am, what is this?” reacted to independent journalist Breanna Morello.

Popular satirical account Three Year Letterman commented, “How many neighborhood cats are missing” and “arrest him.”

“Did you cut his meat with a weed cutter?” wrote Parker Thayer, a researcher at the Capital Research Center.

“What you did to that meat violates the Geneva Convention,” commented Heritage Foundation research fellow Jason Bedrick.

Another user, conservative commentator David Freeman, reacted simply: “No thanks.”

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Abigail Spanberger, governor-elect of Virginia, during the inauguration ceremony at Capitol Square in Richmond, Virginia, on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Democrat Abigail Spanberger was sworn in as governor of Virginia on Saturday, becoming the state’s first female leader. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“Virginia is in trouble,” wrote beef supplier Merriwether Farms.

Schumer received similar criticism in 2024 for a Father’s Day post that the New York Democrat eventually deleted showing the grill in his backyard.

Our family has lived in an apartment year-round, but my daughter and her husband recently bought a house with a backyard and for the first time we’re having a barbecue with hot dogs and burgers on the grill!” Schumer posted on X on Sunday. “Father’s Day Heaven!”

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Senator Chuck Schumer deleted post X. (X)

The post was immediately criticized by conservatives, who accused him of prematurely putting cheese on one of his burger patties and not knowing how to grill the burger properly.

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Cavalry co-founder Michael Duncan says, “Chuck makes cheesy E. coli.” Published on X

Spanberger’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Alec Schemmel and Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.