Before the rallies, before the campaign speeches, before the pursuit of a congressional seat, award-winning Tejano musician Bobby Pulido made a startling, defiant statement. Nearly a decade ago, he filmed himself deliberately defacing the Hollywood Walk of Fame star belonging to former President Donald Trump – a moment now resurfacing as he challenges for a place in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The original video, shared on Instagram, showed Pulido urinating on Trump’s plaque, accompanied by a blunt caption: "when you gotta go, you gotta go." This act, seemingly at odds with his current presentation as a bipartisan candidate, reveals a history of outspoken protest against the former president and the Republican party.
Pulido is a celebrated figure in Tejano music, known for hits like "Desvelado" and "Se Murió de Amor." His talent has been recognized with five Latin Grammy nominations, culminating in wins for Best Tejano Album in both 2022 and 2025. In 2024, he made a dramatic shift, announcing his intention to leave music and enter the world of politics.
He is now running for Congress in Texas’ 15th district, directly challenging incumbent Republican Monica De La Cruz. De La Cruz secured her seat in 2024 with a significant victory, garnering 57.1% of the vote against Democratic nominee Michelle Vallejo. The district represents a key battleground in South Texas.
Pulido’s campaign launch video presented a different image – one of a son of South Texas, deeply connected to his roots. “You may know me as Bobby Pulido the singer,” he stated, “I am José Roberto Pulido Jr., the son of a migrant farmworker and 100% South Texas Tejano.” He positioned himself as a unifying force, declaring, “I’m not team red or team blue. South Texas, I’m team you.”
Democrats actively sought Pulido as a candidate, recognizing his potential appeal in the region. His initial fundraising efforts have been promising, with his campaign reporting $306,000 raised in the current election cycle. This financial backing underscores the party’s investment in his candidacy.
Since announcing his run for office, Pulido has quietly removed several provocative posts from his social media accounts, including the video of the incident at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This digital scrubbing suggests a strategic effort to reshape his public image. A report on the incident originally published by Univision has also been removed from their website, though archived versions remain accessible.
The Trump star incident wasn’t an isolated event. Earlier in 2025, Pulido drew criticism, even from within his own party, for appearing in a costume depicting a bloodied version of Trump. These actions demonstrate a willingness to engage in highly visible and controversial forms of protest.
Looking further back, a 2016 post on X (formerly Twitter) revealed Pulido’s political leanings through a map of Texas voting results, labeling areas that voted “Blue” as “smart” and those that voted “Red” as “neck.” This stark division highlighted his strong opinions on the state’s political landscape.
Even his family life became intertwined with his political views. In 2018, he sent a text message to his son, playfully threatening to withhold his inheritance if he didn’t vote for Democratic Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke, adding a winking emoji to the message. These personal glimpses reveal a deeply held commitment to his political beliefs.
Pulido’s campaign has remained silent when asked for comment regarding these past actions, leaving voters to reconcile the image of the award-winning musician with the history of pointed political statements. The contrast raises questions about the authenticity of his current bipartisan message and the motivations behind his entry into the political arena.
