• Sen. Joni Ernst's response to a constituent's concern about Medicaid cuts, "we all are going to die," sparked controversy.
• Ernst now has posted an apology video on Instagram, apparently filmed in a cemetery, in which she sarcastically reiterates her point.
• The senator's comments drew criticism from Democrats concerned about the potential impact of Medicaid cuts proposed in President Donald Trump's tax plan.

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst posted a sarcastic apology video following a viral moment when she told a town hall audience member that "we all are going to die" in response to concerns over Medicaid cuts.

The Iowa Republican's original comments came at a town hall in Parkersburg on Friday, May 30, while she was answering a question about cuts to Medicaid in President Donald Trump's tax package that the Senate is poised to consider. During Ernst's answer, someone in the audience interrupted her to shout, "people will die!"

Ernst replied by saying, "People are not — well, we all are going to die. For heaven’s sakes, folks."

The comment instantly drew national attention and received widespread condemnation from Democrats who have criticized the impact of the potential Medicaid cuts.

Ernst posted a video to her Instagram story Saturday where she spoke directly to camera, apparently from a cemetery.

"Hello everyone. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize for a statement that I made yesterday at my town hall," she began, before describing the incident.

"I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes, we are all going to perish from this Earth," she said. "So I apologize. And I’m really, really glad that I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well.

"But for those that would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my lord and savior, Jesus Christ," she added.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Trump's tax bill will reduce federal Medicaid spending by $723 billion over a decade and could increase the number of uninsured people by 7.6 million.

At the Parkersburg town hall, Ernst said the goal of the bill is to make sure that people who are not eligible for Medicaid benefits don't receive them.

"What you don’t want to do is listen to me when I say that we are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable," Ernst said. "Those that meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid, we will protect. We will protect them. Medicaid is extremely important here in the state of Iowa. If you don't want to listen, that's fine."

Later that day she blamed "hysteria that's out there coming from the left" for the response to her initial comments.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.