A North Carolina mother posted screenshots of what she called a “horrific” reply from Rep. Virginia Foxx to her 10-year-old son’s persuasive essay calling for a $5,000 federal rebate for new electric vehicles. Foxx thanked the student but rejected the proposal, linked to several articles critical of climate policy, and suggested the child ask his teacher to explain “propaganda,” accusing teachers of indoctrination. The mother criticized Foxx for attacking a child and teachers and raised concerns about local school funding and infrastructure.
Mother Calls Rep. Virginia Foxx’s Reply To 10-Year-Old’s EV Essay “Horrific” After Lawmaker Rebukes Child
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., on July 1, 2025.Credit: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty
A North Carolina mother shared what she described as a “horrific” response from Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) after her 10-year-old son mailed the congresswoman a fourth-grade persuasive essay arguing that the government should consider a $5,000 tax rebate for buyers of new electric vehicles.
The child, who wrote the essay as a class assignment, reportedly sent it in a school envelope that clearly identified his grade. Rep. Foxx replied, thanking him for the letter but rejecting the proposal and explaining her view that federal funds come from taxpayers. In her response, Foxx argued that a blanket rebate would effectively shift costs to “hardworking people who may not have the means to buy an electric vehicle.”
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., on April 28.Credit: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty
Foxx wrote: “What many folks do not realize is that the money that ‘comes from’ the federal government actually comes from ordinary citizens who pay taxes... you and your classmates will be responsible” for paying down the national debt. “Incidentally, please ask your teacher to explain propaganda to you,” she added, suggesting that teachers may be “too interested in indoctrinating you.”
Mango, the boy’s mother, posted screenshots of the reply to Instagram and called the tone “disrespectful, hostile, and unkind.” She said her son had researched his topic, cited facts and was proud of his schoolwork before receiving Foxx’s response. Mango’s posts argued the congresswoman crossed a line by attacking a child and denigrating teachers.
President Donald Trump greets Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., on Oct. 12, 2017 at the White House.Credit: T.J. Kirkpatrick/Bloomberg via Getty
Foxx’s reply also included links to six articles she described as critical of policies addressing climate change, citing outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, National Review and The Washington Times.
In follow-up posts, Mango questioned Foxx’s priorities and fitness for an education role, pointing to local school needs such as HVAC repairs at Page High School — a Title I school in Foxx’s District 5 where an estimated 70–80% of students qualify for free lunch. Mango asked what the congresswoman has done to help schools with basic infrastructure and funding.
Rep. Foxx, first elected to Congress in 2004, is serving her tenth term and chairs the House Rules Committee. Her official biography notes a background in education: an Ed.D. in curriculum and teaching/higher education from the University of North Carolina–Greensboro, faculty roles at community colleges and Appalachian State University, and a past presidency at Mayland Community College. Neither Mango nor Foxx immediately responded to requests for additional comment from PEOPLE.
Why the exchange drew attention: The incident has resonated with parents and educators because it involves a public official’s direct admonition to a young student and a critique of public school teachers, touching on broader debates over classroom instruction, civic engagement by young people and congressional attention to local school funding.
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