Texas Governor Greg Abbott offered a beer to a visiting TMZ reporter at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin, prompting an extended debate over whether the drink would upset the journalist’s stomach.
Jacob, TMZ’s Washington DC managing editor, had travelled to the mansion on Friday night when Abbott offered him a beer. Jacob said he was gluten-free and initially hesitated because of what were described as his “Gen Z” stomach issues.
Abbott, who suffered a catastrophic injury as a young adult, appeared amused by the reporter’s reluctance. Jacob eventually drank the beer and left satisfied.
The same situation had reportedly arisen several days earlier in Detroit with Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who was also said to have cited stomach concerns.
During the meeting, Abbott also suggested he had a potential candidate in mind to replace the White House press secretary, indicating that he was looking at Jacob.
Two hours after drinking the beer, Jacob called Harvey to complain that his stomach felt “volcanic”.
