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Marco Rubio trolled for wanting Joe Biden's apology over 'Neanderthal' comment: 'Now you believe in evolution'

'President Biden’s use of an old stereotype is hurtful to modern Europeans, Asians & Americans who inherit about 2% of their genes from Neanderthal ancestors,' Rubio tweeted

President Joe Biden may have used the word Neanderthal to exaggerate a point he was trying to make while speaking of the lifting of public health restrictions in the states of Texas and Mississippi on Monday, March 1. He had said, "Look, I hope everybody’s realized by now these masks make a difference. We are on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way in which we’re able to get vaccines in people’s arms... The last thing, the last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking, that, ‘In the meantime, everything’s fine. Take off your mask. Forget it.’ It still matters." This was the president's response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott stating that he will end the state's Covid-19 measures next Wednesday, March 10 and Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves who said that he would rescind mask requirements this week.

Many noticed that this was an odd and maybe even inappropriate use of the word Neanderthal whose definition quite specifically stands as, "an extinct hominid known from skeletal remains found from western Europe to central Asia that lived from about 30,000 to 200,000 years ago and had a stocky, heavily muscled build and an elongated skull with a prominent supraorbital ridge, receding forehead, and undeveloped chin." While that is the literal definition of the word, it is used figuratively when in conversation alluding to people who think with an old-fashioned perspective. Merriam-Webster says that informally, the word means "a crude or brutish person."

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Following this, Esquire came out with an article titled 'Joe Biden Owes Neanderthals an Apology' and many took to Twitter to call out Biden for the use of the word. Among those, of course, was Senator Marco Rubio who sought an apology from Biden through a tweet, but in turn received backlash from many calling him out on his hypocrisy and mocking him for "now" believing in evolution.

'Have you apologized to Biden yet?'

Rubio tweeted, "President Biden’s use of an old stereotype is hurtful to modern Europeans, Asians & Americans who inherit about 2% of their genes from Neanderthal ancestors. He should apologize for his insensitive comments and seek training on unconscious bias." In his tweet, he also added a link to a CNN article titled, 'All modern humans have Neanderthal DNA, new research finds.'

It didn't take long for Rubio to be trolled on the social media channel, with many brining up Rubio's views on evolution. "Seriously where's a Bible verse for this? NOW you believe in evolution? Pick a lane. Actually, maybe we should all be impressed that you actually believe in truth. You're silly about it, but you're admitting you DO believe in science. #NeanderthalRubio #neanderthallivesmatter," wrote one user. Another user added, "Your base is going to be pretty upset to find out you believe in evolution, Marco. I mean, it's almost like you have never been sincere abut any of it. Like in this post you're sneering at evangelicals. Or maybe you're so damn stupid you didn't mean to give away the game." Along with memes that had images of Neanderthals that say "Joe Biden has lost our vote now," people just simply stuck to ironically and sarcastically tweeting, "BREAKING: Micro Rubio believes in evolution."

With politicians invovled, there's always a grey area and so people used the fact that Rubio wanted an apology from Biden, but the Internet is also expecting one from Rubio. "Marco Rubio wants an apology from President Biden for using the term “Neanderthal.” We want an apology from Marco for his complicity in the last four years," wrote one user. Another added, "Have you apologized to Biden yet for refusing to accept his legal fair and valid election to president? For spreading the big lie about supposed "fraud" that didn't exist?" Yet anoter tweeted, "Marco Rubio didn't say SHIT when trump insulted millions of people in the past 4 years, and killed half a million through his lies and incompetence. He wants President Biden to apologize for calling 2 covidiot Governors "Neanderthals?" HELL NO."

Let's not forget, Rubio was also hastily called out as a hypocrite and questioned about his past lack of sensitivity when siding with ex president Donald Trump. One user wrote, "Are you kidding?! you are seriously saying this after 4 years of the shit donald tweeted and said?! you are an absolute HYPOCRITE!!!!" Another added, "Where were you these last 4 years when Trump was hurling insults at people on a daily basis? Trump even insulted you and called you names. Little Marco Rubio. Stop clutching your pearls Marco. Hypocrite." Yet another tweeted, "Did you say that to Trump when he called people idiots, and morons? Or did you say that when he made fun of a handicapped person? Did you say that when he said, Mexicans were drug dealers and rapists? Did you say that when he made fun of Muslim people? You are a hypocrite."