Ben Tracy was hired as a personal aide to Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner but was fired the same day after offensive tweets from his past surfaced. The posts included racist comments, homophobic slurs, and crude language. His account was made private, but screenshots had already circulated. The incident raised concerns about the administration’s vetting process during a time of staff changes.
Rauner Aide Fired on First Day Over Offensive and Discriminatory Tweets
Ben Tracy, newly appointed to serve as Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner’s personal aide or “body man,” was fired on his first day after a disturbing pattern of offensive social media posts came to light. Tracy, whose role involved traveling closely with the governor and managing daily scheduling duties, was dismissed Monday after his tweets—some dating back to 2012 and 2013—were flagged by observers and obtained by reporters.
Among the most alarming tweets were those containing racially charged, homophobic, and sexually explicit language. In one tweet, Tracy wrote, “I’d f— her teeth straight.” In another, he targeted Indian students in a library, tweeting: “To the Indian people in the library: SHUT THE F— UP!” Other tweets showed him repeatedly using homophobic slurs, including one where he replied to a user, “I bet you liked that #fag,” after they described a traumatic experience. Several of his posts used the slur “faggot” in a derogatory manner.
One widely circulated tweet commented on political violence, referencing Montana congressional candidate Greg Gianforte’s assault on a reporter in 2017: “Maybe body slamming reporters is the winning formula for republicans in IL?” Tracy’s account was later set to private, but screenshots of the tweets were already circulating online, including by an account named @RadicalCandorIL.
Tracy did not respond to media requests for comment. His hiring and abrupt firing have sparked criticism over the breakdown in the vetting process during a volatile period in Rauner’s administration.
Laurel Patrick, Rauner’s newly appointed director of communications, confirmed the dismissal, stating, “These tweets are unacceptable. The individual in question is no longer an employee of our administration.”
The hiring process for such a close and visible role is typically rigorous. Former administration staffers expressed concern that proper protocols were not followed, especially amid recent upheaval in Rauner’s office. Just days earlier, the governor had conducted a sweeping staff shake-up, dismissing top aides, including his chief of staff and several deputies, following a veto override in the legislature. The dismissals reportedly triggered a wave of resignations, including key policy staff, digital team members, and the Washington, D.C. liaison.
A former administration official noted that, prior to these changes, all political appointees were thoroughly vetted, including their social media activity. For a position as close to the governor as Tracy’s, the final decision would have required Rauner’s personal approval. The failure to catch these tweets before hiring has raised further questions about the governor’s current staffing strategy and the influence of outside organizations like the Illinois Policy Institute on internal decisions.
1. Slur-Infused Response to a Traumatic Tweet
📅 March 25, 2013
“I bet you liked that #fag”
Tracy responded to someone’s post referencing a traumatic experience with a slur, using dehumanizing and offensive language. The post displays hostility and insensitivity toward LGBTQ+ individuals.
2. Crude Emoji Comment
📅 December 3, 2012
“Face ⬇ ass ⬆”
This tweet contains crude sexual innuendo and reflects poor judgment. Posting content like this publicly is inappropriate, especially for someone seeking or holding a professional role. It contributes to the overall pattern of unacceptable and immature behavior in Tracy’s online history.
3. Homophobic Insult Directed at Another User
📅 January 2, 2013
“no he’s a faggot”
This tweet uses an explicit homophobic slur to insult someone, which is offensive and unacceptable. Language like this promotes hate and intolerance and has no place in any public or private setting. It reflects a serious lack of judgment and adds to the pattern of discriminatory behavior in Tracy’s posts.
4. Complaint Followed by a Slur
📅 October 16, 2012
“he sent me one text. Then didnt text back. What a #faggot”
This tweet contains a homophobic slur used casually over a minor complaint. Using such language in any context is offensive and unacceptable. It reflects a disregard for respectful communication and shows a pattern of inappropriate behavior in Tracy’s online history.
5. Casual Homophobia Disguised as a Joke
📅 October 12, 2012
“you stole that from me homo..it’s ok cuz I love you bunzy”
This tweet includes a homophobic slur, even though it was framed as a joke. Using discriminatory language in any context is inappropriate. It shows how casually offensive terms were used in Tracy’s tweets, which is unacceptable and contributes to a harmful tone.
6. Racist Tweet Targeting Indian Students
📅 November 3, 2013
“To the Indian people in the library: SHUT THE FUCK UP”
This is an explicitly racist tweet targeting a specific ethnic group. It is offensive, disrespectful, and unacceptable. Publicly directing this kind of hostility at any group reflects serious judgment issues and reinforces harmful stereotypes.
7. Racially Insensitive Comment About a Movie Scene
📅 June 8, 2013
“There is a black dude and white girl on a date in this movie..white girls mom came along..haha not racist just funny”
This tweet makes a racially inappropriate comment and tries to dismiss it as a joke. Labeling it “not racist” does not excuse the underlying bias. It reflects a poor attempt to make light of racial dynamics in a way that is offensive and unacceptable.
8. Acknowledgment of Offensive Tone
📅 January 4, 2014
“And yes I know that last tweet was gay as shit”
This tweet uses a homophobic slur as a punchline, reinforcing offensive language instead of correcting it. It reflects a clear disregard for respectful communication and contributes to a pattern of unacceptable behavior in Tracy’s posts.
9. Political Violence Remark
📅 May 26, 2017
“Maybe body slamming reporters is the winning formula for republicans in IL?”
This tweet makes light of violence against journalists, referencing a real incident involving physical assault. Suggesting that such actions are politically effective is irresponsible and dangerous. Promoting or joking about violence toward the press is unacceptable and undermines basic standards of civil discourse.
Conclusion
Ben Tracy’s firing on his first day as Governor Rauner’s aide drew attention to the lack of proper vetting during a period of staff changes in the administration. The offensive content of his past tweets, which included racist, homophobic, and sexually explicit language, made him unfit for a public-facing role. The incident raised concerns about how hiring decisions were being handled and highlighted gaps in screening procedures during a time of leadership instability.
