Rep. Tim Burchett Kicked by Horse, Suffers Broken Rib — Says “Pray for Our Country” Instead
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), the outspoken conservative known for his colorful personality and deep roots in Tennessee politics, was kicked in the chest by his own horse over the weekend, his office confirmed Tuesday.
Burchett, 60, reportedly suffered a broken rib and bruising after being struck by both hind legs of the spooked horse while working on his farm. According to his office, a horsefly landed on the animal’s tail, causing it to lash out unexpectedly.
“It wasn’t the horse’s fault,” Burchett said in a statement to NewsNation.
“It’s a cool mark. I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a tattoo,” he joked.
Close Call
A doctor told Burchett that the injury could have been significantly worse if the kick had landed “an inch-and-a-half higher.”
Despite the injury, Burchett has not missed a day of work, giving a speech in his district the day after the incident and maintaining a full schedule of constituent meetings.
Not the First Horse-Related Injury in the Family
In 2022, Burchett’s daughter was hospitalized for 16 days following a horse-riding accident.
“She’s a tough little girl — she’ll be back on that horse,” Burchett told The Hill at the time.
Burchett Responds: “It’s No Big Deal”
On X (formerly Twitter), Burchett downplayed the incident and redirected attention to the country’s challenges:
“It’s no big deal. Pray for our Country.”
An Unconventional Voice in Congress
Burchett has built a reputation as one of Congress’s most unfiltered voices:
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A staunch ally of President Trump, Burchett ultimately backed the Big, Beautiful Bill after holding out until the final days.
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He has been a leading voice demanding UFO transparency, frequently appearing at congressional hearings urging declassification of military UAP records.
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He’s also pushed for the release of Ghislaine Maxwell transcripts, saying the American public deserves to know who was involved in the Epstein network.
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Defending Trump from association with Epstein, Burchett memorably said riding on the financier’s plane doesn’t make someone a “dadgum pedophile.”
Colbert Mocks “Folksy” Lawmaker
The incident even drew mockery from late-night host Stephen Colbert, who poked fun at Burchett’s Tennessee charm:
“Nice try, buddy, but you can’t ‘folks-y’ your way out of this one,” Colbert said.
Background: Tennessee Roots and Political Tenure
Burchett was elected to Congress in 2018, after serving as mayor of Knox County. His political career includes 10 years in the state Senate and five years in the Tennessee House.
A political survivor with a taste for the unconventional, Burchett remains a favorite among grassroots conservatives — even when he’s taking hits from hoofed friends.
