In a leaked audio recording originally posted on TikTok, Fort Worth Councilmember Chris Nettles is allegedly heard referring to his former district director, Sally Matzen, as “white trash.”
Fort Worth resident and District 8 City Council candidate Payton Jackson posted the two-minute-long recording on TikTok. In the audio, Nettles appears to mock Matzen, questioning her appearance.
“You walking around representing me like that?” Nettles is heard saying.
He also makes an inappropriate comment about Matzen’s attire.
“She had some Soccer shorts that was just below her panty liner,” Nettles allegedly says in the recording.
According to Matzen’s LinkedIn profile, she is currently listed as Nettles’ District Director. However, Nettles’ official Fort Worth government webpage lists Chelsie Anthony as District Director I and Rashiel Dews as District Director II.
According to his biography, Nettles, who is currently a senior pastor, studied Christian ministries at Dallas Baptist University.
Jackson told The Dallas Express that the recording is from 2023 and that she is “deeply disturbed” by the audio.
“As a community leader and candidate for Fort Worth City Council, I am deeply disturbed by the recent audio leak in which Councilmember Chris Nettles referred to his director as ‘white trash.’ Such language is offensive, divisive, and completely unacceptable—especially from someone in public office who has sworn to represent all residents with respect and dignity,” Jackson said.
This is not the first time Nettles has faced controversy over leaked recordings.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, an audio recording posted on TikTok in December 2024 allegedly captured Nettles discussing plans to target a family member, expressing a desire to wiretap a phone, and calling his colleagues racist.
The Dallas Express reached out to both Nettles and Matzen for comment but did not receive a response.