Donald Trump seized the opportunity to take to his preferred presidential platform on Sunday to address the American people, tweeting comments full of racist language that appeared to be aimed at the four progressive Democrat congresswomen of color who have come to be called “The Squad.”
“…So interesting to see ‘progressive’ Democrat congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful nation on earth, how our government is to be run. Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how it is done. These places need your help badly, you can’t leave fast enough.”
Ocasio-Cortez, who was born in New York, responded, “The country I ‘come from,’ and the country we all swear to, is the United States.”
Ayanna Pressley (MA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), Rashida Tlaib (MI), and Ilhan Omar (MN), House freshmen collectively known as “The Squad,” have had a well-publicized clash with Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over the humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as over Pelosi’s reluctance to pursue impeachment proceedings against Trump. Trump, who has repeatedly insulted and denigrated Pelosi, used the clash as an opportunity to lambaste the four women, despite the fact that it meant momentarily siding with Pelosi.
Citing Ocasio Cortez’ statement that Pelosi was being disrespectful in “explicitly singling out newly-elected women of color” for criticism, Trump said of Pelosi, “She is not a racist.”
Trump, who continually and consistently shows disrespect for any number of people, including Pelosi, said, “I think Cortez is being very disrespectful to someone who’s been there a long time (Pelosi).”
Pelosi’s response to Trump’s remarks was that the president had demonstrated that his plan to “Make America Great Again” had always been, essentially, to “make America white again.”
Ocasio-Cortez further responded to Trump’s remarks: “You are angry because you don’t believe in an America where I represent New York 14, where the good people of Minnesota elected (Omar), where (Tlaib) fights for Michigan families, where (Pressley) champions little girls in Boston.
“You are angry because you can’t conceive of an America that includes us. You rely on a frightened America for your plunder.”
On Monday, Trump continued his Twitter campaign against The Squad, seizing on some of the trigger phrases for his base, including stating that the women “hate America,” and that they should “apologize to Israel.” Trump did, however, move from his previous proclamation that “They can go back to where they came from” to “They’re free to leave.”
Incidentally, only one of the “Squad,” Ilhan Omar, “came from” another country. Omar, who was born in Somalia and spent time in a refugee camp, emigrated to the U.S. at age 12, and is a U.S. citizen. Several reporters have reminded readers that Trump, along with The Squad (and most of us), has an immigrant heritage, as well.
Trump Says Ocasio-Cortez Is Being Very Disrespectful to Pelosi | Bloomberg [2019-07-12]
Trump defends Pelosi amid feud with Ocasio-Cortez |
Fox News [2019-07-12]
