In 2014, Egyptian-American activist Aya Hijazi was among a group arrested for working on behalf of children during the Egyptian Revolution.
After three years in prison, Hijazi was acquitted of all charges by an Egyptian court and collected by Deputy National Security Advisor Dina Powell. The two flew back to Washington, D.C. where they were greeted by President Donald Trump.
Trump was sure to make Hijazi's release a moment of victory for him, and sure enough, Trump held a press briefing in the Oval Office to celebrate it.
Now, Hijazi is providing new insights into her interaction with Trump—and it's one of the reasons she's endorsing Democratic nominee Joe Biden for President.
Trump leaned in & said, "you know it's I who released you, don't you? I succeeded & Obama failed" in the most vulnerable moment of my life, 48 hrs after releasing me from prison
It was never about me like it was never about us. It's about his ego. We deserve better #VoteBiden pic.twitter.com/SMhaAHKfWi
— Aya Hijazi آية حجازي (@_AyaHijazi_) November 2, 2020
I felt torn after the meeting worried about not being a loyal person as Trump demands loyalty as a means of maintaining control. But the government should not help citizens to make them loyal; it should do help b/c its the right thing to do #VoteBidenHarrisToSaveAmerica
— Aya Hijazi آية حجازي (@_AyaHijazi_) November 2, 2020
According to Hijazi, the President said:
"You know it's I who released you, don't you? I succeeded and Obama failed."
For anyone who's followed Trump in the past few years, this might not be surprising. Trump frequently compares himself to his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, while often taking credit for his accomplishments as well, such as Veterans Choice legislation and the steady trend of decreased unemployment pre-pandemic.
People were disgusted by what the President said to Hijazi.
THE NERVE OF THIS MAN. UGH, I CANNOT https://t.co/0mvCnwcOzn
— Aaron Fritschner (@Fritschner) November 2, 2020
Yet another example of what kind of human being our president is.
WHO does this? https://t.co/K6jFWup1Mc
— S.V. Dáte (@svdate) November 2, 2020
"you know it's I who released you, don't you? I succeeded & Obama failed" Trump
Wow, he is so beta. I actually pity this guy. https://t.co/Jbqw3koQeA
— Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) November 2, 2020
"you know it's I who released you, don't you? I succeeded & Obama failed" Trump
Wow, he is so beta. I actually pity this guy. https://t.co/Jbqw3koQeA
— Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) November 2, 2020
Trump, throughout his term and especially in his recent campaign, has been trying to use hostages as campaign props.
This woman calling him out. https://t.co/kZXdrsefW4
— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) November 2, 2020
Just when I think Trump can't be anymore of a callous, cruel human being I find out there is no bottom with him. https://t.co/etzV9E1wfi
— Kaz Weida (@kazweida) November 2, 2020
Trump's supporters didn't take kindly to what they viewed as a betrayal by Hijazi, and they attacked her with similar rhetoric as the President.
He should've left you in jail, asshole.
— Ned Ryun (@nedryun) November 2, 2020
I regret we risked a single American life to rescue an ingrate.
— War and Peace (@War_and_Peace__) November 2, 2020
He should have left you there
— Zer̵ō̵ ̶͇̀Ĥ̴̲P̵͔̚ Lovecraft 🛡 (@0x49fa98) November 2, 2020
The United States election is on November 3rd.
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