As Americans wrestle with the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the possibility of an irrevocable conservative majority on the nation's highest court, former MSNBC host Chris Matthews is facing backlash after praising President Donald Trump's reaction to Ginsburg's death.
Following a Friday night rally, the President was asked by reporters for a comment on Ginsburg's death, where he appeared to be learning of the development for the first time.
Watch below.
Pres. Trump reacts to the passing of SCOTUS Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg after hearing the news for the first time: pic.twitter.com/RyGrkIV543
— Alex Salvi (@alexsalvinews) September 19, 2020
Trump said:
"She led an amazing life, what else can you say? She was an amazing woman — whether you agreed or not — she was an amazing woman who led an amazing life."
The President later issued a complete statement praising Ginsburg's legacy.
Trump's unqualified praise for a political enemy of his was just as short-lived as it was rare. Trump has since called to replace Ginsburg on the Court before the November election, in defiance of her dying wish that she not be replaced until a new President is installed.
In an interview with Fox and Friends, Trump implied that Ginsburg's granddaughter—who released the statement regarding the late Justice's final wish—was lying, and that the wish was actually "written out" by Democratic lawmakers.
Regardless of the human decency Trump displayed upon learning of Ginsburg's death, the President almost certainly intends to nominate a judge whose track record indicates a willingness to roll back not only some of Ginsburg's most consequential decisions, but rights which have protected marginalized Americans for decades.
Nevertheless, Matthews called Trump's reaction "true presidential behavior," while conceding that this behavior, for Trump, is rare.
Trump is right to show respect for RBG. True presidential behavior. Far too rare.
— Chris Matthews (@HardballChris) September 21, 2020
Matthews was ousted from MSNBC after criticisms of inappropriate comments to guest interviewers.
Even Matthews' colleagues in media pushed back against his claims that Trump was being presidential.
He said her dying wish is a forgery on national television today https://t.co/idLAV2GHj9
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 21, 2020
This morning he ... floated a baseless conspiracy theory ... about her dying wish. https://t.co/WOUrfKDefJ
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) September 21, 2020
Lol. Whew these journalists are so desperate to declare “presidential behavior".
Go away, Mr. Matthews. https://t.co/zGXN1iAqMR
— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) September 21, 2020
Chris Matthews thinks Trump is "respecting" RBG by naming a far-right replacement while she's still lying in state.
But then, this guy has never really had a handle on respect for women. https://t.co/LtlBoMaYLF
— Matthew Chapman (@fawfulfan) September 21, 2020
Just this morning he implied RBG's granddaughter lied about her dying wish and he labeled it a Democratic hoax, using an anti-Semitic dog whistle nickname for Rep. Adam Schiff. What the hell is wrong with you? https://t.co/v1iQlZjOci
— Rex Huppke (@RexHuppke) September 21, 2020
Oh big deal.
— Joy Behar (@JoyVBehar) September 21, 2020
Twitter users guffawed at the use of the word "presidential" to describe Donald Trump.
I am so FED UP with all the Bobble Heads that call Trump 'presidential' every time he successfully reads from a teleprompter or answers a question without ramming his foot into his mouth again.
He's not being presidential. He's just not being a total ass hole at the moment. https://t.co/0LDodOYgc9
— Chip Franklin (@chipfranklin) September 21, 2020
Chris Matthews puts the bar for "presidential behavior" in the sub-basement of a tunnel under a mineshaft at the bottom of the ocean.https://t.co/y6o16v97nM
— JRehling (@JRehling) September 21, 2020
They keep trying to call Trump's behavior presidential long after it is clear that he is a self-serving crook. It only makes the media personality look gullible or stupid. https://t.co/SNUzVKEdRe
— RR Seattle (@RRalstonAgile) September 21, 2020
Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images
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