President Donald Trump was accused of overt racism on Sunday when he tweeted about Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), claiming they "came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe."
The president urged them to "go back" and fix the governments there before attempting to better the United States.
All of the congresswomen are American citizens and three were born in the United States. Trump's tweet indicated that, because the congresswomen are women of color, he doesn't believe they're as American as he—as a 2nd generation American on his father's side and first generation on his mother's side—is, possibly that POC are not even American at all.
Read Trump's original tweets below:
So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments ar… https://t.co/W7GAYLJ5Ki— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1563107272.0
....and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our… https://t.co/xPRSZHNNAd— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1563107272.0
The tweets spurred massive outcry, but one former presidential nominee's response stood out.
They're from America, and you're right about one thing: Currently their government is a complete and total catastro… https://t.co/RF43kQvvyB— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton)1563146554.0
Trump's Democratic rival in 2016 is no stranger to besting him.
She won the popular vote by over 3 million votes, she wiped the floor with him in the debates and continues to exude a dignity no longer associated with the presidency.
This response demonstrated that and people couldn't help but applaud.
@HillaryClinton Perfect pitch, Madame President.— SarahCA 💙🌊 (@SarahCA 💙🌊)1563147378.0
@HillaryClinton The REAL President has spoken.— VoteForWomen ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 (@VoteForWomen ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿)1563147240.0
@HillaryClinton Crushed it— Shugar (@Shugar)1563147326.0
@HillaryClinton Spot on!!! Hillary Clinton nails it again #TrumpIsARacist https://t.co/vvMmf1aPdc— LauraH (@LauraH)1563146707.0
@HillaryClinton You know. This is a very good tweet.— Molly Jong-Fast (@Molly Jong-Fast)1563147118.0
Secretary Clinton's reply wasn't the only memorable one.
The responses from the women Trump chastised were fire as well.
Mr. President, the country I “come from,” & the country we all swear to, is the United States. But given how you’v… https://t.co/s9fDBFmBUz— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez)1563122078.0
Mr. President, As Members of Congress, the only country we swear an oath to is the United States. Which is why w… https://t.co/5doG6lCDCN— Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan Omar)1563124179.0
Want a response to a lawless & complete failure of a President? He is the crisis. His dangerous ideology is the cr… https://t.co/g1kOM25QRJ— Rashida Tlaib (@Rashida Tlaib)1563114994.0
THIS is what racism looks like. WE are what democracy looks like. And we’re not going anywhere. Except back to DC t… https://t.co/f2uHnukUUZ— Ayanna Pressley (@Ayanna Pressley)1563126129.0
For his part, Trump continues to double down on his comments, claiming that the congresswomen are the racist ones and should apologize.
If Democrats want to unite around the foul language & racist hatred spewed from the mouths and actions of these ver… https://t.co/GAtawnjE9d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1563190945.0
When will the Radical Left Congresswomen apologize to our Country, the people of Israel and even to the Office of t… https://t.co/xCPlEhKpLj— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1563188069.0
We'll find out in 2020 just how okay America is with having a President who repeats White supremacist and White nationalist rhetoric.
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