Abusive rhetoric is nothing new when it comes to President Donald Trump.
But this week the President singled out black women as the focus of his abuse and people are saying enough is enough.
It started on Wednesday as the President once again clashed with CNN reporter Jim Acosta, but for Trump that was only the beginning.
The President has always had an adversarial relationship with the press, but this week a pattern emerged in his insults as he continually targeted black female reporters for verbal abuse.
"What a stupid question": Trump demeans three black female reporters in two days https://t.co/Ac0uW89c9m— The Washington Post (@The Washington Post) 1541803860.0
Recently the President has taken to calling himself a nationalist despite the term's history of association with racist White supremacist movements.
While Trump claims his rebranding of the title only means he "loves the country" PBS's Yamiche Alcindor asked the President if he thought using the term was "emboldening White nationalists."
Trump responded in disgust saying:
"I don't know why you'd say that. That's such a racist question."
President Trump to @Yamiche: "That's a racist question." https://t.co/4bgrMjQFZk— CSPAN (@CSPAN) 1541614347.0
When veteran White House reporter April Ryan attempted to ask Trump a question about voter suppression in Georgia the President barked at her, ordering her to "sit down."
Ryan Received similar treatment on Friday as Trump compared her to Jim Acosta, saying:
"The same thing with April Ryan, I watch her get up, I mean, you talk about somebody that's a loser, she doesn't know what the hell she's doing."
GOP: attn, pls. This is the Pres: Trump orders April Ryan to "sit down" https://t.co/VZ17rJ60UF— Alexandra Rosas (@Alexandra Rosas) 1541612574.0
Then on Friday when CNN reporter Abby Phillip asked if Trump hoped the recently appointed acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker would "rein in" the Russia investigation lead by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
The President avoided the question and berated Phillip, saying:
"What a stupid question that is. What a stupid question. But I watch you a lot, you ask a lot of stupid questions."
And Trump today attacked another black reporter, Abby Phillip: “What a stupid question that is,” he says to her. https://t.co/tqcw3NgFtt— Keith Boykin (@Keith Boykin) 1541777233.0
It did not take long for people to notice a pattern in the reporters Trump had singled out for abuse this week.
When @abbydphillip asked if he wants @MattWhitaker46 to rein in Mueller, @realdonaldtrump said it was a "stupid qu… https://t.co/Pf9aO0sO5G— Alex Howard (@Alex Howard) 1541777912.0
Trump to/on Black female reporters this week: - Alcindor: "Such a racist question...I know you have it written down… https://t.co/hnjoKFXUx8— Daniel Dale (@Daniel Dale) 1541780736.0
Things Donald Trump is scared of this month: - Refugees with strollers - Counting votes in Arizona, Florida and Geo… https://t.co/hiwFZc2MoD— The Daily Edge (@The Daily Edge) 1541875398.0
Even by Trump's standards it was a new low, and people were not having it.
It's not just that Trump went after three excellent reporters who are black women, but it's the seething venom with… https://t.co/KLjFb44aMs— Peter Daou (@Peter Daou) 1541820247.0
Trump's attacks on black reporters and politicians "has renewed criticism that the president employs insults rooted… https://t.co/4sJEkNpbnx— Philip Rucker (@Philip Rucker) 1541811280.0
I'm tired of Trump calling black women, whether they're reporters or elected officials, stupid. Sick & tired of it.… https://t.co/3DbHiiDrZZ— Joyce Alene (@Joyce Alene) 1541803087.0
Trump was even called out by former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele.
Trump, this is the 3rd black female reporter you’ve disrespected this week. Why can’t you just answer questions fro… https://t.co/IpdVV6sbu8— Michael Steele (@Michael Steele) 1541801319.0
As long as the rest of the Republican Party continues to enable Trump's behavior, there is little chance it will ever change.
But for reporters like Ryan, Phillip and Alcindor that is all the more reason to "press on."
A note: I followed up the president calling my question "racist" with a policy question about his proposed middle c… https://t.co/BFvYuRpnVG— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche Alcindor) 1541616132.0
H/T - Yahoo, Washington Post