Donald Trump branded ‘racist’ for saying Democrat congresswomen should ‘go back’ to their ‘crime infested’ countries
DONALD Trump was last night accused of launching a “racist” tirade against Democrat congresswomen who he said should “go back” to their “crime infested” countries. The president made the explosive comments on Twitter – where he singled out “progressive Democrats” believed to refer to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and her allies. They include Democrats […]
DONALD Trump was last night accused of launching a “racist” tirade against Democrat congresswomen who he said should “go back” to their “crime infested” countries.
The president made the explosive comments on Twitter – where he singled out “progressive Democrats” believed to refer to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and her allies.
They include Democrats Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.
The young politicians are all left-wing Democrat members of the House of Representatives – and are women of colour.
He appeared to suggest the elected representatives – who are all US citizens – don’t have a right to comment on US politics because of their heritage.
President Trump tweeted on Sunday: “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.
This is racist. These congresswomen are every bit as American as you and represent our values better than you ever will
Beto O'Rourke
“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.”
And appearing to suggest they should be booted out of the US, President Trump added: “These places need your help badly, you can’t leave fast enough.
“I’m sure that [Democrat House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements!”
Despite Mr Trump’s remarks, all but one of the four women he seemed to target were born and raised in the US.
US CITIZENS
Ocasio-Cortez, who is of Puerto Rican descent, was born in the Bronx, New York – and raised in suburban Westchester County.
Pressley, the first black woman elected to the House from Massachusetts, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio – while Tlaib was born in Detroit, Michigan.
Omar is the first Somali native elected to Congress and one of its first Muslim women.
She was born in Somalia but spent much of her childhood in a Kenyan refugee camp as civil war tore apart her home country.
She emigrated to the United States at age 12, teaching herself English by watching American TV and eventually settling with her family as a US citizen in Minneapolis.
Factbox - Who are the 'squad' of 'progressive' Democrats?
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Born: New York City
Parents from: Puerto Rico and USA
Heritage: Puerto Rican
Ilhan Omar
Born: Mogadishu, Somalia
Parents from: Somalia
Heritage: Somalian and Yemeni
Rashida Tlaib
Born: Detroit, Michigan
Parents from: West Bank and East Jerusalem
Heritage: Palestinian
Ayanna Pressley
Born: Cincinnati, Ohio
Parents from: USA
Heritage: African American
Picture: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
STIRRING DIVISION
Trump’s tweet came as he appeared to try to stir a rift between Pelosi and the young radical Democrats – who have become known as “the squad”.
But his breathtaking comments were instead met with a wave of searing condemnation from all sides of the Democratic Party.
Pelosi said the president wants to “make America white again.”
Ocasio-Cortez said: “Mr. President, the country I come from, & the country we all swear to, is the United States.
“You are angry because you can’t conceive of an America that includes us.
“You rely on a frightened America for your plunder.”
And the Democrat presidential contenders set aside their rivalries to condemn Trump’s comments – which were branded openly racist.
Senator Elizabeth Warren said: “Let’s be clear about what this vile comment is: A racist and xenophobic attack on Democratic congresswomen.”
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And 2020 contender Beto O’Rourke, tweeted at the president: “This is racist.
“These congresswomen are every bit as American as you and represent our values better than you ever will.”
Senior Republicans refused to comment on the bitter row.
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