Politics

Trump Doubles Down Amid Criticism From Left And Right For ‘Why Don’t They Go Back’ Tweet

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President Donald Trump doubled down Monday after suggesting progressive members of Congress “go back” to “the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came” Sunday in a Twitter rant that brought criticism from the left and right.

“When will the Radical Left Congresswomen apologize to our Country, the people of Israel and even to the Office of the President, for the foul language they have used, and the terrible things they have said. So many people are angry at them [and] their horrible [and] disgusting actions!” Trump wrote Monday morning on Twitter.

When will the Radical Left Congresswomen apologize to our Country, the people of Israel and even to the Office of the President, for the foul language they have used, and the terrible things they have said. So many people are angry at them & their horrible & disgusting actions!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 15, 2019

Trump’s Sunday Twitter rant saying that “Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements” for four progressive congresswomen (one of whom is an immigrant) prompted swift reaction, including from people on the right.

“Sad to watch my friend [Donald Trump] take low road regarding [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] of the Bronx, [Rashida Tlaib] of Detroit [Ayanna Pressley] of Boston [and Ilhan Omar] of Somalia [and] Minneapolis. Let’s stick to issues [and] steer clear of language that’s xenophobic even racist. POTUS you’re better than that,” conservative commentator Geraldo Rivera wrote Sunday on Twitter.

Sad to watch my friend @realDonaldTrump take low road regarding @AOC of the Bronx, @RashidaTlaib of Detroit @AyannaPressley of Boston & @Ilhan of Somalia & Minneapolis. Let’s stick to issues & steer clear of language that’s xenophobic even racist. @POTUS you’re better than that.

— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) July 14, 2019

“This is racist. And I see Trump people are trying to spin this to just be about Rep. Omar, but we all know that’s a lie. But even if it were just about Rep. Omar, it would still be racist. We don’t tell people we’ve welcomed into this country to ‘go back,'” “The View” co-host Meghan McCain wrote Sunday on Twitter.

This is racist. And I see Trump people are trying to spin this to just be about Rep. Omar, but we all know that’s a lie. But even if it were just about Rep. Omar, it would still be racist. We don’t tell people we’ve welcomed into this country to “go back.” https://t.co/v1uCPqCRVK

— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 14, 2019

His 2016 rival also put in her two cents.

“They’re from America, and you’re right about one thing: Currently their government is a complete and total catastrophe,” former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote Sunday on Twitter.

They’re from America, and you’re right about one thing: Currently their government is a complete and total catastrophe. https://t.co/NvsnFSN8mb

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 14, 2019

Members of Congress also weighed in.

“I was around 16 when I first heard a version of ‘go back to your country.’ A drunk white guy screaming at an elderly Filipino lady, saying all kinds of foul stuff. Everyone at that bus stop told him to cut it out and he slinked away. We have to be the people at the bus stop,” Democratic Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz wrote Sunday on Twitter.

I was around 16 when I first heard a version of “go back to your country.” A drunk white guy screaming at an elderly Filipino lady, saying all kinds of foul stuff. Everyone at that bus stop told him to cut it out and he slinked away. We have to be the people at the bus stop.

— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) July 14, 2019

“Like some of my Democratic colleagues, I’m young, from an immigrant family, also very critical of Trump. Funny thing though, he never tells me to ‘go back where I come from.’ Hmm I wonder why?” Democratic Pennsylvania Rep. Brendan Boyle wrote Sunday on Twitter.

Like some of my Democratic colleagues, I’m young, from an immigrant family, also very critical of Trump. Funny thing though, he never tells me to “go back where I come from.” Hmm I wonder why? ???? https://t.co/wdzsKG3Ptm

— US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) July 14, 2019

Jelani Cobb of The New Yorker pointed out that “the same [four] Democrats]” are under fire from Trump on the right and establishment Democrats on the left.

“If you’re keeping score, the House Democratic leadership and the racist xenophobic President of the United States are attacking… the same [four] Democrats,” Cobb wrote Sunday on Twitter.

If you’re keeping score, the House Democratic leadership and the racist xenophobic President of the United States are attacking… the same 4 Democrats. https://t.co/prGYHrkVA6

— jelani cobb (@jelani9) July 14, 2019