President Trump sparked more outrage than usual today with his derogatory tweets about Rep. Elijah Cummings and the city of Baltimore.
Trump slammed Cummings for his criticism of treatment of migrants at the southern border, claiming that Cummings’ congressional district was one of the “worst run and most dangerous anywhere in the United States.”
In response, former WWE star Dave Bautista dropped a verbal smackdown on Trump:
“Of course an elitist POS would say that,” Bautista, a native of Washington, D.C., tweeted on Saturday afternoon.
“He’s never wanted for anything. He’s never had to fight or go hungry! He doesn’t know what the American Dream is. He’s a disgrace to everything this country is,” he continued. “How the hell did a lying, pampas, orange, ignorant, cheap salesman tear us apart?”
Of course an elitist POS would say that.He’s never wanted for anything.He’s never had to fight or go hungry!He doesn’t know what the American Dream is.He’s a disgrace to everything this country is. How the hell did a lying, pampas, orange, ignorant, cheap salesman tear us apart? https://t.co/Rtk8lSkLxf
— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) July 27, 2019
The former wrestler’s comments came hours after the president shared a series of tweets today attacking Cummings, who also chairs the House Oversight Committee, and his district.
Rep, Elijah Cummings has been a brutal bully, shouting and screaming at the great men & women of Border Patrol about conditions at the Southern Border, when actually his Baltimore district is FAR WORSE and more dangerous. His district is considered the Worst in the USA……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27, 2019
….As proven last week during a Congressional tour, the Border is clean, efficient & well run, just very crowded. Cumming District is a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess. If he spent more time in Baltimore, maybe he could help clean up this very dangerous & filthy place
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27, 2019
Cummings’ district encompasses some of Baltimore, it also includes some of the wealthier areas in Maryland.
His district has an above-average median income compared to the rest of the U.S.
His district is also over 50% black, according to Census data.
However, Baltimore has struggled with crime in recent years.
In 2017, Baltimore had the highest homicide rate among the country’s 50 largest cities.
Trump’s tweets quickly stirred outrage online, with many questioning why he would assume the black representative would preside over a squalid district.
It is unclear what specifically triggered the attacks on the chairman of the powerful House Oversight and Reform Committee.
However, Matthew Gertz of Media Matters reported that a segment criticizing Cummings and his district aired earlier this morning on “Fox & Friends,” one of Trump’s preferred cable news shows.
Thousands more prominent political figures and celebrities also used the now-trending “#WeAreBaltimore” hashtag in solidarity with Baltimore citizens tonight.
CNN’s Victor Blackwell teared up while reporting on Trump’s use of the word “infested” to describe Baltimore.
“The president says about Congressman Cummings’ district,” Blackwell said on New Day Weekend today as his eyes turned glassy and he bit his lip, “that ‘no human’ would want to live there. You know who did, Mr. President? I did. From the day I was brought home to the hospital to the day I left for college. And a lot of people I care about still do.”
Blackwell continued, “There are challenges, no doubt. But people are proud of their community. I don’t want to sound self-righteous, but people get up and go to work there, they care for their families there, they love their children who pledge allegiance to the flag just like people who live in districts of Congress who support you, sir. They are Americans, too.”
In a statement, Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young said it was “unacceptable for the political leader of our country to denigrate a vibrant American City like Baltimore, and to viciously attack U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings a patriot and a hero.”
In a statement to CBS News, Cummings said he “will not be distracted” by Mr. Trump’s tweets.
“My tweets are all I have to say. I will not be distracted from doing everything I can to uplift the lives of the people in Baltimore, the nation, and the world. That is and will be my sole mission until the day I die,” Cummings said.
Since when did Batista get into politics?
Don’t you think everyone should have an interest in the politics of their country and the world?
Well he can’t wrestle either unless doing one a powerbomb is great.
Answer the question or be quiet. People are quick to talk crap but deflect when asked a simple question. Instead of bs why didn’t you just say that because he’s a wrestler he has no voice. You couldn’t because then the same can be applied to you. Someone who has no platform of any kind, just a regular mediocre guy who wouldn’t take his crap to the man face to face. If you don’t talk or walk it in public, we require your silence and distance online. Tired of keyboard warriors period.