Mark Pocan: Why do we allow presidents from “shithole organizations” like Trump Org?
Openly gay congressman responds to reports that Trump complained about accepting immigrants from "shithole countries"
On Thursday, openly gay Congressman Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) fired back at President Trump on Twitter in response to reports that Trump made a racist remark about accepting immigrants from “shithole countries.”
“The real question is why we allow presidents from sh*thole companies like the Trump Organization?” Pocan tweeted, linking to the initial story from The Washington Post.
The real question is why we allow presidents from sh*thole companies like the Trump Organization https://t.co/OHD7rLPHwK
— Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) January 11, 2018
The Post reported earlier in the day that Trump made the comment during a meeting at the White House with lawmakers from Capitol Hill to discuss restoring protections for immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador, and African nations as part of a bipartisan immigration deal.
According to two people briefed on the meeting, Trump allegedly said: “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” He then suggested that the United States should seek to attract immigrants from countries like Norway, whose prime minister he met on Wednesday.
The comments reportedly caught lawmakers in attendance off guard. A White House spokesman later defended the president’s stance without directly addressing the comments
“Certain Washington politicians choose to fight for foreign countries, but President Trump will always fight for the American people,” spokesman Raj Shah said in a statement. “Like other nations that have merit-based immigration, President Trump is fighting for permanent solutions that make our country stronger by welcoming those who can contribute to our society, grow our economy and assimilate into our great nation.”
Defenders of the president immediately attacked the congressman on Twitter, with The Daily Ire, a pro-Trump “news” website, referring to the Post story as “fake news.”
BREAKING NEWS: Elected official posts tweet referring to fake news story from WaPo, which sourced two people not at the meeting, but briefed on it. Sparking debate about just how unlucky the people of Wisconsin are to have such a thoughtless representative.
— The Daily Ire (@realDailyIre) January 11, 2018
Another Twitter user accused Pocan of being “jealous” and put up the hashtag #BetaBitches, a popular right-wing turn of phrase used to insult men who do not support Trump or right-wing populism, by claiming they are not “alpha males.” Others claimed the congressman needed a “safe space,” a well-worn trope to make fun of people who ascribe to political correctness, or called Pocan an “asshole.”
Someone sounds jealous. #BetaBitches pic.twitter.com/F09IHi26fI
— Wendy HDZ (@WendyHZ1977) January 11, 2018
Mark needs a puppy or a safe space…ahhh poor Mark…
— American Grama (@sgmills52) January 11, 2018
<- makes you an pic.twitter.com/2kYybpL8TR
— JPoole (@JMPoole1955) January 11, 2018
Pocan was not the only lawmaker to respond to Trump, though he was the one using the most offensive language against the president. U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) issued her own response, calling Trump a “vile stain on our country’s reputation.”
Just when you think he cannot say anything more vulgar and offensive, he embarrasses us again. He is a vile stain on our country's reputation. https://t.co/g5YMDlTvQB via @nbcnews
— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) January 11, 2018
U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee and one of the key proponents of investigating whether Trump and his staff colluded with Russian authorities in order to win the presidency, said it would be better if Trump watched cartoons instead of Fox News.
It’s not often you can say this, but it would be better for our national security if the President of the United States watched cartoons every morning. (Or anything, for that matter, other than Fox News.)
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 11, 2018
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.