At the White House on Monday, President Donald Trump held an event to honor some of the last surviving the Native American Code Talkers, who used codes built upon their native languages to help improve the speed of encryption of communication during World War II. But of course Trump being Trump, naturally the president couldn’t get through the ceremony without putting his foot in his mouth, so while thanking these brave 90+ year old men he took the opportunity to make an insensitive remark at the expense of Elizabeth Warren.
“You were here long before any of us were here. Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas,” Trump said, once again crudely referring to Warren’s Native American heritage. “But you know what, I like you, because you are special.”
To make matters even worse, Trump made the remark while standing in front of a portrait of Andrew Jackson, who famously signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830 which gave presidents the authorization to grant unsettled lands west of the Mississippi in exchange for Indian lands within state borders. Trump has repeatedly used the nickname “Pocahontas” to belittle the Massachusetts senator, despite the fact that his own wife spearheads an anti-bullying campaign.
Even for Trump, this was a remarkable low, as many were quick to point out on Twitter:
Trump, at event with Navajo Code Talkers at WH, makes "Pocahontas" crack about Senator Warren. There was silence in the room. Per pool.
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 27, 2017
People were joking that Trump was going to disparage Warren as "Pocahontas" at an event honouring Native veterans. Trump…just…did it.
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) November 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/evepeyser/status/935237392633618432
Even for Trump, this is fucked up.
Trump, to the Navajo code talkers: "We have a representative in Congress they say was here a long time ago. They call her "Pocahontas."pic.twitter.com/t8mWwYNsju
— Holly Figueroa O'Reilly 🌸 (@AynRandPaulRyan) November 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/NutmegRadio/status/935235755693223937
The disgraceful Trump at an event meant to honor Native American code talkers: "We have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas."
Children are expelled from school for this type of juvenile behavior
— RiotWomenn (@riotwomennn) November 27, 2017
The dope y'all elected president has just called Elizabeth Warren "Pocahontas" at an event honoring Native American veterans. He made the remarks while standing in front of a portrait of Andrew Jackson. What an embarrassment.
— Josh Moon 🇺🇸 (@Josh_Moon) November 27, 2017
Here is white supremacist in chief making a racist Pocahontas joke in front of Native American code talkers. Just disgusting.pic.twitter.com/riCnPhvsvv
— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) November 27, 2017
Trump meeting with Navajos at the WH today tells them they have a representative in Congress. "They call her Pocahontas," he said. @jeffzeleny reports there was an awkward silence
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) November 27, 2017
It's time for someone in Washington to stand up and declare that racism in the People's House cannot be tolerated. "Pocahontas" should be the last straw. Congress must censure President Trump #CensureTrump
— Will Bunch (@Will_Bunch) November 27, 2017
Update: Elizabeth Warren’s response