So the gaping mouth of birtherism reared its ugly head once again at a Donald Trump rally on Thursday, featuring Trump fielding a comment from a supporter that called President Barack Obama a Muslim. Not the first time, but you’d think we’d be past it by now and you’d think that Trump would put the gent in his place.
He did not and a lot of people noticed. This caused the Trump camp to cancel a planned event stop on Friday and release a bit of response that, according to CNN, clarified what Trump heard:
Trump’s cancellation came after he took fire for refusing Thursday to address an attendee’s assertion that Muslims are a “problem” in America and that President Barack Obama is a Muslim during a campaign event in New Hampshire.
Trump’s campaign manager told CNN that Trump did not hear the questioner make those statements and only heard the questioner ask about Muslim terrorist training camps in the U.S.
“All he heard was a question about training camps, which he said we have to look into,” campaign manager Corey Lewandowski said. “The media want to make this an issue about Obama, but it’s about him waging a war on Christianity.”
Some, like Chris Matthews, said this was the moment where Trump stumbled. Others, probably with more sense, know we’ve heard this before and know that Trump will do everything possible to skirt around it. Which he did, earlier on Twitter in his own set of statements on what happened:
Am I morally obligated to defend the president every time somebody says something bad or controversial about him? I don't think so!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 19, 2015
This is the first time in my life that I have caused controversy by NOT saying something.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 19, 2015
If someone made a nasty or controversial statement about me to the president, do you really think he would come to my rescue? No chance!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 19, 2015
If you didn’t notice, Trump manages to not only skirt the blame on the entire situation, but he also manages to make himself the victim. Woe is he, the man with no defenders, likely crying himself to sleep on a pillow adorned with his initials. It wasn’t long after this statement popped out that he changed the subject to something more pressing to the party he claims to be part of, keeping with the message:
Christians need support in our country (and around the world), their religious liberty is at stake! Obama has been horrible, I will be great
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 19, 2015
Looks like Kim Davis likely has a new supporter, one that will be by her side until he’s safely behind the gates at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and no longer needs the votes. It’d be cynical to say that if we were talking about anybody else.
