President Donald Trump issued fresh attacks against Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) on July 28 and July 29, criticizing him for being in office since 1996 but allegedly getting little done for his district.
On Sunday, Trump defended himself against cries of racism, writing on Twitter: “There is nothing racist in stating plainly what most people already know, that Elijah Cummings has done a terrible job for the people of his district, and of Baltimore itself. Dems always play the race card when they are unable to win with facts. Shame!”
The president has been accused by some as being racist for attacking Cummings, an African-American, but Trump said that Cummings was actually the racist.
“If racist Elijah Cummings would focus more of his energy on helping the good people of his district, and Baltimore itself, perhaps progress could be made in fixing the mess that he has helped to create over many years of incompetent leadership. His radical ‘oversight’ is a joke!” Trump added.
He then championed the accomplishments of his administration, noting that African-American unemployment in the country has dropped to a record-low and saying the Opportunity Zones program his administration helped create has been successful.
“Waiting for [Rep.] Nancy [Pelosi] and Elijah to say, ‘Thank you, Mr. President!’”
Trump took to Twitter against Monday morning, issuing an attack against Al Sharpton before lambasting both Sharpton and Cummings.
Commenting on a picture of Sharpton saying he was headed to Baltimore in the wake of Trump’s highlighting the city’s rampant problems, including one of the highest murder rates in the nation, Trump wrote: “I have known Al for 25 years. Went to fights with him & Don King, always got along well. He ‘loved Trump!’ He would ask me for favors often.”
“Al is a con man, a troublemaker, always looking for a score. Just doing his thing. Must have intimidated Comcast/NBC. Hates Whites & Cops!” he added.
“Baltimore, under the leadership of Elijah Cummings, has the worst Crime Statistics in the Nation. 25 years of all talk, no action! So tired of listening to the same old Bull,” the president continued. “Next, Reverend Al will show up to complain & protest. Nothing will get done for the people in need. Sad!”
Sharpton responded by sharing a picture of him, Jesse Jackson, and Trump in 2006, adding that the businessman was telling him and Jackson at the time “why he respects my work,” adding that Trump was singing a “different tune now.”
Many Democrats have complained about Trump’s criticism of Cummings and Baltimore, but most have deflected the arguments Trump was making and had no rebuttals for the slew of stories and videos showing the state of Baltimore—including years of stories about growing problems with rat infestations—the crime statistics, and footage shared by Republican strategist Kimberly Klacik showing some parts of Cummings’s district in the city.
Klacik continued sharing videos on Sunday, highlighting what she and residents said were differences in how they were treated versus the Inner Harbor, long known as the most tourist-friendly spot in Baltimore.
Klacik also wrote of the attacks against her by media outlets and politicians.
“Stressful 24 hours. I’ve received countless emails, calls & text claiming my ‘hit piece’ is on the way,” she said.
“If this is the Left’s attempt to silence me, it only makes me want to fight harder for what is right. Intimidating a black woman just for speaking out? Actual racism.”
