Beto: Trump Is 'An Open, Avowed Racist' And That's The Reason There's Violence In America

Beth Baumann | August 04, 2019 11:48 AM

Former Congressman turned Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" to discuss the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.

During the conversation, host Jake Tapper asked O'Rourke a simple question: "Do you think President Trump is a white nationalist?"

The answer launched into a full-fledged attack onto Trump.

"Yes, I do. And, again, from some of the record I just recited to you, the things that he has said, both as a candidate and then as President of the United States, this cannot be open for debate," O'Rourke explained. "And you, as well as I, have a responsibility to call that out and make sure that the American people understand what is being done in their name, by the person who holds the highest position of public trust in this land."

"He does not even pretend to respect our differences or to understand that we are all created equal. He is saying some people are inherently defective or dangerous, reminiscent of something you might hear in the Third Reich, not expect in the United States of America, based on their religion, their sexual orientation, their immigration status, based on the countries that they come from, calling those in Africa 'sh**hole nations,' and saying he'd like to have more immigration from Nordic countries, the whitest place on planet Earth today," he said.

"And, let's be very clear about what is causing this, and who the president is. He is an open, avowed racist and encouraging more racism in this country and it's incredibly dangerous for the United States of America right now," he said. "All of us have a responsibility to stand up and be counted on this issue."