At his Thursday night rally in Montana, President Trump touted his policies and took some swipes at his usual targets. He again called Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) "Pocahontas," accused Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) of having a "low IQ," and hit Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for voting against the GOP effort to repeal Obamacare last year.
He also hit incumbent Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), telling Montanans they need someone representing them who actually votes like they're from the state. He encouraged the crowd to "get their a** out" to vote out Democrats, who he says want "anarchy."
Then, in a change of pace, Trump criticized former President George H. W. Bush. "What the hell" was up with the 41st president's "Thousands Points of Light" program?
In Montana, Trump takes a strange swipe at @GeorgeHWBush: “Thousand points of light. What does that mean? I know one thing. Make America Great Again we understand. Putting America first we understand. Thousand points of light, I never quite got that one. What the hell is that?”
— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) July 6, 2018
President Bush introduced the Thousand Points of Light program to promote volunteerism.
"I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the nation, doing good," Bush said of the effort.
The phrase led to the nonprofit Points of Light Foundation, formed in 1990.
Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, who served under President George W. Bush, recognizes the foundation's commendable goals and was offended by Trump's remarks. In his outrage, he also invoked Bush's age.
This is so uncalled for. Going after a 94-year-old, former President’s promotion of volunteerism. I don’t mind potus being a fighter. I do mind him being rude. https://t.co/Hr0d20Wuzz
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) July 6, 2018
Others said Trump's critique of 41 was especially unfortunate considering he recently lost his wife Barbara. Newsweek ran this headline to summarize the event: "Donald Trump Mocked Both John McCain, Who Is Dying, and George H. W. Bush, Who Just Lost His Wife, at Montana Rally."