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."
Jake Tapper: Do you think President Trump is a white nationalist?
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 4, 2019
Beto O’Rourke: Yes, I do #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/6jx4bWCh7w
Beto must have missed the memo: mass shootings – a shooting where four or more people die – isn't a new phenomenon that started since Donald Trump became president... or even since he announced his candidacy.
Sandy Hook happened in 2012. Obama was president.
San Bernardino happened in 2015. Obama was president.
Pulse Night Club happened in 2016. Obama was still president.
Las Vegas happened in 2017. Trump was in office 10 months.
Parkland happened in 2018. Trump is president.
We need to do digger soul searching. Trump's so-called "racism" isn't a common thread between all these tragedies.