President Trump responded to Robert “Beto” O’Rourke’s repeated criticism of him in the wake of the shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, telling him to “be quiet.”
"Beto (phony name to indicate Hispanic heritage) O’Rourke, who is embarrassed by my last visit to the Great State of Texas, where I trounced him, and is now even more embarrassed by polling at 1% in the Democrat Primary, should respect the victims & law enforcement - & be quiet!" Trump tweeted.
Beto (phony name to indicate Hispanic heritage) O’Rourke, who is embarrassed by my last visit to the Great State of Texas, where I trounced him, and is now even more embarrassed by polling at 1% in the Democrat Primary, should respect the victims & law enforcement - & be quiet!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2019
The criticism came after O’Rourke placed the blame at Trump’s feet, arguing over the weekend that he “stokes racism in this country."
He was even more blunt in an exchange with CNN:
Beto O’Rourke on his way to his car was asked if there’s anything Trump can do now to make this better.
— Eric Bradner (@ericbradner) August 5, 2019
“What do you think? You know the shit he’s been saying. He’s been calling Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals. I don’t know, like, members of the press, what the fuck?” pic.twitter.com/zjLYf4mzBr
The Democratic presidential candidate responded to Trump’s command shortly after, tweeting: “22 people in my hometown are dead after an act of terror inspired by your racism. El Paso will not be quiet and neither will I.”
O'Rourke is scheduled to attend an event in El Paso on Wednesday to pay tribute to the victims and counter Trump's visit.
Thank you for your leadership, @RepEscobar. When President Trump comes to El Paso tomorrow, I will be joining our strong, beautiful, binational community at #ElPasoStrong. I hope to see you there. https://t.co/kAkNhaSoMk https://t.co/NXqRqUjiSf
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) August 7, 2019