President Donald Trump, during an event at the White House honoring Navajo code talkers Monday, referenced his nickname for Sen. Elizabeth Warren, "Pocahontas," a label he has long used about the Massachusetts Democrat.
"I just want to thank you because you are very, very special people. You were here long before any of us were here," Trump said. "Although, we have a representative in Congress who has been here a long time ... longer than you -- they call her Pochahontas!"
He then turned to one of the code talkers behind him, put his left hand on the man's shoulder and said: "But you know what, I like you. You are special people."
Trump was recognizing Native American Code Talkers who served during World War II
Native American Code Talkers were largely Navajo Marines who transmitted commands over the radio to soldiers overseas in their native language during World War II, after both sides became more adept at decoding encrypted messages.
Native American code talking became more reliable than Morse code in the war, notably aiding U.S. efforts in the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Trump made his comments Monday while standing in front of a portrait of Andrew Jackson, the former president who signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830 that resulted in the tragic Trail of Tears. Thousands of Native Americans died of cold, starvation and disease during the harrowing trek to the undeveloped Western territories.
"I just want to thank you because you are very, very special people. You were here long before any of us were here," Trump said. "Although, we have a representative in Congress who has been here a long time ... longer than you -- they call her Pochahontas!"
He then turned to one of the code talkers behind him, put his left hand on the man's shoulder and said: "But you know what, I like you. You are special people."
Trump was recognizing Native American Code Talkers who served during World War II
Native American Code Talkers were largely Navajo Marines who transmitted commands over the radio to soldiers overseas in their native language during World War II, after both sides became more adept at decoding encrypted messages.
Native American code talking became more reliable than Morse code in the war, notably aiding U.S. efforts in the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Trump made his comments Monday while standing in front of a portrait of Andrew Jackson, the former president who signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830 that resulted in the tragic Trail of Tears. Thousands of Native Americans died of cold, starvation and disease during the harrowing trek to the undeveloped Western territories.
!!! Trump, at event honouring Native American code talkers, calls Elizabeth Warren "Pocahontas." Full quote:— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) November 27, 2017
"You were here long before any of us were here. Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas."
Trump is holding this event honouring Native American code talkers, and insulting Warren as "Pocahontas," in front of a portrait of president Andrew Jackson, who signed the Indian Removal Act. pic.twitter.com/UoJpoOsoNC— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) November 27, 2017
Trump also suggested he wasn't much aware of the code talkers and had to ask John Kelly. Quote: "And I have to say, I said to General Kelly, I said, general, how good - here he is, right there, the chief; he's the general and the chief - I said, how good were these code talkers?"— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) November 27, 2017
Here's the video: Trump calls Elizabeth Warren 'Pocahontas' while honoring Native American code talkers: "You were here long before any of us were here. Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas." pic.twitter.com/hjZ5MInDDf— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 27, 2017
How insulting!
What a Jerk!