Critics are calling out President Donald Trump for a “dangerous” new attack on his fellow Americans made during a speech in front of thousands of U.S. Navy sailors on Sunday.
“We have to take care of this little gnat that’s on our shoulder called the Democrats. They want to give all of our money to illegal aliens that pour into the country,” said Trump, making a flicking gesture from his shoulder as he spoke.
Trump’s insistence that someone has to “take care of” Democrats refers to nearly half the country, with a Pew survey released in July finding that 45% of American adults identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party.
That’s nearly identical to the 46% who identify with or lean toward the Republican Party.
Trump’s claim also comes as both the president and his allies have spent much of the past month claiming rhetoric from “the left” is fueling a rise in political violence.
