Trump Mocks Beto’s ‘Phony’ Nickname In Midnight Tweet Before El Paso Visit

EL PASO, TEXAS - AUGUST 04: Democratic presidential candidate and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke prepares to be interviewed outside Walmart near the scene of a mass shooting which left at least 20 people dead on August... EL PASO, TEXAS - AUGUST 04: Democratic presidential candidate and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke prepares to be interviewed outside Walmart near the scene of a mass shooting which left at least 20 people dead on August 4, 2019 in El Paso, Texas. A 21-year-old male suspect was taken into custody in the city which sits along the U.S.-Mexico border. At least 26 people were wounded. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

President Donald Trump fired off a midnight tweet mocking Beto O’Rourke’s “phony” nickname “to indicate Hispanic heritage,” to which the former congressman quickly responded.

Trump sent the tweet just hours before he’s due in El Paso Wednesday, the site of a massacre inspired by the shooter’s belief in the “Great Replacement Theory” or xenophobic conviction that leftists are scheming to fill the country with foreigners of color.

O’Rourke is of Irish heritage, but was given his nickname as a child growing up in El Paso, a mixed-race community.

The Democratic presidential hopeful has had strong words for the President in the wake of the killings, angrily telling reporters that “you know the shit he’s been saying” and that “he’s not tolerating violence, he’s inciting racism and violence in this country.”

He, along with his congressional successor Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX), has asked Trump not to come to the site of the shooting, saying the community needs time to “heal.”

Latest News

Notable Replies

  1. Beto needs to come out swinging even more than in past few days. It’s long past time for being PC. His campaign is polling at 2%? Perfect time to set the stage as the tell it like it is firebrand to take over Cornyn’s seat while shoving a fistful of reality down Donnie Moscow’s throat.

  2. I don’t think that Beto is yet ‘presidential timber’… but he is the perfect person to go after tRump, and I hope he jumps in with both feet during tRumps visit.

  3. This is exactly why Donnie two scoops should not go to El Paso.

    Just a guess, but this is not going to turn out well for two scoops, El Paso or the country.

  4. Mayor should go: “we can’t stop you from landing at airport but until you pay past due bills we will provide no other services for your visit.”

  5. Indeed we need Alan Grayson /Anthony Weiner level of outrage( sans baggage of course)
    It cost Hillary the election
    She should have labeled him a creepy old man the minute he started stalking her in the debate
    We need to leave “polite” behind
    Every appearance should be a confrontation
    He doesn’t deserve respect
    Nice guys finish last

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

74 more replies

Participants

Avatar for ajoguy Avatar for srfromgr Avatar for littlegirlblue Avatar for cervantes Avatar for dont Avatar for sickneffintired Avatar for murgatroid Avatar for borisjimbo Avatar for darrtown Avatar for jonney_5 Avatar for dommyluc Avatar for docd Avatar for ljb860 Avatar for jacksonhts Avatar for lizzymom Avatar for noonm Avatar for corncaucus2008 Avatar for davidn Avatar for spacesaver Avatar for dougsanders Avatar for zakster17 Avatar for zillacop Avatar for atldrew Avatar for c_stedman

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: