With just a week until Donald Trump gets sworn into office, backlash continues to grow against his presidency. After civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis publicly announced that he was boycotting the inauguration, Trump lashed out on Saturday and continued to do so into the night.
Trump on Lewis
Rep. John Lewis told "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd that Donald Trump wasn't a "legitimate president," and that he would be boycotting the inauguration next Friday. In response, Trump took to Twitter on Saturday morning and blasted the Democratic congressman, saying Lewis was "all talk" and "sad." In the hours that followed, the president-elect received heavy criticism, even from some Republicans, for his disrespect of a civil rights leader.
Despite this, the former host of "The Apprentice" returned to Twitter on Saturday night to continue his tirade, as reported on January 14.
Congressman John Lewis should finally focus on the burning and crime infested inner-cities of the U.S. I can use all the help I can get!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2017
"Congressman John Lewis should finally focus on the burning and crime infested inner-cities of the U.S," Donald Trump wrote on Twitter, before adding, "I can use all the help I can get!" Within minutes, social media users went after Trump for his smear of Lewis. Actor George Takei decided to also give his thoughts, tweeting, "John Lewis is a man of integrity, Donald.
I'd ask if you remember what integrity is, but truth is, you don't know the first thing about it."
More Democrats in the House say they are going to skip Trump inauguration after he blasts Rep. John Lewis https://t.co/m5euIxTxdm
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) January 15, 2017
Internal chaos
Earlier in the day, some Republicans were not pleased with how Donald Trump treated John Lewis.
Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele went on a lengthy rant over the issue during an appearance on MSNBC. Bill Kristol, the founder of the conservative magazine "The Weekly Standard," expressed his frustration on Twitter over Trump's comments, while questioning why the president-elect was giving more respect to Russian President Vladimir Putin than an American congressman who had such an active role during the Civil Rights era.
Moving forward
Even with an onslaught of criticism being directed his way, Donald Trump doesn't seem willing to alter his views or controversial political style. While Trump is being sworn into office in Washington, D.C. next week, over 100,000 of his critics are planning to attend and take part in a massive protest.