President-elect Donald Trump, who was told to "grow up" the other day by outgoing Vice-President Joe Biden, responded to frank criticism from award-winning actress Meryl Streep by calling Streep, "A Hillary flunky who lost big," (ABC News, 1-9-17). Streep's criticism of Trump was precipitated by his ridicule of a disabled reporter, which included mimicking the reporter's voice, gestures, and mannerisms. Other notable Americans who have responded adversely to Trump's ridicule of the reporter, include President Barack Obama, whose presidency is ending in less than two weeks, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, (D).

"The Donald's" ridicule of reporter

Trump's ridicule of New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski took place in November of 2015, a year before the 2016 Presidential Election. Trump launched his ill-begotten attack on Kovaleski after the reporter challenged Trump's claim that people were observed "celebrating" the terrorist attacks on The World Trade Center in 2001. Trump, while attending a rally, told his audience that they "should see this guy," (Kovaleski), (Newstalk.com, 11/25/16). Then Trump started swaying his hands and arms back and forth, mimicking facial gestures and making noises. The implication was that he saw Kovaleski as a non-communicative, disabled person who lacks coherence and is unable to decide what to do with his arms and hands.

Trump's actions raised the ire of observers on both sides of the aisle, as well as that of foreign leaders and dignitaries throughout the world.

Trump ridicules Meryl Streep

Trump took to Twitter and tore at Meryl Streep for her critique of his comments and gestures ridiculing Kovaleski. Trump described Streep as "one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood," (ABC News, 1/9/17).

Trump then continued his diatribe against Streep and stated that she is "a Hillary flunky who lost big." Trump then posted another tweet in which he claimed that he never ridiculed "a disabled reporter, but simply showed him…..," (ABC News, 1-9-17). Trump did not complete the sentence, and so it's anyone's guess what Trump was trying to "show" the disabled reporter.

Congressman threatens "vigorous action" against Trump

Meanwhile, Congressman Adam Schiff has promised that there will be "vigorous" actions taken against Trump by Congress if he tries to reverse sanctions imposed by the Obama Administration against Russia. The sanctions were placed on Russia after both the FBI and Homeland Security concluded that the Russians, under the direction of Vladimir Putin, interfered with the 2016 Presidential election by hacking the DNC, (Democratic National Committee), emails, and other similar actions.
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