President Donald Trump faced yet more accusations of racism on Monday after he praised a border patrol agent for being someone who “speaks perfect English.”
Trump sparked an online backlash following his quip, which he made whilst hailing Adrian Anzaldua for his role in the recent discovery of 78 undocumented immigrants inside a trailer in Laredo, Texas.
“The border patrol agent who caught the accused and likely saved many lives, he’s here with us,” Trump said at the White House event. “You’re not nervous, right? Speaks perfect English.”
Twitter users were quick to criticize Trump over the remark, with many calling it “racist” and “unbelievable”:
Too bad the *president doesn’t speak perfect English.
— Gina Bradbury (@screaminggina) August 20, 2018
Even when Trump is attempting to compliment someone, his overt racism just oozes out.
— J. Locke (@realJLocke) August 20, 2018
🤷🏿♀️🤷🏿♀️ pic.twitter.com/OekInqZORK
— Marshea (Mar-shay) (@Marshea85) August 20, 2018
The blatant racism of this administration is non-stop. It keeps on coming. Trump is trying to use minority federal agents to show he's not racist, and then insults the Latino agent with his "perfect English" remark. Unbelievable. https://t.co/vdOPaPxcCD
— Niraj Warikoo (@nwarikoo) August 21, 2018
NYT: "And there was one awkward moment: As Mr. Trump introduced a Hispanic Border Patrol agent, Adrian Anzaldua, above, he noted that he spoke "perfect English.”
— Mike Daisey (@mdaisey) August 20, 2018
It's not awkward. He's racist.
This afternoon, Predator trump introduced a Latino border patrol agent by saying “he speaks perfect English.”
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) August 21, 2018
A beyond racist illiterate Buffoon who believes his daily wordsalad is proper English.
The presidents mind is drifting away into a sea of petty racist fixations and awkward attempts at confidence.
— Hal Sparks (@HalSparks) August 21, 2018
We’d be better off if he just farted ‘the star spangled banner’ into a microphone 😒 https://t.co/9TQBms1XTA
Trump started his campaign calling Mexicans “rapists” and “murderers.” Of course he will say that a Latino border agent “speaks perfect English.” Dude has been a racist since day one.
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) August 20, 2018
Thanks @Omarosa, but we don’t need your tapes. We’ve already know.
He spoke perfect English unlike the President who speaks gibberish.
— Tom Street (@tmstreet) August 20, 2018
Racist said what?
— TruthIsTruth (@RelativelySane0) August 20, 2018
@realDonaldTrump What would this President know about perfect English?
— mdw831 (@mdw8311) August 20, 2018
Heres’s Trump introducing a border patrol officer, who appears to be Hispanic and says “he speaks perfect English.” Racist much? #trumpmustgo pic.twitter.com/SKuOsWWm88
— Charlie (@Charlieresists) August 20, 2018
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
Before You Go