CNN host Victor Blackwell, a Baltimore native, grew emotional on-air as he tried to defend his hometown after President Donald Trump attacked the city in a series of tweets.
Trump called Baltimore ‘a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess.’
Blackwell teared up as he rebuked the president’s remarks criticizing Rep. Elijah Cummings, whose district includes Baltimore.
The host also blasted the president for using the word ‘infested,’ saying that Trump often uses the term to mock non-whites.
Choking up live on air, Blackwell said: “The president says about congressman Cummings’ district that no human would want to live there. You know who did, Mr. President? I did.
“From the day I was brought home from the hospital, to the day I left for college and a lot of people I care about still do. There are challenges, no doubt. But people are proud of their community.
“I don’t want to sound self-righteous, but people get up and go to work there, they care for their families there, they love their children who pledge allegiance to the flag just like people who live in districts of congressmen who support you, sir. They are Americans too,” he added.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also said in a statement: “We all reject racist attacks against [Cummings] and support his steadfast leadership.”
David Simon, the creator of The Wire about crime and law enforcement in Baltimore, wrote on Twitter: “If this empty-suit, race-hating fraud had to actually visit West Baltimore for five minutes and meet any of the American citizens who endure there, he’d wet himself.”
Trump wrote on Twitter: “Rep, Elijah Cummings has been a brutal bully, shouting and screaming at the great men & women of Border Patrol about conditions at the Southern Border, when actually his Baltimore district is FAR WORSE and more dangerous. His district is considered the Worst in the USA.”
He added: “As proven last week during a Congressional tour, the Border is clean, efficient & well run, just very crowded. Cumming [sic] District is a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess. If he spent more time in Baltimore, maybe he could help clean up this very dangerous & filthy place,’ the president continued.
“Why is so much money sent to the Elijah Cummings district when it is considered the worst run and most dangerous anywhere in the United States.
“No human being would want to live there. Where is all this money going? How much is stolen? Investigate this corrupt mess immediately!”
Mr. Cummings replied: “Mr. President, I go home to my district daily. Each morning, I wake up, and I go and fight for my neighbors.”
What’s your take on this? Let us know in the comments section and SHARE this with your friends and family!