Is Ivanka Trump the Only One Who Can Curb Our President’s Worst Impulses?
Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty
A big part of Trump’s modus operandi is never apologizing, especially when it’s expected or demanded, which always makes it a surprise when he backtracks even a half-step. But that’s exactly what happened in the aftermath of the “send her back” chants at his Greenville, NC rally earlier this week, which were inspired by his own ‘go back’ tweet directed at Rep. Ilhan Omar and others. Yesterday, in the oval office, Trump tried to distance himself from the chant:
President Trump on “send her back” chant: “I was not happy with it. I disagree with it.” pic.twitter.com/qEplHgf2vM
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 18, 2019
It’s not true that he started “speaking very quickly”—he actually took a lengthy pause—but the more important point is that he said he disagrees with the sentiment and “was not happy with it.” When pressed on the idea that they were basically echoing his own words, Trump backpedaled even further, trying to distance himself.
It’s a rare sight, and a surprising one. Why did it happen? The Wall Street Journal had at least part of the explanation: