WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), who were locked in a well-documented feud months ago over the latter's account of a phone call between the president and the widow of Army Sgt. La David Johnson, may have a new reason to renew their spat.
Wilson has announced two weeks ahead of Trump’s first State of the Union address that she will be following in the footsteps of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calf.) and others by ditching the occasion.
The Florida Democrat said "recent racist and incendiary remarks about Haiti and African nations" were the reason why she won't be on hand for the speech.
"For the first time since I began serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, I will not be attending the president's State of the Union address. I have no doubt that instead of delivering a message of inclusivity and an agenda that benefits all Americans, President Trump's address will be full of innuendo, empty promises and lies," she said in a statement, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
"During his disappointing and destructive first year in office, Mr. Trump has demeaned the presidency at every opportunity and cast doubt on our nation's standing as a global leader. The United States' reputation is smoldering in the ashes of his recent racist and incendiary remarks about Haiti and African nations," she continued. "Many of his proposed domestic policies are harmful to people of color, low-income communities and the middle class. It would be an embarrassment to be seen with him at a forum that under any other president would be an honor to attend."
As mentioned, Waters also announced that she will not be attending the SOTU.
Waters, who also called Trump a "racist," went on MSNBC's "All in with Chris Hayes" to say Trump "does not deserve her attention."
“Oh no, I didn’t go to the inauguration. I didn’t go to the joint session that was held after that; I don’t intend to go to this one. Why would I take my time to go and listen to a liar, to someone who lies in the face of facts?” she said.
“What does he have to say that I would be interested in?” she added.
Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) said he "wouldn't be honest with [himself]" if he attends the SOTU, so he has also decided to boycott it.
Cox Media Group
