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Democratic Congresswoman Shames Donald Trump for Joking About Her Dead Husband at His Michigan Rally
At his impeachment day rally in Michigan on Wednesday, Donald Trump resorted to his usual brand of name-calling and insults.
This time he went on a riff about Michigan Democratic Representative Debbie Dingell, who succeeded her husband, John Dingell, after he retired at the end of 2014 as the longest serving member of Congress in U.S. history.
John Dingell died on February 7, 2019 at age 92. Which for Trump meant that he was fair game for mockery, namely, suggesting that perhaps he was in hell right now.
After complaining that Rep. Dingell voted for his impeachment, Trump claimed she requested that her husband lie in state after his death, and that after he "gave him everything," she called him to thank him profusely.
"She calls me up, "it's the nicest thing that's ever happened, thank you so much. John would be so thrilled, he's looking down he would be so thrilled. Thank you so much, sir." That's OK, don't worry about it. Maybe he's looking up, I don't know."
Watch it below:
Michiganders do a brief double-take when Trump jokes that veteran Rep. John Dingell may have gone to hell when he d… https://t.co/2SlhR9f019— Josh Marshall (@Josh Marshall) 1576722416.0
Wednesday night after the rally, Dingell fired back with a tweet explaining to Trump how much his comments hurt her:
"You brought me down in a way you can never imagine and your hurtful words just made my healing much harder."
Mr. President, let’s set politics aside. My husband earned all his accolades after a lifetime of service. I’m prepa… https://t.co/yGVyZBUCc3— Rep. Debbie Dingell (@Rep. Debbie Dingell) 1576724080.0
Dingell's office also released the facts including that John Dingell "didn't lie in the rotunda. Mrs. Dingell didn't request it and when suggested she declined. And that would have been a Congressional decision, not Presidential."
A response from Rep. Debbie Dingell’s office after the president’s attack tonight. https://t.co/rvO5kgzJ93 https://t.co/WD46Lzg3Si— Josh Dawsey (@Josh Dawsey) 1576730706.0
People on both sides of the aisle were outraged by Trump's words, with two Republican Reps from Michigan, Fred Upton and Paul Mitchell, calling on Trump to apologize.
I’ve always looked up to John Dingell - my good friend and a great Michigan legend. There was no need to 'dis' him… https://t.co/CikFkePo0k— Fred Upton (@Fred Upton) 1576727420.0
John Dingell was a well-respected man & I consider Debbie a close colleague and friend. To use his name in such a d… https://t.co/IdNHFLwLlY— Rep. Paul Mitchell (@Rep. Paul Mitchell) 1576764118.0
Former Republican Senator Jeff Flake tweeted:
One day in the not too distant future, Republicans will wake up and say, "We did this for this man?" https://t.co/R9Fl9E2BF5— Jeff Flake (@Jeff Flake) 1576769481.0
Megan McCain expressed her disgust.
This is horrific. Just horrific. It’s hard for me to eloquently say how disgusted I am by this. I am just so deeply… https://t.co/hoXoM5tA9j— Meghan McCain (@Meghan McCain) 1576759184.0
And Justin Amash, former Republican Congressman, tweeted his support for Rep. Dingell:
@RepDebDingell Debbie, we are here for you. So many people loved and respected John. Praying for you and your family.— Justin Amash (@Justin Amash) 1576730026.0
Others were equally outraged.
Rep. Dingell, I'm heartbroken by Trump's comments. Your husband was an honorable man and patriot; I worked with him on the Hill and it was a privilege. Thank you for your work and for taking the high road with Trump. P.S. I miss Rep. Dingell's clever and funny tweets.
— mare6367 (@mare6367) December 19, 2019
John Dingell served our country in World War II. He was the longest-serving Member of the House in history, was ins… https://t.co/OyNDttxnyM— Paul Begala (@Paul Begala) 1576722967.0
Standing with my friend @RepDebDingell tonight. Mr. President, shame on you. Going after Rep. John Dingell, a WWI… https://t.co/1ros1lP2Tg— Rep. Elissa Slotkin (@Rep. Elissa Slotkin) 1576725210.0
Help me here. I'm being sincere. This is STILL your guy? Forget the news source. Forget that this part of a patt… https://t.co/WI7HM41TWk— Jim Gaffigan (@Jim Gaffigan) 1576763345.0
The White House's response? That Trump is a "counter-puncher."
After Pres Trump lashed out Rep Debbie Dingell, sarcastically suggesting her late husband may be in hell, WH press… https://t.co/mkLYwpsFu3— Karen Travers (@Karen Travers) 1576769669.0
Keeping it classy as always.