“They call her Pocahontas,” President Donald Trump joked of Senator Elizabeth Warren while honoring three elderly Native Americans who helped win World War II.
“You were here long before any of us were here,” Trump told the Code Talkers, who used Native American languages to code and decode secret military messages during the war. “Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas,” Trump said, using the monicker he commonly uses to refer to Elizabeth Warren, who has Native American ancestry.
“But you know what,” he added, placing his hand on the shoulder of one of the men, “I like you.”
Video of the moment, which could be described as both painfully awkward and deeply offensive, was captured and shared on social media.
Here’s the video: Trump calls Elizabeth Warren ‘Pocahontas’ while honoring Native American code talkers: “You were here long before any of us were here. Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas.” pic.twitter.com/hjZ5MInDDf
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 27, 2017
The ceremony took place in front of a painting of President Andrew Jackson, who signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830.
