
At this point, Donald Trump isn’t even pretending anymore. On Monday, not only did he openly admit that his son colluded with Russia — which would be hard to deny anyway as Don Jr. tweeted evidence — but he made the monumental mistake of claiming “most politicians” (a group that apparently includes himself) would collude with Russia as well.
“Most politicians would have gone to a meeting like the one Don jr attended in order to get info on an opponent,” Trump said. “That’s politics!”
Most politicians would have gone to a meeting like the one Don jr attended in order to get info on an opponent. That's politics!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 17, 2017
What happened was anything but “politics.” Trump Jr. along with former campaign manager Paul Manafort and Ivanka Trump’s husband Jared Kushner met with a “Russian government lawyer” to get damaging information about Hillary Clinton that they understood to be coming directly from the Russian government. A former KGB counterintelligence officer was present. Traditionally this sort of meeting, which took place inside Trump Tower one floor below The Donald’s office, is called “treason” — not that American politics has exactly many (if any) examples of this in the past.
Though Republicans continue to excuse the fact that we literally have a traitor in the White House, Americans aren’t willing to take this sh*t. Many of them stopped by to let The Donald know what they think of him, his son, and the whole “treason” thing:
So you’re condoning corruption and collusion?
— Luke Waltham (@lukewaltham) July 17, 2017
Firstly, no they wouldn’t because it’s not legal and certainly unethical. Second, your idiot son isn’t a politician.
— Mike P Williams (@Mike_P_Williams) July 17, 2017
No! Most people would have reported the proposition to the FBI.
Only the Trumps would be fool enough to take the meeting. #NiceTryTrump— val broeksmit (@BikiniRobotArmy) July 17, 2017
That’s not true. Most politicians would not collude or attempt to collude with Russia
— Edward Hardy (@EdwardTHardy) July 17, 2017
Dig dig dig dig. Holes getting deeper & deeper
— Jeremy M (@thismyshow) July 17, 2017
36% approval rating, lowest in history. That’s politics! #MAGA
— Nathan Bernard (@nathanTbernard) July 17, 2017
Name one other US presidential candidate whose top campaign team engaged a foreign power to get such information.
— Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) July 17, 2017
They thought they were meeting someone with information from a Russian govt official. That’s clear from email Trump Jr released.
— Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) July 17, 2017
You’re neglecting to mention the bit where this was a meeting that was to be attended by, I quote, a “Russian government attorney”
— Pé Resists (@4everNeverTrump) July 17, 2017
tl;dr We’re guilty.
— Dennis DiClaudio (@dennisdiclaudio) July 17, 2017
No, it’s TREASON.
— Carrie Sweet (@CarrieSweet2017) July 17, 2017
Nope. Stop trying to normalize treason.
— Tina-TheResistance (@trcfwtt) July 17, 2017
You are incredibly wrong. I do oppo for campaigns. Any normal person would have called FBI. #TrumpRussia
— Robb Birkhead (@CaptainBirkhead) July 17, 2017
Sorry @realDonaldTrump YOU ARE WRONG! MOST politicians would have GONE TO THE FBI!
— L McD (@lmccapp) July 17, 2017
The emails clearly stated “russian government attorny” and the Russian government supported the trump campaign. COLLUSION
— chris (@catzombieface) July 17, 2017
FYI – any with enough integrity fit for the White House would have reported it to the FBI.
— Caroline Feraday (@CarolineFeraday) July 17, 2017
Every sentence in your son’s initial statement on this a week ago – crafted by your White House – was a lie. Why was that? pic.twitter.com/X5INex5Iyc
— Dan Murphy (@bungdan) July 17, 2017
No #traitor Most politicians would’ve contacted the @FBI Because a FOREIGN country was trying to interfere in US elections. #WeAreNotRussia
— RM #DemForce (@kanzaz) July 17, 2017
It seems pretty clear that most Americans don’t think this is normal. Trump has the lowest six-month approval rating of any president* in 70 years — 36%.
Since assuming office, he has done nothing but repeatedly embarrass our nation and decrease our standing in the world.
This should be over. This should have been over long ago — but Republicans have repeatedly chosen party over country, and until they step up and do what’s right we’re completely and totally f*cked.
Featured image via Getty Images/screengrab