After Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand tweeted that President Donald Trump should resign, Trump decided to take to Twitter to attack Gillibrand with disgusting (and sexually evocative) remarks.
It’s not news that Trump Tweets about virtually anything and everyone that irks him, typically pulling no punches, and his tweet at Gillibrand was no different: “Lightweight Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a total flunky for Chuck Schumer and someone who would come to my office ‘begging’ for campaign contributions not so long ago (and would do anything for them), is now in the ring fighting against Trump. Very disloyal to Bill & Crooked-USED!” Trump wrote in his tweet.
Lightweight Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a total flunky for Chuck Schumer and someone who would come to my office “begging” for campaign contributions not so long ago (and would do anything for them), is now in the ring fighting against Trump. Very disloyal to Bill & Crooked-USED!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2017
The Washington Post reports that Trumps sexually suggestive tweet was made in response to Gillibrand first tweeting, “President Trump should resign. But, of course, he won’t hold himself accountable. Therefore, Congress should investigate the multiple sexual harassment and assault allegations against him” and for her statements that echoed that sentiment to news outlets.
President Trump should resign. But, of course, he won’t hold himself accountable. Therefore, Congress should investigate the multiple sexual harassment and assault allegations against him.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) December 11, 2017
You would think that Trump would encourage a formal investigation to clear his name; however, he instead claims that Gillibrand “would do anything for [campaign contributions].” (Because obviously the natural response to someone calling you out for alleged sexual crimes is to tweet about something that can be interpreted as sexual.) This makes it even more troubling that the president, who is being accused of sexual crimes by more than 13 woman, would imply that Gillibrand would resort to sexual acts to advance her career or position.
Gillibrand was quick to call Trump out on his abominable remarks, replying with, “You cannot silence me or the millions of women who have gotten off the sidelines to speak out about the unfitness and shame you have brought to the Oval Office.” Clearly, Gillibrand is not having Trump’s attempt to distract people from the real issues at hand — the allegations against him.
You cannot silence me or the millions of women who have gotten off the sidelines to speak out about the unfitness and shame you have brought to the Oval Office. https://t.co/UbQZqubXZv
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) December 12, 2017
Other political figures, such as Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono, have also voiced their support for Gillibrand by calling Trump out on his derogatory comments.
Are you really trying to bully, intimidate and slut-shame @SenGillibrand? Do you know who you’re picking a fight with? Good luck with that, @realDonaldTrump. Nevertheless, #shepersisted. https://t.co/mYJtBZfxiu
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) December 12, 2017
.@realDonaldTrump is a misogynist, compulsive liar, and admitted sexual predator. Attacks on Kirsten are the latest example that no one is safe from this bully. He must resign. https://t.co/7lNI23K7ib
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) December 12, 2017
“Donald Trump has made a conscious decision to return the fire. That’s his style and I cannot say he’s wrong to do it,” White House spokesperson, Ari Fleischer, told The New York Times. “It wasn’t my style. It wasn’t President Bush’s style. His instructions were to rise about it.”
It appears that Fleischer might be trying to spin Trump’s decision to attack anyone who doesn’t like him as a unique way to combat fire with fire. But the former presidents probably didn’t “return the fire” to all their haters for good reason, because sometimes fighting fire with fire makes things worse — and it isn’t necessarily the best move for a world leader to make.
As TIME points out, Trumps retaliation might actually strengthen Gillibrand’s support. Instead of actually refuting the claims against him, he chose to attack Gillibrand using the only method he knows how—sexually slanderous comments, a well-documented move he’s used in the past.
At a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon, Gillibrand responded to the tweet and the outpour of public support by calling it a “sexist smear” and an attempt to silence her and others who have spoken out.
“It was a sexist smear attempting to silence my voice, and I will not be silenced on this issue,” she said. “Neither will the women who stood up to the president yesterday.”