Trump: Chicago Is ‘Embarrassing to Us as a Nation’

President Donald Trump has attacked the city of Chicago during his first visit there on Monday night. During a speech where he attacked the local police superintendent, Trump took a swipe at the city that has often been the focus of his rhetoric.

Trump said Chicago was ’embarrassing to us as a nation’ and pushed the idea that the city is a hotbed for criminality.

This is a popular talking point on the right and among the President’s supporters.

Chicago police superintendent Eddie Johnson refused to attend Trump’s speech in protest against the President’s immigration policy and his rhetoric. Trump predictably attacked Johnson.

“There is one person who is not here today.” He went on: “Where is he? I want to talk to him. In fact, more than anyone else, this person should be here because maybe he could learn something, and that’s the superintendent of the Chicago police, Eddie Johnson,” Trump said.

The Mayor of Chicago Lori Lightfoot shot back on Twitter, calling Trump’s remarks ‘ignorant buffoonery’.

It's no surprise that @realDonaldTrump brought his insulting, ignorant buffoonery to Chicago. Luckily, in this city, we know the truth and we will not let anyone — no matter how high the office — denigrate who we are as a people or our status as a welcoming city.

— Archived: Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@mayorlightfoot) October 28, 2019

Fox News made much of Superintendent Johnson’s decision not to attend Trump’s speech as it took place at a national convention of police officers and the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police condemned Johnson’s decision repeatedly.