Sen. Gillibrand Fights Trump's "Sexist Smear"
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York who is considered a potential presidential candidate in 2020, was the target of a Twitter rant from President Trump on Tuesday. But she promised she wouldn’t be silenced, and her colleagues and supporters have publicly supported her on social media.
On Tuesday morning, Trump called Gillibrand a “lightweight” who begged him for campaign donations and “would do anything” to get them. The tweet came after Gillibrand and other senators called on Trump to resign given the sexual assault and harassment allegations against him, which he has denied. He also referenced her so-called “disloyalty” to the Clintons, because she recently said Bill Clinton should have resigned after his inappropriate relationship with intern Monica Lewinsky.
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
It’s worth noting that according to the Washington Post, Gillibrand had joined four other senators, who happened to be male, in calling for Trump’s resignation, but Trump only called her out by name.
Gillibrand shot back on Twitter, saying Trump could not silence her, “or the millions of women” who have found their political voice since his election. According to Associated Press reporter Zeke Miller, her tweet had four times as many retweets as Trump’s, and has already become her most retweeted tweet ever.
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
In a press conference, Gillibrand said President Donald Trump's latest tweet about her was a "sexist smear" aimed at silencing her voice, and insisted she won't be silenced on the issue of sexual harassment. She said she’s calling for an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against the president, because she believes that's "the right thing to do." And she silently shook her head at the idea that she had "begged" Trump for campaign contributions.
Gillibrand’s colleagues in Congress, and celebrity supporters, spoke out on Tuesday in her support.
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
Senator Gillibrand is right, we will not be silenced. https://t.co/Mp4CobkBt6
- Sen. Maggie Hassan (@SenatorHassan) December 12, 2017
.@realDonaldTrump, your insecurity is showing. @SenGillibrand, you are a powerful voice; these petty attacks are a badge of honor. https://t.co/i5n7qBhpRO
- Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) December 12, 2017
I judge Donald Trump by his words and his actions. Once again, he shows himself to be somebody who disrespects and sexually harasses women.
That's why, in the face of past accusations & current behavior, I'm calling for a congressional investigation into his treatment of women https://t.co/pm4I6z6gi3- Judy Chu (@RepJudyChu) December 12, 2017
.@realDonaldTrump: I call on you to issue an apology to @SenGillibrand immediately, take down this tweet, halt your efforts to silence women who speak out, and stop degrading the Office of the Presidency.” https://t.co/OU4LFnh5cH
- Elijah E. Cummings (@RepCummings) December 12, 2017
Responding to allegations of sexual misconduct by trying to publicly shame yet another woman, the president has shown us exactly what kind of person he is. Donald Trump has proven to be a poison for the presidency, a cancer on the country, and a truly disgraceful human being. https://t.co/vwpIayYVbd
- Rep. John Yarmuth (@RepJohnYarmuth) December 12, 2017
Amen @SenGillibrand ! Women like Sen. Gillibrand who have served our country and have fought to have more women in political office ( in every party) deserve to be heard and respected ! #offthesidelines https://t.co/Z0Sor3le6n
- Reese Witherspoon (@RWitherspoon) December 12, 2017
What do u mean @SenGillibrand would “do anything” for campaign contributions? By the way she isn’t a lightweight. Nor is @LindseyGrahamSC - both who sponsored my bipartisan bill to give women a voice to get rid of secret arbitration clauses. https://t.co/feCRIQwUkv
- Gretchen Carlson (@GretchenCarlson) December 12, 2017
