The Atlantic

Trump's Most Egregious 'Pocahontas' Joke Yet

The president jabbed at Elizabeth Warren using an offensive nickname during a White House event honoring World War II Navajo code talkers.
Source: Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

At the end of last month, President Trump declared that in November, the U.S. would honor Native American heritage. “This month, I encourage all of our citizens to learn about the rich history and culture of the Native American people,” he wrote.

On Monday, he stood in front of a portrait of President Andrew Jackson to thank World War II Navajo code talkers, using the opportunity to mock a senator who claimed Cherokee descent, by using a Powhatan name.

“I just want to thank you because you’re very, very special description of the role played by the men, who during World War II served in the Marines, using native languages as a code that the Japanese couldn’t break. Then he added: “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.’”

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