Trump appears to make obscene gesture as protester is thrown out of Cincinnati rally: 'Remind him that kids are watching'
President Donald Trump appeared to make an obscene gesture towards protesters who interrupted his rally on Thursday. Reports state that Trump's speech in Cincinnati, Ohio was interrupted twice by activists demonstrating against his anti-immigration policies, with one interruption lasting at least four minutes.
The president appeared to make his trademark "you're fired" finger point gesture as one of the protesters was getting kicked out of the event, and then followed it with a strange back and forth motion with his hand just below the waist.
As the video did the rounds of social media, multiple users called the gesture "unprofessional" and "rude," while others said that he was just motioning for the protesters to "get out" with his thumb, according to the Independent.
One Twitter user wrote: "Be best, someone should remind him that kids are watching, his supporters love this rude and crude behavior. I find it embarrassing and difficult to watch, it feels like mob behavior a little scary too."
Trump made what looks to be an obscene gesture toward a protester as he was getting kicked out his rally tonight pic.twitter.com/OTOiEyQdZU
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 2, 2019
While another wrote: "Millions of American youth have seen that obscene gesture given in a public setting by the President. High Schools are currently preparing for what to do when they get a “go back to where you’re from” incident. They should expect Trump’s gesture when they confront a MAGA youth."
Thursday's rally was Trump's first since the crowd at his rally in North Carolina chanted "send her back" after the Republican mentioned freshman Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. The racist chant came shortly after President Trump's tweet reflecting a similar sentiment as he said that four Congresswomen of color, known as "the Squad" should "go back" to their "crime infested countries."
The Congresswomen he was referring to were House Democrats Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley. Trump's controversial tweet drew heavy criticism from Democrats, some Republicans and other critics as they all slammed it as racist.
“The Democrat party is now being led by four left-wing extremists who reject everything that we hold dear," Trump said of the Congresswomen during his rally on Thursday. Although Thursday's crowds in Cincinnati did not repeat the racist chant, they, however, did shout "lock her up" after the president brought up former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Trump, speaking to reporters before leaving for Cincinnati, had said that he did not know whether his speech there would revive the "send her back" chant, however, he "loves" his supporters regardless.
