Trump rebuked for saying it was ‘tough’ to watch the Paralympics
President Trump, who infamously mocked a disabled journalist on the campaign trail, said Friday he had a “tough” time watching American Paralympians compete in South Korea.
Trump made the off-color comment while congratulating U.S. athletes who participated in the Olympic and Paralympic games in Pyeongchang last month.
“What happened with the Paralympics was so incredible and so inspiring to me,” Trump said, standing on the White House North Portico surrounded by members of the Olympic and Paralympic teams. “And I watched — it’s a little tough to watch too much, but I watched as much as I could.”
A person familiar with the situation told the Daily News that Trump was referring to his schedule and how it prevented him from watching all of the games.
But the remark nonetheless drew instant ire over social media.
“Imagine losing your legs then fighting your way to the top of a new sport only to be INSULTED by the President of the United States,” musician Mikel Jollett tweeted.
Trump was widely rebuked after he made fun of Serge Kovaleski, a New York Times reporter who has arthrogryposis, a condition causing contractures in his right arm and hand.