President Donald Trump has been criticised for using a racial slur during an event designed to honor Native American veterans in the White House's Oval Office.
He did so by calling a Democratic rival, Senator Elizabeth Warren, "Pocahontas" on Tuesday, a phrase he has repeatedly used to describe Warren, who has before spoken about her mother's Native American ancestry, reports PTI.
The President has reportedly passed racist comments against Warren regarding her ancestry before. He had first used the phrase during the 2016 presidential election.
Welcoming three aging Navajo "code talkers," who helped keep allied operations secret during World War II, Trump threw etiquette out the window and decided to take the opportunity to verbally attack Warren instead.
I just want to thank you because you’re very, very special people. 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.Donald Trump, as reported by PTI
There was an awkward burst of giggles from the staff upon this statement, reports PTI.
During the remarks, Trump and the three veterans stood beneath a portrait of controversial president Andrew Jackson – who ordered the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral land, causing thousands to die.
The White House denied that Trump's remarks were a racial slur and claimed that what was "very offensive" was Warren "lying" about her ancestry.
I think what most people find offensive is Senator Warren lying about her heritage. The president finds an extreme amount of value and respect in these individuals.White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, as reported by The Telegraph
Responding to the racial slur thrown her way, Warren told MSNBC: “It is deeply unfortunate that the president of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honouring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur."
(With inputs from PTI and The Telegraph.)
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