U.S President Donald Trump has attracted criticism for making a comment in a White House press briefing which many have interpreted as insensitive and racist.
CHECK OUT TRUMP'S SNIPE AT ELIZABETH WARREN BELOW:
Credit: NBC News
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This afternoon, the White House was holding an event to honor some of the last surviving Native American Code Talkers, who used codes based on their native languages to help encrypt communications during World War II.
However, while thanking the men stood next to him, Trump took the opportunity to aim a swipe at the expense of the Democratic Senator, Elizabeth Warren.
"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'," Trump said, referring to Warren's Native American heritage. "But you know what, I like you, because you are special." Oh dear.
Trump, who is no stranger to criticism for controversial comments, has referred to Warren as 'Pochahontas' throughout his brief career in politics.
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The President made this latest comment while standing in front of a portrait of Andrew Jackson, the former U.S. president who signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830 which forcibly relocated most Native Americans from the South to Indian territory.
Many media and political commentators were quick to criticise Trump on Twitter for the comment, noting an 'awkward silence' in the room after he made it:
Warren eventually responded to Trump's comment in an already scheduled interview with MSNBC's Ali Velshi.
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"It is deeply unfortunate that the President of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honoring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur," Warren said.
"Donald Trump does this over and over, thinking he's somehow gonna shut me up with it. It didn't work in the past. It is not gonna work in the future."
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