The US president prompted anger and accusations of racism after suggesting that the politicians should “go back” to the “broken and crime infested places from which they came”.
He did not specify who he was referring to, but the attack was widely interpreted as being aimed at congresswomen of colour including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley, who have all been critical of Mr Trump’s immigration policies in recent days.
Avengers: Endgame actor Chris Evans called the tweet “hateful and racist”, while a shocked Janelle Monáe expressed the belief that Trump could murder someone in the White House and get away with it.
Director Ava DuVernay ”saluted” the women Trump was referring to and asked them to “stay a pain in the a** of the Racist In Chief”.
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Her fellow filmmaker Rob Reiner concluded that it is “unarguable” that Trump “is a racist” and that those supporting him are “supporting racism”.
In a statement issued to Politico, Arnold Schwarzenegger said: “I’m disappointed in this weekend’s untrue, unfair, and un-American attack. It is hateful, it is crude, and it is divisive. America has always been about where you are going, not where you come from. That’s what drew me and millions of other proud, contributing Americans to the greatest country in the world to realise our dreams.
“At some point, you have to dial down Donald and dial up President Trump. I know it isn’t easy, but the job you hold is bigger than you. It is bigger than any man or woman. The American people put great trust in you to serve, and it is time to rise to their trust instead of dragging them down and tearing them apart.”
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