Trump uses racial slur during African American History Month reception at White House

Indigenous Americans have condemned president for use of word

Donald Trump has used a racial slur against Elizabeth Warren, referring to her as “Pocahontas” during a White House reception for leading members of the African American community.

The president has frequently been criticised for using the word to refer to the Democratic senator from Massachusetts, mocking her over her claim to have native ancestry. The National Congress of American Indians has previously condemned Mr Trump for using the term.

Mr Trump used the word again at a White House reception for leading members of the black community to mark African American History Month.

“The First Lady and I are thrilled to welcome you to the White House as we proudly celebrate African-American History Month,” the president said, according to a pool report issued by the White House.

“In every generation, African Americans have enriched our culture, deepened our faith, strengthened our communities, sustained our values, raised up our conscience, and called our nation to greatness.”

He added: “Throughout our history, African-American citizens have battled for equality, justice, and liberty. We revere freedom fighters like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King and Thurgood Marshall.”

But the report noted that after delivering his opening comments, Mr Trump quickly returned to election campaign mode, mentioning his pardon of Angela Stanton-King and criminal justice reform.

He also talked about having the best ever black employment numbers, and then talked about his administration’s plans for dealing with coronavirus. He complained that he received no credit for it from the media.

The report said Mr Trump and talked about a rally Ms Warren held where the crowd was smaller than at one he held. He referred to the 70-year-old Democratic hopeful as “Pocahontas”, the report said.

After his remarks, Mr Trump asked everyone at the table to introduce themselves. Everyone had praise for the president and for helping on issues of importance to them. A few, particularly Bruce LeVell and Candace Owens, had longer remarks critical of the media and Democrats.

“You lose a fortune being president,” Mr Trump said, adding he given up his $400K presidential salary.

The president also took a dig at former vice president Joe Biden, and said he often mixed up the names of states.

He claimed if he did the same, it would be career ending.

He added: “I never get credit for anything.”​