Boosting GOP, Trump accuses Pelosi of being an ‘MS-13 lover’

UNITED STATES President Donald Trump on Tuesday night accused House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of being an “MS-13 lover” and dismissed a Democratic Senate candidate as a “tool” of Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a line of attack likely to become familiar as he boosts Republican congressional candidates ahead of midterm elections.

Trump’s visit to Nashville, Tennessee, promoted the Senate candidacy of Representative Marsha Blackburn, who was expected to face former Governor Phil Bredesen in the race to replace retiring Republican Senator Bob Corker. Besides headlining a private fundraiser for Blackburn, he used a public rally to urge supporters not to become “complacent” this fall while Democrats were “sticking together” to block his agenda.

BREDESEN CRITICISED

“We need Marsha in the Senate to continue the amazing progress and work that we’ve done over the last year and a half,” Trump said during the rally.

“To keep on winning, you have to vote Republican in November.”

The Tennessee campaign is among several races expected to determine control of the Senate, where Republicans are defending a narrow two-seat majority. The president criticised Bredesen for being backed by national Democrats.

“He’s a tool of Chuck Schumer and, of course, the MS-13 lover Nancy Pelosi,” Trump said. Earlier this month, the House Democratic leader criticised Trump’s rhetoric and policies on immigrants after he called members of the international gang “animals”.

Trump added that Bredesen had donated to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2016, saying, “Phil Bredesen supported her and he supported her ideas”.