Donald Trump Just Crossed a New Line in American Politics

So this just happened…


Hours before voters go to the polls in New Hampshire, Donald Trump turned to the topic of waterboarding at a rally in Manchester. As he began to recount how Ted Cruz had squeamishly addressed the issue during Saturday’s debate, a shout came from the audience. Trump froze with a slight grin. And then this happened.

“She just said a terrible thing, you know what she said? Shout it out because I don’t want to say,” Trump said, clearly amused. As the woman repeated it, Trump pretended to be offended. “Psshh…you’re not allowed to say that, and I never expect to hear that from you again.” And then:

His exact quote: “You’re not allowed to say, and I never expect to hear that from you again, she said, ‘He’s a pussy,’ that’s terrible.”

As chants of “Trump! Trump! Trump!” broke out, the real estate mogul returned to the podium.

“What kind of people do I have here?” he said, to laughter, and then recalled getting flak for not condemning supporters who said offensive things about President Barack Obama. “The press got very angry because I didn’t defend the president, and I didn’t reprimand the person who said it. So, I just want to tell you, ma’am, you’re reprimanded, okay?”

So, that’s part of the political conversation now.

THANKS FOR READING. NOW ONE QUICK ASK...

Trump and his allies are clamping down on the press—using lawsuits, lies, intimidation, and the power of the federal government. While major media outlets cave, Mother Jones won’t back down. To help us stand strong, a generous board member just chipped in a $50,000 digital matching gift. Will you help us make the most of it?

Every dollar you give online through September 30 will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

The forces working to demolish trust in the media and the very idea of shared facts are not slowing down. If you believe in kickass, truth-telling independent journalism, now is the time to show it. Please give what you can—any amount—and know that every dollar will go twice as far.

payment methods

THANKS FOR READING. NOW ONE QUICK ASK...

Trump and his allies are clamping down on the press—using lawsuits, lies, intimidation, and the power of the federal government. While major media outlets cave, Mother Jones won’t back down. To help us stand strong, a generous board member just chipped in a $50,000 digital matching gift. Will you help us make the most of it?

Every dollar you give online through September 30 will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

The forces working to demolish trust in the media and the very idea of shared facts are not slowing down. If you believe in kickass, truth-telling independent journalism, now is the time to show it. Please give what you can—any amount—and know that every dollar will go twice as far.

payment methods

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate