Donald Trump criticized after comparing relationship between China and U.S. to 'rape'
Donald Trump's big mouth might have gotten him into trouble once again after he called the trade imbalance between China and the United States a "rape."
"We can't allow China to rape our country. And that's what they're doing. It's the greatest theft in the history of the world," Trump said Sunday during a rally in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
"I thought those were a really bad use of words. But whatever. That's what he does, and I guess that's what gets him those primary voters," Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski observed afterward.
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While Sunday was the first time Trump used the word "rape" to describe the actions between China and the U.S. this election season, CNN reports he used similar language in 2011 when he claimed "China is raping this country" while touring a defense manufacturer in New Hampshire.
Trump has also come under fire for bragging about an endorsement from boxer Mike Tyson, who was convicted of rape in Indiana. Ted Cruz has spoken out against the endorsement, telling CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday, "I don't think rapists are tough guys. I think rapists are weak, they're bullies, and they're cowards. And Donald may be really proud of his support from a convicted rapist."
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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