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.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
Quiz of The Week: 15 – 21 NovemberQuiz Have you been paying attention to The Week’s news?
-
Can the UK do more on climate change?Today's Big Question Labour has shown leadership in the face of fraying international consensus, but must show the public their green mission is ‘a net benefit, not a net cost’
-
The Week Unwrapped: Will US Catholics rebel against the Pope?Podcast Plus what are the ethics of freezing your late partner?
-
Court strikes down Texas GOP gerrymanderSpeed Read The Texas congressional map ordered by Trump is likely an illegal racial gerrymander, the court ruled
-
Trump defends Saudi prince, shrugs off Khashoggi murderSpeed Read The president rebuked an ABC News reporter for asking Mohammed bin Salman about the death of a Washington Post journalist at the Saudi Consulate in 2018
-
Congress passes bill to force release of Epstein filesSpeed Read The Justice Department will release all files from its Jeffrey Epstein sex-trafficking investigation
-
Trump says he will sell F-35 jets to Saudi ArabiaSpeed Read The president plans to make several deals with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this week
-
Judge blasts ‘profound’ errors in Comey caseSpeed Read ‘Government misconduct’ may necessitate dismissing the charges against the former FBI director altogether
-
Ecuador rejects push to allow US military basesSpeed Read Voters rejected a repeal of a constitutional ban on US and other foreign military bases in the country
-
Trump pivots on Epstein vote amid GOP defectionsSpeed Read The president said House Republicans should vote on a forced release of the Justice Department’s Jeffrey Epstein files
-
Trump DOJ sues to block California redistrictingSpeed Read California’s new congressional map was drawn by Democrats to flip Republican-held House seats
