This week, Donald Trump’s tweets made the news again—this time, for attacking what’s become known as “The Squad” of progressive women of color in Congress. His remarks were aimed at Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib.
Despite the fact that all of these women are American citizens, and all but one of them were born on U.S. soil, he told them to leave the country and “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.” On Wednesday, he doubled down on his attacks, encouraging his followers to chant “send her back” in reference to Ilhan Omar at a rally.
Throughout the week, supporters have been coming out in force on Twitter to stand against racism and hatred, and they show no signs of slowing down. Hashtags like #TheSquad, #RacistPresident, and #IStandWithIlhan have been trending over recent days.
Parkland shooting survivor and gun control activist David Hogg stepped up to defend The Squad’s patriotism.
I do not understand the mindset of people that think wanting to make America a more equal and just place means you hate it. In my mind the real people that hate America are the ones that have benefited their entire life from inequality, see it, & yet choose to do nothing.
July 16, 2019
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay offered some words of encouragement.
Saluting these women. Stay pushing. Stay shining. Stay working. Stay a pain in the ass of the #RacistInChief and all his co-horts. Stay true to who you are. Stay safe. Stay together. Stay making us proud. #FourQueenspic.twitter.com/jkcXe6Z96F
July 14, 2019
Activist and writer Shaun King had some pointed comments about conservatives who chose to stay silent about the president’s rant.
It’s now been 12 hours since Trump issued this overtly racist, white supremacist tweet stream. If you are a conservative and have not called this out in 12 hours, it’s clear you condone it and believe it. https://t.co/rh1eyW4Pwm
July 14, 2019
Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. took a cue from the Onion and was welcomed into the fold.
Well. How bout it @AyannaPressley@AOC@RepRashida@IlhanMN? https://t.co/jqdmXneYv5
July 16, 2019
You�re in, @BillPascrell! ����������� https://t.co/iuYJfCyWng
July 16, 2019
Thousands of other Twitter users stepped up to express their love and admiration for the four women, praising them for standing their ground.
I love, honor and respect these deeply intelligent, beautiful, kind, hard-working congresswomen. I will follow #TheSquad to the ends of the earth. This is the best of America, right here @aoc@AyannaPressley@IlhanMN@RashidaTlaibpic.twitter.com/gTjGMwpqc1
July 15, 2019
This is my America, and it is AWESOME! ������ I stand with #TheSquadpic.twitter.com/2QDRxe0wLu
July 16, 2019
Some compared The Squad’s policies to Trump’s political approach.
A racist @realDonaldTrump, head of a racist administration, enacting racist policies, promoting other racist figures and actively praising racist attacks. The sooner #TheSquad are in charge of ‘the land of the free and home of the brave’, the better for the rest of the world. pic.twitter.com/YSPD1L70iN
July 17, 2019
Other found the four women took the words right out of their mouths.
The future of the Democratic Party is very, very bright and can’t get here soon enough. ðÂ�Â�Â¥@Ilhan@AyannaPressley@AOC@RashidaTlaib Your words and response to this #RacistPresident spoke exactly what many of us feel. I stand with #TheSquad. ðÂ�Â�Â�ðÂ�Â�½ pic.twitter.com/rJpdiVS1Ls
July 15, 2019
Some users thought the rest of the Democrats could stand to take a page from The Squad’s book.
Four women of color did what every Member of Congress, regardless of political party, should have been doing all along: refuse to accept this nonsense and punch back. #TheSquad
July 15, 2019
It’s clear The Squad is bigger than just four policymakers—millions of voters are standing behind their work.
“We are more than four people… Our squad is big. Our squad includes any person committed to building a more equitable and just world.” – @AyannaPressley We got you, sis. And we stand with you in pushing, advocating, & fighting for a better America for us all. #OurSquadIsBigpic.twitter.com/iHpEmiOwSj
July 16, 2019
Users took the opportunity to turn Trump’s words back on him, making jokes about “going back where he came from.”
I’d like to send @realDonaldTrump and @VP back to where the came from, but I am not sure if Hell will take them. #TheSquad
July 14, 2019
#TheSquad said nothing vile or vicious. What are you listening to…oh @realDonaldTrumppic.twitter.com/Swie7fMtnR
July 16, 2019
A few even imagined what Trump’s own “squad” might look like—and it wasn’t pretty.
I’m sure there will be “many fine people” at your rally. Maybe you can keep trying to distract from your corruption by insulting #TheSquad… pic.twitter.com/l3S8AOkiRY
July 17, 2019
The president has a squad too. #TheSquad#RacistPresidentpic.twitter.com/u23zQWWrBs
July 15, 2019
And, of course, some users let their creative sides shine, using the opportunity to create fan art of the group (even putting together some custom LEGO minifigures)!
Unlike Donald Trump, we know that the squad of progressive Democratic congresswomen are already very much at home in the United States… and they look awesome as LEGO minifigures! #TheSquad#USpolitics cc: @AyannaPressley@AOC@IlhanMN@RashidaTlaibpic.twitter.com/hHYABYPHAi
July 17, 2019
GOALS #thesquad#RacistPresidentpic.twitter.com/IBw8jgEEJ3
July 16, 2019
Can someone make #TheSquad tee shirts please? I�m here for that. pic.twitter.com/sOZo2u5HiI
July 16, 2019
Despite the ongoing feud with the president, it’s clear The Squad are feeling the love!
It is an honor to serve and fight for you #13thDistrictStrong. Thank you for believing in the possibility of someone like me representing you in U.S. Congress. You are all my squad! #rootedincommunitypic.twitter.com/0wFFNNmKLg
July 16, 2019
Who�s in the Squad? Check in! �� ������������������������� https://t.co/G48rsQMqk6
July 16, 2019
More than 100,000 people “checked in” on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s post—it’s probably safe to say she’s not worried about the controversy.
