Several Republicans have voiced disapproval of recent comments made by former President Donald Trump, in which he stated that Kamala Harris was “mentally disabled.” The criticism comes as many within the party urge Trump to focus on campaign issues rather than resorting to personal attacks on Harris.
During a rally in Wisconsin, Trump referred to Harris as “mentally disabled” and “mentally impaired,” drawing laughter from the audience. Trump continued to make similar remarks at a subsequent rally in Pennsylvania, prompting concern within his own party.
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who is currently in a Senate race, strongly condemned Trump’s comments, labeling them as insulting not only to the vice president but also to individuals with mental disabilities. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina also pushed back on the personal nature of Trump’s attack, suggesting a focus on policy critique rather than personal insults.
Representative Tom Emmer, a Minnesota Republican, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of sticking to campaign issues. The American Association of People with Disabilities criticized Trump’s language as “ableist,” highlighting the harmful impact of such derogatory remarks.
Trump’s comments also sparked comparisons to his previous attacks on President Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities. Eric Holder, former Attorney General, raised concerns about Trump’s cognitive state, questioning his trajectory if making such comments now.
During his campaign against Biden, Trump repeatedly called for cognitive ability tests for the president while boasting about his own test results. This incident adds to a pattern of personal attacks by Trump, raising questions about the tone of political discourse in the lead-up to the 2024 election.