Donald Trump continued his verbal attack on four congresswomen of colour during a campaign rally on Wednesday night and, in shocking scenes, his supporters chanted “send her back” in reference to US citizen Ilhan Omar.
The president attended the North Carolina rally to resume his row with Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley, which began when he tweeted that they should “go back” to their home countries.
Three of them were born in the United States and Omar came to the country as a refugee from Somalia when she was a child.
Referring to the women, Trump said: ”Tonight I have a suggestion for the hate-filled extremists who are constantly trying to tear our country down.
They never have anything good to say. That’s why I say, 'Hey if you don’t like it, let ‘em leave, let ‘em leave.'
What followed is chanting from droves of his supporters screaming "send her back", while the president watched on.
The near-dystopian scenes left many viewers online shocked and frightened.
Congressman Bernie Sanders called it "disturbing".
Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, said: "This is what fascism looks like."
These chants are the "product of a president who sees our diversity not as a strength, but as a weakness", Democrat Beto O'Rourke said in condemnation.
Fellow US congresswoman Haley Stevens said her heart "breaks" for America.
David Lammy, British MP for Tottenham, called Trump's supporters "a cult of white supremacists".
Actor Jon Favreau called the scenes "chilling and horrifying".
And this Muslim marine reminded Trump that he's fought for his country.
This Jewish man reminded people why he supports Omar.
The rally was likened to a Nazi gathering.
And political journalist Shehab Khan reminded media institutions about how important it is to call racism what it is.
#IStandWithIlhan began trending on Twitter - resplendent with posters and illustrations.
Ilhan Omar is undeterred, and upon learning of the vicious chanting sent them a response in the form of a quote by author Maya Angelou.
More: Trump tells congresswomen of colour to 'go back' to the countries they came from and people are furious
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