*In what appears to be Donald Trump’s latest attempt to appeal to African American voters, the GOP presidential candidate made sure to invite an adorable little black girl on stage during his rally in Green Bay, WI on Monday to point out how “beautiful” she is and to commend her parents.
He then tried to plant two kisses on the girl, triggering a wave of nausea on Twitter and more attention to his failed attempts at connecting with black children. (Remember Little Miss Flint?)
Trump spotted the girl in the audience near the end of his rally and immediately began calling on her parents to bring her onstage.
“She got all decked out for this evening,” Trump said of the girl with a pink ribbon in her hair. “Wow, so beautiful. Bring her, she’s so beautiful.”
He then picks her up and gives her an awkward kiss on the cheek before flashing a thumbs up to the audience.
“Wow, congratulations, what a job, what a beautiful person you are,” Trump said. Addressing the girl’s parents, he added. “Boy, they did a good job.”
Before letting the girl go, he awkwardly leans in for a second kiss, this time appearing to aim for her lips. The girl turns her head away at the last second to make sure he catches her cheek, instead.
Watch below:
Reaction on Twitter ranged from discomfort to disgusted, with many bringing up Trump’s 2006 “Access Hollywood” recording in which he said of women, “I just kiss. I don’t even wait.”
Others brought up the surfaced recording from 1992 when Trump made unnerving comments about a young girl.
“I’m going to be dating her in 10 years,” he said in an interview recorded at his Trump Tower as a group of 10-year-old girls walk by him. “Can you believe it?”
View a sampling of Twitter reactions below:
I’d like a word or 2 w/ that little girl’s parents who put her in Trump’s arms to be used as a prop, knowing he’s accused of sexual assault.
— April ?? (@ReignOfApril) October 18, 2016
Would be interested to see an interview with her parents. Why, given the recent news, was she put in that position? https://t.co/IA2ozItPtK
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) October 18, 2016
Just saw the gif of Trump trying to kiss the little Black girl and I had a visceral reaction and I feel sick to my stomach now
— I Will Block Ya Mama (@FeministaJones) October 18, 2016
I’ll admit, I wasn’t ready to see Trump trying to kiss a little black girl on the mouth. Who the hell does that to someone else’s child?
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) October 18, 2016
Trump denies sexual assault charges all week then proceeds to try to kiss a little girl on the lips. https://t.co/UM4eeg7t4B
— Re-ANDYmator? (@Andyzach) October 18, 2016
This is extremely painful to watch. That poor girl was so uncomfortable. Trump is a disgusting, perverted man. https://t.co/fZjiW8pxNg
— Izzy Galvez (@iglvzx) October 18, 2016
Pro tip: if your campaign is being destroyed over sexual assault rumors, don’t force a little girl to kiss you.
— justice for philando (@RaisingOneBrow) October 18, 2016
I guess when you’re a star, they don’t always let you do it. https://t.co/UbDt4aDbaB
— HarryDreyfuss (@harrydreyfuss) October 18, 2016
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