Minutes after President Trump concluded his remarks on Thursday afternoon at the GOP retreat, MSNBC Live host Craig Melvin informed guests and viewers that it was “awkward” and he felt “uncomfortable” that Trump and a member of the audience blamed the violence in Chicago on Democrats.
Melvin was speaking to guest and GOP strategist Rick Tyler when admitted that “the most awkward moment in the room was when the President — once again — was talking about the violence and legitimate carnage that is happening in the city of Chicago.”
“At one point, he said what the hell is happening in Chicago once again and someone in the room, presumably a lawmaker, screams out Democrats. And the President chuckles and he says something to the effect of: ‘Yeah you’re right. That’s probably right,’” Melvin recalled.
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Ignoring the fact that Republicans haven’t held the mayor’s office since 1931 (when the ethics-plagued William Hale Thompson left), Melvin revealed that this moment actually made him “uncomfortable”:
That was uncomfortable to watch and listen to, Rick. He started that speech — the very first words out of his mouth? It's nice to win and he precedes — he proceeds Rick Tyler, to go on for another few minutes about Pennsylvania and how no one thought they were going to win Pennsylvania.
Here’s the relevant portion of the transcript from January 26's MSNBC Live with Craig Melvin:
MSNBC Live with Craig Melvin
January 26, 2017
1:45 p.m. Eastern
CRAIG MELVIN: Two notes here, Rick. One of the — I would argue the most awkward moment in the room was when the President — once again — was talking about the violence and legitimate carnage that is happening in the city of Chicago. At one point, he said what the hell is happening in Chicago once again and someone in the room, presumably a lawmaker, screams out Democrats. And the President chuckles and he says something to the effect of: ‘Yeah you’re right. That’s probably right.’ That was uncomfortable to watch and listen to, Rick. He started that speech — the very first words out of his mouth? It's nice to win and he precedes — he proceeds Rick Tyler, to go on for another few minutes about Pennsylvania and how no one thought they were going to win Pennsylvania. At what point does this President accept the fact that he won and move on with it?
