President Donald Trump shared an Elizabeth Warren “Pocahontas” joke during a meeting with World War II Navajo Code Talkers at the White House.
“You are very very special people,” Trump said. “You were here longer than any of us were here, although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago, they call her ‘Pocahontas,’ but you know what, I like you because you are special.”
Trump met with some of the surviving Navajo Code Talkers, praising their contributions to help the United States win World War II.
“We appreciate what you’ve done, how you’ve done it, the bravery that you displayed, and the love that you have for your country,” he said.
Trump nixed his own prepared speech after they spoke at a White House event to honor their contributions to help Americans win World War II, praising their words instead.
“What I’m going to do is give you my speech, and I want you to hold that,” Trump said.
Peter MacDonald, one of the code talkers, thanked Trump for hosting the event.
“Mr. President, we know you’ll succeed. America is in good hands,” he said. “You have all top Marine Corps generals as your assistants so we know that we’re in good hands.” MacDonald is a Republican who supported Trump in the election.
General John Kelly also praised them for helping the United States Marines outwit the Japanese in the Pacific theater in World War II.
“It would have been a lot worse had we not had the Navajo code talkers and I thank you,” Kelly said. “Semper Fidelis.”