Perpetually embattled Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) said on Wednesday that humanity might not exist if it wasn’t for rape and incest—drawing swift condemnation from all corners of the internet, including colleagues in Congress.
King, who has a history of making racist and white supremacist comments in the past that eventually led to him being stripped of all of his committee assignments in the House, made the remarks while speaking at an event in Urbandale, Iowa, according to the De Moines Register.
“What if we went back through all the family trees and just pulled out anyone who was a product of rape or incest? Would there be any population of the world left if we did that?” the congressman said, according to the news outlet. “Considering all the wars and all the rapes and pillages that happened throughout all these different nations, I know that I can’t say that I was not a part of a product of that.”
The comments drew swift criticism.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), a 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful, called on King to resign in the wake of his remarks.
“.@SteveKingIA: You are a disgrace. Resign.,” Gillibrand wrote on Twitter.
.@SteveKingIA: You are a disgrace. Resign. https://t.co/Tbu1e1mZ9O
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) August 14, 2019
Other 2020 Democrats also criticized the remarks.
Steve King is a racist, a misogynist and a disgrace to the country. He should not be a member of the United States Congress. https://t.co/QZbXSEFpdw
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 14, 2019
Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Tx.) urged his followers to donate to King’s challenger in the 2020 election.
“My friend @JDScholtenis standing up and fighting back against Steve King, and he needs all of our help — because no matter where you live, you know there’s no place for Steve King’s racism, bigotry, and hatred in Congress,” O’Rourke wrote on Twitter, adding a link to a Act Blue page.
My friend @JDScholten is standing up and fighting back against Steve King, and he needs all of our help — because no matter where you live, you know there’s no place for Steve King’s racism, bigotry, and hatred in Congress.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) August 14, 2019
Pitch in: https://t.co/X0C2Yrt8tq https://t.co/PDzXsj36mF
READ MORE:
- Steve King says backlash to white nationalism comment was like what Jesus went through
- Calls for Ken Cucinelli to resign trend with #CucinelliResign hashtag
- Steve King pulls committee assignments off website after questioning
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