Donald Trump on Saturday started his Georgia rally by mocking President Joe Biden's lifelong stutter, spurring criticism on social media.
Trump has previously imitated and exaggerated Biden's documented childhood stutter, as part of his routine claiming that Biden is "incompetent." In this case, the speech followed Biden's State of the Union address.
At the Get Out the Vote Rally in Rome, Georgia, the ex-president began by bringing up Biden's speech.
ALSO READ: 'What a piece of work': Marjorie Greene's 'childish' SOTU response trashed by Senate Dems
"I'm gonna bring the country t-t-t-t-t-together," Trump said mockingly. "I'm gonna bring it togetherrrr."
That led to outrage online.
Columnist Molly Jong-Fast pointed out the insult.
"Trump making fun of Biden’s stutter," she wrote.
Gail Helt, a former CIA analyst, weighed in on that.
"Of course he is. For authoritarians, the cruelty is the point," Helt said Saturday. "But no matter what happens in November, in 100 years Joe Biden will be recognized as a great man and a great president — an American hero who stood up when it would have been easier to stand down — and his name will be revered. And Donald’s name will only be spoken in contempt if he is remembered at all."
Self-identified conservative Owen Gladwyn called it "a blatant display of disrespect towards individuals who face similar challenges."
"Trump's behavior represents a gross lack of empathy and understanding," Gladwyn wrote Saturday.
Political strategist Lindy Li had this to say:
"Trump is on stage right now making fun of Biden’s stutter. The right shamed Hunter, a recovering addict. They attacked 83-yr-old Paul Pelosi whose brain was smashed in. They harassed the parents of 6-yr-old Sandy Hook murder victims. GOP has no bottom," she wrote. "They go right through hell."
Writer Andy Ostroy pointed out the crowd's laughter.
"Who’s more f-----g disgusting, Trump for making fun of people who stutter or the cultists laughing with him over it."
