Trump on Crowley’s loss: He should have been ‘nicer’ to me

President Trump on Tuesday weighed in on the shocking defeat of a longtime New York Democrat who lost his primary to a progressive challenger.

Trump tweeted Tuesday night that Rep. Joseph Crowley (N.Y.), the No. 4 House Democrat and chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, was a “big Trump hater” and should have been “nicer” and “more respectful” to him.

{mosads}”Wow! Big Trump Hater Congressman Joe Crowley, who many expected was going to take Nancy Pelosi’s place, just LOST his primary election. In other words, he’s out! That is a big one that nobody saw happening. Perhaps he should have been nicer, and more respectful, to his President!” Trump wrote.

Wow! Big Trump Hater Congressman Joe Crowley, who many expected was going to take Nancy Pelosi’s place, just LOST his primary election. In other words, he’s out! That is a big one that nobody saw happening. Perhaps he should have been nicer, and more respectful, to his President!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2018

In a second tweet, the president mocked Democrats as being in “turmoil,” claiming that elections across the country, including Crowley’s defeat, played into his prediction of a “red wave” of GOP support in November.

“The Democrats are in Turmoil! Open Borders and unchecked Crime a certain way to lose elections. Republicans are for Strong Borders, NO Crime! A BIG NIGHT!” he tweeted.

The Democrats are in Turmoil! Open Borders and unchecked Crime a certain way to lose elections. Republicans are for Strong Borders, NO Crime! A BIG NIGHT!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2018

Crowley lost the Democratic nomination Tuesday night to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive candidate backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). She has called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and sharply condemned Trump’s policy of separating families at the border for prosecution.

Her campaign sought to cast Crowley as closer to Republicans than Democrats, noting in a tweet just days ago that Crowley and the president share several donors.

“.@repjoecrowley’s #2 all-time career donor, Blackstone, profits off immigrant detention centers and funded the Trump campaign,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on June 21.

“Last night, Crowley was the guest of honor at a GOP fundraiser held by opioid pill-mill lobbyists and other Trump donors.”

.@repjoecrowley’s #2 all-time career donor, Blackstone, profits off immigrant detention centers and funded the Trump campaign.

Last night, Crowley was the guest of honor at a GOP fundraiser held by opioid pill-mill lobbyists and other Trump donors.https://t.co/HZa7mdi6IU

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) June 21, 2018