Atlanta mayor ‘simply disgusted’ by Trump using George Floyd’s name

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) said Sunday she was “simply disgusted” by President Trump invoking George Floyd’s name Friday as he declared it a “great day for equality” while announcing a report that showed unemployment rates falling. 

“I think if the president is going to say anything it may have been more appropriate to talk about his family, and perhaps him looking down on his children, and perhaps him being proud of the movement that’s happening in this country,” Bottoms said Sunday on CNN. 

“Again, it shows that this president is incapable of showing any type of empathy. He always gets it wrong, time and time again, and I think we’ve got to stop expecting any more from him,” Bottoms added. 

Bottoms also noted that George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, said Trump didn’t give him an opportunity to speak when Trump called Floyd’s family. 

“I didn’t know George Floyd either, but I’ve been able at least to watch his family and those who knew him and get a glimpse of the type of man he was,” Bottoms said. 

On Friday Trump invoked Floyd’s name as he declared it a “great day for quality.” 

“Hopefully George is looking down right now and saying this is a great thing that’s happening for our country. This is a great day for him, it’s a great day for everybody. This is a great day for everybody. This is a great, great day in terms of equality,” Trump said. 

Nationwide protests have broken out over police brutality after Floyd’s death in Minneapolis police custody. 

On Monday Trump declared himself the “president of law and order” and condemned individuals who looted and vandalized businesses. He also called for governors to “dominate” the streets with the National Guard in response to the protests and threatened to deploy troops to states that did not do so. 

Trump said Sunday he ordered the National Guard to begin withdrawing from D.C. His announcement followed several nights without arrests due to demonstrations.