Duckworth hits back at Trump over Paralympics remark: It’s not ‘tough to watch’

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) on Sunday responded to President Trump saying he had a tough time watching the Paralympics this year.

“It’s not ‘tough to watch’ incredible @Paralympics athletes compete and showcase their talents, it’s inspiring. These brave athletes overcome a lot to get to the finish line,” Duckworth tweeted.

It’s not “tough to watch” incredible @Paralympics athletes compete and showcase their talents, it’s inspiring. These brave athletes overcome a lot to get to the finish line RT: https://t.co/ffHHYQjpmR

— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) April 29, 2018

Duckworth, a military veteran who lost both of her legs when her helicopter was shot down over Iraq in 2004, has been an outspoken critic of the president.

{mosads}Trump hosted U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes at the White House on Friday following this year’s winter games in South Korea.

“What happened with the Paralympics was so incredible and so inspiring to me,” he said during his remarks. “And I watched — it’s a little tough to watch too much, but I watched as much as I could.”

His comments prompted backlash from leaders of the Paralympic Games and advocates for individuals with disabilities, among others.

Record numbers around the world are not finding @Paralympics tough to watch. Billions of viewers now take in the Paralympics in hundreds of countries around the world. We hope the US President continues to watch and be inspired by the Paralympics. https://t.co/3jhr5Fd8tT

— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) April 28, 2018

Some have defended the president’s comments, suggesting he may have meant he did not have the time to to watch “too much” Paralympic programming.

So I’ve listened to this way more than I should’ve, and I *think* I’ve come to conclude he means it’s tough to watch too much because he’s so busy being president. https://t.co/ZtYl2aJSP9

— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) April 28, 2018