'Biggest bully' Trump called out after inviting a boy shamed for sharing his last name to the State of the Union
Having the last name Trump has resulted in harassment for one Delaware sixth grader — but now he’s accepting an invitation from the president, who shares his name.
On Monday the White House revealed its special guests for Tuesday night’s State of the Union. Among those attending is 11-year-old Joshua Trump, who made headlines last December when it was reported that he was in the process of changing his last name because he was being bullied at school.
“He said he hates himself, and he hates his last name, and he feels sad all the time, and he doesn’t want to live feeling like that anymore, and as a parent that’s scary,” his mom, Megan Berto, told reporters.
But chants of “Dump Trump” on the school bus haven’t deterred the boy from agreeing to attend the State of the Union as the guest of President Trump (no relation).
“Joshua Trump is a 6th grade student in Wilmington, Delaware,” the White House said in a press release. “He appreciates science, art and history. He also loves animals and hopes to pursue a related career in the future. His hero and best friend is his Uncle Cody, who serves in the United States Air Force. Unfortunately, Joshua has been bullied in school due to his last name. He is thankful to the First Lady and the Trump family for their support.”
News of the boy’s experience with bullying has been met with sympathy, though many are questioning the president’s motives, citing his own bullying behavior.
Hi Joshua Trump. I'm sorry you get bullied at school for your last name. My name is Ben Joseph Siemon. "Semen" or "BJ Semen." I didn't visit a porn set to feel better. You don't need to go to the State of the Union.
— Benjamin Siemon (@BenjaminJS) February 5, 2019
Yeah I mean look if your name is Joshua Trump this has probably been a rough couple of years https://t.co/6nqOFoNGdt
— Ben Dreyfuss (@bendreyfuss) February 5, 2019
"kid bullied for being named Joshua Trump."
How is this real life https://t.co/JQas0wwijQ
— David Roberts (@drvox) February 5, 2019
Poor Joshua Trump. What kind of low life would use a person's name to mock and bully them?
BTW, Joshua will be seated in the same row as Lyin' Ted, Little Marco, Cryin' Chuck, Crooked Hillary, and right next to Adam Schitt. #BeBest
— Individual Juan (@James24898636) February 5, 2019
Feel bad for this Joshua Trump kid who got invited to the SOTU because he gets bullied due to his name, but it’s pathetic that the one time Trump (the biggest bully out there) cares about bullying it’s only because his last name is involved.
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) February 5, 2019
"kid bullied for being named Joshua Trump"
At least he didn't have a President calling him Pocahontas. https://t.co/DtqyirwXom
— Gary M. Sarli (@GMSarli) February 5, 2019
Melania and Donald are sadly using sixth grader Joshua Trump as a political prop. A sixth grader. And then they’re going to try and use him to stir controversy. And act like they did some bullying initiative they never did. They’ll use anyone to try and look good—new rock bottom.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) February 5, 2019
I feel bad for Joshua Trump, in the same way I can't imagine an 11-year-old boy w/the last name Hitler. However, if Trump really wanted to make a statement about bullying, he could've invited a few of the thousands of children he ripped away from their parents and stuck in cages.
— Bill Madden (@activist360) February 5, 2019
Other guests invited by the president include a 9-year-old cancer survivor; a former prisoner released through the First Step Act; and a survivor of the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.
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