President Donald Trump made classy remarks about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday evening upon hearing about her death and avoided talking about politics — unlike many top Democrats.
Following his rally, Trump spoke to reporters as Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” played in the background.
“She just died? Wow,” Trump said. “I didn’t know that. You’re telling me now for the first time. She led an amazing life. What else can you say?”
“She was an amazing woman. Whether you agreed or not, she was an amazing woman who led an amazing life,” Trump continued. “I’m saddened to hear that.”
WATCH:
Trump, caught off guard by news of Ginsburg’s death, says he was ‘saddened’ https://t.co/xKHVByOzl4 pic.twitter.com/pcunzNe4Vv
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) September 19, 2020
Trump’s comments come after Democrat Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) completely skipped over honoring Ginsburg in his initial statement following her death, and instead jumped straight into politics.
In his first tweet on Ginsburg’s passing, Schumer wrote: “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.”
The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 18, 2020
Schumer’s tweet was a quote of a statement made by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) following the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016.
Trump later tweeted out the following statement on Ginsburg’s passing:
Today, our Nation mourns the loss of a titan of the law. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg served more than 27 years as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—notably just the second woman to be appointed to the Court. She was a loving wife to her late husband, Martin, and a dedicated mother to her two children.
Renowned for her brilliant mind and her powerful dissents at the Supreme Court, Justice Ginsburg demonstrated that one can disagree without being disagreeable toward one’s colleagues or different points of view. Her opinions, including well-known decisions regarding the legal equality of women and the disabled, have inspired all Americans, and generations of great legal minds.
A fighter to the end, Justice Ginsburg battled cancer, and other very long odds, throughout her remarkable life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ginsburg family and their loved ones during this difficult time. May her memory be a great and magnificent blessing to the world.
Statement from the President on the Passing of Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg pic.twitter.com/N2YkGVWLoF
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 19, 2020
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) tweeted: “If Republicans go forward and reverse the precedent they set in 2016, the Senate will never, ever be the same. It will be changed forever. I pray tonight that at least a few of my Republican colleagues understand this.”
If Republicans go forward and reverse the precedent they set in 2016, the Senate will never, ever be the same. It will be changed forever.
I pray tonight that at least a few of my Republican colleagues understand this.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) September 19, 2020
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) tweeted: “I have a very simple message for Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell tonight. The best and only way to honor the life’s work of Justice Ginsburg, a giant of a jurist, is to honor her fervent final wish that she not be replaced until a new president is installed.”
I have a very simple message for Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell tonight. The best and only way to honor the life’s work of Justice Ginsburg, a giant of a jurist, is to honor her fervent final wish that she not be replaced until a new president is installed.
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) September 19, 2020