On Monday, a group of Trump supporters led by conservative activist Scott Presler went to West Baltimore for a massive clean-up operation...
While the residents were thankful for the overhaul — well over 100 volunteers came together to remove 12 tons of trash, according to Presler — the liberal media were, uh, irritated. The media attacked the activist as an "extremist," questioned his motives, and scolded him for "reinforc[ing] the tired image that the poor people in this city can’t take care of their own neighborhoods."
Here are some of the photos and videos from the clean-up effort:
We're here in West Baltimore to pick up trash.
This isn't a Trump rally, nor an anti-Representative Cummings event.
This is simply #AmericansHelpingAmericans.
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Everyone is coming together to help Baltimore.
This is what makes America great. #AmericansHelpingAmericans
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West Baltimore local says, "I'm really happy. I want to cry.
I truly appreciate it." #AmericansHelpingAmericans #Baltimore
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Baltimore locals from Representative Cummings' District 7 thank President @realDonaldTrump for bringing attention to Baltimore. #AmericansHelpingAmericans
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Thank you to the over 170+ volunteers who helped pick up trash in Baltimore.
We were out from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. & picked up over 12 tons of trash. #AmericansHelpingAmericans
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"We assume it was pure motives that led a Trump supporter to launch a cleanup in Cummings' district, right?," a headline from The Baltimore Sun's editorial board snarked.
"It made for good photos, compelling videos and catchy Twitter hashtags," the editorial opened. "A group of conservatives rolled their pickup trucks into one of West Baltimore’s most impoverished neighborhoods Monday for a cleanup day. Loaded down with trash bags and shovels, they cleared alleyways of old tires, food containers, paper and other debris. They pulled up weeds and cut away overgrown grass. The group posted before and after pictures on social media showing their progress."
Presler said the "visit wasn’t about showing support or animosity for either man," the paper continued. "Call us skeptical."
"Whatever he says his motives were, Scott Presler’s presence in Baltimore reinforces the tired image that the poor people in this city can’t take care of their own neighborhoods," the Sun complained.
.@baltsunopinion: Whatever he says his motives were, Scott Presler’s presence in Baltimore reinforces the tired image that the poor people in this city can’t take care of their own neighborhoods. bsun.md/2GQuocC
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Real News Network labeled Mr. Presler as a "right-wing extremist."
"[R]ight-wing extremist Scott Presler organizes a 'Clean Up' event in West Baltimore, but is this altruism or a political ploy for Trump?," the outlet asked.
Presler, however, remains undeterred in helping other Americans in need. "I'm getting messages from people all over the country wanting to start cleanups in their local cities," he said in a tweet posted Tuesday. "We did something very special in Baltimore yesterday — it's having a nationwide effect."
I'm getting messages from people all over the country wanting to start cleanups in their local cities.
We did something very special in Baltimore yesterday -- it's having a nationwide effect.
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In late July, President Trump highlighted the issues in West Baltimore — specifically, the district of Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD). Trump ridiculed Cummings for neglecting the American people he represents to focus on the southern border — "bully[ing], shouting, and screaming" at Border Patrol, according to the president.
"Rep. Elijah Cummings has been a brutal bully, shouting and screaming at the great men & women of Border Patrol about conditions at the Southern Border, when actually his Baltimore district is FAR WORSE and more dangerous. His district is considered the Worst in the USA," Trump said in a series of tweets. "As proven last week during a Congressional tour, the Border is clean, efficient & well run, just very crowded. Cumming[s'] District is a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess. If he spent more time in Baltimore, maybe he could help clean up this very dangerous & filthy place."
....As proven last week during a Congressional tour, the Border is clean, efficient & well run, just very crowded. Cumming District is a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess. If he spent more time in Baltimore, maybe he could help clean up this very dangerous & filthy place
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Though the media were quick to paint Trump as a racist for calling out the conditions, Mr. Cummings has similarly used such language to describe the area.
"This morning I left my community of Baltimore, a drug infested area" where people were "walking around like zombies,” Cummings said during a 1999 congressional hearing.
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