Trump Jr. just launched an unprovoked attack against US Olympic skater Adam Rippon

Donald Trump Jr. — a man who owes everything in his life to a mix of nepotism and dumb luck — decided to take a shot at an actually accomplished American last night by tweeting dismissively about Adam Rippon. Rippon is an American ice skater currently competing for the United States at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Rippon, America’s first openly gay Olympic athlete to win an Olympic medal, has been in the news for winning his Bronze, but also because of his vocal criticism of the Trump administration.

He’s attacked Vice President Mike Pence for his widely publicized and downright medieval anti-LGBTQ stances. Rippon has also already said he has no interest in visiting the White House.

“No. I have no desire to go to the White House. But I would like to do something to help my community,” Rippon toldThe Daily Mail.

Rippon has also tweeted about Pence.

Add your name to millions demanding Congress take action on the President’s crimes. IMPEACH TRUMP & PENCE!

Trump Jr. posted a link to an article from The Hill in which Rippon is quoted as saying he doesn’t want his entire Olympic experience to be “about Mike Pence.” Trump Jr., in his trademark classless fashion, remarked in his tweet that Rippon shouldn’t have spent so much time talking about Pence.

Then, demonstrating his usual ignorance, he added that Pence hasn’t mentioned Rippon once. The statement is demonstrably untrue.

Pence has mentioned Rippon several times publicly. His spokesperson called Rippon’s accusation that Pence supported gay conversion therapy false. USA Today reports that Pence himself was so peeved by Rippon that he had his staff reach out to try to set up a meeting with him. The champion skater declined the invite.

With these facts in mind, Trump Jr.’s tweet comes off as either intentionally dishonest or just plain clueless. Both are traits he possesses in abundance.

Trump Jr. is inserting himself into a conversation where he doesn’t belong. He should leave our American athletes alone, and let them focus on winning. He’s already done enough to embarrass this country, he doesn’t have to go out of his way to tear those down who are trying to bring us a little pride.

Natalie Dickinson

Natalie is a staff writer for the Washington Press. She graduated from Oberlin College in 2010 and has been freelance blogging and writing for progressive outlets ever since.