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Donald Trump has been branded a “p**** a** b****” by model Chrissy Teigen after the US president referred to her as musician John Legend’s “filthy mouthed wife”.
The spat erupted late on Sunday night after Mr Trump posted a series of tweets attacking figures – all people of colour - he perceives are taking unfair credit for efforts by the US government at criminal justice reform.
“When all of the people pushing so hard for Criminal Justice Reform were unable to come even close to getting it done, they came to me as a group and asked for my help. I got it done with a group of Senators & others who would never have gone for it. Obama couldn’t come close,” Mr Trump tweeted, in reference to the First Step Act.
The 2018 law reduces mandatory minimum sentences for some offenders, and was supported by senators from both parties.
Mr Trump, attacking CNN host Van Jones, continued: "A man named @VanJones68, and many others, were profusely grateful (at that time!). I SIGNED IT INTO LAW, no one else did, & Republicans deserve much credit. But now that it is passed, people that had virtually nothing to do with it are taking the praise.
“Guys like boring musician @johnlegend, and his filthy mouthed wife, are talking now about how great it is - but I didn’t see them around when we needed help getting it passed.”
The president’s fury appeared to be in response to an NBC News segment on criminal justice and inmates who have been wrongfully accused. Parts of the series were broadcast last week, including one featuring Legend, who has raised awareness of criminal justice reform through his organisation FREEAMERICA.
Responding on Twitter, Teigen said: “Lol what a p**** ass b****. tagged everyone but me. an honor, mister president.”
Teigen, who has been blocked on the social media platform by Mr Trump since 2017, continued: “The absolute best part of his tweet is I literally didn't speak in the special, nor was I mentioned. I'm cackling at the pointless addition of me because he cannot not be a b****.”
Legend added: “Please don't make this foul mouthed hashtag trend #PresidentP****A**B****.”
Though #PresidentP****A**B**** was too profane to feature on Twitter’s trending list, tracking data by social media firm Keyhole showed the hashtag was seen by far more US users than the hashtag in top place.
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Mr Trump concluded his rant with an attack on news anchor Lester Holt, who fronted NBC’s criminal justice coverage.
“’Anchor’@LesterHoltNBC doesn’t even bring up the subject of President Trump or the Republicans when talking about the importance or passage of Criminal Justice Reform,” the president said.
“They only talk about the minor players, or people that had nothing to do with it ... And the people that so desperately sought my help when everyone else had failed, all they talk about now is Impeaching President Trump!”
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