Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, two members of the “Squad” of four Democratic congresswomen, asked for critics of President Trump to practice caution before claiming he has ADHD.
Several journalists and pundits, including CNN’s Don Lemon, questioned whether Trump used Adderall, a prescription drug used to aid people with attention deficit disorders, during the first presidential debate of the 2020 election cycle on Tuesday. In tweets posted on Wednesday, Pressley warned that speculating that Trump has ADHD could stigmatize people who struggle with the disorder.
“Donald Trump has earned the scathing critiques of his rhetoric, policies, corrupt Administration & disgraceful debate performance. However, given the many descriptors at your disposal, I appeal to analysts not to say things like, he is on drugs, forgot his meds, clearly has ADHD,” Pressley tweeted.
“Many in the public square default to these phrases when unable to make sense of a situation, which happens often [with] Trump. However, who you are really insulting when you use these phrases, are those seriously battling substance use, mental health or living [with] ADHD. Stop the stigma,” she added.
Many in the public square default to these phrases when unable to make sense of a situation, which happens often w Trump. However, who you are really insulting when you use these phrases, are those seriously battling substance use, mental health or living w ADHD. Stop the stigma.
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) September 30, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez amplified Pressley’s tweet.
“Listen to @AyannaPressley,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “The President is many awful things, but when people use diagnoses & treatments such as ADHD as insults, they aren’t insulting 45 as much as they hurt the millions living with these conditions – many of whom you likely know, but may not be aware of.”
Listen to @AyannaPressley.
The President is many awful things, but when people use diagnoses & treatments such as ADHD as insults, they aren’t insulting 45 as much as they hurt the millions living with these conditions – many of whom you likely know, but may not be aware of. ⬇️ https://t.co/wqEfBrztxy
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 30, 2020
Trump requested that both he and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden take a drug test prior to the debate, a call that was dismissed by Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., co-chairman of the debate commission.
Roughly 11% of children in the United States have an attention disorder, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
