Trump Says 'Inner-City' Residents Are 'Living In Hell' & Again Compares Chicago To Middle East

By Stephen Gossett in News on Feb 16, 2017 8:13PM

During a frequently contentious press conference on Thursday afternoon, President Donald Trump again alluded to the city of Chicago when discussing crime in inner-cities—and he again compared at least parts of Chicago to violent places in the Middle East.

After taking a strange aside to say that his vote total in the election from Hispanic, black and women voters was higher than expected, Trump said some people in urban areas are "living in hell" when he was asked about his urban agenda.

“You go to some of these inner-city places and its so sad when you look at the crime… they’re living in hell," Trump said.

"You look at the numbers in Chicago. There are two Chicagos, as you know, Trump added. "There’s one Chicago that’s incredible, luxurious and all—and safe. There’s another Chicago that’s worse than almost any of the places in the Middle East that we talk about and you talk about every night on the newscasts. So we’re gonna do a lot of work on the inner cities."

Before he mentioned Chicago, Trump said his initiatives to improve "inner cities" would incorporate health care, education and reduction of crime in a "stringent way."

Trump's familiar invocation of Chicago was followed by a highly bizarre moment with the reporter who asked the question about his urban agenda. When asked if he would meet with the Congressional Black Caucus to talk about urban affairs, Trump said to the reporter, who is black, "Do you want to set up the meeting? Are they friends of yours?"

Trump's latest mention of Chicago was of some half-a-dozen since assuming office. It was just over a week ago that Trump said "Chicago is worse than some places in Middle East where there are wars going on," while addressing members of the National Sheriffs’ Association.

This post has been updated.