Some would say that Donald Trump’s presidential run has an overreaching effect on U.S. politics as a whole, inviting damaging rhetoric and hatred to be shared on the largest political stages possible. If they were looking for evidence to support their observation, they need look no further than Florida.

Carlos Beruff, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, was videotaped giving a speech where he attacked President Barack Obama’s policies and went as far as to call him “an animal” not once, but twice.

“Unfortunately, for seven and a half years this animal we call president, because he’s an animal, OK — seven and a half years, has surgically and with thought and very smart, intelligent manner, destroyed this country and dismantled the military under not one, not two, but three secretary of defenses,” Beruff said, according to the Tampa Bay Times. “And they’ve all written books about it.”

While the two strongest political parties that make up the bipartisan system we live in mostly disagree,  condemning personal attacks on the leader of the nation is something they can come together on.

“Mr. Beruff’s statement is not only offensive, but extremely disrespectful to President Obama’s incredible service to our nation,” U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, a Democrat, said. “I’m proud to stand by President Obama and his commitment to fighting for Florida families, and I call on Mr. Beruff to immediately apologize for his disrespectful comments. In the U.S. Senate, our diverse state deserves better than Mr. Beruff’s clear record of bigotry.”

This sentiment was then (partially) supported by Republican U.S. Rep. David Jolly.

“Like many Americans, I believe with the strongest conviction that the President’s policies the last 7 years have weakened our leadership on the world stage and have weakened us economically here at home, but referring to the President of the United States as an ‘animal’ is an alarming insult of questionable intent and has no place in American politics,” Jolly said. “Carlos should immediately apologize.”

After feeling pressure from both sides, Beruff doubled down on his sentiment and refused to apologize in a statement made by his spokesman, Chris Hartline.

“When liberals like young Congressman Patrick Murphy cannot defend their views they resort to name calling and the politics of racial division,” Hartline said.

 

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