Melania Trump should not have been given US visa, suggests Jasmine Crockett
Melania Trump should not have been given an 'Einstein visa' to immigrate to the US in 2001, an outspoken Democratic congresswoman has suggested.
Jasmine Crockett launched a blistering attack on the first lady during Wednesday's meeting of the House judiciary committee.
Against the backdrop of Immigration and Customs Enforcement staff snatching people off the street for deportation, Ms Crockett accused the Republicans of hypocrisy in their treatment of Mrs Trump.
Then Donald Trump's girlfriend, the former Melania Knauss, a Slovenian-born model working in New York, applied for an EB-1 visa in 2000, which was reserved for people with 'extraordinary ability' and 'sustained national and international acclaim'.
It was granted the following year, by which time the Republicans had regained control of the White House under George W Bush.
'The first lady, a model – and when I say model I'm not talking about Tyra Banks, Cindy Crawford or Naomi Campbell-level – applied for and was given an EB-1 visa,' she said.
'Let me tell you how you receive an Einstein visa,' she added.
'You're supposed to have some sort of significant achievement, like being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize or a Pulitzer, being an Olympic medallist, or having other sustained extraordinary abilities and success in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
'Last time I checked, the first lady had none of those accolades under her belt. It doesn't take an Einstein to see that the math ain't mathin' here.'
Alex Nowrasteh, vice president for economic and social policy studies at the Cato Institute, said the first lady did have a unique ability.
' Not everybody could marry Donald Trump.'
The Telegraph has approached Mrs Trump's office for comment.
The attack on Mrs Trump is the latest outburst by Ms Crockett, 44, who entered Congress in 2023 and was co-chair of the Harris-Walz presidential campaign.
At a dinner in March, she described Texas governor Gregg Abbott – who has been in a wheelchair since his 20s – as 'hot wheels', later explaining the jibe as a reference to how he transferred migrants.
Once asked if she had a message for Elon Musk, she responded: 'f--- off.'
She also called for the Tesla boss to be 'taken down' at a time when the car manufacturer's showrooms were under attack.
Ms Crockett's sharp tongue led to a clash with Marjorie Taylor Greene, when she responded to a jibe about her eyelashes by describing the Republican firebrand as a 'bleach-blonde, bad-built, butch body'.
'Definitely a low-IQ person'
She has also been embroiled in fiery exchanges with Donald Trump himself, after the president singled her out for attack earlier this year.
Describing the Democrats being in disarray, he told NBC's Kristen Walker: 'They have a new person named Crockett. I watched her speak the other day. She's definitely a low-IQ person. And they said she's the future of the party.'
She responded in typical fashion: 'Every time you say my name, you're reminding the world that you're terrified of smart, bold black women telling the truth and holding you accountable.'
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