CNN anchor Jake Tapper Jacob (Jake) Paul TapperThe media's misleading use of COVID-19 data Julia Louis-Dreyfus: 'We can't spend much time grieving' Ginsburg Pence aide dismisses concerns rushed vote on Trump nominee will hurt vulnerable senators MORE said the "send her back" chants at President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE's Wednesday rally is indicative of his 2020 reelection strategy — rooted in blatant racism.

"This is all part and parcel of the president's 2020 reelection strategy, no more dog whistles, just naked racism," Tapper said Thursday. "Telling American citizens who are a different color to 'go back where they came from.' It’s a campaign tactic we need to be aware of as a tactic, not withstanding the obvious immorality of bigotry."

The crowd at Trump's North Carolina rally on Wednesday night broke into chants of "send her back" after the president renewed an attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar Ilhan OmarOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' Democrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise MORE (D-Minn.), who was born in Somalia. ADVERTISEMENT

"[Omar] has made controversial comments herself, though the president's lies about what she has said and demonizing of her prompted results last night that was so shocking even some of the meekest and least critical Republicans in the House of Representatives voiced their discomfort, if not horror and revulsion," Tapper said.

Some House Republicans joined Democrats in speaking out agains the rally chant, just days after only four members of the GOP voted with Democrats to condemn the president's initial tweet telling four Democratic congresswomen — all people of color — to "go back" to the "crime infested placed from which they came."

It was targeted at Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezOn The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline McCarthy says there will be a peaceful transition if Biden wins Anxious Democrats amp up pressure for vote on COVID-19 aid MORE (N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib Rashida Harbi TlaibTrump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' George Conway: 'Trump is like a practical joke that got out of hand' Pelosi endorses Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate primary challenge MORE (Mich.) and Ayanna Pressley Ayanna PressleyFauci, Black Lives Matter founders included on Time's 100 Most Influential People list Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' Pressley applauded on House floor after moving speech on living with alopecia MORE (Mass.) and Omar. Only Omar was born outside the U.S.

Trump tried to disavow the chant Thursday, telling reporters, “I was not happy with it. I disagree with it.”

He claimed to have helped stop the chants by starting to speak "very quickly."

"That’s a naked lie," Tapper said. "When the chants started the president stopped talking he let the crowd go and he did not resume until the chant died out on its own."

CNN's timer clocked Trump's pause at 13 seconds as he let the crowd chant "send her back."

A Trump campaign spokesperson called Tapper's comments "ridiculous."

"That’s ridiculous, but you know that CNN is gonna CNN," the Trump campaign spokesperson said.

-- Updated at 5:56 p.m.