
This is going to be a long year for Republicans.

Donald Trump was already politically toxic to his party, but his racist rant last week is making things more uncomfortable for elected Republicans who have hidden from reporters, but now have to face constituents.

Sen. Joni Ernst's (R-IA) experience at her first constituent event of 2018 could be a prelude of things to come. In Red Oak, Iowa, on Sunday, Ernst was asked about Trump's recent comments about "shithole countries."

At the otherwise friendly "Coffee with Joni" event, constituent Barb Melson confronted Ernst about "the damage that Trump is doing to our neighbors around the world with his white supremacy talk."


Ernst insisted that Trump enjoys support from other world leaders.

"He is standing up for a lot of the countries," Ernst told the crowd.

Ernst was then asked to "name a few."

Her response drew a big laugh from the crowd.

"Norway," Ernst replied unironically.

Norway is the predominantly white country that Trump used as a contrast to the majority black nations he characterized as "shithole countries."

Ernst isn't up for reelection until 2020, but the GOP is facing a wipeout in the House, and they stand a very good chance of losing control of the Senate in November. If Republicans are going to brave angry constituents in this climate, they're going to need better answers than "Norway."