Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) criticized Michael Cohen’s testimony that President Donald Trump is a “racist” on Wednesday while having Lynne Patton, who is Black and works for the administration, stand behind him.

Meadows referred to points in Cohen’s testimony where he recalled moments in the past where Trump made racist remarks, adding that Patton didn’t agree with them.

“You made some very demeaning comments about the president that Ms. Patton doesn’t agree with,” Meadows said. “In fact, it has to do with your claim of racism. She says that as a daughter of a man born in Birmingham, Alabama that there is no way that she would work for an individual who was racist. How do you reconcile the two of those, Mr. Cohen?”

Meadows brings African American party planner, Lynne Patton, who worked for Trump org (and now runs part of HUD) to refute racism allegations. pic.twitter.com/x22GDtr6H3 — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) February 27, 2019

Cohen shot back:

“As neither should I, as the son of a Holocaust survivor.”

Meadows than said that he spoke with Trump “over 300 times” and never heard him say something racist. But the choice to have Patton behind him as Meadows spoke was criticized by people online.

This exchange with Rep. Meadows and Lynne Patton is absurd. You cannot disprove (alleged) racism by saying a black woman *surely* wouldn't work for someone racist. This is just an absurd argument, regardless of the veracity of Cohen's claims. — Alexi McCammond (@alexi) February 27, 2019

Just because Lynn Patton is black doesn't mean she can't ignore Trump's racism for personal gain#CohenHearing — Yukio Strachan (@boldandworthy) February 27, 2019

Dragging Lynne Patton up to do “Trump hired a black person” theater makes clear that the entire GOP strategy is to pander to their own base and flatter Trump. They have no other goals here. — Amanda Marcotte (@AmandaMarcotte) February 27, 2019

One black person (Lynne Patton) does not negate Donald Trump’s decades of racism, his housing discrimination, his lies about the Central Park 5, his lies about President Obama’s birth certificate, his racist campaign, and his continued attacks on black leaders and black people. pic.twitter.com/iXbuVra4gW — Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) February 27, 2019

https://twitter.com/katierogers/status/1100797740911599616

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