The peculiar thing about President Donald Trump is every time it looks as if he has stepped in it, he manages to somehow come out smelling like a rose, leaving one to wonder if he may be crazy… like a fox.

The latest example of this was Trump tweets blasting Rep. Elija Cummings, D-Md. for living conditions in parts of his district — in a series of tweets, the president called the district a “rat and rodent-infested mess,” but also called attention to “so much money” sent there.

“Where is all this money going? How much is stolen?” Trump asked. “Investigate this corrupt mess immediately!”

Department of Housing and Urban Development regional administrator Lynne Patton appeared Monday on Fox News and took note of just how much federal money has been steered into Cummings’ district, which is nearly 53% percent black.

“President Trump has given $16 billion in 2018 alone to Elijah Cummings’ district in federal grants,” Patton explained. “We have given more money in homeless funds to Baltimore than the last administration. We have given more money in ‘community development grants.'”

Patton then asked, “What are you actually doing with the money so that it benefits residents in the community for once instead of deep-pocket, crooked politicians?”

If that dollar figure seems excessive, the Baltimore Sun cited a Newsweek analysis of the federal awards data compiled by USAspending.gov to confirm that it’s accurate.

“Cummings’ congressional district received just under $15.7 billion in grants, benefits and other assistance from the federal government in Fiscal Year 2018,” the newspaper reported.

With Democrats and their media allies expressing feigned outrage and whipping the nation into a frenzy over Trump’s alleged racially-driven rhetoric, the president once again questioned where all this money went in a tweet Monday.

Trump tweeted: “Baltimore’s numbers are the worst in the United States on Crime and the Economy. Billions of dollars have been pumped in over the years, but to no avail. The money was stolen or wasted. Ask Elijah Cummings where it went. He should investigate himself with his Oversight Committee!”

Baltimore’s numbers are the worst in the United States on Crime and the Economy. Billions of dollars have been pumped in over the years, but to no avail. The money was stolen or wasted. Ask Elijah Cummings where it went. He should investigate himself with his Oversight Committee! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2019

The city of Baltimore has been on the receiving end of federal largess for years — in 2009, the city received over $1.8 billion from President Barack Obama’s stimulus law, including $467.1 million to invest in education and $26.5 million for crime prevention, The Washington Free Beacon reported.

Yet, through it all, Baltimore ranks in the top 10 of the least livable cities in America.

On Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom,” there was a discussion about Trump’s intended message on corruption in urban, Democrat- run cities, but leave it to Juan Williams to distract from that by trying to make it personal.

While Trump has repeatedly asked about where the money went, but never directly accused Cummings of being corrupt, Williams claimed otherwise.

“There is no reason for anybody to allege that Elijah Cummings is a thief,” Williams said. “That is just low. It shouldn’t happen. It shouldn’t come from anyone to a sitting member of Congress unless you have some evidence. It certainly shouldn’t come from the White House.”

Fox News co-host Bill Hemmer accurately noted that the president was making “an example of corrupt government.”

“If that’s the case, then say it,” Williams countered.

“He did say,” Hemmer replied. “He said this is an example of corrupt government.”

Did you know: The last three mayors of Baltimore have all stepped down or been forced out of office for corruption All three were Democrats See a pattern? ? — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) July 29, 2019

Williams rambled on about “a need for change” in the city, but was more focused on condemning Trump.

“The name calling, the debasing of an entire group of people and a city, I just find this reprehensible,” he said.

The standard being established by the left is that minorities and minority-run entities are off limits to criticism, even when they have it coming.

President Trump spoke to reporters Tuesday about the focus on corruption.

“Baltimore has been very badly mishandled for many years,” he said. “And you know Congressman Cummings has been there for a long time, he’s had a very iron hand on it. It’s a corrupt city, there’s no question about it.”

As for calling Cummings corrupt, while the president may have stopped short there, Rudy Giuliani stepped much closer to that rail.

“Juan Williams is upset with Trump for saying corruption, Balt. and Cummings together,” the president’s attorney tweeted. “I really respect Juan Williams and would implore him to research the alleged ‘Chinese’ bribery scheme concerning Cummings spouse. It should be investigated. Correct? [Trump] is right.”