Tlaib decries ‘fanatical bulls---‘ from Trump on Gaza takeover

Progressive Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) spurned President Trump's recent suggestion that the U.S. take over the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, calling the idea “fanatical bulls---."

Tlaib, the only Palestinian American serving in Congress, also pressed her colleagues to speak up for a two-state solution in the region.

“Palestinians aren’t going anywhere,” Tlaib wrote late Tuesday in a post on social platform X. “This president can only spew this fanatical bulls--- because of bipartisan support in Congress for funding genocide and ethnic cleansing. "It's time for my two-state solution colleagues to speak up."

During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was visiting Washington, Trump expressed the idea of the U.S. acquiring Gaza, clearing it from unexploded bombs and being involved in the region's “economic development."

The president said he could see Palestinians living there but seemed to characterize the Strip as an international destination where “the world’s people” will be able to reach the Mediterranean coastline. 

“I think you’ll make that into an international, unbelievable place… I don’t want to be cute, I don’t want to be a wise guy, but the Riviera of the Middle East… this could be so magnificent,” he said Tuesday.

He also suggested openness to visiting the region.

When he was asked about sending U.S. troops to Gaza, he told reporters that the military would “do what is necessary.” 

“If it’s necessary, we’ll do that,” he said.

In another post, Tlaib accused Trump of “openly calling for ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians. 

“This president is openly calling for ethnic cleansing while sitting next to a genocidal war criminal. He’s perfectly fine cutting off working Americans from federal funds while the funding to the Israeli government continues flowing,” Tlaib wrote.

She also reacted to a clip of Trump being asked how many Palestinians would need to leave the Gaza Strip. 

“All of them. Probably a million seven, maybe a million eight. But I think all of them. I think they will be resettled in areas where they can live a beautiful life and not be worried about dying every day,” Trump said in response to the question, suggesting other countries could help to permanently resettle them.

U.S. allies and adversaries alike also reacted to Trump's Gaza proposal with disdain.

Tlaib, who declined to endorse former Vice President Harris during her unsuccessful 2024 White House bid against Trump, has been one of the most vocal critics of the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. The two sides are currently under a fragile ceasefire after more than 15 months of fighting.