Cory Booker: ‘I love Donald Trump’

PHILADELPHIA — Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey on Tuesday went to somewhat extreme measures to avoid responding directly to a social media taunt from Donald Trump, saying he loves the Republican presidential nominee and he’s praying for him.

“Let me tell you right now: I love Donald Trump,” Mr. Booker said on CNN’s “New Day.”

“I don’t want to answer his hate with hate - I’m going to answer it with love,” Mr. Booker said. “I’m not going to answer his darkness with darkness.”

“I know his kids; I know his family, the children especially - good people,” Mr. Booker said.

Mr. Booker did quote “Still I Rise,” a poem by Maya Angelou, to go after Mr. Trump in his speech at the Democratic National Convention on Monday.

“When Trump spews insulting and demeaning words about our fellow Americans, I think of that poem by Maya Angelou,” he said.

“Y’all know it. You know how it begins,” he said. “You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies. You may trod me in the very dirt, but still, like dust, I rise.”

Mr. Trump said on Twitter Monday evening: “If Cory Booker is the future of the Democratic Party, they have no future! I know more about Cory than he knows about himself.”

On Tuesday, Mr. Booker thanked Mr. Trump, saying he was feeling a little left out after the Republican nominee had gone after other senators like Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

“He wants us to be speculating - ooh, it sounds so sinister, and this - I don’t care,” Mr. Booker said.

“I love you Donald. I pray for you,” he said. “I hope that you find some kindness in your heart that you’re not going to be somebody that spews out insults to your political opposition - that you’re going to start finding some ways to love.”

“I’m going to elevate him,” Mr. Booker said. “I love you. I just don’t want you to be my president.”

“Bring it on, Donald - show your truth. I’m going to show mine,” he said. “Love you, brother.”