Cartoon by Emad Hajjaj
Why Trump's racist dog whistle won't work this time
CNN: Donald Trump's grandfather, Friedrich Trump, was born in Kallstadt, Germany, and emigrated to the United States as a teenager. (According to one historian, he was thrown out of his country of birth for failing to perform mandatory military service.) Now Friedrich's grandson has become President of the United States, and is trying to fuel a re-election campaign by stoking nativist resentment.
It was so inflammatory that it burnt through the hesitations of cautious editors. CNN plainly, correctly, called it a "racist attack." The President sarcastically suggested that some of his non-white critics are not real Americans. He urged that "Progressive Democrat Congresswomen," the best-known of whom happen to be women of color, should go back to their countries. The "Congresswomen," he wrote, "who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world..." should leave.
He was most likely referring to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, born in New York; Rashida Tlaib, born in Michigan; Ayanna Presley, born in Massachusetts; and Ilhan Omar, a Somali-born naturalized American. They are all US citizens, like him, like his wife, his in-laws, and his ex-wives. They are Americans.
The America I have known is made up primarily of people who are intrigued and attracted to people of different backgrounds.
And although there has always been a segment that does not trust outsiders -- and bigots who consider non-whites inferior -- most Americans are not racists, not bigots, and not nativists. So why is Trump, the man who possesses a peculiar political instinct, betting his re-election on dividing Americans and turning them against their better instincts?
He thinks it worked the first time. But this is not 2016. In 2016, the entire world was terrified by ISIS terrorists beheading hostages and blowing up nightclubs. The Great Recession was recent enough that people still feared the recovery might unwind, making it easier for many people to believe that immigrants were taking away their jobs. He could frighten people by talking about rapists at the border, promising better health care, and an administration of "only the best people." Back then, we didn't know quite how much Trump lied, and how many of his promises he would be unable to keep.
Sure, his racism, his cruelty against migrants and his family separation policy will still play well with a segment of the electorate. But today, Americans see Trump for what he is. They see his campaign and what he is trying to do. When he tweets about corrupt, inept governments, we think about Donald Trump. When he tells the descendants of immigrants that they should leave, we think perhaps Friedrich Trump's grandson is the one who doesn't belong here.
Frida Ghitis, a former CNN producer and correspondent, is a world affairs columnist. She is a frequent opinion contributor to CNN and The Washington Post and a columnist for World Politics Review. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author; view more opinion articles on CNN.
Please don't insult dogs to compare to this charlatan
I would not even call him a pig
Our politicians had resisted pissing on the office of Presidency, tRump fixed that.
tRump is helping to make Russia great again
Embrace BDS movement and Reject occupation, If the bar code starts with 7 29 put it back on the shelf
Buy American, say NO to Chinese madeTrump
“The time is always right to do what is right” – Martin Luther King
20 Reasons Why Obama Was the Most Divisive President In History
Listen to Obama complain that no one liked his policies because they’re “racist” against him in this tirade. But that wasn’t the only time.
While speaking at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation dinner in Sept. 2014, Obama not only blamed police for black community mistrust, but also proclaimed that “most Americans” think the country is racist.
The speech came not long after the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., inspired violent race riots. Police desperately needed the support of the president at the time, but instead he chastised them.
https://thepoliticalinsider.com/20-reasons-obama-most-divisive-president-history/
Obama: 'Most Americans' think nation is racist
For President Obama, the color of a man’s skin is far more important than the content of his character.
On the night when a police officer was shot in a Missouri town torn by racial strife, the president donned a shiny tuxedo to attend a ritzy black awards dinner, where he said police nationwide are to blame for community mistrust, even claiming that “most Americans” think the country is racist.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/28/curl-obama-most-americans-think-nation-is-racist/
This guy has proven his racist tendencies time and again from Charlottville to recent tweets. But it doesn't matter, his real supporters (not those who want him to free Iran for them...although......) do not care and actually share those thought with him and hence why he might be elected (this time perhaps even with popular vote) for a second term. If he is not, he is gonna cry foul and we may have to call in the National Guard!
@Ex_COP
Spot on
Another example of groups who exercise such hypocrisy is the Evangelicals which the report on the news was saying 4 out of 5 supported this self-admitting pu$$y grabber, multiple divorcee and frequently pay for prostitute to sleep with him.
I like to ask those Evangelicals if they still support him if he grabs their daughter’s or wife’s!
Our politicians had resisted pissing on the office of Presidency, tRump fixed that.
tRump is helping to make Russia great again
Embrace BDS movement and Reject occupation, If the bar code starts with 7 29 put it back on the shelf
Buy American, say NO to Chinese madeTrump
“The time is always right to do what is right” – Martin Luther King
Love or leave America has nothing to do with racism!!! After all, you left America for the villages of South America back during the Bush 43 era. Sar Dabir Jaan. Go MAGA . Javid Trump 2020!!!
The Democratic Party cannot solve its problems by attacking Trump’s “racism.” The Gang of Four(四人帮)called Pelosi a racist as well.
The tRmp supporter is getting what he deserves and hopefully some nice treatment in the prison if he continues to be racist.
Man gets life plus 419 years in deadly Charlottesville car attack
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/james-alex-fields-jr-charlottesville-car-attack-sentenced-life-plus-419-years-today-2019-07-15/
Our politicians had resisted pissing on the office of Presidency, tRump fixed that.
tRump is helping to make Russia great again
Embrace BDS movement and Reject occupation, If the bar code starts with 7 29 put it back on the shelf
Buy American, say NO to Chinese madeTrump
“The time is always right to do what is right” – Martin Luther King
“Love or leave America has nothing to do with racism!!!”
Wrong! To the “Iranian-American” supporters of IRI anything Trump says has something to do with racism.
I haven’t met an Iranian who doesn’t despise blacks. So, this fake love for the Gang of Four is as fake as the CNN news.
Let’s not forget the Deporter in Chief was himself African American.
Three days ago, as soon as Amna Nawaz of PBS mentioned the Deporter in Chief by name the centennial bitch running the show tried to relate it to Trump, but Amna shut her up in her own smooth way.
Let’s hope Amna won’t lose her job for being a “racist.”LOL
“Iranian-American” supporters of IRI can go eff themselves and see if I care! I am an American!
“centennial” should read “centenarian.”
The Queen appears to be disgusted with something in the lower photo....!