by John Bossange
America has seen its share of presidents who have displayed racist, antisemitic and misogynistic actions, behaviors and language. Some presidents have been more reserved with their values and opinions, and used coded language and “dog whistling” to let the nation know what they believed, and how they would like to be remembered.
However, unlike previous presidents, President Trump has held nothing back, and has left a trail of statements and actions to be sure there is little doubt about what he values, where he stands on key issues, and what he now sees as his legacy. Some people admire his language and justify it as being transparent and honest.
Whether or not you respect President Trump’s approach, the fact remains America has never had a president who has had so many documented incidents of using racist, antisemitic, and misogynistic language. There is no fake news here, no democratic witch-hunt, and no radical leftist or communist plot to discredit the President. What we have are the clear facts given to us from a President who has left us a clear trail of his opinions and behaviors.
Here are some examples of President Trump’s antisemitism, racism, and misogyny. As Joe Friday, played by Jack Webb on the TV show Dragnet once said: “All we want are the facts, ma’am.” Well, here are the facts about President Trump.
Antisemitism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump_and_antisemitism
- Called Jewish bankers and real estate brokers “brutal killers. Not nice people”(2019)
- Claimed “Jews stick together. They are like an ethnic alliance.” (2021)
- Commented that he did not want any Black accountants and said “The only people I want counting my money are those wearing yarmulkes.” (2023)
- Following the Charlottesville chant of “Jews will not replace us” said, “There are good people on both sides.” (2022)
- Called Jewish bankers “shylocks.” (2024)
- Copied the yellow six point star used by Hitler to mark Jews, and placed it over pictures of George Soros, Janet Yellen, Hillary Clinton, and Lloyd Blankfein. (2023)
- Invited Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust denier and Kanye West to a lunch meeting at Mar-a-Lago. (2024)
- Hired Paul Ingrassia (Department of Homeland Security), who has perpetuated Holocaust revisionism, spread conspiracy theories about Israel, performed Nazi salutes, and appeared with Nick Fuentes at various Trump rallies. (2023)
Racism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_views_of_Donald_Trump
- Trump’s real estate company was successfully sued for refusing to rent to Black tenants. (1970-1990)
- Called for the execution of five Black and Latino teens who were charged with murder and were later exonerated. (1989-2016)
- Spread the false claim that Barack Obama was not born in the U.S. (2011-2016)
- Tweeted that four US Congresswomen of color should “go back” to their countries. (2019)
- Called immigrants of color “animals” and “not human.” (2014)
- Suggested that immigrants of color were genetically predisposed to crime. (2024)
- Used Nazi-like language “Poisoning the Blood” of white Americans when describing immigrants of color. (2023)
- Promoted the “Great Replacement” theory, suggesting that immigrants of color would eventually replace white Americans. (2024)
- Claimed that Kamala Harris was not actually Black. (2024)
Misogyny: https://time.com/5047771/donald-trump-comments-billy-bush/
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-offensive-comments-women
- Said, “You know, it doesn’t really matter what the media writes as long as you’ve got a young, beautiful piece of ass.” (1991)
- Said his daughter, Ivanka, was a “piece of a**” and “If Ivanka wasn’t my daughter, I’d probably be dating her.” (2015)
- Commented 12-year-old Paris Hilton was “attractive.” (2004)
- Bragged, “I just start kissing them. You can do anything. When you are a star, they let you do it. Grab them by the pu**y.” (2015)
- Told Elizabeth Beck, a lawyer, she was “disgusting for pumping breast milk.” (2011)
- Commented, “I’ve seen women manipulate men with a twitch of their eye, or perhaps another body part.” (2010)
- Tweeted “If Hillary Clinton can’t satisfy her husband, what makes her think she can satisfy America?” (2015)
- Tweeted his followers to check out the sex tape of former beauty queen Alicia Machado. (2016)
So, is president Trump racist, antisemitic, and misogynistic? You decide. Surely he would say he is not, and cite his association with wealthy Blacks in the sports and entertainment world, his support of Netanyahu, his Jewish son-in-law, and his hiring of women for important White House positions, and for Secretaries of key Agencies and Departments. All of that seems like good cover, but given his history, past and present, President Trump can’t hide his stripes. He is who he has told us he is, and who he will continue to be.
However, maybe the most important question is not whether President Trump is antisemitic, racist or misogynistic, but do people actually care? They should. I don’t believe the people who support Trump are all racist, antisemitic or misogynists. But I remain puzzled why so many good people accept and seemingly forgive such appalling, hate-filled behavior from the President. I feel too often people believe what he does for them is more important than the antisemitism, racism, and misogyny.
That’s dangerous to our nation’s soul and unity, but equally important, it ignores what President Trump would be willing to do to any of us, supporter or not, to advance his causes and presidency. He has sought out people to blame for America’s problems, and then organized vengeful persecution. He has shown he cares little about too many Americans, and has thrown decent people under his bus.
This has become a growing danger, and the best reason to care and not be so willing to accept and forgive his hurtful behavior. We don’t know who could be his next victim, especially if the President becomes more desperate to control his image and save his presidency. If this past year is any indication, President Trump will turn on anyone anytime, even a MAGA Party member.
Every time we accept and forgive the President for his abhorrent language and actions, we embolden him to destroy more innocent American lives. As American citizens, we must turn against the President and not accept or forgive this behavior. Our nation deserves better.
The author is a retired South Burlington educator.