Donald Trump Racist? Does It Matter?

If you’ve paid any attention, then you’ve learned that one thing you can say to a Trump supporter that will really make them angry is that Trump is a racist. Say that to one of them, and they will (collectively) provide a host of defenses, no matter what evidence (tweets, video, whatever) you present to them.

I am absolutely willing to accept the possibility that Donald J. Trump the man is not a racist or a bigot (though I will continue to believe that he is a classist).

So let’s go with the idea that Trump isn’t personally racist. Then I ask “so what?”

If Trump isn’t a racist that means we’re looking at one of two possibilities:

The first possibility is that he’s not a racist, but then he has

1. Knowingly used racist rhetoric in his campaign.
2. Provided moral support to racists and white supremacists in social media (his re-tweeting of racist propaganda is well-established).
3. Provided material support to racists by appointing Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller to notable, powerful positions in his administration.
4. Encouraged a national atmosphere of fear, hate, and xenophobia.

And all for the advancement of his personal interests in business, ego fulfillment, and the business interests of his fellow capitalist entrepreneurs. That’s not even touching on the possible Russian connections and conflicts of interest concerning the job of POTUS and his business dealings.

All of the above does mean the man is morally and ethically unfit for the office of POTUS. This would mean that at best, he’s an amoral opportunist, and at worst, a possible criminal.

But I mentioned two possibilities, didn’t I? So, if Trump is not a racist, and the first possibility isn’t the reality of the situation, that leaves us with this one:

Trump did all of the same things described in the first possibility, but is literally too stupid or myopic to know what he did. It would have to mean he did all of those things without understanding the potential ramifications. This possibility is highly unlikely, but if it’s the case, then the man’s lack of intellect and basic insight makes him unfit to hold the office of POTUS.

This brings us back to the possibility that Trump actually is a racist and knows exactly what he’s done and has done so willingly and with bigoted enthusiasm. That would make him a Nazi-supporting racist scumbag unfit to hold the office of POTUS.

The next time a Trump supporter tells you that Trump isn’t racist, try to explain all of this to the person. They probably will not acknowledge it, but it doesn’t hurt to try. Whatever the case, the end result is that the man is simply not fit to hold the office of President of the United States.