Media reporters-pundits timidity knows no bounds; he is of course racists and authoritarian and misogynist. All of us are that we seek to attract; it doesn't matter what is said about him, or what he says of himself -ipso-facto.
194
As Bob Dylan sang, "you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing." Yes, Trump is a racist and more. He's an embarrassment to this country. The worst thing about him? He's dumb when it comes to politics, especially foreign policy. Being a bully is not going to work. He's shooting blanks.
460
Trump is undeniably a racist and a bigot. He's the scariest thing in this country today. God help us.
375
Trump openly and loudly proclaims an ideology of White supremacy. When someone tells you what their character is, listen.
342
Okay, so Trump (sadly) is a racist. Does that really hurt his chances in the general election?
76
Just by looking at the man, you realize he is racist. There is no doubt about it. Reading the facts presented in this article only confirmed my feelings. Thank you Mr. Kristof.
138
It's definitely a duck.
280
It makes no sense to try to find a "pattern" in what Trump did (or was, or felt) 40 years ago and to try to prove that that is what he is today. People can (and do) change.
If it were not true that people can (and do) change,, then Hillary's dealings with cattle futures 40 years ago would have some meaning today and prove that she is corrupt TODAY.
If you want to prove that Trump is a racist, you need go back no further than the birther conspiracy theories.
If it were not true that people can (and do) change,, then Hillary's dealings with cattle futures 40 years ago would have some meaning today and prove that she is corrupt TODAY.
If you want to prove that Trump is a racist, you need go back no further than the birther conspiracy theories.
138
Inaction signaling invisibility may be construed as bigotry.Civil Rights took a back seat to John F. Kennedy's International focus (fighting the Cold War). Civil Rights leaders, especially Julian Bond, remained bitter even after Kennedy's eloquent, but overdue, national race speech.
14
More proof if anyone needed it that Trump is a nasty piece of work. Is he a bigot, a racist or just an loudmouth? It's hard to draw an exact distinction but it's obvious that he is a deeply unpleasant, unkind man.
124
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it's probably a duck.
135
Nick, you have to be careful on choosing your words, but we don't. The man is a Racist with a capital R. No doubt in my mind and sadly Lincoln's party is following along with him. Just look at the white, red-neck mob at the convention or should I say confusion!
160
Let's not forget that Donald Trump is not only a racist but also a flimflam man.
Good and decent people need to stand up and say no to his conning of our country. We will not go down the rabbit hole with this man.
Good and decent people need to stand up and say no to his conning of our country. We will not go down the rabbit hole with this man.
268
Bigotry--the idea that God has created people unequal, and that he is among the elect--is Trump's default perspective. A comedian criticizes him? Trump give the comedian's original Jewish name. A judge embarrasses him? The judge is a Mexican. A Senator goes after him? She's an Indian. (Or not.) The President? A Kenyan A woman confronts him? She's menstruating. Okay, we all know people like this, and they are an embarrassment. What we haven't known is that one of them could ever have a serious chance of being elected President of the United States.
451
David Duke of the Ku Klux Klan is running for United States Senator in Louisiana. He filed the paperwork on Friday, the final day of eligibility. I was stunned when I read this in the Times.
If one doesn't believe Trump is a racist, realize that Trump's success has encouraged the former Grand Wizard of the KKK to enter the national political arena. Duke says the United States Senate needs someone to specifically represent the interests of 'European Americans'.
In the current atmosphere how many votes will he receive? With more than 20 candidates entered in his Senate race David Duke could win on name recognition alone. If Trump has taught us anything it's that what seems unreal is quite possible. How many more are out there like Duke, seeing great opportunity to seize Donald Trump's supporters? How many more will follow?
If one doesn't believe Trump is a racist, realize that Trump's success has encouraged the former Grand Wizard of the KKK to enter the national political arena. Duke says the United States Senate needs someone to specifically represent the interests of 'European Americans'.
In the current atmosphere how many votes will he receive? With more than 20 candidates entered in his Senate race David Duke could win on name recognition alone. If Trump has taught us anything it's that what seems unreal is quite possible. How many more are out there like Duke, seeing great opportunity to seize Donald Trump's supporters? How many more will follow?
220
Of course he is! Ask Barack Obama, Susanna Martinez, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, etc. etc. The crux of the matter is that the GOP leadership is too. McConnell reeks of it. Their so called reach out to minorities was a sham. Their efforts to stop Trump were half hearted. Their side glances and smirks at John Lewis during his sit in at the House floor for gun control were quite evident. Trump is the face of the GOP. They haven't even tried to wipe it clean.
379
The comment about the judge is not racist unless you are referring to the fact that he said "Mexican judge" and not "Mexican-American judge" or "judge of Hispanic heritage", which nobody ever is. Polls have consistently shown that Hispanics have a negative opinion of Trump. In April the figure was at 87%. Trump is just pointing out what the polls reflect - that's not racism - that's probability. And the judge is not just a Hispanic, he's a Hispanic of Mexican descent, a sub-group that would be even more inclined to not like Trump. And further, he's a member of La Raza (The Race) Lawyers which gave a scholarship to an illegal alien.
30
Nick, to me Trump is not only Racist, he's a racist of a first order.
The situations that you elaborated here for our knowledge speak for themselves that Trump was and still is a racist we all know.
From the days of his time with the Trump properties that he was managing with his father when he lost the case brought upon him by the Nixon administration for discriminating against Black renters preferring to rent his apartments only to whites and ''Jews and executives'' showed his racist side very early on .
And the fact that he'd order all the Black people off the floor in his casinos in the 80's and put all the Black people in the back of the casinos are true example of this current Republican Candidate's racist past.
To me he's one hell of a prejudiced person who should never go to the the White House.
And the fact that his father Fred Trump was arrested at a Ku Klux Klan rally in 1927 shows that racism runs in Trump's blood as he's the same man who wanted to hang 5 teenagers in 1989 who was wrongly convicted in the ''Central Park jogger''case, only because those teenagers were Blacks and Latinos.
So if this is not enough to convict this Republican Contender in the eyes of Public opinion , then what else could be brought forward to convince every Americans that this man is nothing but a racist monster who questioned Obama's place of birth and would not accept his original Birth certificate,calling it a fake, something he would've never done to Obama if he was White.
The situations that you elaborated here for our knowledge speak for themselves that Trump was and still is a racist we all know.
From the days of his time with the Trump properties that he was managing with his father when he lost the case brought upon him by the Nixon administration for discriminating against Black renters preferring to rent his apartments only to whites and ''Jews and executives'' showed his racist side very early on .
And the fact that he'd order all the Black people off the floor in his casinos in the 80's and put all the Black people in the back of the casinos are true example of this current Republican Candidate's racist past.
To me he's one hell of a prejudiced person who should never go to the the White House.
And the fact that his father Fred Trump was arrested at a Ku Klux Klan rally in 1927 shows that racism runs in Trump's blood as he's the same man who wanted to hang 5 teenagers in 1989 who was wrongly convicted in the ''Central Park jogger''case, only because those teenagers were Blacks and Latinos.
So if this is not enough to convict this Republican Contender in the eyes of Public opinion , then what else could be brought forward to convince every Americans that this man is nothing but a racist monster who questioned Obama's place of birth and would not accept his original Birth certificate,calling it a fake, something he would've never done to Obama if he was White.
110
Trump is a racist. Fact proven. Now, may I say that about those who support him?
128
Racism and bigotry are symptoms of lack of intellect. Need I say more?
144
Racist? Of course, along with every other vile trait a human can possess.
143
If it walks like a duck . . .
Points to Kristof for saying that one racist-appearing incident could be misconstrued, or poorly chosen words, or a person just having a bad day, but a pattern over 40 years does say something about the individual. Next Column: Is Rudy Giuliani a racist?
Points to Kristof for saying that one racist-appearing incident could be misconstrued, or poorly chosen words, or a person just having a bad day, but a pattern over 40 years does say something about the individual. Next Column: Is Rudy Giuliani a racist?
99
"White supremacist" is the word I would choose.
87
This is a very badly phrased question. The question should be, Does Donald Trump say and do racist things?
Racism is something we do, not something we are. There is no blood-test we can give: Sorry, Mr. Trump, but the results came back, and you are a racist.
By making it a binary condition -- you are a racist, or you aren't -- we make racism such a damning diagnosis that we're afraid to make it except in the most obvious cases. And then we can't talk about how racism infects our language and our culture, because we are all likely carriers, and we can't identify our own racist thoughts and actions without damning ourselves.
Racism is something we do, not something we are. There is no blood-test we can give: Sorry, Mr. Trump, but the results came back, and you are a racist.
By making it a binary condition -- you are a racist, or you aren't -- we make racism such a damning diagnosis that we're afraid to make it except in the most obvious cases. And then we can't talk about how racism infects our language and our culture, because we are all likely carriers, and we can't identify our own racist thoughts and actions without damning ourselves.
82
Racism is why Trump was such a big hit at the Republican convention.
119
Probably, but he is definitely a shameless opportunist.
43
I'm sick to my stomach. Again, I am no longer proud to be an American. Half this country supports this vile human being and the worst part is they call themselves Christian.
151
Even after President Obama showed his birth certificate, Trump would
not let it go - and said it was forged. This is a vicious man with no
respect for the truth.
not let it go - and said it was forged. This is a vicious man with no
respect for the truth.
85
I've thought of Trump as a clown for over 30 years, and now, as a blatant racist.
I'm amazed that such a supposedly worldly New Yorker could have such a narrow, bigoted worldview.
Trump has done some serious harm to this country. Getting beaten in November's election won't lessen the hatred he has helped orchestrate.
I'm amazed that such a supposedly worldly New Yorker could have such a narrow, bigoted worldview.
Trump has done some serious harm to this country. Getting beaten in November's election won't lessen the hatred he has helped orchestrate.
74
My philosophical take on the Trump campaign is, when you actually watch the Crazy Eddie television advertisements from the 70's, one has to admit they are artful.
But that does not mean one has just discovered presidential timber.
But that does not mean one has just discovered presidential timber.
20
Bravo for the Times to publish this. Of course it should. But why is this Op-Ed? This should be an investigative journalism piece. The accusation is huge and should, in any thoughtful and decent place, undermine the Trump candidacy (circus) completely.
By the way, I thought it would be clever to write: The Trump(et) candidacy, thinking this might infer all the air that man blows to tout himself. However, I realize he is a dangerous man with dangerous ideas - and I'd hate to associate an honorable instrument with such a sham of a personae.
By the way, I thought it would be clever to write: The Trump(et) candidacy, thinking this might infer all the air that man blows to tout himself. However, I realize he is a dangerous man with dangerous ideas - and I'd hate to associate an honorable instrument with such a sham of a personae.
44
This is what the media is supposed to be doing, vetting our political candidates.
I want to thank Nicholas Kristof for first rate journalism. May an informed public study the history of the Trump family. It has shown many of these traits the past year.
I want to thank Nicholas Kristof for first rate journalism. May an informed public study the history of the Trump family. It has shown many of these traits the past year.
89
Although I certainly appreciate having the information about Trump's sordid discriminatory past set forth in one place, I did not need this detail, much of which I already knew, to persuade me that Donald Trump is a racist. He needed to say no more than Mexicans were rapists and thieves, and that he would ban all Muslims from entering the US. Moreover, he refused to denounce his endorsement of the Grand Wizard of the KKK. Message sent; message received. He is a racist.
76
Yes, he is a bigot, and exceptional at that. And unrepentant. Or shall we dare say, proud of it?
57
Mr. Kristof's piece says as much about that large swathe of white men supporting Trump as it does about the vile candidate himself - and this includes those so-called "establishment" republicans who are working to elect him president. Racism had never left the American social scene. It had just gone underground and has now resurfaced full-frontal.
95
Why won't they just speak English? Why don't they have better control of their kids? Why won't he pull his pants up? That's not how you say "ask".
Hardly anyone is explicitly racist anymore - that takes a lot of guts. But we all have biases, and it is common to treat groups of people differently by engaging in any number of small slights - not affording them the same respect as they would another group in the same position.
It happens quickly, is often reasonably deniable, and difficult to pinpoint or quantify. When I treat my mother-in-law a little bit differently, say, bristle a bit more at her foibles, my lack of respect towards her is hard to define. But it is a result of a bias I have, and comes through in my interactions with her.
These are the kind of untidy thoughts we can all fall prey to with any community who has historically been the target of discrimination. Disreputable narratives develop about them, which we absorb from the larger culture, and that we are often unaware of.
Why should people be required to speak English in America?
Maybe they are having a bad day.
Maybe that's his style - his way of expressing himself through rebellious fashion?
Maybe because that's how she pronounces the word ask. Do you articulate all of your words perfectly?
Maybe in each of these examples you are treating them differently, by not giving them the benefit of the doubt, by jumping to conclusions. Maybe you are unwittingly behaving in a racist way.
Hardly anyone is explicitly racist anymore - that takes a lot of guts. But we all have biases, and it is common to treat groups of people differently by engaging in any number of small slights - not affording them the same respect as they would another group in the same position.
It happens quickly, is often reasonably deniable, and difficult to pinpoint or quantify. When I treat my mother-in-law a little bit differently, say, bristle a bit more at her foibles, my lack of respect towards her is hard to define. But it is a result of a bias I have, and comes through in my interactions with her.
These are the kind of untidy thoughts we can all fall prey to with any community who has historically been the target of discrimination. Disreputable narratives develop about them, which we absorb from the larger culture, and that we are often unaware of.
Why should people be required to speak English in America?
Maybe they are having a bad day.
Maybe that's his style - his way of expressing himself through rebellious fashion?
Maybe because that's how she pronounces the word ask. Do you articulate all of your words perfectly?
Maybe in each of these examples you are treating them differently, by not giving them the benefit of the doubt, by jumping to conclusions. Maybe you are unwittingly behaving in a racist way.
35
Although not the Time op-ed page, thr "Simpsons" nevertheless provide astute observations of American culture. one episode began with a close-up of the Fox News copter. The motto emblazoned on the chopper was "not racist...but # 1 with racists." And even if Trump is not racist, the motto suits his campaign. White supremacist leaders have endorsed him. He has overtly appealed to bigotry. one cannot get past the "birther" campaign without admitting its pure racism. As John Oliver observed, either Trump is racist or he is acting like one, amd at some point it does not matter. Trump may be playimg a cynical game to appeal to bigots, eben though he may personally reject thedir prejudice. If he should be elected, he will lose his leverage over the haters. He will owe them for their support. However he repays the debt, America will suffer.
36
David Duke is a white racist. Donald Trump is a white racist. Both are authoritarian demagogues. In the last decade, the Republicans transformed themselves into an increasingly racist and reactionary political party that has spawned Donald Trump. They are committing suicide.
60
Wow, a piece of investigative journalism. Where has the press been for decades? This guy has been getting away with it all his life it appears. Sad to say, if he made it in New York, he could make it anywhere including the White House. My only hope is that there are more American voters filled with integrity than fear and hate.
56
How many times is this accusation going to be recycled by the New York Times? It has been a non-stop broken record that Trump is a "racist, a nativist, an anti-semite, etc." How many landlords have not been targeted by the Human Rights Commission in NYC just to set them up for a shakedown? Repeating what is not borne out by the facts does not make it true. Trump has you scared because he has struck a chord with the American people. They do not want unvetted illegal immigrants here that their tax dollars are supporting and that the elites only see as colorful characters who serve them interesting food in their ivory white towers in Manhattan. The elites have more compassion for poor African villagers than for their fellow Americans and that is why they are rebelling.
38
To state the Trump was hiding black people because he didn't like them is incorrect. He had a certain huge client, a mobster, who was a big spender in the casino. Trump catered to this guy. The mobster was actually the one that was the racist. He didn't like black people while he was at the casino. So Trump, being the business man that he was, asked them to go in back when this mobster came in. This is a false claim. Anyone with a huge business, with money to make would follow suit. I'm not saying I like that it, or I support it, just saying that if something is said, it shouldn't be twisted to look like something it's not.
14
Hey Mr. Kristof, did you really include two working links to dailystormer? In the case of hate websites it's preferable to refer to the url without making it clickable.
Maybe that the website is where Trump learned that short guys wearing yarmulkes are good with money. And that belief demonstrates that Trump is not so much a racist as a bigot, somebody who forms opinions about individuals based on group stereotypes. He is prejudiced (literally meaning he makes pre-judgments), whether negatively or favorably, against or for any member of any group about which he harbors a preconception. This is a lazy and dangerous way of thinking that replaces intelligent thought.
Maybe that the website is where Trump learned that short guys wearing yarmulkes are good with money. And that belief demonstrates that Trump is not so much a racist as a bigot, somebody who forms opinions about individuals based on group stereotypes. He is prejudiced (literally meaning he makes pre-judgments), whether negatively or favorably, against or for any member of any group about which he harbors a preconception. This is a lazy and dangerous way of thinking that replaces intelligent thought.
28
Thank you NYT and Nicholas Kristof. I am a southern woman born in Texas and have raised my children with my wonderful husband in Georgia for most of our marriage, I have two degrees and my husband has three. Our sons are now both in Phd programs. We do not own guns and we do not go to church. We were not raised with racism and we did not raise our children that way. We believe in the the ideology that Mr Kaine spoke of today in his speech with Ms. Clinton. We try to do good. I ordered a bumper sticker from Mrs. Clintons web site and I am going to put it on my car. This is a first for me. I am not a bumper sticker person. I doubt this is going to go over big in Macon, Georgia. I don't care. I am all in. I just want to do something to stop this madness. I encourage everyone to do the same.
123
Trump was brought up to be a racist. Fred Trump's properties defined redlining. Trump is so ignorant to the fact that he is a racist his feeble excuses to the contrary only serve to bury him deeper in the mud of racism. His "I have plenty of fill-in-the-blank friends only makes it worse. What a cruel joke the Republicans have played on their followers. They should be ashamed if they has any sense of what shame is.
DD
Manhattan
DD
Manhattan
43
Thank you, Mf. Kristof.
A lot of thoughts have gone through my mind lately.
How rich is your richest family acquaintance? I think it is an interesting question.
In my case, it is in the 100 million plus range. How did that happen?
I don t identify with the rich. I identify with people. Ok, he got there, do you think his friends respect it? I do, my family does, because we know he's a deserving person. It gets hard after that tho recognize riches. Did every rich person like Trump really earn their gains?
Just to give perspective, I also have friends that worked for close to minimum age, and killed himself.
My knowledge and friends run the gamut. Does Clinton understand that better than Trump? I'm not going to answer the question.
Rich and poor, I think, have the same ideas. We all see the elitism of Clinton!
A lot of thoughts have gone through my mind lately.
How rich is your richest family acquaintance? I think it is an interesting question.
In my case, it is in the 100 million plus range. How did that happen?
I don t identify with the rich. I identify with people. Ok, he got there, do you think his friends respect it? I do, my family does, because we know he's a deserving person. It gets hard after that tho recognize riches. Did every rich person like Trump really earn their gains?
Just to give perspective, I also have friends that worked for close to minimum age, and killed himself.
My knowledge and friends run the gamut. Does Clinton understand that better than Trump? I'm not going to answer the question.
Rich and poor, I think, have the same ideas. We all see the elitism of Clinton!
18
That Donald Trump is a racist is not that interesting or surprising (though the historical evidence is welcome). What is more interesting is that he, and many of his supporters, genuinely don't believe that, for instance, thinking blacks not capable of accounting, is racist.
34
Either Trump is racist or pretending to be racist to garner votes. I'm not sure which is worse.
Sadder still is all of the "serious" Republicans like Ryan who are now supporting him simply because he wants to give tax cuts to the rich. These people will vote for anyone who will fulfill their supply-side fantasy despite the evidence that all it produces is bigger deficits, something they claim to despise.
The GOP is morally and intellectually bankrupt.
God help us.
Sadder still is all of the "serious" Republicans like Ryan who are now supporting him simply because he wants to give tax cuts to the rich. These people will vote for anyone who will fulfill their supply-side fantasy despite the evidence that all it produces is bigger deficits, something they claim to despise.
The GOP is morally and intellectually bankrupt.
God help us.
87
I am much more afraid of Donald Trump and his hateful supporters than anything else. Any progress we have made toward civility is being unravelled by this lying, vacuous, sociopathic individual. Please, please, vote for anyone else against this hate, ignorance and anger.
36
Coincidentally, I was recently at a a BBQ at a friend's, and he told me that the Woody Guthrie song he had heard on the radio mentioned fascists. He thought that was unusual and proceeded to look it up, and lo, the fascist in question was one Fred Trump...
31
I have a different take on racism. I ask. How has allowing 11mm undocumented low education immigrants helped the cause of the truly most disadvantaged class in the United States, inner city African American Male. Am I the only one who thinks that saying that these migrants do jobs "Americans won't do" is speaking about the class of people with the highest unemployment, inner city African American males . I for one don't believe that given the opportunity these African American young men would not jump at the chance for these jobs even if they are low paying. Yet many liberals and open border Republicans do.
15
Why this article was not published earlier ever since he decided to run for the president. There were many chances to bring out things information. Why now after he was nominated.
28
The episodes described by the author are nothing compared to the systematic racism in the policies of the Clintons. Tens of thousands men of color had their freedom taken away because of their crime bills and children of color were neglected because of welfare reform.
9
Thank you for your research and measured tone.
The information seems overwhelming for those that want to see.
The big question is if enough Americans will put principals first; or if too many simply do not care, so long as someone can hit the system (even below the belt) in their name.
The information seems overwhelming for those that want to see.
The big question is if enough Americans will put principals first; or if too many simply do not care, so long as someone can hit the system (even below the belt) in their name.
22
And racism is his main selling point to the demographic that supports him. Very scary.
49
I am quite ready to believe he is a racist but, whatever he is, he is riding the racist tiger. His politics is designed to garner racist support. From the KKK to the American NAZI party the most racist among us are elated to have a candidate they feel they can support. As racists are a crucial component of his base, he will, even if he wants to get away from them, have to feed that tiger some red meat from time to time to avoid being consumed by it himself.
38
I just hope that those Bernie Sanders supporters now aggrieved at Hillary's pick for VP will help the country avoid such a backward step as to elect Trump for President. The stakes are high and the issue of race is most important.
49
Trump will deny that he's a racist, but you learn nothing from his denials.
Not everyone who is accused of being a racist is; but everyone who is a racist denies that they are.
Not everyone who is accused of being a racist is; but everyone who is a racist denies that they are.
29
If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it's a racist...
23
Donald says he is not a racist - but do you know anyone who thinks they are racist? Self-assessment is not a reliable indicator. Anyone who is, actually racist, believes that they are simply telling it like it is. They do not see themselves as racists. Donald's supporters are almost exclusively White, with Black folks supporting him at levels below 1%. His promise of "Make America Great Again" is, in reality, "Make America White Again". The minorities understand this.
54
All true and kudos to Nick for doing the additional due diligence. However, writing an op-ed in NYT is not doing much. The message needs to be in print media that people who vote for Trump read. My 2 cents
46
Many people seem to think that Trump is playing the character of Loud-Mouthed Bombastic Trump. That he doesn't really mean what he says. I always tell them that I have no choice but to accept what he says (and does) at face value.
36
The shocking thing isn't all the evidence of racism that you found. Trump has a very clear record of bigoted statements and actions (as well as misogyny, lying, and bullying). The shocking thing is that he has 40+% of the country willing to vote for him as president. Very sad.
674
Which of the Presidents was not racist? Even Lincoln preferred his own white people.
13
This election is a test for America and its collective wisdom. We seem to be re-fighting the Civil War and the Jim Crow laws as part of some cruel deja vu . Where were these Trump supporters when they taught History? The horrible confluence of a unfair and unbalanced media, a bought and paid for congress, an electorate with a short attention span and an appetite for sound bites and a serial narcissist with a TV show has provided this moment of truth. History teachers of America- to arms!- let your voices ring to call out the farce playing before our eyes and save us from the march hare of hate who has found a way into our worst impulses as human beings.
35
Is Donald Trump a saint? Ask my friend Chris Christie, because lately, you say that he refuses to pick up the Donald's laundry. Is he a sinner? Who among us, especially in the rough and tumble of politics or life, has not been, at times, weighed by the scales and found wanting.
But, to Mr. Trump's credit, in a party that, despite not having the long pipeline of diverse candidates produced the most diversified field of aspirants for political office, he and he alone had the most diversified staff and the only candidate with persons of color in prominent roles.
So, the question is not, "Is Donald Trump a racist." No, if you want "Control" over the rainbow coalition, answer Janet, not Jesse Jackson: "What have you done for me, lately?"
But, to Mr. Trump's credit, in a party that, despite not having the long pipeline of diverse candidates produced the most diversified field of aspirants for political office, he and he alone had the most diversified staff and the only candidate with persons of color in prominent roles.
So, the question is not, "Is Donald Trump a racist." No, if you want "Control" over the rainbow coalition, answer Janet, not Jesse Jackson: "What have you done for me, lately?"
12
I think debating whether someone or something is racist or not racist usually doesn't accomplish much. People say that Black Lives Matters is racist. Others claim that people who think Black Lives Matters is a racist movement are themselves racists. At the end of the day, debating whether or not something is racist is utterly pointless.
We should move past that to discussing whether something is true, whether it is useful, whether it is fair.
What Trump claimed about Mexicans being rapists is untrue. What Trump claimed about Obama's birth certificate was untrue. Not renting apartments to blacks is unfair. These are real substantive debates.
We should move past that to discussing whether something is true, whether it is useful, whether it is fair.
What Trump claimed about Mexicans being rapists is untrue. What Trump claimed about Obama's birth certificate was untrue. Not renting apartments to blacks is unfair. These are real substantive debates.
324
From any minorities perspective, it is actually irrelevant if Trump himself is racist.
The reality is Trump uses racist language. He aids and abets racists. Finally Trump specifically curries racists' support without explicitly stating it. If that is not racism, what is?
The reality is Trump uses racist language. He aids and abets racists. Finally Trump specifically curries racists' support without explicitly stating it. If that is not racism, what is?
76
By any modern measure, we might call racist every one of our Founding Fathers who failed to abolish slavery, but who held views considered popular, to use the HRC phrase, "at the time." Do we burn the Constitution? Tear up the flag. Move a little further west and begin, again? No.
Woodrow Wilson, FDR, JFK, and LBJ, all might for acts in their past demonstrating a "long train of usurpations and abuses" with regard to persons of color, from internment of Japanese Americans to appeasement of Jim Crow Dixiexrats might be called a racist, or even as Jim Foxworthy says, "might be a Redneck, but does that merit an opinion editorial or editor's note in the Times? No.
Senator Byrd was not just a member of the KKK, but a grand wizard, and Bill Clinton flew back to Arkansas to watch a lobotomized man who regretted his crime be executed, but no one is saying is saying, "Wait one cotton picking minute," about them.
Woodrow Wilson, FDR, JFK, and LBJ, all might for acts in their past demonstrating a "long train of usurpations and abuses" with regard to persons of color, from internment of Japanese Americans to appeasement of Jim Crow Dixiexrats might be called a racist, or even as Jim Foxworthy says, "might be a Redneck, but does that merit an opinion editorial or editor's note in the Times? No.
Senator Byrd was not just a member of the KKK, but a grand wizard, and Bill Clinton flew back to Arkansas to watch a lobotomized man who regretted his crime be executed, but no one is saying is saying, "Wait one cotton picking minute," about them.
24
Not surprisingly, David Duke just announced he's running in Louisiana for US Senate .
34
He may have in 1973. You were too. Look how many blacks and Spanish , Mexicans he employs. You had to go along way back tofun this. He was probably just doing what his father ordered. How many people dose Clinton employ and how dose she treat them. You have a responsibility to present both sides or are you to prejudice. Or on the tale of the clintonswhy don't you look into the 6 billion missing from her department . How about the funds from the Arabs . Start writing for theamerican people be fair
21
This is a question that only a clueless white man could ask with a straight face.
41
Anyone who has received campaign contributions from Trump in the past, who now believes him to be a bigot, should immediately return all of those campaign contributions to Trump. Otherwise, aren't all of those politicians failing to swiftly renounce the man Mr. Kristof has declared a bigot? Mr. Kristof should do a follow up article about the amounts politicians have received through the years from Trump, and find out whether those donations have been returned. (At least that is what they always insist Republicans do).
10
Hey New York Times remember Hillary Clinton and her KKK ties with Robert Byrd I know you do. I know this is just a hit piece to try to make Hillary look better but we all know that The new York Times have is a liberal newspaper that want the racist Hillary to get into office.
26
I am a Muslim Syrian immigrant , I've been in the US for 20 years , I can't believe how low this psychopath is and how far up in the system he can go , he could become the next president of the most powerful nation in the world and if this happen I am selling everything I own and worked hard for and move to Canada or New Zealand.
God bless America
God bless America
73
Why are black individuals even pushing for the election of Trump? Why would a black individual join or remain in the Republican party? Why would any individual being in the LGBT community be a part of the Republican party? Why would anyone be voting for this racist Trump? Why?
55
With Trump, it's more than racism. He despises almost everyone, except his 'good friends' of the moment. Bald men, heavy ladies, brown foreigners, poor people, you name it. Trump loves himself and scorns everyone except those carrying his tainted genes. A few people, he uses. Maybe a few more than usual at the moment because he needs them to vote for him, but if they think he has a shred compassion or empathy or human decency they're dead wrong. It's all about Trump.
53
He has been in the new York area and real estate market for years. As well as the foreign This guy is less of a racist than any of us.
13
Is this the best liberals can do? Dig up something that dates back to 1973!? Common guys! I know you can do better than this! Trump is an exemplary man with an exemplary family. The Clintons? Not so much... There's much more to look into in Hillary's history, and so much more recent.
It's s given. Trump will be the next POTUS, whether you all liberals like it or not!
It's s given. Trump will be the next POTUS, whether you all liberals like it or not!
23
Not fit for office. The entire awful spectacle that this man has brought to our country is cause for shame.
38
95% of 70 year old Americans (be they white, black, Asian, other) are a little racist. Big deal. I'm a minority and the most important thing is that he doesn't try to be racist, and all his positions are completely racist. For example:
He wants a wall and to deport illegal aliens. Not racist. We all want a livable wage yet we have MILLIONS of low-skill illegals. It's simple supply and demand. And we have too much illegal oversupply.
He wants to ban immigrants from terrorist-compromised countries. Not racist. Immigration to our country is a privilege not a right. We get to choose. Trump doesn't want people from Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan because there is a 5%, 1%, or 0.1% that the immigrant is a terrorist. Let's choose a 0% chance and take people from China, India, Australia, Latin America, etc. instead.
Trump wants fair trade. Not racist. China gets to dump goods into our market, killing millions of jobs here. Yet our best companies are not allowed to compete in their market. Google is banned there. Facebook too. And Apple iTunes. And the NYTimes. Obama/Clinton have done nothing about this for 8 years. Trump will.
Trump wants allies to pay up. We pay for everyone. Almost no one in NATO pays the 2% requirement. Yet Russia is over there. If anything, we should be paying less than 2% and they should be paying more. This needs to stop. Otherwise, they can defend themselves, and we'll use our money at home, for bridges, roads, etc.
He wants a wall and to deport illegal aliens. Not racist. We all want a livable wage yet we have MILLIONS of low-skill illegals. It's simple supply and demand. And we have too much illegal oversupply.
He wants to ban immigrants from terrorist-compromised countries. Not racist. Immigration to our country is a privilege not a right. We get to choose. Trump doesn't want people from Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan because there is a 5%, 1%, or 0.1% that the immigrant is a terrorist. Let's choose a 0% chance and take people from China, India, Australia, Latin America, etc. instead.
Trump wants fair trade. Not racist. China gets to dump goods into our market, killing millions of jobs here. Yet our best companies are not allowed to compete in their market. Google is banned there. Facebook too. And Apple iTunes. And the NYTimes. Obama/Clinton have done nothing about this for 8 years. Trump will.
Trump wants allies to pay up. We pay for everyone. Almost no one in NATO pays the 2% requirement. Yet Russia is over there. If anything, we should be paying less than 2% and they should be paying more. This needs to stop. Otherwise, they can defend themselves, and we'll use our money at home, for bridges, roads, etc.
33
Sad to see a columnist I respect shamelessly bathe in lefty intimidation tactics. Nazi, racist, bigot, sexist, uneducated...did I miss any? Debbie Schultz and David Brock are sending joyous emoji-filled texts after reading this.
These lefty intimidation tactics do work, to a degree. Unfortunately for 'her' and the DNC, it merely creates 10-20 million stealth Trump supporters, thus polls severely underestimate his support.
These lefty intimidation tactics do work, to a degree. Unfortunately for 'her' and the DNC, it merely creates 10-20 million stealth Trump supporters, thus polls severely underestimate his support.
31
As several have mentioned, the real problem is that "racist" is too simple. I've been reading this summer about his heritage from McCarthy and Roy Cohn, and his angst with foes like Saul Alinsky (not coincidentally, I expect, the subject of Hillary's senior thesis at Wellesley). Much of that reading is by von Hoffman, who treated both "Citizen Cohn" (and therein documented both the McCarthyism and the social bias of Cohn's "classy" [or, more simply, "rich"] clients) and his mentor Alinsky (in "Radical" a few years ago). What is remarkable is how the larger pattern of prejudice embraces - in the Trump milieu - everybody from Italians (in or out of the mafia) to other ethnics to black, latino, immigrant, and gay.
The underlying problem with Trump is how prejudice, or more broadly, pre-judgments, "explains" his - and his family's - distrust, fear, and ruthlessness. In this respect his "racism" is both a lot worse than a white hood implies, and much, much more pervasive as a cultural artifact of class, power, prestige, and ... vulnerability. When money can't win, Trump loses big.
The underlying problem with Trump is how prejudice, or more broadly, pre-judgments, "explains" his - and his family's - distrust, fear, and ruthlessness. In this respect his "racism" is both a lot worse than a white hood implies, and much, much more pervasive as a cultural artifact of class, power, prestige, and ... vulnerability. When money can't win, Trump loses big.
16
(a) Trump is non bigot who panders to bigots.
(b) Trump is a bigot.
(c) Both are intolerable in a would-be President.
(c) is correct.
(b) Trump is a bigot.
(c) Both are intolerable in a would-be President.
(c) is correct.
43
I am not entirely clear why, Nick, you seem to be conflicted about the term "racist" as applied to Trump. This is the man who launched the fiction about our President's birth, and, to this day, continues to suggest that "there is something going on there," in reference to his disapproval of President Obama's comportment during the memorials for the slain Dallas police officers. He has steadfastly refused to repudiate, or even acknowledge his thoroughly racist smears against the President, and the press is, as it appears that you are, too uncomfortable to simply state the obvious or push back hard against this odious man-boy. If you prefer: let us state that Trump is a bigot, who has tarred, smeared and discriminated against not only our President, but Latinos, Muslims, African Americans, Jews, women, and anyone whom he generally considers to be a "loser." Let us also not ignore the fact that Trump is actively supported by innumerable white supremacist groups, whose support he has welcomed and whom he described as "passionate," rather than the hate mongers they are. One should, in fact, be judged by the company one keeps: Trump must be held fully to account for his appalling and venomous poison as he seeks to assuage his own bottomless pit of sociopathic, narcissistic emotional need.
45
Then the headline should read, "Donald Trump is a racist."
28
He's a xenophobe, a racist, a misogynist, and after that speech Thursday, a fascist. He's all those things and one election away from the White House.
47
Everyone is a little racist inside
13
Americans are somewhat racist, white, black, yellow and red. Probably even the entire human race is. Everyone of the same race sits around in small groups and occasionally says something demeaning about one race or another that is not their own. There is a socio-psychological mechanism that involves achieving higher group cohesion by unifying around verbal attacks against out-groups and individuals. Good manners usually means toning anything like that down in broader company no matter what race expands those co-present with you. Harder racism involves acts against those of other races, almost except in big city real estate, where the motive is economic and not deeply internalized racism. I know Trump from Queens when I attended Jamaica High School a few blocks from his mansion and he doesn't hate blacks or Muslims or Latinos. I think you need to hate to be a racist.
21
Why are reporters of all types so afraid to tell someone they are lying when they deny the truth?
Why do these always use euphemisms like "misspoke," or "misconstrued," when denial of truth is to lie?
Why do these always use euphemisms like "misspoke," or "misconstrued," when denial of truth is to lie?
16
All who are the nations leaders have failed Afro Americans and Hispanics so much ( like the gap between rich and poor ). They will need to accept they steered the ship to harm workers thus our leaders have done great wrong but Trump might have done some things but they clearly are minor .). We who excercise influence bear full responsibility when USA fails like a captain of a ship. Trump spent most of his life on his business trying hard for everyone having little time to engage in politics against workers.
10
Yes, he is a racist. Yes, he hates women. Duh!
21
Liberals tend to smear everyone on the right as racist that the word has lost its meaning. Best that I can tell Trump is like most of us in regards to race, it's complicated. It's known in NYC that he's sponsored teams in Harlem. He's friends with many black celebrities although now many are laying low. His country club in Palm Beach was intergrated when many in the area had explicit no Jews or Blacks rules.
24
This couldn't be simpler or shorter, yes, Donald J. Trump is a clearly a racist. If he isn't an example of a sudden a racist, then the term has no meaning.
16
40 years of presidents and the slum has not changed. You'd think that the presidents who never use the 'N' word in public and are well liked by minorities would have bulldozed that place, those places, long ago. I don't know what Trump is but the 'racist' question is answered in the fruit of what has been left to us: That slum, no matter how smooth presidents spoke about the evil of racism.
7
This is the person that was the principal mouthpiece of the birther movement. What else needs to be said?
34
I reiterate my queries. First, could Mr Kristoff please provide more documentation on Fred Trump's 1927 Ku Klux Klan links? Second, could Fred Trump also have been a member of the German-American Bund, the Nazi organization that was prominent in New York in the 1930s? Third, if Fred Trump was a Bundist, aren't you reminded of The Boys from Brazil, the late-1970s movie about Hitler clones who are programmed to take over the world? Fourth, what year was Trump born?
2
If it tweets like a racist, talks like a racist, acts like a racist, then probably it is a racist - yes?
26
Emerson: The louder he talked of his honor, the faster we counted our spoons
27
Of course he is a racist. Why is taking the media so long to nail this horrible man for being a racist, misogynist, narcissistic socio-path? What in the world is wrong with the people that support this dangerous, vile human being?
How can any respectable Republican vote for this horrible man? Funny thing... I don't know a soul that would vote for Trump except my Brother (and he's has mental problems).
How can any respectable Republican vote for this horrible man? Funny thing... I don't know a soul that would vote for Trump except my Brother (and he's has mental problems).
51
Is Trump a racist? You can bet the farm on it, Nick.
43
The Donald Trump of 2016 is clearly a racist.
But more importantly, he is a self-serving egotistical maniac who puts everything, including the well-being of the country that made him rich, as secondary to his own pathetic megalomaniac desires.
But more importantly, he is a self-serving egotistical maniac who puts everything, including the well-being of the country that made him rich, as secondary to his own pathetic megalomaniac desires.
43
Jesse Jackson spat on white customers' food when he worked at a restaurant. The New York Times did not begrudge him for things Jackson did decades before he ran for president.
Double standard with the Times. What else is new?
Double standard with the Times. What else is new?
29
Has anyone in this generation read Atlas Shrugged or The Foundation Head??!!! It's the story of mankind. The haves and the have nots. Some people count and some people don't. It's not necessarily racism.
14
How can you link to the Daily Stormer? I understand why you include the information, but there is no reason for the NYTimes to send traffic to a hate group's website. Shame on you.
18
I have abundant experience of this charlatan from college (Wharton, U of Penn) to his $2billion bankruptcy when I was a Wall Sreet banker: his deceit is a feral instinct and he has bred a roaring voice with a knack of inflaming halfwits: the closest parallel I can draw from historty is Mussolini and can almost hear jackboots on Pennsylvania Avenue ....
87
You're absolutely correct about this disgusting man. Because preachers typically share their followers' beliefs and values, the ugliest thing about the Trump phenomenon is that - decades after the Civil Rights Act should have made racial discrimination legally and socially unacceptable - he's legitimized the substantial proportion of Americanswho are racist and bigoted to come out of the closet, under the guise of "not being politically correct." His and his followers discriminatory behavior is not morally or ethically acceptable and should be illegal - like cops who discriminate against blacks all over the country! So, if anyone should be locked away on the fringes of a tolerant, genuinely Christian, educated American society, it is Mr Trump! For the country's sake, all the trillions of dollars spent on education in America has to bear fruit now, to recognize this creepy, ugly narcissist for whom he is!
39
Can you imagine him as President, rounding up and attempting to deport 11 million people. The extremes on the "right" will love it. It will create open season on Hispanics, as Hitler did early on to Jews. Get ready for Kristallnacht American style.
40
I wish only that the title of this important piece were not a question posed but rather a declaration: Donald Trump Is A Racist.
36
Shame on you, Nicholas Kristof. You try and condemn a man for racism based on this evidence?
Save the loaded term "racist" for those who really are racist. There are, and have been, plenty of those. George Wallace. Lester Maddox. Bull Connor. David Duke.
This column reminds me of the New York Times article a few months back that supposedly exposed Donald Trump as sexist. Except it didn't.
The New York Times seems to harbor modern-day equivalents of Joseph McCarthy, who called people communist based on just this kind of evidence, and ruined their lives without having to show any real proof.
Donald Trump's positions give Democrats plenty to rightfully criticize. Why stoop to this kind of shameful attack? Are you that much of a party hack? Have you no sense of decency, sir?
Save the loaded term "racist" for those who really are racist. There are, and have been, plenty of those. George Wallace. Lester Maddox. Bull Connor. David Duke.
This column reminds me of the New York Times article a few months back that supposedly exposed Donald Trump as sexist. Except it didn't.
The New York Times seems to harbor modern-day equivalents of Joseph McCarthy, who called people communist based on just this kind of evidence, and ruined their lives without having to show any real proof.
Donald Trump's positions give Democrats plenty to rightfully criticize. Why stoop to this kind of shameful attack? Are you that much of a party hack? Have you no sense of decency, sir?
32
Of course.
And of course they will retort about 'playing' the 'card' all injured & aghast (with the full 'wink, wink, wink'), because we are now 'post-racial', & to point out contrary evidence is to be the real 'haters' responsible for dividing us with 'class war' & 'race war'.
Of course.
And of course they will retort about 'playing' the 'card' all injured & aghast (with the full 'wink, wink, wink'), because we are now 'post-racial', & to point out contrary evidence is to be the real 'haters' responsible for dividing us with 'class war' & 'race war'.
Of course.
23
- Sent Chelsea Clinton to Sidwell Friends (only 5% black)
- Chelsea then attended Stanford (only 4% black in 1997)
- Bought a home in Chappaqua, New York (only 1% black)
- Vacations in The Hamptons (only 3% black)
- "Hard Choices" mentions many 'friends' (no black friends mentioned)
Is Hillary Clinton a racist?
- Chelsea then attended Stanford (only 4% black in 1997)
- Bought a home in Chappaqua, New York (only 1% black)
- Vacations in The Hamptons (only 3% black)
- "Hard Choices" mentions many 'friends' (no black friends mentioned)
Is Hillary Clinton a racist?
42
My sense is that he has no particular racial bias. If he can make money, then what does race have to do with it. If he can use race baiting as a tactic, well that is just his style.
I'm sure he is very nice at home.
I'm sure he is very nice at home.
15
I think one can probably cite much evidence on either side of the question. But it doesn't really matter if he IS racist - his whole campaign plays to racial and religious fears of the "other". So either he IS racist and at least is coming at this from a genuine place of hate and bigotry, or he's NOT racist and is even more cynically appealing to racists without actually being one himself. Take your pick, choose your poison, etc. The guy should never be on any city council - that he's become the presidential nominee of a major "political party" is the most astonishingly horrifying thing I've yet seen in my 57 years. Whether he is or isn't is purely academic...
66
The problem is that Kristof and others are intimidated by the threat of black reprisal both verbal alnd physical. Check out the Van Jones diatribes on CNN.
14
Need to look at the Clintons the same way as they are from the South. I'm sure you won't as you will find equally unpleasant things.
17
Why all the modest subtlety? This is Trump- how about a call to arms?
6
Mr Kristoff. Perhaps you could research if Fred Trump was a member of the German-American Bund, the local version of the Nazis. In the 1930s. they were notorious for staging rallies in New York. You note in passing that he was probably involved with the Ku Klux Klan in 1927. Could you please give more documentation?
I am now reminded of "The Boys from Brazil". Remember that early 1980s movie? Clones of Hitler are raised so that they can eventually become world leaders. What year was Donald Trump born?
I am now reminded of "The Boys from Brazil". Remember that early 1980s movie? Clones of Hitler are raised so that they can eventually become world leaders. What year was Donald Trump born?
16
Trump is not a racist, but the traitor-in-chief he will replace in Nov sure is.
20
No need to litigate this issue so assiduously and at this late date. A birther's a bigot. Donald Trump is the Birther-in-Chief.
33
Here is the dirty secret -his supporters love his racism and that is much more dangerous. Think about it Senators, Congressman, Governors, Mayors all signing on to a candidate supporting a racists candidate.
33
Quit calling the Republican Party the party of Lincoln. It stopped when the Dixiecrats left the Democratic Party en masse in protest of Civil Rights legislation. They were welcomed by the Republican Party with open arms.
41
I feel as much hesitancy to say Trump is a racist as I did to suggest in a comment to Tim Egan's recent column that he & some of his supporters are thinly disguised fascists. Where is the line? I'm not sure where the line is but I can say it is truly weird to be even asking whether the Republican candidate for President of the United States could be fascist or racism. Can it get any stranger than that!
14
Well if he's not, it sure is weird how often he says racist things.
27
Of course he is l racist and bigoted and a bully. He is a liar and a swindler. The Trump supporters don't care. No matter how much the rest of us say, "Trump is despicable", no matter how much fact checking that is done on every word that comes out of his mouth, it does not affect their support of him as one of their own, someone who has their back. They believe every word he says and, based on their comments everywhere, they are confident that he will win the election. I have realized that his supporters are unmovable boulders of granite.
23
Is Trump a racist? Can anyone really say what "racist" means? The word has been used for so long, in so many contexts, and in so many ways, that it has lost any real meaning and is now simply an attack word, designed to paralyze thought and end the conversation. Here's a hint to the reader of this letter: whatever the word may mean, the charge of racism applies only to and almost always to Republicans
12
Thanks for not telling us anything new, Mr. Kristof.
Perhaps in future columns you could examine if Trump has any human qualities, whatsoever:
Honesty
Kindness
Respect for women
Openmindedness
Truthfulness
Fairness toward and non-exploitation of employees
Fairness toward and non-exploitation of business associates
Concern for his fellow man
Encouragement of the arts, sciences, philosophy, medicine, ...
Any kind of innovation in any human endeavor
That's 10 columns right there.
Perhaps in future columns you could examine if Trump has any human qualities, whatsoever:
Honesty
Kindness
Respect for women
Openmindedness
Truthfulness
Fairness toward and non-exploitation of employees
Fairness toward and non-exploitation of business associates
Concern for his fellow man
Encouragement of the arts, sciences, philosophy, medicine, ...
Any kind of innovation in any human endeavor
That's 10 columns right there.
33
Why the caution? Why go back to the '70's? Trump's racism is self-evident. Right now.
22
To write this article properly, you would have to not only speak of the incidents that you found that seem to point to racism. You would have to speak about the many, many, many, many… more instances that show that he supported people of color and other religions. You have only shown one side of the story, and that is not journalism.
If you write a proper article I will be happy to read it and consider this topic again. Thank you.
If you write a proper article I will be happy to read it and consider this topic again. Thank you.
29
"Trumps wanted to rent only to “Jews and executives,” and discouraged renting to blacks."
Ok, he's not an anti-semite. Maybe he wanted better odds of getting his rent every month. How about shabbily dressed white people, I bet he didn't rent to them either. Nothing personal, just business. There are many good reasons why he's not qualified to be president, but being a racist isn't one of then. At least he didn't set up a bogus charity foundation to sell political influence like the you-know-whos.
Ok, he's not an anti-semite. Maybe he wanted better odds of getting his rent every month. How about shabbily dressed white people, I bet he didn't rent to them either. Nothing personal, just business. There are many good reasons why he's not qualified to be president, but being a racist isn't one of then. At least he didn't set up a bogus charity foundation to sell political influence like the you-know-whos.
21
The one thing I will never understand is how the ancestors of the slaves who worked for free for 400 years are considered lazy, but the descendants of those slaveowners who didn't work and used violence, rape, and brutality to sustain slavery are considered real Americans.
86
Thank you for this. In particular, thank you for reading masses of documents, articles, and interviews -- some of which must have been mind-numbingly boring -- to come to your conclusion. There's nothing like facts, evidence and documentation to make my heart beat faster. #LibraryNerd
27
"Is Donald Trump a racist?" Yes, he is. That's what his followers like about him.
62
Trump is just another entitled white guy from the elite class pandering to irrational fears of white middle class.
Nothing new here, just the same strategy of distracting the middle class with fears of the "others" while picking there pockets and laughing all eat to the bank.
Nothing new here, just the same strategy of distracting the middle class with fears of the "others" while picking there pockets and laughing all eat to the bank.
28
He and his father also made up their heritage to be from Sweden to hide their German origins. They say whatever they want to get what they want. We are all racist but most of us try to be tolerant and understanding but Fred and Donald couldn't care less about being PC about anything including subtle discrimination.
14
One can pull out statements attributed to almost anyone over a 40 year period and make him appear to be a "racist." But is he?
Here is what a racist sounds like:
"With satanic joy in his face, the black-haired Jewish youth lurks in wait for the unsuspecting girl whom he defiles with his blood, thus stealing her from her people. With every means he tries to destroy the racial foundations of the people he has set out to subjugate. Just as he himself systematically ruins women and girls, he does not shrink back from pulling down the blood barriers for others, even on a large scale. It was and it is Jews who bring the Negroes into the Rhineland, always with the same secret thought and clear aim of ruining the hated white race by the necessarily resulting bastardization, throwing it down from its cultural and political height, and himself rising to be its master."
Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler
Here is what a racist sounds like:
"With satanic joy in his face, the black-haired Jewish youth lurks in wait for the unsuspecting girl whom he defiles with his blood, thus stealing her from her people. With every means he tries to destroy the racial foundations of the people he has set out to subjugate. Just as he himself systematically ruins women and girls, he does not shrink back from pulling down the blood barriers for others, even on a large scale. It was and it is Jews who bring the Negroes into the Rhineland, always with the same secret thought and clear aim of ruining the hated white race by the necessarily resulting bastardization, throwing it down from its cultural and political height, and himself rising to be its master."
Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler
6
Good Lord, Nick. You remind me of the cliché of the equivocating and walking on eggshells liberal here. Of course Donald Trump is a racist. He is also a misogynist, a bully, a charlatan and, as his former ghostwriter confirms, a pathological liar and a narcissist. Now how hard was that to say?
36
Mr. Kristof assembled a convincing case. Quoting Justice Stewart: "I know it when I see it." Why does it matter? The President of the United States is supposed to uphold the Constitution and that means he must fairly represent the interest of all the people but not the White minority. Why does it matter? The President of the United States will deal daily with foreign countries, both white and non-white, and his judgement cannot be tinted by a colored lens. Why does it matter? The President of the United States is supposed to represent the value of our great nation. Unless we are willing to say that: "United State is a racist nation," we must deny Mr. Trump the White House.
12
Trump is just not a very good or fair person. You can just choose his worst trait: racism, bigotry and/or misogyny. At one point - believe it was during his speech at the convention - he thanked his wife and his daughter Ivanka, exclaiming how great they did. What he did actually was bringing attention to the two more attractive members of his family (isn't he great to have two such beautiful women in his family). He never mentioned his daughter Tiffany or either of his sons. Perhaps he just singled them out because as women he was astounded at how well they did. Just when you think he can't get any more ignorant he does. He doesn't disappoint.
19
Is Trump a racist? Yes, and no.
He is until he isn't. He isn't until he is.
It's just a tool, like a screwdriver and a hammer. He needs a screwdriver, he grabs one -- and twists. He needs a hammer, he grabs one -- and pounds.
He's agnostic. He doesn't care. It's all the same to him.
He's a sociopath. It doesn't matter to him one way or the other, why he is until he isn't, and isn't until he is.
He is until he isn't. He isn't until he is.
It's just a tool, like a screwdriver and a hammer. He needs a screwdriver, he grabs one -- and twists. He needs a hammer, he grabs one -- and pounds.
He's agnostic. He doesn't care. It's all the same to him.
He's a sociopath. It doesn't matter to him one way or the other, why he is until he isn't, and isn't until he is.
27
This article’s title and focus raised much concerns for me. Firstly, raising a serious issue in a style inviting a binary “ answer”- yes or no, or perhaps a hesitant “maybe”- can limit the needed assessment, and much needed ongoing dialogues by and between many PEOPLES at different levels.Once THE answer is noted, then what? Secondly, “racist!” Is that the critical issue regarding Trump in his various influential roles?A most limiting and myopic analysis and conclusion. His transmitted hate is munificent in its grandeur! His words, written and spoken, his actions, past, present and promised for the future, are boundary- less, “open borders,” of conflict, hate, devisiveness to many ( targeted ethnic and gender groups, those who want to continue to separate religious activities from “state”-scapes). It is a paean to discriminating-power; an Ode to denigrating much needed moral imagination during these ongoing, conflicted and troubled times.Bullying-Trump has not demonstrated, publicly, an ability to imagine the humanity of PEOPLE, other than himself, and, perhaps, his family.From the perspective of a systemic, chronic, toxic, infectious disorder, necessitating isolation in order to minimize social virulence, “racism” would be a minor condition.Trump offers undeliverable certainty in a reality of uncertainty; predictability within this world's uncertainties, free associations transmuted into venomous mantras, and questionable answers to unasked relevant questions.
5
As a Jew I take no comfort in Trump's reported philosemitism. If he gains power, his anti-Semitic followers will help him overcome any qualms about persecuting us.
More profoundly, all Americans suffer when any of us are subjected to bigotry. So spare me the carve-out, Mr. Trump. I'll gladly embrace your hatred of me when it comes, and revel in solidarity with my black,Hispanic, LBGTQ and Muslim brothers and sisters.
More profoundly, all Americans suffer when any of us are subjected to bigotry. So spare me the carve-out, Mr. Trump. I'll gladly embrace your hatred of me when it comes, and revel in solidarity with my black,Hispanic, LBGTQ and Muslim brothers and sisters.
46
Donald Trump's fetish with President Obama's birthplace was all I needed. I'm not interested in the definitions of what constitutes a racist.
Barack Obama had been thoroughly vetted in the 2008 primary season. When he announced his intention to pursue the presidency in late 2007, he put everyone on notice. He told his origin story, one that he knew his enemies would not stop turning over until they found any damning lie, like hounds on the scent.
So what was Mr. Trump's motivation in 2011? He was not a Republican party heavyweight. He had, as yet, evinced no notion of running for the 2012 nomination. He did, of course, but he was later forced to suspend his weak efforts because no one seemed interested.
His attempts to embarrass the president can only be put down to an amusement he could afford or because he was encouraged by the president's haters to see what he could find. If it was the latter, he was a tool, a stooge of the lowest sort, a beggar of favors in a thieves' den. But I suspect the former: he sought out mischief for its own sake and why not the president of the United States? It would be splendid reality TV, a rush, entertainment value to enhance his "brand."
There's more to the nickel-and-dime racism of name-calling; that's the easiest thing to do. Mr. Trump's evil was motivated not by a sense of inquisitiveness but of determined malice. He knew he was wrong but went ahead with his plan, anyway.
He knew what he was doing.
Barack Obama had been thoroughly vetted in the 2008 primary season. When he announced his intention to pursue the presidency in late 2007, he put everyone on notice. He told his origin story, one that he knew his enemies would not stop turning over until they found any damning lie, like hounds on the scent.
So what was Mr. Trump's motivation in 2011? He was not a Republican party heavyweight. He had, as yet, evinced no notion of running for the 2012 nomination. He did, of course, but he was later forced to suspend his weak efforts because no one seemed interested.
His attempts to embarrass the president can only be put down to an amusement he could afford or because he was encouraged by the president's haters to see what he could find. If it was the latter, he was a tool, a stooge of the lowest sort, a beggar of favors in a thieves' den. But I suspect the former: he sought out mischief for its own sake and why not the president of the United States? It would be splendid reality TV, a rush, entertainment value to enhance his "brand."
There's more to the nickel-and-dime racism of name-calling; that's the easiest thing to do. Mr. Trump's evil was motivated not by a sense of inquisitiveness but of determined malice. He knew he was wrong but went ahead with his plan, anyway.
He knew what he was doing.
29
Of course Trump is a racist. In addition to historical evidence, all one has to do is listen to his hateful daily yammering on the campaign trail which is filled with racist innuendo and snide references to Mexicans, Muslims, crime etc. Having his deluded wife and daughter toss around glowing platitudes at the RNC about how delightful he is, fooled only his rabid supporters who, like the racist lemmings the majority are, will follow their neo-fascist demagogue right off a cliff come November 8th when the rest of America and the world will thankfully see the last of him and his despicable smarmy clan.
26
Grammar check. Your sentence structure is wrong on the title - it should read "Donald Trump Is a Racist."
13
Hey, Paul Ryan - you threw your own future - and your party's - in with this racist jerk. We aren't going to forget it when this is over.
29
Trump seems to be trying.
I notice lately he's been referring to "African-Americans" more, rather than to "the African-Americans" or "my African-American".
I notice lately he's been referring to "African-Americans" more, rather than to "the African-Americans" or "my African-American".
6
When reading Kristof's columns, I very often think of Phil Och's song, "Love Me, I'm a Liberal."
Is Donald Trump a racist?
Duh.
Is Donald Trump a racist?
Duh.
9
What is most devastating to ponder is how his many town hall speeches , interviews, and lambasting tweets actually affect the people in our country. Specifically children.
What must a young American girl or boy of Muslim faith be thinking when he hears Mr. Trump 's call to stop the flow of Muslims into this country? Do they feel less in the eyes of others around because the Republican Nominee for President of The United States of America denounces them outright - almost on a daily basis?
What must a young Hispanic youth - coming of age in America- think of misnomers attached to his heritage? Does he think ," am I actually a rapist? A dirty , dirty person?" It's difficult enough for a teen to attain a positive sense of self, yet this type of rhetoric by a very public , revered man in society must surely lend itself to questioning one's own delicate teen identity.
Have you ever heard auditory interviews from Japanese Americans who were forced into internment camps during WWII? I guarantee you will finish listening to their claims and feel a deep sense of shame. I thought this long ago part of our American heritage was neatly tucked away in the annals of history lessons. However, with Donald Trump as President of these United States, internment camps may only be the beginning of an administration most assuredly built on fear and rascism.
What must a young American girl or boy of Muslim faith be thinking when he hears Mr. Trump 's call to stop the flow of Muslims into this country? Do they feel less in the eyes of others around because the Republican Nominee for President of The United States of America denounces them outright - almost on a daily basis?
What must a young Hispanic youth - coming of age in America- think of misnomers attached to his heritage? Does he think ," am I actually a rapist? A dirty , dirty person?" It's difficult enough for a teen to attain a positive sense of self, yet this type of rhetoric by a very public , revered man in society must surely lend itself to questioning one's own delicate teen identity.
Have you ever heard auditory interviews from Japanese Americans who were forced into internment camps during WWII? I guarantee you will finish listening to their claims and feel a deep sense of shame. I thought this long ago part of our American heritage was neatly tucked away in the annals of history lessons. However, with Donald Trump as President of these United States, internment camps may only be the beginning of an administration most assuredly built on fear and rascism.
19
Whatever it takes to achieve his goals, DJT has shown time after time that he is willing to do or say it what is needed. Really is he any different than any other politician, well yes in some ways he is more successful. Whether he is racist or a sociopath is not the point, we have elected closeted versions of these archetypes before.
The media, including the NYT, has played an out-sized role in DJT's success through free coverage on shallow topics and overcompensating for fear of being called biased, can't blame the media for wanting the additional money/readers to survive.
If Trump is elected, there will be plenty of blame to go around. On the bright side, the RNC and the 1% folks will have seen that their power has limits which is good for the rest of us to see. For the angry white males, stop whining and own your decisions, being white is no longer a guarantee of an easier path and now we have some feeling for what non-white folks have known for more than 200 years. BTW, I am a 57 year old white male and not angry.
The media, including the NYT, has played an out-sized role in DJT's success through free coverage on shallow topics and overcompensating for fear of being called biased, can't blame the media for wanting the additional money/readers to survive.
If Trump is elected, there will be plenty of blame to go around. On the bright side, the RNC and the 1% folks will have seen that their power has limits which is good for the rest of us to see. For the angry white males, stop whining and own your decisions, being white is no longer a guarantee of an easier path and now we have some feeling for what non-white folks have known for more than 200 years. BTW, I am a 57 year old white male and not angry.
15
Racist? Yes. The question though is why nobody in the GOP dares say it out loud in a public forum like the convention. Staying away (e.g., Jeb Bush) is cowardly and not enough.
26
If Trump has indeed pulled even with Hillary Clinton in the polls, then with half the people either outwardly supporting his racist statements and policy proposals, or cowardly looking the other way for their own political or economical gain, we must indeed be a racist nation.
This is the real shame in all of this. This is the face we are showing to the world.
This is the real shame in all of this. This is the face we are showing to the world.
23
Is Donald Trump a racist?
Duh.
If a guy disparages people about their professional decisions for reasons having to do with their 'heritage' (Judge Curiel) or tries to torment minorities about whether or not they're really legitimately Americans (President Obama) - you bet he is!
Duh.
If a guy disparages people about their professional decisions for reasons having to do with their 'heritage' (Judge Curiel) or tries to torment minorities about whether or not they're really legitimately Americans (President Obama) - you bet he is!
24
This question came up with "Saint Reagan," too. Like all Republican presidential candidates since Nixon, he flagrantly pandered to racists to get their votes. His "welfare queen" and "big buck buying steak with food stamps" stereotypes were deeply offensive.
If Ronnie wasn't a racist himself, that made his behavior even worse because he wasn't acting out of ignorance. He knew better.
The same is true of Muslim-bashing, Mexican-smearing Trump. Whether his red-meat rhetoric reflects his own attitudes or not, his hate-mongering is indefensible.
If Ronnie wasn't a racist himself, that made his behavior even worse because he wasn't acting out of ignorance. He knew better.
The same is true of Muslim-bashing, Mexican-smearing Trump. Whether his red-meat rhetoric reflects his own attitudes or not, his hate-mongering is indefensible.
10
Donald Trump is a stone cold racist and no one should be afraid to say so. His speech at the convention, in which he spoke of immigrants like a lethal virus, tells you all you need to know.
13
The real problem is not that he is a racist. It is that those voting for him don't care.
17
I think it safe to say that he has engaged in considerable race-based demagoguery, and that's good enough for me. Racist is as racist does.
10
Time to call a cat a cat. Even though it will not stick. His voters by now have seen all the red flags. Yet, they will still vote for him. The only thing to do is to keep speaking clearly about who he is, let it all come to the surface. Eventually it will all come down at the right time to terminate his candidacy and incinerate all that is wrong with the party that has embraced him.
7
Helpful article
My only critique is that you distance Donald from the current Republican Party
The Republican Party is also racist but is much more tactful with the winks. Donald is far more overt with everything that he does
The Republican Party redid itself as a consequence of Nixon and decidedly moved away from him with the southern strategy
Calling them the party of Nixon is misleading
If you're gonna slam trump for being racist the you can't just look at him and give his party a pass
My only critique is that you distance Donald from the current Republican Party
The Republican Party is also racist but is much more tactful with the winks. Donald is far more overt with everything that he does
The Republican Party redid itself as a consequence of Nixon and decidedly moved away from him with the southern strategy
Calling them the party of Nixon is misleading
If you're gonna slam trump for being racist the you can't just look at him and give his party a pass
10
Of course, the Central Park 5 were not "exonerated". Someone else's DNA was identified and a political decision was made to vacate their sentences and gift them with a big payoff... but it was always known that the number involved in the assault was around 30, not 5, and the evidence against that 5 wasn't refuted.
4
Please help take this beyond racism and make sure it never becomes a mantra for permission to hate in more people...this is stupidity. Too many hold these views, too many have even more radical versions of this in terms of fomenting a race war, and this is the scary part...we have given permission to the crazies. The vitriol and hate are a sickness than can spread like wildfire unless we band together...the light over the dark.
6
Is the Pope Argentian?
7
Since our entire society is racist, the Donald is no exception. He is, however, more of a hater than most.
7
Is he a racist? That is a meaningless word. I do know that the Clintons are corrupt and lie. I'd prefer road kill to the Clintons. I'm voting for Trump. 8 times.
12
Sometimes you really have to listen to people who know a political figure the best and this of course means the country has to pay special attention to the views from New York who have had a kind of relationship with Donald Trump for many years. It seems that he has not engendered a lot of positive memories, and it was curious that none of his business partners spoke for him at the Republican convention. We can even today compare that with the huge amount of positive views regarding Tim Kaine that are now coming out of Virginia, even by those who don't agree always agree with him politically. Voters should take note.
11
Most Trump supporters I know don't care that Trump is a racist, a sociopath, or narcissistic. It is not an issue for them. He says out loud what they think, but most would be ashamed to say in public.
Perhaps when we feel ashamed of Mr. Trump's ignorant and perverted view of 'others' it should spur all of us to work harder to push public policy to protect the 'others' in our society and what progress has been made toward universal civil rights.
Perhaps when we feel ashamed of Mr. Trump's ignorant and perverted view of 'others' it should spur all of us to work harder to push public policy to protect the 'others' in our society and what progress has been made toward universal civil rights.
15
This is all baloney. Trump refused to run in the reform party because he thought it was racist. Here are tons of stories about Trump and race
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article63496767.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article63496767.html
8
Nice research, Nicholas. It is good to know the facts behind the accusation.
I wrote in past readers comments that it is a responsibility of the press to uncover the "real Donald".
And indeed the press did, Washington Post, USA Today, New York Times. We know now such facts as: 4000 lawsuits by Trump, his racist practices, his net worth being less than advocated, his predatory business practices, his disregard for women, etc.
My naïveté was to believe that such information would undo Donald Trump. It did not.
How can this man be combated? Does Hillary Clinton and her staff know? We will know in November.
I wrote in past readers comments that it is a responsibility of the press to uncover the "real Donald".
And indeed the press did, Washington Post, USA Today, New York Times. We know now such facts as: 4000 lawsuits by Trump, his racist practices, his net worth being less than advocated, his predatory business practices, his disregard for women, etc.
My naïveté was to believe that such information would undo Donald Trump. It did not.
How can this man be combated? Does Hillary Clinton and her staff know? We will know in November.
14
If "incinuations", heritage bias concerns, and (radical) religious 'discrimination' are so unpoloitcally correct then where do I sign up. Trump seems more in line w/protecting LGBH rights that Hillary, who btw is backed by hundreds of millions of dollars in dirty oil money from countries that have atrocious human rights laws. If "racist" is such a bad word, then "crooked" needs updating.
9
Is Trump a racist? No. Because Ivanka said so. And I believe her.
6
Well said. Perhaps that is one reason why Trump is getting the type of supporter that he has "hoodwinked" into buying his sales pitch (those white folks who have an undeclared racist/bigoted streak that desires a return to the "good old days"). I suspect Donald "J." Trump will eventually have the last word after he gets trounced in the election and then reveals the "tell all" book he has been "writing" and the behind-the-scenes reality movie he has been making during his adventure into politics... all in the name of making a profit on his investment. In his mind, he will finish as a winner... cuz he will make some easy money.
5
Trump is 50% Wallace, 50% Goebbels, and 100% sociopath. At the end of this election, he and his sons will have killed two elephants.
18
I don't see Trump as a racist is the biggest problem America is facing. The trillion dollars question should be : with all the things Donald trump said and all the things he did, with all the things he is, there are 14 millions who put him as the republican nominee and there will be about 46% of 150 million voters who'll vote for him in November. That's about 69 million votes that will be cast for him. That number by itself speaks volumes of the race issue in America. Donald Trump is one person but what about everyone else?? God helps us all.
18
I still believe that even as a Republican it will be impossible for me to vote for Trump. However, over the top, overly emotional...borderline hysterical editorials such as this (and others) you've published might make me re-think that position. I now it is difficult for a liberal newspaper to try and keep an even keel, but please try. Given the track record of the apparent Democratic candidate that shouldn't be that hard.
11
I will speak in Trump-like language...Donald Trump is a really bad guy. Let's not elect him president.
10
Where was the outrage when Obama/Holder failed to prosecute 2 members of the New Black Panthers Party who were intimidating voters at a polling station during the 2008 election?
15
Well, what we have here is somewhat reeking of hearsay and somewhat of stupid remarks by Trump. Sounds mighty neurotic of Trump go after the black accountant...for such a long time. That is strange and bears further looking into.
Especially in the racially charged 80's...how could he have gotten away with it without more people knowing about it? His businesses stuffed with toadies?
And Kip Brown was waxing floors when he was put in a back room at the Taj. Pray tell, how many people don't hide the floor waxing when the King comes to visit? I would like to know more about Kip Brown...goggling helps, but it is not enough.
For the Central Park outrage it was not only Trump who went after the attackers. It was a horrible matter. Kristof is being very skittish here.
On the re-tweeting of messages: An open sport that can happen without the least aggressiveness.
And for the father to have "appeared" to have been arrested at a KKK rally is but a bold statement on fantasy. Would not hold up in a court of law. Was he just walking by? He does sound like perhaps he could have been poking his nose around.
Especially in the racially charged 80's...how could he have gotten away with it without more people knowing about it? His businesses stuffed with toadies?
And Kip Brown was waxing floors when he was put in a back room at the Taj. Pray tell, how many people don't hide the floor waxing when the King comes to visit? I would like to know more about Kip Brown...goggling helps, but it is not enough.
For the Central Park outrage it was not only Trump who went after the attackers. It was a horrible matter. Kristof is being very skittish here.
On the re-tweeting of messages: An open sport that can happen without the least aggressiveness.
And for the father to have "appeared" to have been arrested at a KKK rally is but a bold statement on fantasy. Would not hold up in a court of law. Was he just walking by? He does sound like perhaps he could have been poking his nose around.
3
If Trump is not a racist himself, he's still more than willing to pander to racists and to use racism to stir up crowds, to get votes. Is that any less evil? I don't think so.
8
Mr. Kristof, you asked the wrong question. It doesn't matter whether or not Trump is a racist. What matters is that he actively courts those who are racist against African Americans, Mexicans and Muslims.
6
So the NYT runs a column inferring Trump is a racist. On this very same day the Washington Post runs an article comparing Trump to Mussolini. Coincidence? I'm not a Trump fan, but the print media is once again slinging mud and ironic it occurs just after one party's convention and just before the other party's convention where the candidate of their choice will be nominated. We have reached a new level of absurdity.
15
I've argued with people who have said that Trump was a racists - countering that he was using racist rhetoric to appeal to what had become his 'base'. After all he lives in Manhattan and is part of (or was part of ) the Manhattan intelligentsia).
But evidence is evidence - he's probably a racist. And you what? that will only raise his standing with many in his camp. Not all Trump supporters are racists but the only candidate that racists support is definitely Trump.
Sad that our country has co e to this.
But evidence is evidence - he's probably a racist. And you what? that will only raise his standing with many in his camp. Not all Trump supporters are racists but the only candidate that racists support is definitely Trump.
Sad that our country has co e to this.
9
Mr. Kristof: thank you for your article explaining the early racial bigotry practiced by the Trump's which has continued to this day. Trump would take advantage of any group no matter race, religion or nationality if he thought he could get away with it or use it to his advantage. Groups that don’t wish to stoop to his level, the highest being curb height, or those that aren't well organized or don't have the money and power necessary to fight Trump are those he focuses on. If Trump did attend and graduate Wharton School he's no dummy. Yet he continuously misrepresents important facts and makes vitriolic statements that make a modern day citizen feel as if they’re back in the Roman Forum waiting for Hillary and her supporters to be fed to the Lions. The most damaging and harmful of Trump’s behavior, the fraud he perpetuated through Trump University and Trump Institute is in front of the US District Court at this time. Yet, he once again tried to deflect the public’s perception of his behavior and guilt by stating that the Judge, who has a Mexican heritage, is biased against him. It’s exactly this type of statement regarding the Judge that I wonder how he ever graduated Wharton School. I believe that if Mr. Freud, as in Sigmund Freud, could come back from the grave and be given the opportunity to examine one person, it might well be Donald Trump. There is certainly enough screwed up wiring in his brain to keep a good head doctor busy for quite some time.
7
This was an ok regurgitation of a few mostly well know anecdotes spread out over four decades. But I have to believe that there's more there, and don't believe that loyalty is keeping people quiet. Given that, I would have appreciated more digging into his past. Trump had to have been unguarded about his beliefs with someone. If so, I would like that uncovered before this election.
3
There is no doubt that Donald Trump is a racist and the accumulation of evidence over four decades overwhelmingly supports that conclusion. But racism in both parties is nothing new in American politics. Of course, whenever claims of racism were hurled at one of the parties, the charge was vehemently denied. But now, since the old Republican party has morphed into the Trump Party, there is no way to deny that this new party is racist.
2
If his daughter has to go on stage and say her dad is color blind and gender neutral, then in my mind, enough said. People that aren't don't feel compelled to even make that argument.
14
in one word, yes.
4
I remember the ad in the Times after the jogger case. Donald Trump is in our world for a reason: to remind everyone, even reformed criminals, addicts and hooligans, no matter how far down the ladder of moral rectitude we go, we'll never go as low as he has. Cheer up!
7
Stop with the "party of Lincoln." It hasn't meant anything for decades.
The GOP is still the party of Joe McCarthy.
The GOP is still the party of Joe McCarthy.
17
How any black, asian, Arab or hispanic person can support Trump is beyond me.
19
Some of the most racist people I know are so called limousine liberals. They have different standards – and even quotas – for college admissions, news reporting of police violence, and who should be in Hollywood movies. If that isn't called racism, then Trump is not racist.
15
Trump is clearly NOT racist. White racists cannot be good friends with African-Americans, and DT has been friends with black Americans for a very long time. Anti-Semites do not let their daughters marry Jews.
Do draw these inferences from rumors and old Court cases is ridiculous. The policing policies of Bill Clinton's Administration, that still continue under Obama are actually racist. These policies single out and punish young African-Americans and deny them self-respect.
Donald Trump will restore dignity to all American citizens, especially African Americans.
Do draw these inferences from rumors and old Court cases is ridiculous. The policing policies of Bill Clinton's Administration, that still continue under Obama are actually racist. These policies single out and punish young African-Americans and deny them self-respect.
Donald Trump will restore dignity to all American citizens, especially African Americans.
16
When will people stop referring to the Republican Party as "the Party of Lincoln"! It stopped being the party of Lincoln in 1964 and since then has never, not once looked very much different than it does now. There have been some 'throw backs' that looked like Republicans we used to know, but those guys are long gone too. The Party of Lincoln ceased to be when LBJ signed the Voting Rights Act and the real, shouting out-loud racists dumped the Democratic Party and took over the Republican Party in the South. If you stop with the long long long out-dated description of 'party of Lincoln' it would help us all to see what the Republican Party clearly has become over the last 50 years. There is enough language distortion by the Republican Party in the employ of Frank Luntz, the Orwellian word-smith. So please stop torturing the memory of Abraham Lincoln!
14
I think Donald Trumps racism is a subset of a more serious deficiency. Donald believes he is the greatest person in the world. Given that, why would he think anyone that’s different than him in any way is not inferior to him? He’s beyond racist, he’s Donald Trumpist. If you are him you are the best. If you are not him you are less. The more unlike him you are, the more inferior you are. Race is part of that but everything else is too. The rest of us are only here to admire him and serve him. Other than that we don’t exist. Racism isn’t even half of it, as far as he’s concerned he’s superior to us all. That’s why he won’t ever apologise or admit he’s wrong about anything. Kings don’t apologise to their inferiors.
18
I don't know the man, but those friends and associates of mine who do tell me he is absolutely not a racist. I doubt he is anti Semitic , his daughter converted to Judaism and is married to an Orthodox Jew .
But, it is easy to see how he sounds like one , how he says things that people might sometimes think but know not to say. His problem (I am told by people who have known him long) is he has no filter between the brain and the mouth.
But, it is easy to see how he sounds like one , how he says things that people might sometimes think but know not to say. His problem (I am told by people who have known him long) is he has no filter between the brain and the mouth.
7
Reminds me of The Simpsons satire Fox News. "Fox News: Not racist but #1 with racists."
13
Eisenhower golfed and laughed at n jokes at white only Augusta Country Club; Every other sentence uttered by Truman included n word; Nixon's tapes leave one wondering whom he didn't hate.
Yet Eisenhower ordered Federal troops into Arkansas protecting young African-American students; Truman desegregated the USAF; Nixon put teeth into Affirmative Action; while providing Israel with full American military support during surprise Yom Kippur War
Yet Eisenhower ordered Federal troops into Arkansas protecting young African-American students; Truman desegregated the USAF; Nixon put teeth into Affirmative Action; while providing Israel with full American military support during surprise Yom Kippur War
11
I'm a black male and I think trump is not a racist. Do I think he can run a nation not just with economics but military, health prosperity and checks and balances no I don't think he can be balanced enough to obtain those goals. On the other hand Hilary never has put the work in herself so it's a lose lose.
10
Given the current definition of racism, does it matter? You don't even need to hate or harm anyone to be a racist these days, it's just that easy.
Racism has become some kind of religious sin in the West. Seemingly reasonable people will declare something racist, and end their line of thinking right there. Does it even occur to them that racists can be right, or at least have a point worth discussing?
But forget that. The left, especially the white left, has broadened the term to the point of meaninglessness. If you're going to define racism as majority privilege, ethnic self interest, ethnic self preference, or anyone who notices uncomfortable racial disparities, then it's time for the world to become more racist.
Racism has become some kind of religious sin in the West. Seemingly reasonable people will declare something racist, and end their line of thinking right there. Does it even occur to them that racists can be right, or at least have a point worth discussing?
But forget that. The left, especially the white left, has broadened the term to the point of meaninglessness. If you're going to define racism as majority privilege, ethnic self interest, ethnic self preference, or anyone who notices uncomfortable racial disparities, then it's time for the world to become more racist.
13
Trumps latest fraud is his "I am your voice" proclamation. If he is so concerned about the common man, where is the past evidence of uplifting people? There is of course zero, he hasn't cared one bit about anyone outside of himself and immediate family. Only fools believe he will do anything for the American people, particularly blacks, Hispanics or gays.
17
When Texas-born Joseph Choe confronted Trump about his foreign policy, Trump's immediate response was to question whether Choe is an American. Clearly, Trump can't believe that a person who looks Asian can be a "real" American. Is Trump a racist? He's a very definition of one. By the way, like Choe and Judge Curiel, Trump himself is only a first generation American on his mother's side and a second generation American on his father's. As a white person, Trump sees this as no hinderance to his claim of being American, but for non-whites, he only sees perpetual foreigners.
709
Not that anyone really needs any more proof calling him a racist is accurate but if you'd like more someone compiled this very long list of examples: https://www.reddit.com/r/EnoughTrumpSpam/comments/4r2yxs/a_final_respons...
Now where do I begin with the likes of Trump when I should be ending? For eight years, Trump's base grew as a result of an inability of white America to relate to the family occupying the White House, amongst other hateful dialogue that also grew that base.
Donald Trump needs our help more than ever, and it should end with not voting for him in November. While Hillary may not be the perfect candidate, this country can not afford 12 years of a hateful base.
America does not need to be great again; how can we be? We re rotten on the inside. Still, we have an awesome capacity to step-up! Step-up Donald Trump and step aside the racist!
Donald Trump needs our help more than ever, and it should end with not voting for him in November. While Hillary may not be the perfect candidate, this country can not afford 12 years of a hateful base.
America does not need to be great again; how can we be? We re rotten on the inside. Still, we have an awesome capacity to step-up! Step-up Donald Trump and step aside the racist!
Its not about Trump,never was. It's about a lot of silly people who know nothing about the human experience,how cultures evolve within environments, how we develop methods that give temporary advantages to one group until the "others" eventually learn, catch up and sometimes surpass..The rise and fall of societies,the plus side of cultural mixing genetically and creatively.These are normal stops on the human journey.Many are themselves the children of immigrants who were let in but yet they want to close the door of opportunity.They vote against their best interest and blame others.They would destroy our great experiment "America" to preserve their imagined universe. They are the "stupid sheep" my dad taught me to fear who trample you following the bad shepherd off a cliff..They're so blind they don't even know when they've lost what really is a numbers game, simply because they just don't have the numbers anymore.
6
How did he get this far? We absolutely must blame the media, who was entirely complicit.. Until now... Handwringing and meaculpa.
We had a chance to expose him and then black him out , but ratings and circus tent took over.
Shameful.
We had a chance to expose him and then black him out , but ratings and circus tent took over.
Shameful.
7
Woody had it right, as he usually did:
I suppose
Old Man Trump knows
Just how much
Racial Hate
he stirred up
In the bloodpot of human hearts
When he drawed
That color line
Here at his
Eighteen hundred family project
The Donald has been spreading his inheritance with abandon, knowing he can appropriate much more with his bitter litany of unalloyed hatred, bigotry, misogyny and self aggrandizement.
If he looks like a duck, talks like a duck and walks like a duck, and his name is Donald... :-)
Now it's up to all the news people to stop acting like the blind men trying to figure out if what they are feeling is an elephant, or something else.
For goodness sake, where is Dr Johnson when you need him?
"Sir, it is what every body does, whether they will or no. But sometimes things may be made darker by definition. I see a cow, I define her, Animal quadrupes ruminians cornutum. But a goat ruminates, and a cow may have no horns. Cow is plainer.
I suppose
Old Man Trump knows
Just how much
Racial Hate
he stirred up
In the bloodpot of human hearts
When he drawed
That color line
Here at his
Eighteen hundred family project
The Donald has been spreading his inheritance with abandon, knowing he can appropriate much more with his bitter litany of unalloyed hatred, bigotry, misogyny and self aggrandizement.
If he looks like a duck, talks like a duck and walks like a duck, and his name is Donald... :-)
Now it's up to all the news people to stop acting like the blind men trying to figure out if what they are feeling is an elephant, or something else.
For goodness sake, where is Dr Johnson when you need him?
"Sir, it is what every body does, whether they will or no. But sometimes things may be made darker by definition. I see a cow, I define her, Animal quadrupes ruminians cornutum. But a goat ruminates, and a cow may have no horns. Cow is plainer.
6
I am losing sleep over Trump. He is like a nightmare in slow motion. Everything I've read about the rise of Naziism and fascism in the 30's is happening in front of me now: the big lies, the blatant claims and the appeals to racist tendencies. I see what's happening and feel helpless to stop it. Nicholas, I feel that you and your peers in the free press are our biggest hope to educate the masses and set things right. I beg you to recognize the danger our country is in and pray that you won't let us down.
20
I appreciate your thorough and thoughtful delineation of Donald Trump's pattern (past and present) of racial discrimination and bigotry! However, for most people of color, we don't need this much "proof" to declare someone is racist. I often wonder why whites struggle so hard with this reality...it may be one of the primary reasons racism continues...
7
I am scared.... and I am a white, male, christian, heterosexual, economically comfortable American citizen, born in the US to parents also born as Americans and ancestry deeply rooted deeply in Western Europe. But I have a heart, and mind and a graduate school education. Am I the in intellectual elite?
Like Rodney King said a quarter century ago... "can't we all get along"
Like Rodney King said a quarter century ago... "can't we all get along"
15
Bravo, bravo, bravo for Nicholas Kristoff for his extraordinary article and effort to research it. Thank you. Thank you.
4
I thought this was a trick question. Of course he is a racist and that is just for starters.
1
Trump's base, white ethnic working class: no vacancy!
2
In my opinion this is a very poor story. The Donald Trump I know is not rascist. I am African by heritage - and I question this writeup. In the 1950s - 70s racial hatred was commonplace especially related to dark skinned people of which I am one. This attitude has gradually improved in the 1980s - date. I believe that this story is politically motivated to taint Donald Trump. My believe is at this time Hillary would have been just as racist.
Donald Trump employs blacks (like me) in his organisation and have shown example at his companies by growing and developing people of colour. Some of his executives are black females. On the contrary, Hillary Clinton does not have the same track record even after 36 years in Politics. I am sick and tired of people paying lip service to the REAL ISSUES related to ADVANCEMENT OF PEOPLE OF COLOUR. Please stop brainwashing us. We want people a president with real track record. Even OBAMA with his African Heritage have not improved the lives of African Americans - I believe that Donald Trump will deliver. VOTE WISELY.
Donald Trump employs blacks (like me) in his organisation and have shown example at his companies by growing and developing people of colour. Some of his executives are black females. On the contrary, Hillary Clinton does not have the same track record even after 36 years in Politics. I am sick and tired of people paying lip service to the REAL ISSUES related to ADVANCEMENT OF PEOPLE OF COLOUR. Please stop brainwashing us. We want people a president with real track record. Even OBAMA with his African Heritage have not improved the lives of African Americans - I believe that Donald Trump will deliver. VOTE WISELY.
14
Part of the problem is the cry wolf effect. People has been calling people racist for simply opposing certain policy's. Now a real racist comes along and the accusations lost its meaning.
5
Our culture, our history is soaked in racism. Even good people swim in it. None of us are unaffected. Slowly, painfully I believe we are coming to understand ourselves.
But Trump does not grow. Reality for him is largely what is real in his head. But more. He is an example of what was normal and acceptable among 19th century and mid-twentieth rationalists of racism and ethnic cleansing. His is a form of social Darwinism that is less spoken about aloud, but is still strongly held. He is a believer in an American ruling class...incipient American lords.
People like Trump despise democracy as mobocracy and believe in manipulation of people much the same way that Hitler wrote about in Mein Kampf. He is an authoritarian. And he admires force over reason. He is a true American fascist.
He is what our parents fought against in World War 2. But of course it would be interesting to know how many of our brave soldiers who landed on D-day in 1944 were supporters of the Ku Klux Klan, anti-Semitic, anti-Catholic. How many supported the immigration laws that our president proudly signed to protect the white race in 1924? How many supported the removal of ethnic Mexican Americans from California and other places in the 1930s under president Hoover? The doctors in Los Angeles who were involved in nonconsensual abortions of the poor, mostly Mexican in the 1960s were trying to care for poverty by sterilizing the less fit. They were not evil...they were us. -Rudy
But Trump does not grow. Reality for him is largely what is real in his head. But more. He is an example of what was normal and acceptable among 19th century and mid-twentieth rationalists of racism and ethnic cleansing. His is a form of social Darwinism that is less spoken about aloud, but is still strongly held. He is a believer in an American ruling class...incipient American lords.
People like Trump despise democracy as mobocracy and believe in manipulation of people much the same way that Hitler wrote about in Mein Kampf. He is an authoritarian. And he admires force over reason. He is a true American fascist.
He is what our parents fought against in World War 2. But of course it would be interesting to know how many of our brave soldiers who landed on D-day in 1944 were supporters of the Ku Klux Klan, anti-Semitic, anti-Catholic. How many supported the immigration laws that our president proudly signed to protect the white race in 1924? How many supported the removal of ethnic Mexican Americans from California and other places in the 1930s under president Hoover? The doctors in Los Angeles who were involved in nonconsensual abortions of the poor, mostly Mexican in the 1960s were trying to care for poverty by sterilizing the less fit. They were not evil...they were us. -Rudy
7
Is Trump a racist? Each person can judge it for themselves. But one thing I know for certain he's not qualified to be President.
8
With the synchronicity of a bayonet and a machine gun The Donald has attacked Muslims, Women, Handicapped persons, Mexicans, a Judge born in the US of Mexican heritage, and goodness knows who else! (Of course, you do keep track don't you Nicholas?)
He has imported workers and underpaid them.
He has sold his father's name as if it is something special. It may soon be regarded as a pejorative.
He has had 4 or it is 6 bankruptcies? How many wives? How many children?
His current wife is from Slovakia? Will she be exported along with the 11 million others?
He curries favor with Putin who rules by creating fear and anxiety. Sound familiar?
My question is this: why did the US media ignore all these undesirable traits for the past 6 months? I could understand FOX news spreading adoration.
Another possibility of this consistent pattern: The Donald is a psychopathic sociopath. Hmmm. What do you think, Nicholas? Just checking.
He has imported workers and underpaid them.
He has sold his father's name as if it is something special. It may soon be regarded as a pejorative.
He has had 4 or it is 6 bankruptcies? How many wives? How many children?
His current wife is from Slovakia? Will she be exported along with the 11 million others?
He curries favor with Putin who rules by creating fear and anxiety. Sound familiar?
My question is this: why did the US media ignore all these undesirable traits for the past 6 months? I could understand FOX news spreading adoration.
Another possibility of this consistent pattern: The Donald is a psychopathic sociopath. Hmmm. What do you think, Nicholas? Just checking.
12
Thank you for digging deep on this. It is probably not a coincidence that David Duke now feels empowered running for Congress.
-sims: The challenge that faces us all is not to stereotype all this or that group. It is a natural tendency - I get very angry when someone suggests that I am a product of mass, intentional rape or that my family are rapists.
Getting through: One of the major issues is that whenever Trump is castigated in the media, it seems to make his followers more adamant about him. They don't seem to be able to hear facts or to prioritize facts vs political slander.
The media: I think the fine line for the media is prioritizing issues in an era where daily we are faced with horrific events and the need to make rapid decisions about communication and content.
-sims: The challenge that faces us all is not to stereotype all this or that group. It is a natural tendency - I get very angry when someone suggests that I am a product of mass, intentional rape or that my family are rapists.
Getting through: One of the major issues is that whenever Trump is castigated in the media, it seems to make his followers more adamant about him. They don't seem to be able to hear facts or to prioritize facts vs political slander.
The media: I think the fine line for the media is prioritizing issues in an era where daily we are faced with horrific events and the need to make rapid decisions about communication and content.
5
I think what Trump has done is unite the bigoted people in the US, particularly those in both parties of the voting citizenry to the undercurrent racism those people have felt since a black man with a purportedly Muslim name became president of our country. Trump has opened the vein to let these people feel free to express this when he kept up his inane birther screeds and continues through today in his xenophobia and fear-mongering rants and speeches. He has given these people the courage to voice their complaints, not about their economic woes, but about that feeling under their skin that they had to bow to a black man for 8 years making him the devil and, by god, we sure as hell don't want to bow to a daughter of Lucifer now for another 8. I feel this mindset was also in our GOP elected people who road-blocked as many causes that our President try to get enacted. Why else would Paul Ryan say that Trump's complaint about a judge of Hispanic descent was "textbook racism" but then still endorse his candidacy. Did he feel it was a singular event in Trump's rhetoric?
It is prevalent in our society, we have seen it in our own households, much of it unspoken and we must change this feeling from there first before it will finally disappear. This country has a very long way to go.
It is prevalent in our society, we have seen it in our own households, much of it unspoken and we must change this feeling from there first before it will finally disappear. This country has a very long way to go.
8
Mr. Trump is not a racist or an anti-Semite, but many of his supporters are.
The fact that he refuses to denounce them supplies us with positive proof that he is a nincompoop concerned only with advancing his own interests.
The fact that he refuses to denounce them supplies us with positive proof that he is a nincompoop concerned only with advancing his own interests.
5
The man said make America great again, that says it all. when was the last time America was great for blacks. When they were getting hung, whipped , separated, treated like second grade citizens let's be honest people we did not need an article to state the obvious and everyone who wants to vote for Trump wants blacks back to that state of oppression.
7
Thank you, Mr. Kristof, for meticulously documenting Trump's racism. As you say the term is not to be taken lightly. Wading through 1,000 pages of legal testimony was important work. My pulse quickened as I read the irrefutable evidence of racist behavior. Of course, it was obvious from the hateful words Trump spews. But your reporting reveals an even darker side, if that is possible, about his thoughts and actions. Even as a tourist, Donald Trump must never be allowed to enter the White House.
5
Racist, bigot, narcissist, huckster, slanderer, hypocrite, "player," manipulator, idolator (worships only money), oligarch, would-be ruler with fascistic leanings, spoiled rich kid, ill-tempered bore, weird dad, unfaithful husband, business chisler, Republican presidential candidate.
11
Trump a racist... Duh!
I am an American of Mexican descent. My family has lived in Texas since it was a Mexican state. My 2 brothers have fought for our country in Afghanistan. I think that what Trump wants is a White america not to make America great again. What we need as a country is to stop dividing our people based on color or culture. We are a diverse country and that should be our strength and what brings us together. How many other countries have the diversity we have? Not many. I'm a proud to be an American... We live in the best country in the world. If Trump is elected we may just be taking a step in the wrong direction as far as race relations go.
I am an American of Mexican descent. My family has lived in Texas since it was a Mexican state. My 2 brothers have fought for our country in Afghanistan. I think that what Trump wants is a White america not to make America great again. What we need as a country is to stop dividing our people based on color or culture. We are a diverse country and that should be our strength and what brings us together. How many other countries have the diversity we have? Not many. I'm a proud to be an American... We live in the best country in the world. If Trump is elected we may just be taking a step in the wrong direction as far as race relations go.
6
Mr Kristof - you show how the guy's has demonstrated racism through word and deed over multiple decades, then why do you worry about what label is it fair to use? Call it what you want, but he is no friend of blacks, hispanics, or muslim. And as a Jew, I'm not reassured by his willingness to let folks "who wear yarmulkas every day" keep his books. More important, he certainly hasn't proposed anything that would help reduce racial, social or financial inequality in this country. And in choosing a President, things like that are important.
1
Thank you, Mr. Kristoff, for a very clearly researched and written article.
Trump's absolute distain for anyone who is "other" is both horribly disheartening and just plain horrible. He will abandon his supporters as soon as it is expedient for him. Even if he actually thinks he can "save" our "doomed" country, his misguided or intended actions and statements point to very serious concerns for the well-being of all of us. He does not know how to govern; he proposes unconstitional activities such as torture, mocking the disabled, curtailing freedom of the press, and using the Office of the President of the United States as a springboard for personal revenge. And some Americans see this as just fine.
Makes me shudder in revulsion...
Trump's absolute distain for anyone who is "other" is both horribly disheartening and just plain horrible. He will abandon his supporters as soon as it is expedient for him. Even if he actually thinks he can "save" our "doomed" country, his misguided or intended actions and statements point to very serious concerns for the well-being of all of us. He does not know how to govern; he proposes unconstitional activities such as torture, mocking the disabled, curtailing freedom of the press, and using the Office of the President of the United States as a springboard for personal revenge. And some Americans see this as just fine.
Makes me shudder in revulsion...
2
If it looks like a duck, waddles like a duck, quacks like a duck - what else to call it but a duck? Trump is a racist, plain and simple, based on the overwhelming evidence in this article. Do you think Donald would invoke nuances to excuse the kind of behavior Trump has exhibited? He would be the first to lynch him!
1
When a pattern last for 4 decades it's pretty hard to deny. Donald Trump is a bigot and he got his attitudes from his father who was also a bigot.
It's not that Trump is a racist (which he is), it's that Trump willingly uses racism to further his own ends. The man has no principles. After Trump's nomination, David Duke felt it was finally safe to crawl out of his hole--and that fact alone should erase any doubt.
2
Case Closed as far as I'm concerned .......
I would like to hear someone try to make the case that he isn't a racist.
I would like to hear that person explain all the behavior, law suits
that say otherwise. He is the perfect specimen of the need to establish
a concept of inferior to feed his sick need to feel superior.
He is quite ill. That illness, that megalomania doesn't belong in our public square.
That illness precludes him from being involved with the fate of Nations.
He has managed to corral a swath of the American electorate that is outraged
by the idea of a black man in the White House....and even more offended
by the fact that his mother was white, and actually married a black man.
His voter's ears have perked up at every dog whistle blown...confirming to
them that their suspicions and hate of those unlike them is a belief that
he shares. He is a hate speaker , a misanthrope a con man and a liar.
The profile of his behavior over a lifetime can lead you nowhere other
than Nicolas Kristof's conclusion.
I would like to hear someone try to make the case that he isn't a racist.
I would like to hear that person explain all the behavior, law suits
that say otherwise. He is the perfect specimen of the need to establish
a concept of inferior to feed his sick need to feel superior.
He is quite ill. That illness, that megalomania doesn't belong in our public square.
That illness precludes him from being involved with the fate of Nations.
He has managed to corral a swath of the American electorate that is outraged
by the idea of a black man in the White House....and even more offended
by the fact that his mother was white, and actually married a black man.
His voter's ears have perked up at every dog whistle blown...confirming to
them that their suspicions and hate of those unlike them is a belief that
he shares. He is a hate speaker , a misanthrope a con man and a liar.
The profile of his behavior over a lifetime can lead you nowhere other
than Nicolas Kristof's conclusion.
3
His dog whistle attracted the audience he wanted and tapped into the fear of millions of white Americans who fear losing white majority and white supremacy. He fosters cultural and ethnic division. Clearly not a uniter beyond a specific base.
2
Racism? Bigotry? Who cares? Racism is a form of bigotry in the sense of discrimination against a whole class of people based on some essential element of their identity such as religion, nationality, gender, or even personal height.
Donald Trump has made a habit of slandering and demeaning other people based on collective characteristics, or no grounds at all. This is bigotry. No other word adequately edescribes Trump's wholly destructive, attention-grabbing birther assault on President Obama's nationality in 2011.
I agree with Mr. Kristof's bottom line assessment of Candidate Trump. He has flushed the nature of the Party whose banner he holds aloft out into the open for all to see. I hardly care if we label this "racism" or "bigotry." Neither has any place in the Oval Office.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
Donald Trump has made a habit of slandering and demeaning other people based on collective characteristics, or no grounds at all. This is bigotry. No other word adequately edescribes Trump's wholly destructive, attention-grabbing birther assault on President Obama's nationality in 2011.
I agree with Mr. Kristof's bottom line assessment of Candidate Trump. He has flushed the nature of the Party whose banner he holds aloft out into the open for all to see. I hardly care if we label this "racism" or "bigotry." Neither has any place in the Oval Office.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
7
Nick, I respect the care you take before calling anyone a racist, and I agree with your conclusion.
However, I think it's time we retire the phrase "the party of Lincoln." Calling today's Republican Party "the party of Lincoln" is about as accurate as claiming that mega-churches are what Jesus had in mind.
However, I think it's time we retire the phrase "the party of Lincoln." Calling today's Republican Party "the party of Lincoln" is about as accurate as claiming that mega-churches are what Jesus had in mind.
3
A thoughtful, well-researched, objectively-assessed, and well-reasoned column, which is unfortunately mostly wasted by being ultimately devoted to mindless political correctness.
How many voters are likely to be surprised at learning there is systematic evidence of racism, not just from Trump's dad, but from The Donald himself?
How many people who have rented apartments in cities such as New York are going to be surprised to learn that blacks are widely discriminated against in rentals?
How many of those would also be surprised to learn that blacks are often discriminated against by other blacks (even if it is un-PC to discuss this)?
Would it make Trump any more qualified to be president if he were not personally racist?
Few, Few, Few, and No.
So, will this column impact the presidential election?
Probably not much, except a few of the huge number of voters fed up with decades of often annoying, often counterproductive, and usually stupid political correctness might be more inclined to be MORE supportive of Trump as a result of it.
Nicholas Kristof is head and shoulder above most other columnists, and for a number of reasons. One being his ability to be self-critical. This column is liable to earn praise for fans of "gotcha" journalism, and for "gotcha" reasons. Kristof aspires to much higher standards than that. By those standards, this column falls far short, even if in comparison to most other journalism today it is still more solid and better balanced.
How many voters are likely to be surprised at learning there is systematic evidence of racism, not just from Trump's dad, but from The Donald himself?
How many people who have rented apartments in cities such as New York are going to be surprised to learn that blacks are widely discriminated against in rentals?
How many of those would also be surprised to learn that blacks are often discriminated against by other blacks (even if it is un-PC to discuss this)?
Would it make Trump any more qualified to be president if he were not personally racist?
Few, Few, Few, and No.
So, will this column impact the presidential election?
Probably not much, except a few of the huge number of voters fed up with decades of often annoying, often counterproductive, and usually stupid political correctness might be more inclined to be MORE supportive of Trump as a result of it.
Nicholas Kristof is head and shoulder above most other columnists, and for a number of reasons. One being his ability to be self-critical. This column is liable to earn praise for fans of "gotcha" journalism, and for "gotcha" reasons. Kristof aspires to much higher standards than that. By those standards, this column falls far short, even if in comparison to most other journalism today it is still more solid and better balanced.
3
40 years ago prejudice was common against blacks, gays and just about any other minority group. But even then there was a difference between prejudice and racism. Racists were violent evil people whose fundamental disregard for the humanity and dignity of others allowed them to commit murder without the slightest moral consideration. These were ordinary people whose hatred of black, gays and Jews was abundantly clear and self proclaimed. While Trump may have his prejudices (pre-judgements) he is definitely not a racist. Calling him that to promote your political views only demonstrates your own "prejudices"and marginalizes a term that should be reserved for those who truly are racist.
6
It's not just Trump, who is obviously a huge step backwards in race relations. It's so many of us who are unthinking bigots. If you don't think twice about a white man (almost) always being the CEO; if you're fine with senior executives being - almost always, except for a couple of women and/or minorities - white males; if you think it's normal for (nearly) all of the late night talk shows to be headed by white males; if you feel safe seeing a white male flying your commercial jet; and on and on....just imagine if the reverse were true. Instead of almost everything being run by white males, if almost nothing were. Would that make you feel better or worse? That's how it feels for the rest of us, and we're all in this together. We all need to change our attitudes. That we aren't doing so gives rise to a Trump.
2
The article forgot to mention that Trump opened Mara Lago in Palm Beach to Jews and blacks while other clubs were restricted. Oprah and Maya Angelou held a party there. He has female African Americans in highest executive positions. Once again the NYT tries to paint him something that it's not.
15
It really doesn't matter if he is a racist or not. As a potential leader of our country what matters is what he inspires other people to and how he leads our country. His rhetoric has inflamed racism, has heightened division and inspired people to hate. Where could he possibly lead us?
6
I like Nick Kristof but this article highlights why racism is so pervasive and tolerated so widely.
It is absurd that the article's title is even a question. That Nick Kristof had to analyze 40 years and >1000 pages of documents to conclude that Trump might be racist is saddening and maddening. If you need to do a PhD dissertation to determine that an overt outspoken racist who is spewing racist/xenophobic hate on TV and social media everyday is a racist, then what hope is there of tackling all the subtle and subliminal prejudices and acts of racism that occur daily in our society?? Do all the millions of racist instances on a daily basis need analytic proof to be considered serious and offensive?
What's next, a review to see whether the global climate is getting warmer? or whether we need to be nicer to each other?
Be bolder, braver, and blunter if you wish to criticize racism and tackle other important issues in life. He is a racist. He is a bigot and he is xenophobic. Anyone who supports him without acknowledging that may be overtly or subliminally racist too. No further research is necessary. Call it for what it is and stop focusing energy trying to make excuses for why he may have been "misunderstood" as racist or xenophobic.
It is absurd that the article's title is even a question. That Nick Kristof had to analyze 40 years and >1000 pages of documents to conclude that Trump might be racist is saddening and maddening. If you need to do a PhD dissertation to determine that an overt outspoken racist who is spewing racist/xenophobic hate on TV and social media everyday is a racist, then what hope is there of tackling all the subtle and subliminal prejudices and acts of racism that occur daily in our society?? Do all the millions of racist instances on a daily basis need analytic proof to be considered serious and offensive?
What's next, a review to see whether the global climate is getting warmer? or whether we need to be nicer to each other?
Be bolder, braver, and blunter if you wish to criticize racism and tackle other important issues in life. He is a racist. He is a bigot and he is xenophobic. Anyone who supports him without acknowledging that may be overtly or subliminally racist too. No further research is necessary. Call it for what it is and stop focusing energy trying to make excuses for why he may have been "misunderstood" as racist or xenophobic.
11
Trump promotes racism every time he assures his adoring sycophants that he is "not PC", the new conservative dog whistle that excuses bigotry and intolerance.
15
Calling someone a "racist" today is almost the exact equivalent of calling someone a "witch" in medieval Europe -- so yes, you shouldn't toss that accusation around lightly. And if this was the best you could come up with after going all the way back to 1973 I'm not impressed. I can think of plenty of good reasons not to vote for Donald Trump, but you haven't convinced me that he is a witch.
16
This is reminiscent of Levitt & Sons after 1945. William Levitt not only discrimated against blacks seeking to purchase homes. He also refused to sell to his fellow Jews in an upscale Long Island subdivision
Ultimately Levitt found himself as the defendant in his New Jersey version on Leviittown in Burlington County. The plaintiff gained support from the governor (Robert Meyner) and US Senator (Clifford Case).
A state court found for the plaintiff. Upon appeal to the US Supreme Court, the lower court affirmed the NJ court
But elsewhere Levitt persisted to discriminate in housing markets outside of New Jersey
Levitt -- it should be noted -- aligned himself politically with Senator Joseph R. MCarthy, who favored private sector home builders. McCarthy and Levitt opposed mixed market housing
Ultimately Levitt found himself as the defendant in his New Jersey version on Leviittown in Burlington County. The plaintiff gained support from the governor (Robert Meyner) and US Senator (Clifford Case).
A state court found for the plaintiff. Upon appeal to the US Supreme Court, the lower court affirmed the NJ court
But elsewhere Levitt persisted to discriminate in housing markets outside of New Jersey
Levitt -- it should be noted -- aligned himself politically with Senator Joseph R. MCarthy, who favored private sector home builders. McCarthy and Levitt opposed mixed market housing
8
Nicholas, your answer to: "Is Donald Trump is racist?" is biased to begin with. First, your analysis is based on legal documents related to business conducts. Everyone knows that business decisions are inherently discriminatory since the primary objective of for-profit businesses is to maximize return. It is naive to think otherwise. Second, your analysis is not even handed. You went back as far as 1973 to cherry pick those business episodes that portray Donald Trump as racist. You did not bother to examine the man in other settings in all these years. Donald Trump has had many friends, acquaintances, and associates among African-Americans and other minorities.
11
Is Trump racist? Yes.
My question is when will Ryan, McConnell, McCarthy and other so called party leaders reverse course and withdraw their endorsements. Lincoln would be crying to witness this.
My question is when will Ryan, McConnell, McCarthy and other so called party leaders reverse course and withdraw their endorsements. Lincoln would be crying to witness this.
35
He spouts the most vile of racist stereotypes that many, many otherwise self styled liberals accept. The golf clubs, woman's clubs, PTAs, book clubs don't have a problem with "Jews are cheap, Blacks are lazy, Hispanics are dishonest, Asians are all brilliant". To object is to be Politically Correct in the eyes of these " good, upstanding citizens".
10
And yet, the most disturbing thing to me is not that he is likely a racist: but that this seems to be appealing to a much larger swath of America than many of us would have predicted. One can only hope that some good will come of this - - but what that is? - unclear at the moment.
46
Send this article to Oprah. I just read she is supporting Trump and actually contributed big time to his campaign.
6
Thank you for your careful examination of Fred and Donald Trump's history of racism.
I imagine if Woody Guthrie were still with us today, he'd be singing "The apple does not fall far from the tree ... "
I imagine if Woody Guthrie were still with us today, he'd be singing "The apple does not fall far from the tree ... "
8
Let it truly sink in:
This odious, unrepentant bigot is the GOP's *presidential* nominee.
The Horror.
This odious, unrepentant bigot is the GOP's *presidential* nominee.
The Horror.
21
Why did you leave out Mr. Trump's birtherism? Is that not thinly veiled racism?
6
Is Donald Trump a racist? What, even after Trump assured us that he is the least racist person there is? Even after Chris Christie assured us that he's never known Trump to be a racist? [read sarcastically.]
Well, David Duke is now running for the Senate, claiming to be inspired by Trump's success. Duke also stated that Trump has brought his own longtime 'concerns' into the spotlight and they are resonating. The same David Duke that Trump dragged his feet in disavowing, lamely feigning both ignorance about the man and faulty earpieces for his own failure to decline the white supremacist's support.
Whatever Trump says about his own prejudices, the fact is that he is encouraging and justifying bigotry. Trump has normalized racist ideas and incorporated them into a Presidential platform, while inspiring them to similarly be part of a Senate campaign. Don't split hairs about his autobiography; worry what Trump will do to the rest of us.
Well, David Duke is now running for the Senate, claiming to be inspired by Trump's success. Duke also stated that Trump has brought his own longtime 'concerns' into the spotlight and they are resonating. The same David Duke that Trump dragged his feet in disavowing, lamely feigning both ignorance about the man and faulty earpieces for his own failure to decline the white supremacist's support.
Whatever Trump says about his own prejudices, the fact is that he is encouraging and justifying bigotry. Trump has normalized racist ideas and incorporated them into a Presidential platform, while inspiring them to similarly be part of a Senate campaign. Don't split hairs about his autobiography; worry what Trump will do to the rest of us.
17
Much of the case that Mr. Kristoff has laid out, I have been aware of for some time. I am pretty sure much of the country is fully aware of Trump's racism.
However, I noticed no one speaks of the actual pain and suffering his vitriol has caused.
Families who had to go the extra mile to find housing because they were black.
That accountant whose livelihood was interrupted, his ability to provide for his family. The utter embarrassment.
The pain of those young teenagers falsely accused of rape.
The embarrassment he caused our President.
The manner in which he speaks of Hispanics and Muslims. Disgraceful
Racism is a simply a denial of humanity. You have to ignore the humanity of those you hurt to inflict such pain. And Trump's actions has caused much pain.
No one discusses this at all.
Trump is a racist. A racist should not have the honor of the highest office of the land.
The author seems reluctant to state that forcefully; despite laying out a very compelling case.
I have no problem doing so.
However, I noticed no one speaks of the actual pain and suffering his vitriol has caused.
Families who had to go the extra mile to find housing because they were black.
That accountant whose livelihood was interrupted, his ability to provide for his family. The utter embarrassment.
The pain of those young teenagers falsely accused of rape.
The embarrassment he caused our President.
The manner in which he speaks of Hispanics and Muslims. Disgraceful
Racism is a simply a denial of humanity. You have to ignore the humanity of those you hurt to inflict such pain. And Trump's actions has caused much pain.
No one discusses this at all.
Trump is a racist. A racist should not have the honor of the highest office of the land.
The author seems reluctant to state that forcefully; despite laying out a very compelling case.
I have no problem doing so.
17
I can't believe you omitted the fact that Trump was the biggest Birther of them all. Nothing else comes close to that for proof of his racism.
16
He is probably a racist but what about sociopath? This is a standard test for Sociopathy. Lets see how Tramp does
Success is based on survival of the fittest; I am not concerned about the losers. Yup
I find myself in the same kinds of trouble, time after time. Yup
For me, what's right is whatever I can get away with. Yup
I am often bored. Yup
In today's world, I feel justified in doing anything I can get away with to succeed. Yup
I find that I am able to pursue one goal for a long time. Nope
My main purpose in life is getting as many goodies as I can. Big Yup
I don't plan anything very far in advance. Yup
Making a lot of money is my most important goal. YUGE Yup
I quickly lose interest in tasks I start. Yup
I let others worry about higher values; my main concern is with the bottom line. Yup
Most of my problems are due to the fact that other people just don't understand me.
Yup
People who are stupid enough to get ripped off usually deserve it. Yup
Before I do anything, I carefully consider the possible consequences. Nope
Looking out for myself is my top priority. Yup
...cont
Success is based on survival of the fittest; I am not concerned about the losers. Yup
I find myself in the same kinds of trouble, time after time. Yup
For me, what's right is whatever I can get away with. Yup
I am often bored. Yup
In today's world, I feel justified in doing anything I can get away with to succeed. Yup
I find that I am able to pursue one goal for a long time. Nope
My main purpose in life is getting as many goodies as I can. Big Yup
I don't plan anything very far in advance. Yup
Making a lot of money is my most important goal. YUGE Yup
I quickly lose interest in tasks I start. Yup
I let others worry about higher values; my main concern is with the bottom line. Yup
Most of my problems are due to the fact that other people just don't understand me.
Yup
People who are stupid enough to get ripped off usually deserve it. Yup
Before I do anything, I carefully consider the possible consequences. Nope
Looking out for myself is my top priority. Yup
...cont
16
Yes, it's racism. And yes, Trump is a good old-fashioned racist.
And it's astonishing that so many Americans have voted for him. By doing so, they are complicit in his racist view of America.
And it's astonishing that so many Americans have voted for him. By doing so, they are complicit in his racist view of America.
22
I have been in a lot of shouting matches with other people. Yup
I tell other people what they want to hear so that they will do what I want them to do. Yuge Yup
When I get frustrated, I often "let off steam" by blowing my top. Yup
I would be upset if my success came at someone else's expense. No at all
Love is overrated. Yuge yup
I often admire a really clever scam. Yuge yup
I make a point of trying not to hurt others in pursuit of my goals. Nope
I enjoy manipulating other people's feelings. Yup
I feel bad if my words or actions cause someone else to feel emotional pain. Nope
Even if I were trying very hard to sell something, I wouldn't lie about it. Yuge nope
Cheating is not justified because it is unfair to others. Nope
Tramp scores a perfect 100%
He is definitely a bona fide SOCIOPATH.
That should disqualify him from even running for POTUS.
This has to be the Iceberg that sinks the Titanic.
I tell other people what they want to hear so that they will do what I want them to do. Yuge Yup
When I get frustrated, I often "let off steam" by blowing my top. Yup
I would be upset if my success came at someone else's expense. No at all
Love is overrated. Yuge yup
I often admire a really clever scam. Yuge yup
I make a point of trying not to hurt others in pursuit of my goals. Nope
I enjoy manipulating other people's feelings. Yup
I feel bad if my words or actions cause someone else to feel emotional pain. Nope
Even if I were trying very hard to sell something, I wouldn't lie about it. Yuge nope
Cheating is not justified because it is unfair to others. Nope
Tramp scores a perfect 100%
He is definitely a bona fide SOCIOPATH.
That should disqualify him from even running for POTUS.
This has to be the Iceberg that sinks the Titanic.
18
Thank you for doing this research. I have been waiting to hear more background material on Trump. It would be good to get it on TV since that is mostly how his supporters get news.
12
A better word is Bigot. Yet Trump supporters are all too wlling to overlook this, and all the other overwhelming evidence that Trump is unfit for office.
10
Thank you. Why does so much of America either not see this, refuse to see this, or more disturbingly, not care? Or even more disturbingly, endorse?
27
Whether he is now or not a racist pales against his willingness to use racism as a political strategy. That, in my opinion, is even worse.
20
I think that it is very clear that Mr. Trump is a racist. He can deny it all he wants but if it walks like a duck, quacks like....You get the gist. His "coded" racist words are the words of hate. The Republican Party in the likes of Speaker Paul Ryan have basically said that yes he is a racist and we have to back him because he got the votes. Spineless at best. Clinton has her faults but she is NOT a racist. Therefore I'm with her. Trump's theme of make America Great Again IS coded wording for make America work for Whites again. In my opinion that will only happen when ALL Americans work together to demand better schools, an end to hunger in America, the creation of jobs, new job training, etc. America's founding principal is equally and justice FOR ALL.
17
Thank you. Now it's time for the entirety of the Press to stand up and be counted. It cannot be "just about your ratings any longer".
21
How can you excuse this man by saying it is possible that he "misspoke or was misconstrued" when you have just revealed a history of forty years of racial hatred on his part. i think Trump is also, obviously, anti-semitic, since he groups them into one area of money-counters. Trump is a blight on all things gentle, caring and human in our society.
19
This is not surprising. In a Vanity Fair article published 20 years or so ago, it was written that Donald Trump (who admittedly does read books), has read (more than once) a book of Hitler's speeches. Racist, misogynist, Donald Trump is the worst parts of America
18
Perhaps this is the "Great" that Mr. Trump wants to make American again. This may be why he is so popular among real and closet bigots.
13
Many of your articles have brought tears to my eyes, but not any one as many, or as heartfelt as this one. I mourn for my country.
25
What is so very concerning is that I believe that racism (and woo hoo - not bothering to hide it) is a broad part of his appeal. And frankly has been a broad part of Republican appeals for the past two decades really - - only they typically code it more subtly.
I know there are many who know who say Trump is not racist in his heart and make rationalizations to try and defend each individual instance Mr. Kristof cites but . . .Mr. Kristof's column makes a strong and compelling case that Donald Trump's words and actions reflect a consistent belief that non-whites are inferior to whites. Voting for him is morally wrong on that fact alone - racism should be a deal killer in the United States of America.
Next up - maybe looking into whether he is truly a sexist? Or is that one just too obvious. Sigh.
I know there are many who know who say Trump is not racist in his heart and make rationalizations to try and defend each individual instance Mr. Kristof cites but . . .Mr. Kristof's column makes a strong and compelling case that Donald Trump's words and actions reflect a consistent belief that non-whites are inferior to whites. Voting for him is morally wrong on that fact alone - racism should be a deal killer in the United States of America.
Next up - maybe looking into whether he is truly a sexist? Or is that one just too obvious. Sigh.
25
Racist? Perhaps. Kristoff outlines some of the reasons to think so. What else, though? Fascist? That's a word often used these days as sort of a generic insult for people we don't like. But what is a fascist? Hypernationalist, corporatist, racialist, cult of personality, machismo, conspiracism, contempt for perceived weakness, promotes violence -- all of what goes with fascism is there in Trump, though some experts say he doesn't entirely fit a textbook definition. (Look up Umberto Eco's essay "Ur-Fascism" if you haven't read it.) White nationalist? Demonizing Hispanics and Muslims, trafficking in nationalist, supremacist, "white genocide," "alt-right" memes... Yep. That's Trump.
I suppose I can't really say if Trump is any of those things. But the fact that his language and behavior have been adequate for this conversation to be happening among thoughtful honest people acting in good faith (as opposed to purely partisan political slander) says a lot.
I suppose I can't really say if Trump is any of those things. But the fact that his language and behavior have been adequate for this conversation to be happening among thoughtful honest people acting in good faith (as opposed to purely partisan political slander) says a lot.
15
Whether these actions are enough to call him a racist is up for discussion though he only knows what's in his heart. What is not up for discussion is his exploitation of racist ideology as a method for gaining support.
26
Of course he's a racist with a capital R
He used the Birther movement as a focus group to determine how deep and wide spread racism was in America. To our everlasting shame, Americans still embrace hatred and racism because it is an easy explanation for complicated issues. Trump tells them the disappearing middle class isn't due to failed Republican trickle down economic policies that redistributes wealth to the rich, it's due to Mexicans and Latinos and all people of color. We are afraid of terrorism, so Trump tells us it is fine to throw out the First Amendment and discriminate against Muslims in America. Why should they have the same rights as white evangelicals?
Any student of history can see the clear parallels between the rise of Trump and the rise of Fascism in the 30s. People forget that Hitler and Mussolini were elected by people who never could have predicted the horror they were about to unleash on the world.
He used the Birther movement as a focus group to determine how deep and wide spread racism was in America. To our everlasting shame, Americans still embrace hatred and racism because it is an easy explanation for complicated issues. Trump tells them the disappearing middle class isn't due to failed Republican trickle down economic policies that redistributes wealth to the rich, it's due to Mexicans and Latinos and all people of color. We are afraid of terrorism, so Trump tells us it is fine to throw out the First Amendment and discriminate against Muslims in America. Why should they have the same rights as white evangelicals?
Any student of history can see the clear parallels between the rise of Trump and the rise of Fascism in the 30s. People forget that Hitler and Mussolini were elected by people who never could have predicted the horror they were about to unleash on the world.
73
This man, in spite of the constant derision levelled at him, by the mainstream media, seems to grow ever stronger, garnering more support, not only from hardcore conservatives, but also from former undecideds, disillusioned Democrats, and Independents.
Why is this occurring; what is driving this defection from the embrace of liberalism ??
I believe, having lived over 50 years, in the NY metropolitan area, that it's that embrace itself, the strangling embrace of a culture that uses and abuses all, except for a select few elites, all the while falsely professing to embody care and empathy for the plight of the poor and the middle-class, since the so called Great Recession, and the oft touted recovery, which has been non-existent for the poor and the middle-class, but wildly enriching for these power elites.
The people are voting in anger, for any option, good or bad, so long as there is a possibility it will destroy the status quo, perhaps level the playing field, and lay the foundation for a better life.
Our Democratic Party, sits mindlessly atop a petard of it's own making, with an electorate so ravaged by inequality, so bereft of hope, they are ready to light the fuse on November 7, and, like so much chaff, the object of their anger will be rent asunder, and never again threaten their existence.
Pie in the sky, perhaps, but look at England, and Brexit, and look at the discontent across our nation, time to adopt Bernies' platform, or lose it all for a very long time.
Why is this occurring; what is driving this defection from the embrace of liberalism ??
I believe, having lived over 50 years, in the NY metropolitan area, that it's that embrace itself, the strangling embrace of a culture that uses and abuses all, except for a select few elites, all the while falsely professing to embody care and empathy for the plight of the poor and the middle-class, since the so called Great Recession, and the oft touted recovery, which has been non-existent for the poor and the middle-class, but wildly enriching for these power elites.
The people are voting in anger, for any option, good or bad, so long as there is a possibility it will destroy the status quo, perhaps level the playing field, and lay the foundation for a better life.
Our Democratic Party, sits mindlessly atop a petard of it's own making, with an electorate so ravaged by inequality, so bereft of hope, they are ready to light the fuse on November 7, and, like so much chaff, the object of their anger will be rent asunder, and never again threaten their existence.
Pie in the sky, perhaps, but look at England, and Brexit, and look at the discontent across our nation, time to adopt Bernies' platform, or lose it all for a very long time.
56
One grows tired of the question is (blank) a racist? What matters is not what people think, but what they do. I've been lectured by white progressives a generation younger than me who were certain they knew better than me what was in the interest of African-Americans and seemed frustrated by my tendency to question their certainty. Are they racist? Condescending certainly but no, I don't think they're racist.
The record suggests that Barry Goldwater was not personally a racist if being a racist still means being a bigot, and that by that definition Lyndon Johnson was. If that's true so what? We know which one signed civil rights legislation and who voted against it.
These days there are Republican politicians trying to suppress the vote among people who tend to vote for Democrats. Are they racist? I'm sure some are, I suspect some aren't but it's their contempt for the rights of citizens who disagree with them politically that's far more important.
The record suggests that Barry Goldwater was not personally a racist if being a racist still means being a bigot, and that by that definition Lyndon Johnson was. If that's true so what? We know which one signed civil rights legislation and who voted against it.
These days there are Republican politicians trying to suppress the vote among people who tend to vote for Democrats. Are they racist? I'm sure some are, I suspect some aren't but it's their contempt for the rights of citizens who disagree with them politically that's far more important.
49
Trump should not be President for a myriad of reasons, the major one being that he's epically unqualified, and unfit for the position.
It's really says something when being a racist would be the least important reason for Trump to be rejected for the office.
It's really says something when being a racist would be the least important reason for Trump to be rejected for the office.
99
Of course Trump is a racist.
I will use a legal argument to prove my point:
To be convicted of a criminal offense the prosecutor must show A) the actus reas (a criminal act) and B) mens rea (A criminal intent)
In fact you really don't have to prove criminal intent. We infer criminal intent from the criminal act. From the racist acts performed by Trump, we must infer that he had racist intent. (Inferring is the best we can do because we don't have machines to read people's minds to determine if they are racist)
Given the evidence amassed by Kristoff, I would conclude that, beyond any reasonable doubt, Trump is an serial, sick and psychopathic racist.
I will use a legal argument to prove my point:
To be convicted of a criminal offense the prosecutor must show A) the actus reas (a criminal act) and B) mens rea (A criminal intent)
In fact you really don't have to prove criminal intent. We infer criminal intent from the criminal act. From the racist acts performed by Trump, we must infer that he had racist intent. (Inferring is the best we can do because we don't have machines to read people's minds to determine if they are racist)
Given the evidence amassed by Kristoff, I would conclude that, beyond any reasonable doubt, Trump is an serial, sick and psychopathic racist.
79
I am just a simple person, educated at a state owned university. This simple mind of mine allows me to remember how common racism was when I was younger and how it remains. It remains, IMHO, most notably in the minds of those people who go out of their way to prove other people racist.
3
Racism is a term that sometimes gets applied to even the mildest ways that humans react to those that are different. Race itself is an unscientific concept that gets applied differently across cultures and time, so it makes little sense to try to distinguish between "racism" and "bigotry". Conservatives have a point when they object to attacking someone with either term in cases of unconscious sterotyping, even when there are serious results.
BUT, Trump's fear and mistrust of "the other" is not of the more modest form common to many humans. It is the central organizing principle behind all of his policies. Foreigners are seen as always threatening or cheating us, whether NATO allies, trading partners, international organizations, or immigrants. In his convention speech he talked about our "humiliation".
There can be legitimate complaints about how well other nations comply with agreements, and they sometimes have legitimate complaints about the United States. But we gain much from the world. A pathological hatred of the foreign is needed to believe that we are "cheated and humiliated".
Illegal immigration is a special case, since fear and hatred is often masked by a pretense that the only concern is obedience to our laws. But imagine if instead of "illegal", Trump had highlighted a woman saying: "My husband was murdered by a Jew."
Whether called racism, bigotry, xenophobia, or "nationalism", this toxic psychosis is central to Trumpism.
BUT, Trump's fear and mistrust of "the other" is not of the more modest form common to many humans. It is the central organizing principle behind all of his policies. Foreigners are seen as always threatening or cheating us, whether NATO allies, trading partners, international organizations, or immigrants. In his convention speech he talked about our "humiliation".
There can be legitimate complaints about how well other nations comply with agreements, and they sometimes have legitimate complaints about the United States. But we gain much from the world. A pathological hatred of the foreign is needed to believe that we are "cheated and humiliated".
Illegal immigration is a special case, since fear and hatred is often masked by a pretense that the only concern is obedience to our laws. But imagine if instead of "illegal", Trump had highlighted a woman saying: "My husband was murdered by a Jew."
Whether called racism, bigotry, xenophobia, or "nationalism", this toxic psychosis is central to Trumpism.
62
I agree. And the perception of oneself as "humiliated" and therefore a victim is very dangerous. Because people who think of themselves as victims are angry people.
And often reckless as well. Not a good combination.
And often reckless as well. Not a good combination.
4
I don’t see much or any ambiguity here -- virtually every one of these episodes in itself displays clear and direct evidence of racism. Taken together they provide an overwhelming and conclusive body of evidence of racism, not just a “consistent pattern" that leads one to call it racism.
72
I have to say that I believe we have reached the point at which accusations of racism have little to no effect. For far too long, the left has used the term racist interchangeably with the words conservative and/or Republican to score cheap political advantage. Many people now hear the sound of Charlie Brown's teacher when the accusation is whipped out yet again.
Where were all the rich and famous, the celebrities and other media types decrying Trump's racism when they appeared on The Apprentice or played in his golf tournaments, or gambled at his casinos, or appeared at the boxing bouts he promoted, or stayed at his hotels, or bought residences in his buildings? The man has been a high profile public figure for decades and, beyond Rosie O'Donnell (and the subject of that feud wasn't racism), I don't remember anyone shouting to the rooftops about how DT should be driven from the public square. This is all classic political opportunism masking itself as moral outrage in order to stir up the easily influenced low information voters.
Where were all the rich and famous, the celebrities and other media types decrying Trump's racism when they appeared on The Apprentice or played in his golf tournaments, or gambled at his casinos, or appeared at the boxing bouts he promoted, or stayed at his hotels, or bought residences in his buildings? The man has been a high profile public figure for decades and, beyond Rosie O'Donnell (and the subject of that feud wasn't racism), I don't remember anyone shouting to the rooftops about how DT should be driven from the public square. This is all classic political opportunism masking itself as moral outrage in order to stir up the easily influenced low information voters.
48
From all that I've read and watched and heard, the "easily influenced low information voters" are Trump supporters precisely because of his bigoted comments. The fact that Mr. Kristof is providing solid evidence of Trump's racially biased comments and actions over the decades will do nothing more than strengthen the resolve of those that were already against his election and, unfortunately, further strengthen the resolve of those that are hoping for his election.
45
That is also in the 20th century when people were a bit different
3
The article makes a point of not using the word lightly. Doing business is not an endorsement. You think low information voters are reading Kristof? Trump is a racist. Just because it's politically applicable doesn't make it true.
7
"Woody Guthrie, who lived in a Trump property in the 1950s, lambasted Fred Trump in recently discovered papers for stirring racial hatred."
That's what Obama has stirred racial hatred continuously since his campaign for President and it will be a large part of his tainted legacy. The latest instance is against Loretta Sanchez of California.
Today our nation was subjected to more racism in Hillary Clinton's introduction of her VP today than has been heard for awhile in our nation, it was a fascist, dark hateful speech, that pandered to the same minorities Democrat Leadership has decimated from our nation's inception, this time by offering morsels disguised as entitlements in exchange for their loyalty on the election plantation. Incredibly Hillary and Kaine bashed Donald Trump as an elitist, then went on to brag about their own elitist Northeast educations, universities that breed group think and produce mind numbed robots who are colossal failures in the real world, as evidenced by all the presidents that have served since 1988 and those on Wall Street bearing the stench of those ivied halls. The media can continue to bash Trump as they do every Republican, but their hypocrisy is so obvious at this point after coddling Obama and the Clintons for so long that the American people see right through their tactics and abhor them.
That's what Obama has stirred racial hatred continuously since his campaign for President and it will be a large part of his tainted legacy. The latest instance is against Loretta Sanchez of California.
Today our nation was subjected to more racism in Hillary Clinton's introduction of her VP today than has been heard for awhile in our nation, it was a fascist, dark hateful speech, that pandered to the same minorities Democrat Leadership has decimated from our nation's inception, this time by offering morsels disguised as entitlements in exchange for their loyalty on the election plantation. Incredibly Hillary and Kaine bashed Donald Trump as an elitist, then went on to brag about their own elitist Northeast educations, universities that breed group think and produce mind numbed robots who are colossal failures in the real world, as evidenced by all the presidents that have served since 1988 and those on Wall Street bearing the stench of those ivied halls. The media can continue to bash Trump as they do every Republican, but their hypocrisy is so obvious at this point after coddling Obama and the Clintons for so long that the American people see right through their tactics and abhor them.
35
Trump would probably say that he is simply a straight shooter and pragmatist who is being unfairly called a racist for daring to violate the current norms of political correctness. As a Latino, I don't think Trump is a racist in the sense that he harbors an active hatred for people of color. I think he is clueless and provincial in the way only the selfish, wealthy, and narcissistic can be. He is uninformed on race and, like many small-minded people, thinks race matters when it doesn't, and thinks it does not matter when it very much does. The impact of Trump's clueless mindset, however, is often the same as a fully racist viewpoint. He will jump to racially based conclusions when unwarranted and refuse to accept the role of race when it is a valid factor. Though I am not crazy about Hillary, I can never vote for a person like Trump, who despite his privilege and longstanding public role, has never bothered to learn about the lives of his fellow citizens of color who constitute a large, and increasing, share of the nation he so desperately wants to lead.
143
you've just described racism and bigotry. through all of his exposure, he's made a decision not to learn. it's simply not important to him.
Is there a law against electing a "racist" president? Or for a president to be racist? Indisputably many people want to elect Trump, seemingly warts and all.
Given Trump's telltale logo rhea, his calibre of mind is readily seen. He blathers seemingly without restraint. So we can assume his various "racisms" appeal to a sizable number of voters.
The party of Lincoln? But do we not know now that at least for a time Lincoln favored "repatriating" blacks to Africa rather than rely upon some sort of assimilation to take place.
Until we study why peoples at times regard certain other groups, not necessarily because of a difference in race, favorably or despicably, we will remain at a loss to fulfill the ideal of living in peace and harmony with one another.
Given Trump's telltale logo rhea, his calibre of mind is readily seen. He blathers seemingly without restraint. So we can assume his various "racisms" appeal to a sizable number of voters.
The party of Lincoln? But do we not know now that at least for a time Lincoln favored "repatriating" blacks to Africa rather than rely upon some sort of assimilation to take place.
Until we study why peoples at times regard certain other groups, not necessarily because of a difference in race, favorably or despicably, we will remain at a loss to fulfill the ideal of living in peace and harmony with one another.
15
Thanks Nicholas, for having the courage to tell it like it is. I was unaware of this long history of housing discrimination, and the story of wanting to fire the "black accountant who can't help himself for being lazy" is pretty raw. As is the pretty anti-Semitic comment about "only wanting short guys who wear yarmulkes" counting his money. I'm not sure there are still any ethnic and racial groups Trump hasn't insulted.
When I keep reading about the associations of White Supremacist groups and websites with the Trump campaign, and recall the fervent anti-Obama birtherism calumny, it makes my skin crawl.
I guess I still can't get used to the fact that this ugly American is the nominee of a major political party.
And I hope I never do.
When I keep reading about the associations of White Supremacist groups and websites with the Trump campaign, and recall the fervent anti-Obama birtherism calumny, it makes my skin crawl.
I guess I still can't get used to the fact that this ugly American is the nominee of a major political party.
And I hope I never do.
380
I feel the same about Hillary, the most corrupt, dishonest and inept person to ever be nominated for president by a major political party. One would have to be completely void of a conscience to vote for her.
27
More than enough proof for me. Thanks.
119
By now, Society should be aware of the bias viewpoints of the media. We are privy to propaganda that is sensationalized for the purpose of causing discontentment, to say the least, within our country. Our nation is wounded and we need cohesion, not further division, to heal. Why can't our media unite us rather than increase the division? Trump has many, many flaws, especially to a liberal journalist. However, if we are to look at the alternative, Clinton, we have to ask ourselves who is the better choice? Does anyone think she doesn't use whomever and whatever means there is to win our vote? She is no less a racist, bigot, thief, liar and criminal than is Trump! The difference is she chooses to hide and Trump is in the face of the masses! He shoots from the hip as did Jesse Helms. Trump is not a politician but he is a man who wants to make America great again. Of this, there is no doubt.
1
This information is known and has been around for years. How the Times decides to come out with it now, or any one writer when its easily searchable is like-- what's taken so long? Obviously, the other GOP candidates couldn't make these assertions? Too damaging maybe?
What about all of the people that have been damaged by Trump and his privileged, racist mindset for decades?
That Trump made money for just about every media outlet and influenced a lot of people to cast a vote for him because otherwise you were a "loser," is about how the primaries went. Yet, 13M voting for Trump is a small number of Americans. Having those that were "committed" to him show up and cheer at the recent GOP convention is another given.
I refuse to believe that after 8 years of Obama (whose had nearly a consistent 50% approval rating in his last term) most Americans don't view Trump as racist in addition to being self-absorbed and petty. Don't blame his Dad, don't give him a pass, don't find all kinds of excuses to explain away his abuses of people who are not white and well off like himself. Not only is he racist but he did nothing to help the incomes of business owners and Atlantic city residents who were white; Trump University consumers, etc. He stiffed them without a care about their race.
When Hillary tries to use this against Trump he is going to have plenty to come back to her with. He has abused black people to his advantage; she and Bill have used black people to their advantage.
What about all of the people that have been damaged by Trump and his privileged, racist mindset for decades?
That Trump made money for just about every media outlet and influenced a lot of people to cast a vote for him because otherwise you were a "loser," is about how the primaries went. Yet, 13M voting for Trump is a small number of Americans. Having those that were "committed" to him show up and cheer at the recent GOP convention is another given.
I refuse to believe that after 8 years of Obama (whose had nearly a consistent 50% approval rating in his last term) most Americans don't view Trump as racist in addition to being self-absorbed and petty. Don't blame his Dad, don't give him a pass, don't find all kinds of excuses to explain away his abuses of people who are not white and well off like himself. Not only is he racist but he did nothing to help the incomes of business owners and Atlantic city residents who were white; Trump University consumers, etc. He stiffed them without a care about their race.
When Hillary tries to use this against Trump he is going to have plenty to come back to her with. He has abused black people to his advantage; she and Bill have used black people to their advantage.
36
The Clintons' actions brought some benefits to their constituents whereas those of Trump exploited the public in general and Blacks in particular.
2
I guess you're another fairly young adult who still refuses to not understand that to many middle aged and up people it still isn't natural to 'Google it'. About anything. For most of us, research was long tedious and often boring. Anything was better than that. Oh, those in jobs where they needed to do research, they did it. Reluctantly, but, well.
Now, stick in a word or phrase or name, take what pops up as gospel, research done. No need for time, fact checking (it says so on the Internet, therefore it's true), even more research cause you need more facts. Don't even have to write your report, article, column, rebuttal. Just cut and paste, words, phrases, wrong punctuation, spelling. Has to be right, it was on the Internet which is always right. Let spell check run with it, it never lies and never turns it into the wrong word.
Just remember junior, not everyone suckled on a computer and some of us hate spellcheck.
Now, stick in a word or phrase or name, take what pops up as gospel, research done. No need for time, fact checking (it says so on the Internet, therefore it's true), even more research cause you need more facts. Don't even have to write your report, article, column, rebuttal. Just cut and paste, words, phrases, wrong punctuation, spelling. Has to be right, it was on the Internet which is always right. Let spell check run with it, it never lies and never turns it into the wrong word.
Just remember junior, not everyone suckled on a computer and some of us hate spellcheck.
1
Governing in a way that gains equal rights for black people is "using" them? I'll bet they're ready for more "use".
3
The pattern is there. From observing the National scene from my computer, I see white men who deny being racially biased, making decisions which show their disdain for those of color or other ethnicity. I don't believe that most of these people see themselves as racist but somewhere in the depths of their thoughts lie feeling which must be racist since their actions often are racist. Invariably, most will deny being racist. Actions speak loudly here. If you factor in the fact that racial awareness in a work in progress going on 240 years in our country, this is not surprising.
38
He is a racist and a bigot. Is there really any question about this?
153
To Trump, ain't no crime in da white community. The most dangerous threats today are black inner city criminals, illegal Mexican migrants, and radical Islamic terrorists. Trump did not mention anti-government whites, white-supremacists, and white criminals as threats to law and order. Between 1980-2008, homicides among whites were 45.3%, and 84% of white victims killed by whites, not counting white collar crimes like the death of the 29 coal miners in 2010.
83
Trump is a hard working and a smart man he will won and no he not a racist not now not ever
Trump is, without a doubt, racist. Having said that, I believe Trump truly was unaware of David Duke's history. His racism is not of the same breed as Duke's: slavery-based and infused with the conviction that God made dark-skinned races for the purpose of serving the white man. No, Trump's racism stems from the Trumpian fact that no one, not even other Caucasians are his equal. Those with darker complexions are even less so, and decrease in direct relation to the amount of melanin in their skin. Trump was ignorant of Duke because Duke had never appeared on Trump's radar. Donald's world view is as narrow as a tenement alley, and about as bleak.
It is no surprise that Donald Trump's most ardent and vocal supporters are avowedly racist. This presents a h-u-u-u-g-e problem to the folks like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell who, now that they number the elite Republican endorsers. Any denials they make about their own beliefs, and particularly any claims made about Republican inclusiveness, ring false for a reason: actions speak louder than words.
It is no surprise that Donald Trump's most ardent and vocal supporters are avowedly racist. This presents a h-u-u-u-g-e problem to the folks like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell who, now that they number the elite Republican endorsers. Any denials they make about their own beliefs, and particularly any claims made about Republican inclusiveness, ring false for a reason: actions speak louder than words.
63
Whenever someone creates a sliding scale for racism, or a tiered definition, I worry. Parsing Trump's brand or flavor of racism ("Lite," irony duly noted) as less potent, damning or damaging than a KKK's Wizard misses the point. Trump's version is scary because it's obfuscated by entrepreneurial bravado and our wide-eyed appreciation of business acumen. Because he's a white power broker who has inevitably employed people of color, we exempt him. He's thus even more secretive than someone with a white hood: he's in plain sight, but able to obscure his practices by promoting profit via American Dream rhetoric. He's twice as insidious. And now slouching toward the White House. He could not be more dangerous.
2
In 2000 Herr Drumpf considered running for President in the Reform Party. Also at that time David Duke also considered running for President . Herr Drumpf decided not to because of David Duke. He decided at that time he wanted no association with David Duke. Herr Drumpf does realize who that hateful man is. Just another of hundreds of lies from Herr Drumpf. The orange "Cheeto" lies again.
2
He had no knowledge of who David Duke was? Well then, not only is he a racist, he is also the most ignorant person to ever be nominated by the Republican party. He has no knowledge of anything that happens outside of his deadbeat self absorbed way of life. to being qualified to be POTUS: He lies about his academic standing at a school that admitted him due to his dad's money. He lies about his abuses of all sorts of other people. He thinks having wealth is enough of a qualification to be POTUS, and he lies about his net worth also. Yes, and he lies about the amount of charitable donations he makes. The guy is a lying ignoramus of the most extreme nature, and yes, he is a bigot. Carny Pinocchio Drumpf does has nothing that it takes to do the job of President of the United States, and he makes Nixon look like a saint.
5
And this new piece of evidence: Trump's acceptance speech on Thursday, which was fundamentally a "White Only" sign, hung on the former party of Lincoln for all the world to see.
Of course Trump is a racist. The "poorly educated" GOP base has taken over, and you won't get their approval any other way. For many years now, the base has been consistently faithful to one idea, and only one: in America, white males rule. Anyone paying attention has seen the Party of Fox betray every other supposed principle at some time or other, but never that one. Absolute loyalty to the please-don't-talk-about-it system of privileges that slants toward white people? That one is the holy of holies, the bedrock that holds up everything.
Trump a racist? You bet. It made him what he is today.
Of course Trump is a racist. The "poorly educated" GOP base has taken over, and you won't get their approval any other way. For many years now, the base has been consistently faithful to one idea, and only one: in America, white males rule. Anyone paying attention has seen the Party of Fox betray every other supposed principle at some time or other, but never that one. Absolute loyalty to the please-don't-talk-about-it system of privileges that slants toward white people? That one is the holy of holies, the bedrock that holds up everything.
Trump a racist? You bet. It made him what he is today.
266
Now this is the truth!
1
the convention actually went out of its way to show diversity, but its strain in doing so was nearly comedic. i don't know what was going through the mind of the 1 black speaker, the 1 asian speaker, and the 1 disabled speaker, and the 1 female speaker. but i assume they believe in it or they wouldn't associate with a person most everyone hates by now.
1
Trump may not be a racist -- at least not the ostentatious kind like many Old South southerners, nor the rabid kind like David Duke and his idol George Wallace (before he realized how wrong he'd been).
But Trump is close.
Consider: Just like racists, he stereotypes (e.g., see Mexicans and immigrants). And he provokes, mocks, and bullies. Specifically, he provokes, mocks, and bullies those whom he considers inferior in intelligence (see women; e.g., Megyn Kelly), and looks (e.g., see Carly Fiorina and Heidi Cruz), and who are on the wrong side of ideology (e.g., see half his primary opponents, Hillary Clinton, and tens of millions of Americans like I, who abhor his exclusionist personality).
But Trump is close.
Consider: Just like racists, he stereotypes (e.g., see Mexicans and immigrants). And he provokes, mocks, and bullies. Specifically, he provokes, mocks, and bullies those whom he considers inferior in intelligence (see women; e.g., Megyn Kelly), and looks (e.g., see Carly Fiorina and Heidi Cruz), and who are on the wrong side of ideology (e.g., see half his primary opponents, Hillary Clinton, and tens of millions of Americans like I, who abhor his exclusionist personality).
88
Racist, bigot, misogynist, check, check, check. He may actually believe his claim that he is not, because his only criteria for disliking people has to do with whether he sees them as increasing his wealth or power, or appearance thereof. I waffle between seeing him as a empty shell or someone capable of real intentional malevolence ( as in his determination to destroy Obama, and now HRC, with lies). He does seem utterly without the capacity for empathy; and without any fear whatsoever that he will be outed for past transgressions. He is out - and what has happened? He won the GOP nomination.
110
What's surprising from an outside perspective is; why there still is a debate on whether trump is a good guy or not? What it ultimately comes down to is whether people want to see the democratic nominee as president or not. People are not voting for Trump hence he can get away with saying whatever, people are voting against Hillary. The questions should be "How is it possible for a superpower with 300m people to be forced to make a decision about there future leader when their two options evidently are crooks?"
37
Hillary Clinton is not a crook. I suggest you read Jill Abramson's well researched piece in The Guardian. However, she's not a unicorn, either. Yes, our democracy is hiring. Please fill out an application if you think you can do better than Hillary Clinton; the most qualified candidate to ever run for president of either party.
6
I think this piece does an excellent job of explaining why Trump is a racist. Usually people just explain it away by bringing up his comments about Muslims and Mexicans but Muslim and Mexican are not races so the racist label can be dismissed. However this article pointing out Father Trump's association with the Klan, the residential discrimination in NYC and the harassment of the accountant are difficult points to refute. I know once I hear a person has had ANY association with the KKK (membership, rally attendance, support, cross burnings, etc), I immediately conclude said person is a racist and I cannot be convinced otherwise. The fact that it was the father and not the son does not change my mind. I hadn't planned to vote for Trump anyway.
1
That we as a country have lowered our standards so much that this horrible man is within reach of becoming our next president is just nauseating. I am not exaggerating, my stomach actually turns when I think this beautiful country could actually elect this ugly ugly person.
578
He is the final product of the rabid bigotry that is present in the Heart of our common American culture.
1
There's no doubt that Trump is a racist, and that some of his supporters are racists as well, but the latter are probably a small minority.
Most Trump supporters are protesting the rapid social and economic changes brought about by globalism and a service economy, changes that have left them with lost status, lost jobs and lost hopes. Many are also protesting the violence reported almost nightly on our streets.
When they look around for someone to blame, for scapegoats, Trump gives them immigrants and urban elites.
Dismissing Trump supporters as racists is dangerous because it evades the real problem, which is the alienation of a great mass of white voters who have not been able to compete in the new global economy, and whose lives and communites have consequently been shattered.
In desperation, they seek an authoritarian strongman to reverse the causes of their despair – not only here, but in Europe as well.
This authoritarian surge has only recently been understood by scholars in the field. What they have to tell us is alarming, and explains the sudden, rapid growth of Trump's support. The following are among the best reports on this dire threat:
"The Rise of American Authoritarianism," Vox, http://tinyurl.com/zd3omo5
"When and Why Nationalism Beats Globalism," The American Interest, http://wp.me/p4ja0Z-Apc
"All Hollowed Out," The Atlantic, http://tinyurl.com/hrpwrlx
"This Is What the Future of American Politics Looks Like," Politico, http://tinyurl.com/go9ae3n
Most Trump supporters are protesting the rapid social and economic changes brought about by globalism and a service economy, changes that have left them with lost status, lost jobs and lost hopes. Many are also protesting the violence reported almost nightly on our streets.
When they look around for someone to blame, for scapegoats, Trump gives them immigrants and urban elites.
Dismissing Trump supporters as racists is dangerous because it evades the real problem, which is the alienation of a great mass of white voters who have not been able to compete in the new global economy, and whose lives and communites have consequently been shattered.
In desperation, they seek an authoritarian strongman to reverse the causes of their despair – not only here, but in Europe as well.
This authoritarian surge has only recently been understood by scholars in the field. What they have to tell us is alarming, and explains the sudden, rapid growth of Trump's support. The following are among the best reports on this dire threat:
"The Rise of American Authoritarianism," Vox, http://tinyurl.com/zd3omo5
"When and Why Nationalism Beats Globalism," The American Interest, http://wp.me/p4ja0Z-Apc
"All Hollowed Out," The Atlantic, http://tinyurl.com/hrpwrlx
"This Is What the Future of American Politics Looks Like," Politico, http://tinyurl.com/go9ae3n
67
A large part of the appeal of both Trump and Bernie is lack of decent jobs and economic inequity. But it's also a clear choice between opposing basic values. Trump claims that the problem is the fault of all those who are intrinsically inferior and less deserving than white males: women, blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, and immigrants. He gives not only permission, but encourages to hate and hit anyone in those groups.
Bernie seeks to unite the country and to address fundamental changes to our economy inequities. If you are halfway able to think about the issues, the choice is pretty clear. But anger, bigotry and entitlement are the emotions driving Trump's success.
Bernie seeks to unite the country and to address fundamental changes to our economy inequities. If you are halfway able to think about the issues, the choice is pretty clear. But anger, bigotry and entitlement are the emotions driving Trump's success.
34
There is more at work here than "globalism and a service economy." American politics since the 1950s have seen the expansion of civil rights to previously disenfranchised groups like blacks, gays, and women. Greater opportunities for these groups has inevitably "leveled the playing field" and undercut the dominance of straight white males. In reality, many of these changes have had greater symbolic than actual importance. For instance, the ratios of income for whites versus blacks or Hispanics have hardly budged in decades, even when we compare males in full-time employment.
The other enormously important trend that you did not cite is the growth of secularism which propelled religious conservatives into the political arena. For the devout, the past half-century has been an assault on their beliefs about the proper role of religion in government. In part secularization and globalization have some common roots, particularly technological progress and expanded communications, but one has profoundly changed the way we view society and social behavior, while the other has had more effect on the economy.
These trends have left a substantial fraction of Americans believing their country has gone off the rails. Trump appeals to these people by claiming that he will give them back the America of "Father Knows Best." Sadly, politicians of all stripes avoid discussing any of these issues because they have no simple answers, or they have answers no one wants to hear.
The other enormously important trend that you did not cite is the growth of secularism which propelled religious conservatives into the political arena. For the devout, the past half-century has been an assault on their beliefs about the proper role of religion in government. In part secularization and globalization have some common roots, particularly technological progress and expanded communications, but one has profoundly changed the way we view society and social behavior, while the other has had more effect on the economy.
These trends have left a substantial fraction of Americans believing their country has gone off the rails. Trump appeals to these people by claiming that he will give them back the America of "Father Knows Best." Sadly, politicians of all stripes avoid discussing any of these issues because they have no simple answers, or they have answers no one wants to hear.
26
Great post.
Of course he is. And, though most will deny it, it's a large part of his appeal to the base of the G.O.P. These people seem to think Trump is some kind of magical comb-over time machine that will transport our society back to that golden era before the civil rights movement achieved any measure of progress in America. That's not the full extent of Trump's empty promises, but it's an important part of his toxic appeal to angry, frightened white people.
117
Trump is also a coward. How often in the past year has he re-tweeted or quoted something racist or bigoted or misogynist, then, when called on it said, "I don't know; somebody said that." He takes no responsibility. Either he is truly acting mindlessly by passing things on without thinking about them or he is hiding behind that 'the other guy pushed me' line. Is that really the person we want with his hand on the nuclear button?
192
I agree. I cannot believe his speech the other evening and that so many ignorant Americans believe his lies. He has not got the power to change so many things in 100 days as he promised. He also said he was going to renegotiate many deals the US has with foreign countries, one being China. Like they will willingly want to renegotiate, when we own them so much money.
So many of his big ideas of what he will do to "make America great again" are foolish. He thinks he has the power to do all these things. He lacks diplomacy, he is sneaky, he lies and calls all others who speak against him liars. I think our country would be in great danger if he were to win.
So many of his big ideas of what he will do to "make America great again" are foolish. He thinks he has the power to do all these things. He lacks diplomacy, he is sneaky, he lies and calls all others who speak against him liars. I think our country would be in great danger if he were to win.
1
And another recent example of taking no responsibility: he mused that if he loses the election then perhaps he'll blame Michael Pence. Who chose Pence? Who regularly brags about being in charge of the Trump campaign?
I used to think that Trump is more an opportunist than a racist. That although he was willing to take the votes of racists, he wasn't one himself. But reading this article, I have to admit that he does appear to be a pretty consistent racist.
What is clear is that his appeal is purely racial to a huge segment of his followers who long for the days when they could rest assured that however good things got, the president would be a white man.
The good news is that as more and more people realize what type of person Trump is, the more likely it is that the same coalition that put Obama in the White House twice will return to put Hillary there and save us all from the terrible prospect of a Trump presidency.
What is clear is that his appeal is purely racial to a huge segment of his followers who long for the days when they could rest assured that however good things got, the president would be a white man.
The good news is that as more and more people realize what type of person Trump is, the more likely it is that the same coalition that put Obama in the White House twice will return to put Hillary there and save us all from the terrible prospect of a Trump presidency.
108
No, he doesn't. The authors took great pains, but his "evidence" is extremely weak.
What was the strongest so-called piece of evidence that convinced you he was a racist?
What was the strongest so-called piece of evidence that convinced you he was a racist?
2
If the United States were one person, going from a President Obama to a President Trump would be incontrovertible clinical evidence that the patient suffers from extreme bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia.
151
If the US were only Trump it would be incontrovertible clinical evidence that the patient suffers from serious mental health issues.
6
I am reminded of the saying, politics makes for strange bedfellows. That means, essentially, that any issue which is truly universal is going to have you sharing the bed with people you might not completely agree with. It also implies that if you only believe in issues where you like your bedfellows, it means your issues are probably too narrow and your choices probably slide closer to prejudice than principle.
For me, overpopulation in a biological sense, and illegal immigration and population growth, in a social and economic sense, for both the USA and other countries, is a really, really bad deal- for every living thing on the planet, not just people. As we continue to ignore immigration law and natural and social limits to population, consequences for ourselves will multiply. And this means that on this issue, my bedfellows are racists.
Lets assume Trump is a racist. That doesn't mean illegal immigration is a good thing, or that mass deportation would be a bad thing. One has nothing to do with the other just because racists hate foreigners. The people you call a racist is someone trying to find a job with a living wage- probably in a field filled with immigrants. These may be young people trying to find a dignified place to live without the price competition from a swollen population of immigrants. America seems to hate its own vulnerable populations more than Trump does- and they will get immediate relief from a mass deportation.
For me, overpopulation in a biological sense, and illegal immigration and population growth, in a social and economic sense, for both the USA and other countries, is a really, really bad deal- for every living thing on the planet, not just people. As we continue to ignore immigration law and natural and social limits to population, consequences for ourselves will multiply. And this means that on this issue, my bedfellows are racists.
Lets assume Trump is a racist. That doesn't mean illegal immigration is a good thing, or that mass deportation would be a bad thing. One has nothing to do with the other just because racists hate foreigners. The people you call a racist is someone trying to find a job with a living wage- probably in a field filled with immigrants. These may be young people trying to find a dignified place to live without the price competition from a swollen population of immigrants. America seems to hate its own vulnerable populations more than Trump does- and they will get immediate relief from a mass deportation.
25
I completely agree with you regarding the environmental impact of immigration. That's why the Indians should have deported the European whites who came to this continent. Ever since this continent was settled by Europeans, the environment has been going downhill. If only the Cherokees and Navajos had had a Chief Trump to deport the Pilgrims and the Jamestown colonists and the like. . .
170
What overpopulation? As societies increase their wealth and standards of living their birth rates naturally go down; most of europe and Japan and even now China have a negative population replacement rate (ie. more deaths than births).
Mexico's birth rate used to around 8 per family 30 years ago; now it is around 2. The immigration flow is primarily in response to jobs availability. The majority of the jobs that illegals take in the US are jobs that native borns will not do. It is primarily globalization and technology advances why most of the manufacturing jobs are disappearing in the us, not illegal immigration.
Mexico's birth rate used to around 8 per family 30 years ago; now it is around 2. The immigration flow is primarily in response to jobs availability. The majority of the jobs that illegals take in the US are jobs that native borns will not do. It is primarily globalization and technology advances why most of the manufacturing jobs are disappearing in the us, not illegal immigration.
54
Interesting thoughtful commentary
Kristof deserves a gold medal for this one. It is the result of the kind of serious investigative reporting that we need more of. It undoubtedly took a lot of work to locate the court records from over 40 years ago--before court records were computerized. I have little doubt that there is much more to be found out about Trump, who has undoubtedly left copious tracks--if reporters will ferret them out.
647
yes indeed it is well researched and a good piece, making people think hard. That said, where is the balance in the piece and the research on why America has completely come apart at the seams under Obamas watch filled with hatred and racism. How did that happen? Perhaps the writer could follow up on a bigger article on racism during the Obama years and why we are where we are. Or is he too politically correct and only a tool of the left?
2
Too bad it is biased
1
The real question is whether Donald Trump is a tool of a racist system, an operator and updater of its modern version who also embodies the system's classic ideas, strategies, and defenses (of deflections and denials). Unless we look through Trump to the larger system, and finally grasp and understand it, we are denouncing and pouncing on individuals while ignoring its organic growth, which turns attacks into new martyrs that feed its expansion.
Yes, he is, by instinct, observation, action, and deliberation, he is a racist--but it does not mean he is biased or prejudiced or hateful in old school ways; his is a system of levers within the system; his wife speech provides a glimpse into its ideological workings.
To quote Courtney Milan: "It's copying the Americanism of the family that Donald Trump has claimed is secretly unamerican and Muslim and out to destroy us all. It's stealing the Obamas' values while simultaneously proclaiming that they don't have any. It's not just plagiarism. It's racism in action."
Welcome to the new school. But its racist intent--to economically and socially benefit some by limiting and denying freedom and opportunity to others based on race, is still the same!
Yes, he is, by instinct, observation, action, and deliberation, he is a racist--but it does not mean he is biased or prejudiced or hateful in old school ways; his is a system of levers within the system; his wife speech provides a glimpse into its ideological workings.
To quote Courtney Milan: "It's copying the Americanism of the family that Donald Trump has claimed is secretly unamerican and Muslim and out to destroy us all. It's stealing the Obamas' values while simultaneously proclaiming that they don't have any. It's not just plagiarism. It's racism in action."
Welcome to the new school. But its racist intent--to economically and socially benefit some by limiting and denying freedom and opportunity to others based on race, is still the same!
48
The new school prefers words over aggression and violence. Il is less prejudiced-based and more based in rhetorical deception, structure (neighborhood disparities/Flint/Baltimore), and legislation (voting rights restrictions). Words are its main attack. See below.
Policy
“Believe me”-- Always preceded or followed by a lie.
“Fast”-- Never, no way (Congress won't vote, nations won't agree).
“Terrible”-- Fact-free!
“Religion” – Discrimination.
“Muslim” – Part of a compound, Muslim-terrorist.
Crime and Punishment
“Law and order”-- But not justice; ask Charles Kinsey/Tamir Rice.
“I feared for my life”-- The suspect person was driving/running/walking away or sitting/standing.
“Thugs” – Why black lives don't matter.
“Better training” – Aiming at the autistic guy playing with a toy truck while hitting the normal guy complying with all orders, lying prone with his hands raised and arms spread as he id'ed himself and the autistic adult the Union rep says I was trying to shoot.
Immigration
“Roaming” – Watching TV, drinking beer, channel surfing.
“Round up” – TBA
Economy
“Jobs” – I make mine in Malaysia and stiff small businesses and unions for shoddy work.
“Bring them back” – At the same low wages.
“Brexit” – Special Scottish rates.
“Taxes” – A system of wealth for the rich.
Defense
“Win the war” – Kill more young. Spend more money.
Election
“Ahead”--nobody's voted yet.
“Swing states.” – High meth rates.
Race
“Blacks love me; I have jobs.” – A plantation myth.
Policy
“Believe me”-- Always preceded or followed by a lie.
“Fast”-- Never, no way (Congress won't vote, nations won't agree).
“Terrible”-- Fact-free!
“Religion” – Discrimination.
“Muslim” – Part of a compound, Muslim-terrorist.
Crime and Punishment
“Law and order”-- But not justice; ask Charles Kinsey/Tamir Rice.
“I feared for my life”-- The suspect person was driving/running/walking away or sitting/standing.
“Thugs” – Why black lives don't matter.
“Better training” – Aiming at the autistic guy playing with a toy truck while hitting the normal guy complying with all orders, lying prone with his hands raised and arms spread as he id'ed himself and the autistic adult the Union rep says I was trying to shoot.
Immigration
“Roaming” – Watching TV, drinking beer, channel surfing.
“Round up” – TBA
Economy
“Jobs” – I make mine in Malaysia and stiff small businesses and unions for shoddy work.
“Bring them back” – At the same low wages.
“Brexit” – Special Scottish rates.
“Taxes” – A system of wealth for the rich.
Defense
“Win the war” – Kill more young. Spend more money.
Election
“Ahead”--nobody's voted yet.
“Swing states.” – High meth rates.
Race
“Blacks love me; I have jobs.” – A plantation myth.
43
Yeah yeah yeah, he's a racist but 43% of the American electorate could care less.
We're a country built in large measure on genocide... Native Americans sacrificed on the altar of Manifest Destiny then black slaves imported from Africa to make possible the South's agrarian based economic success.
The Civil War was but a blink of an eye ago in the history of America and vast swaths of the population are still just fine with considering black folks, and other non whites "less than." Nixon's Southern Strategy tweaked by the Dark Lord Lee Atwater for another racist, Ronald Reagan, and then modified by the likes of Mitch McConnell to be ag'in anything that uppity black man Obama might propose after having the nerve to be elected President, has morphed into Il Duce Trump, the self touted messianic savior of our nation.
Demogauges come and go in the history of civilization with predictably disasterous results. We'll soon see if the dream of the Founding Fathers will immunize our democracy from being just another experiment in governance overwhelmed by mankind's baser instincts.
We're a country built in large measure on genocide... Native Americans sacrificed on the altar of Manifest Destiny then black slaves imported from Africa to make possible the South's agrarian based economic success.
The Civil War was but a blink of an eye ago in the history of America and vast swaths of the population are still just fine with considering black folks, and other non whites "less than." Nixon's Southern Strategy tweaked by the Dark Lord Lee Atwater for another racist, Ronald Reagan, and then modified by the likes of Mitch McConnell to be ag'in anything that uppity black man Obama might propose after having the nerve to be elected President, has morphed into Il Duce Trump, the self touted messianic savior of our nation.
Demogauges come and go in the history of civilization with predictably disasterous results. We'll soon see if the dream of the Founding Fathers will immunize our democracy from being just another experiment in governance overwhelmed by mankind's baser instincts.
155
It is the diversification of the US population that will counter the racist groups as we reach a plurality in 20 years.
1
I admit I find some of these stories disturbing, but I also am suspicious of several of your vignettes. I have no doubt that Trump enterprises discriminated in housing in the 1970s because everyone did because the economics were driven by fears of white flight, which does not make Trump's action right, but it also does not make him a racist. And I am especially skeptical of your general theme. We are to believe that Donald Trump after four decades of being in the public eye is now newly discovered to be a seething racist, after being a major player in the multicultural Mecca of New York City. And this discovery is made by a liberal journalist just after he receives the Republican nomination to be President?
I am so tired of the whole racism discussion; it has lost all meaning. Only a few bizarre freaks believe in the superiority of one race over others any more, which is what racism is, by the way. I believe in the infinite value of every human being regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, and I believe in treating all people with respect and kindness, and I think I do a pretty good job of living up that ideal. Yet, I can still be tarred with accusations of unconscious racism just because I am white. I believe we as a society should utterly reject the concept of race and be color blind, which is now viewed by Orwellian liberals as racist. I say of color-blind "racism" what Patrick Henry said of treason, "Let us make the most of it."
I am so tired of the whole racism discussion; it has lost all meaning. Only a few bizarre freaks believe in the superiority of one race over others any more, which is what racism is, by the way. I believe in the infinite value of every human being regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, and I believe in treating all people with respect and kindness, and I think I do a pretty good job of living up that ideal. Yet, I can still be tarred with accusations of unconscious racism just because I am white. I believe we as a society should utterly reject the concept of race and be color blind, which is now viewed by Orwellian liberals as racist. I say of color-blind "racism" what Patrick Henry said of treason, "Let us make the most of it."
50
Before 2008 I might have agreed with you that only a few "bizarre freaks" continued to believe in white superiority. Then I watched how President Obama was mistreated by his opponents. I thought we had gotten past stupid sexist beliefs, too, but the level of hatred for Hillary Clinton leads me to think I was also over-optimistic about gender politics as well. Sadly, it seems to me that bigotry is still a powerful force in American politics. Perhaps bigotry is not as institutionalized as it was when I was growing up in the fifties and sixties, but that doesn't mean racism and sexism have been defeated.
58
Good you don't believe blindly. I respect those who think for themselves.
"I have no doubt that Trump enterprises discriminated in housing in the 1970s because everyone did because the economics were driven by fears of white flight, which does not make Trump's action right, but it also does not make him a racist."
Yes. It does make him a racist. By attempting to explain away his racist behavior as being in keeping with other real estate moguls of the time, you are indeed bringing your own sense of fairness and justice into question. It is not because you are white. It is because you are attempting to excuse the despicable behavior of someone aspiring to the presidency of the U.S.
Donald Trump suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder and exhibits sociopathic and xenophobic behavior. He and his supporters are a danger to the ideals of the United Sates.
Yes. It does make him a racist. By attempting to explain away his racist behavior as being in keeping with other real estate moguls of the time, you are indeed bringing your own sense of fairness and justice into question. It is not because you are white. It is because you are attempting to excuse the despicable behavior of someone aspiring to the presidency of the U.S.
Donald Trump suffers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder and exhibits sociopathic and xenophobic behavior. He and his supporters are a danger to the ideals of the United Sates.
5
If Trump is willing to go on record calling Mexicans rapists, one can only imagine what he says behind closed doors.
Before holding office, Trump and all our elected officials show us that they have actually reached out and know minorities, poor people, not photo ops, not friend of a friend stories - sit down with very poor Americans and listen. At 15% of the population the poor represent 50 million Americans. Our politicians do not know them, understand their problems or represent them. Imagine the strength of a US with a poverty rate halved by 2025. Progress can be made.
Before holding office, Trump and all our elected officials show us that they have actually reached out and know minorities, poor people, not photo ops, not friend of a friend stories - sit down with very poor Americans and listen. At 15% of the population the poor represent 50 million Americans. Our politicians do not know them, understand their problems or represent them. Imagine the strength of a US with a poverty rate halved by 2025. Progress can be made.
39
I recommend listening to what actually is said rather than what is printed. Stop dividing by race-no one is pure blood and create an open dialogue. Every nationality has rapists-that is the nature of man not ethnicity. politically correct terms divide.
2
Most salesmen, of the kind Trump imagines himself, have few friends, but many customers. And he's not unique as a target for baseless charges of bigotry from some unhappy former ones.
In wanting to be all things to all men, so that by any means, he can sell most of them what profits him the most, he wouldn't be honest if he ever claimed to judge them all kindly or equally based only on one limited encounter. But an opinion journalist who tries to smear him as a racist or bigot by associating him with the practices of one of his father's companies, in order to serve his rival Hillary Clinton (by ignoring her husband's exploitation of poor Arkansas blacks as governor) tells us one sure thing - Kristof himself has never witnessed the alleged Trump bigotry or racism. His column lacks credibility. It would never merit a trial in any just court of law; and it's not worth the time of day wasted here.
In wanting to be all things to all men, so that by any means, he can sell most of them what profits him the most, he wouldn't be honest if he ever claimed to judge them all kindly or equally based only on one limited encounter. But an opinion journalist who tries to smear him as a racist or bigot by associating him with the practices of one of his father's companies, in order to serve his rival Hillary Clinton (by ignoring her husband's exploitation of poor Arkansas blacks as governor) tells us one sure thing - Kristof himself has never witnessed the alleged Trump bigotry or racism. His column lacks credibility. It would never merit a trial in any just court of law; and it's not worth the time of day wasted here.
20
Well stated.
I was at one of trumps casinos when I watched black workers being shooed away and in strode the Donald ...he's a racist and has been for a long time.
6
Kristof heard, along with the rest of us, what Trump professed Mexicans to be, and bore it out with the knee-jerk reaction against the judge hearing the case against Trump's "University". We also saw the retweets from white supremacy sites. Finally, I doubt Mr. Kristof is making up the other examples, as in the black accountant. I thank Mr. Kristof for his research and well-written and informative column. Oh, and, the Trumps racial discrimination DID merit a trial in a just court of law, if you recall from the article, and the Trumps lost.
5
Who cares? The issues with Trump that should concern voters are much more problematic than racism. He always was, is, and always will be despicable, just like the party that nominated him has become.
190
Who *doesn't* care? Racists.
1
I dunno. Racism is a pretty bad problem for most people, if not necessarily for you.
2
Jim Tagley:
In a multicultural society supposedly dedicated to justice and yet founded on slavery and genocide of nonwhites, what could possibly be more "problematic" than a white racist president??
Racism is a profound, hypocritical lie positing the supposedly immutable, inherent moral, intellectual, and cultural inferiority of an entire class of people based on their physical characteristics ("race"), geographical origin, religion, creed, and /or language.
Racism and racialized anti-Semitism, for example, fueled Nazism. Racism fueled the Japanese empire's savagery in Asia. Racism fueled the United State's savage institution of slavery, its genocidal wars against Native-Americans, its plunder and subjugation of Mexico's land and peoples, etc., etc.
For the nominated presidential candidate of a major party to embrace racism is for him and his/her party to embrace the set of ideals that fueled the worst crimes against humanity for well over five hundred years.
By every measure, Donald Trump is a white racist. The party that nominated him has declared itself a white racist party. Donald Trump intends to rule –– not lead –– by white racist principles. He effectively states as such daily, symbolically, and literally.
Donald Trump is not merely "despicable"––his serial lying, fraud, narcissism, vulgarity, etc., clearly make him as such––but rather something far worse.
Donald Trump is dangerous, a mortal threat to the Republic and the values of its better angels.
In a multicultural society supposedly dedicated to justice and yet founded on slavery and genocide of nonwhites, what could possibly be more "problematic" than a white racist president??
Racism is a profound, hypocritical lie positing the supposedly immutable, inherent moral, intellectual, and cultural inferiority of an entire class of people based on their physical characteristics ("race"), geographical origin, religion, creed, and /or language.
Racism and racialized anti-Semitism, for example, fueled Nazism. Racism fueled the Japanese empire's savagery in Asia. Racism fueled the United State's savage institution of slavery, its genocidal wars against Native-Americans, its plunder and subjugation of Mexico's land and peoples, etc., etc.
For the nominated presidential candidate of a major party to embrace racism is for him and his/her party to embrace the set of ideals that fueled the worst crimes against humanity for well over five hundred years.
By every measure, Donald Trump is a white racist. The party that nominated him has declared itself a white racist party. Donald Trump intends to rule –– not lead –– by white racist principles. He effectively states as such daily, symbolically, and literally.
Donald Trump is not merely "despicable"––his serial lying, fraud, narcissism, vulgarity, etc., clearly make him as such––but rather something far worse.
Donald Trump is dangerous, a mortal threat to the Republic and the values of its better angels.
6
Racism has been a staple of the Republican Party since Nixon's Southern strategy which as of 2014 has turned the region into solid, deep red. It's no surprise that a "racist" like Donald Trump would be the nominee. What upsets Republican operatives like Speaker Paul Ryan is that he's discarded the P.C. masks of coded messages (like "welfare queen" and "Willie Horton") and just let's it loose. The blatant bigotry of the party should finally be repudiated. Unfortunately, the cloak of anti-immigration nativism sweeping the West may yet provide cover for Trump and the Republicans immoral use of this "wedge" issue in the pursuit of power that works to enhance the wealth and well-being of the few. Unless more people call him and his political enablers out, Trump and his southern Republican base will get yet another pass.
143
It's not anti immigration, anti illegal immigration. Very different things.
2
Really, Did you really read a history book? History doesn't exonerate the Democratic Party. How exactly has either party helped the racist divide-the poor are still poor.
Does it matter if he has a history of racism? His public statements indicate he is prepared to marginalise and demonise minorities for political expediency. So he is a fascist. Whether he genuinely holds these beliefs about racial superiority is irrelevant.
1
Mr. Kristof puts forth a very good case. The anecdote about the black accountant is very disquieting and could be the strongest premise. However, I think the accountant disproved Trump's preconceived notion and the millionaire reacted out of jealousy and fear. He was forced to swallow the fact that even an Ivy League business school degree couldn't make him smarter than the African American CPA. And Trump envies Obama in the same way.
131
It has been speculated that Trump is running out of sheer spite for Obama embarrassing him at the 2011 White House Correspondents dinner but I can see the jealousy aspect too. "How DARE a black man be smarter and better educated that me!"
3
Yep. The most insidious (and dangerous) racists are the ones who get their illusions of white superiority smashed. That a non-white can read, much less be smarter than them, enrages them like nothing else. That is the reason for the Obama hate--racists can't stand that he is more intelligent and accomplished than they could ever hope to be.
2
"My view is that “racist” can be a loaded word, "
A racist is a person who feels one race is superior to another.
There are many racists in the US.
It has nothing to do with being in a position of power or being able to impact any group of people. That was tacked on somewhere in the 1980's after Mr. Sun People are Superior spoke out publicly about his beliefs.
A racist is a person who feels one race is superior to another.
There are many racists in the US.
It has nothing to do with being in a position of power or being able to impact any group of people. That was tacked on somewhere in the 1980's after Mr. Sun People are Superior spoke out publicly about his beliefs.
10
JP:
Your argument is sophistry and dishonesty at its worst.
The meaning of the term "racism," attributed to Magnus Hirschfeld in the early twentieth century, has evolved in the academy in various disciplines (history, sociology, psychology, medicine, law, anthropology, literary criticism, etc.) over decades prior to and subsequent to "the 1980's " (sic), as interdisciplinary research has given us a far greater understanding over time as to the dynamics and levels of destruction racism truly entails.
Indeed, millions of white Americans are truly racist, and their historical dominance over institutions of law, governance, and economics make white racists far more powerful and destructive than their nonwhite counterparts.
But millions of racist whites are not running for president. Donald Trump is.
And he is without any doubt a white racist, and if he wins, he will rule –– not lead––by white racist principles to the apparent murderous desire of his millions of like-minded white racists.
Your argument is sophistry and dishonesty at its worst.
The meaning of the term "racism," attributed to Magnus Hirschfeld in the early twentieth century, has evolved in the academy in various disciplines (history, sociology, psychology, medicine, law, anthropology, literary criticism, etc.) over decades prior to and subsequent to "the 1980's " (sic), as interdisciplinary research has given us a far greater understanding over time as to the dynamics and levels of destruction racism truly entails.
Indeed, millions of white Americans are truly racist, and their historical dominance over institutions of law, governance, and economics make white racists far more powerful and destructive than their nonwhite counterparts.
But millions of racist whites are not running for president. Donald Trump is.
And he is without any doubt a white racist, and if he wins, he will rule –– not lead––by white racist principles to the apparent murderous desire of his millions of like-minded white racists.
105
"Your argument is sophistry and dishonesty at its worst. "
Sorry, I pulled the definition of racist directly from Merriam-Webster.
"The meaning of the term "racism," ..."
I defined the word racist not racism. As you said "sophistry and dishonesty".
There are many racists in the US.
Sorry, I pulled the definition of racist directly from Merriam-Webster.
"The meaning of the term "racism," ..."
I defined the word racist not racism. As you said "sophistry and dishonesty".
There are many racists in the US.
2
I recall when Ronald Reagan announced his candidacy for President he went to Philadelphia Mississippi the scene of the lynching of 3 civil rights workers(1 Black and 2 Jewish). He went there not to commend them for their courage,patriotism and sacrifice but instead to deride and condemn them. Apparently they were emblematic of everything that was then wrong with the country. Ronald Reagan went on to become the 40th President of the United States and continues to be regarded as one of the greatest leaders of the free world this country has ever produced. Was Ronald Reagan a racist?The unfortunate fact of the matter is that divisive rhetoric has become a necessary evil if a candidate wants to round up the party's base and win.Both sides currently do it and have done it.This "ugly habit" of racism and division by our elected leaders will only stop when we stop electing leaders who engage in the ugly habit.As for Mr.Trump I do not know what is in his heart but he is doing what has been proven to work with the American voter time after time.
47
" and continues to be regarded as one of the greatest leaders of the free world this country has ever produced. "
In this country, only by Republicans. I do not know at what level of esteem, if any, Reagan is held anywhere else in the world.
In this country, only by Republicans. I do not know at what level of esteem, if any, Reagan is held anywhere else in the world.
24
Are you kidding me? We don't talk politics in my house but even my 7 year old daughter is wiser than you. When I read excerpts from your article out loud to my family, she commented "what?!? Hillary is racist not Trump!!" (For the record, my husband and I are voting for neither) --- it's sad that a seven-year-old recognizes reality better than you do.
2
Reagan is regarded as one of the greatest leaders only by repubs. who buy the malarkey sold by the 1%. Reagan was a horrible man, leader, and father and no amount of whitewashing can change that.
5
My belief is that Trump is a self-serving sociopath unable to feel passionately enough about others; e.g., white folk, to qualify as a genuine racist. When placed before; e.g., an audience of Hispanics he is their "friend", will fight for them, etc. At such a moment it does not occur to hime whether he admires Hispanic people or even whether he is lying or telling the truth. Place Trump hours later before a white audience and he'll promise to protect them from the Hispanic audience he had addressed earlier. Again, it never dawns on him whether he is lying, telling the truth or even inconsistent. What matters is that at the end of the day he can say to himself, "Everybody loves me!".
274
I guess the question is, what is worse, being a sociopath or being a racist ?
2
So true. God save us!
Thats how i see him. The art of the deal! Its still racist, just a new kind of narcicistic, self-serving racism.
I grew up in Queens not far from Donald Trump and it was well-known that the Trump's didn't rent to "colored people." The unfortunate surprise is not about the well-documented racism that Mr. Kristof writes about; rather, it's about how that racism is mother's milk to so many who comprise Mr. Trump's base.
In 2008 we Americans all overtly congratulated ourselves upon Barack Obama's election to the presidency. So many people of all skin colors hoped that this was a symbol of progress and more progressive attitudes towards race. Now, almost 8 years later, Mr. Trump's campaign has shown us how endemic racism remains, and is cultivated, within large parts of white society.
My children think me naive, albeit with kind smiles, that I was willing to believe in an "older white guy's fairy tale." They quickly discerned what took me somewhat longer to do: that Barack Obama merely *being a black president* was an insult to Donald Trump and to many who back his candidacy.
It's no joke that Mr. Trump's campaign signs, were they honest and more direct in their message, would say, "Keep America White Again."
In 2008 we Americans all overtly congratulated ourselves upon Barack Obama's election to the presidency. So many people of all skin colors hoped that this was a symbol of progress and more progressive attitudes towards race. Now, almost 8 years later, Mr. Trump's campaign has shown us how endemic racism remains, and is cultivated, within large parts of white society.
My children think me naive, albeit with kind smiles, that I was willing to believe in an "older white guy's fairy tale." They quickly discerned what took me somewhat longer to do: that Barack Obama merely *being a black president* was an insult to Donald Trump and to many who back his candidacy.
It's no joke that Mr. Trump's campaign signs, were they honest and more direct in their message, would say, "Keep America White Again."
680
great letter... now I don't have to struggle with one of my own. Just will add one word used by Charles Blow in one of his columns (we thought all of the descriptive words about Trump did the trick) "vile." In a nutshell, that includes the others.
Grew up in Queens as well and in total agreement with your comment. And it doubly stings that so many around the country are being led astray by this cynical, racist, power-craven pied piper from our own back yard.
6
"we Americans all overtly congratulated ourselves upon Barack Obama's election to the presidency."
Not all. Notoriously the leaders of what has not been the party of Lincoln for many years decided that they would rather have the country fail than an uppity ... succeed.
Not all. Notoriously the leaders of what has not been the party of Lincoln for many years decided that they would rather have the country fail than an uppity ... succeed.
3
Trump surely doesn’t spend every waking moment trying to figure out how to mainstream our non-white, impoverished demographic groups. If there’s any “racism” there, it’s the passive racism of a man who doesn’t and never has lived among the poor and downtrodden of ANY color or ethnicity; and in the past hasn’t given it a lot of thought to it. There are many millions of Donald Trump clones in America on this issue. The difference is that if Trump is elected, this will be a matter to which he MUST pay attention, and I’m sure he would.
His background doesn’t make him a bad man, it makes him a rather narrow one. About as narrow as Bill AND Hillary Clinton were when they supported defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. But I don’t believe for a moment that Trump harbors hatred for those who don’t share his blue eyes or his complexion. Yet by bringing up the race card, this is precisely what Nick is implying.
Just as an example, Nick’s exhumation of the rental property issue, a matter that occurred in 1973 (!), dealt with practices that as abhorrent as they were, also were commonplace among the Trump family’s competitors at the time. Indeed, Trump sued the U.S. government for harassment, claiming that he was being singled-out in an effort to benefit welfare recipients. He settled the Justice Dept. suit without admitting guilt.
To me, a racist is someone who wishes to keep non-whites down. That’s not Donald Trump, and Nick should know better.
His background doesn’t make him a bad man, it makes him a rather narrow one. About as narrow as Bill AND Hillary Clinton were when they supported defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. But I don’t believe for a moment that Trump harbors hatred for those who don’t share his blue eyes or his complexion. Yet by bringing up the race card, this is precisely what Nick is implying.
Just as an example, Nick’s exhumation of the rental property issue, a matter that occurred in 1973 (!), dealt with practices that as abhorrent as they were, also were commonplace among the Trump family’s competitors at the time. Indeed, Trump sued the U.S. government for harassment, claiming that he was being singled-out in an effort to benefit welfare recipients. He settled the Justice Dept. suit without admitting guilt.
To me, a racist is someone who wishes to keep non-whites down. That’s not Donald Trump, and Nick should know better.
28
Richard--
You assert (without any facts) that Trump's nefarious practices were also commonplace among other NYC real estate operators in the 1970s. This variation on the "man of his times" argument can at best show that Trump was no more racist than many other people at that time. However, in the early 1970s, Trump's brand of discrimination was recognized as racist and was illegal. If I drove a gas guzzler at 90 mph everywhere during the 1970s, I may have been no more dangerous than many other impatient drivers then. But I was still dangerous. And if I got a speeding ticket and claimed I was being singled out, well, too bad.
Trump was and is racist; Kristof knkows this
You assert (without any facts) that Trump's nefarious practices were also commonplace among other NYC real estate operators in the 1970s. This variation on the "man of his times" argument can at best show that Trump was no more racist than many other people at that time. However, in the early 1970s, Trump's brand of discrimination was recognized as racist and was illegal. If I drove a gas guzzler at 90 mph everywhere during the 1970s, I may have been no more dangerous than many other impatient drivers then. But I was still dangerous. And if I got a speeding ticket and claimed I was being singled out, well, too bad.
Trump was and is racist; Kristof knkows this
72
Rick is the master of sophistry.
23
Trump is an evil man. This is indisputable, as his actions, rhetoric, and profound indifference (which even RL recognizes) demonstrate. The issue to be disputed is whether the moral idiocy of his supporters is intrinsically evil; or whether they are entitled to some sort of pass on the basis of ignorance, incompetence, or some other exculpatory factor.
Some sort of resolution is inevitable. Let us hope for something like Mandela's Truth Commission. Yes, this is that serious. The other outcomes are a civil war or devolution into something like India. I pray that we are better than that.
Some sort of resolution is inevitable. Let us hope for something like Mandela's Truth Commission. Yes, this is that serious. The other outcomes are a civil war or devolution into something like India. I pray that we are better than that.
13
I don't think he is a racist, but he is very cynical. He knows there is racial resentment among blue collar whites toward people of color, mostly Hispanics and black Americans, but Native Americans and Asians, too, and he agitates the racial fears and emotions of of these forgotten white folks.
I think you have to have feelings to be a racist and I really don't think Donald Trump can pass a psychopath test. At the very least he's a sociopath but he could be a psychopath, a person just imitating the emotions of people around him. There were situations like the time he made fun of a reporter who is physically handicapped. Any grown man who can do something like that has no conscience. So I doubt if he's a racist. A racist would be a notch up on the food chain.
I think you have to have feelings to be a racist and I really don't think Donald Trump can pass a psychopath test. At the very least he's a sociopath but he could be a psychopath, a person just imitating the emotions of people around him. There were situations like the time he made fun of a reporter who is physically handicapped. Any grown man who can do something like that has no conscience. So I doubt if he's a racist. A racist would be a notch up on the food chain.
100
Oh, he has many talents - He's a racist. a narcissist, a sociopath and a psychopath...
6
The important question is not whether Trump is a racist. The important question is why he has been so successful. Calling him a racist, even proving that he is a racist, is not going to make him less appealing to the people who support him.
The Democrats want to ignore the fact that many middle class white people are angry. They are not just nostalgic about the past. They feel they are being discriminated against, hurt, and abandoned by the policies of Bill Clinton, Obama, Hillary Clinton, who have curried favor with minorities, the banks, the insurance industries, and other powerful interest groups, and have gone against the interests of the white middle class. The rise of Triump is clearly a backlash. The Democratic Party has to accept a large part of the blame for the rise of Trump. Even if Hillary wins this election, if the Democratic Party does not change course, the next election Trump will be back, or someone worse.
The Democrats want to ignore the fact that many middle class white people are angry. They are not just nostalgic about the past. They feel they are being discriminated against, hurt, and abandoned by the policies of Bill Clinton, Obama, Hillary Clinton, who have curried favor with minorities, the banks, the insurance industries, and other powerful interest groups, and have gone against the interests of the white middle class. The rise of Triump is clearly a backlash. The Democratic Party has to accept a large part of the blame for the rise of Trump. Even if Hillary wins this election, if the Democratic Party does not change course, the next election Trump will be back, or someone worse.
29
Bigots were bigots in the greatest economic prosperity the world had ever known in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. While supporting the genuine economic concerns of some Americans, let's stop making excuses for bigots.
80
Few people would vote for a candidate like Trump during times of general economic prosperity. In the 1950's and 1960's, we had Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, Johnson etc. Goldwater was not successful.
Donald Trump has received more votes in the primaries than any other candidate in history. To explain this phenomenon by saying that there have always been racists is to ignore the grievances of the white middle class specific to the current historical period.
Donald Trump has received more votes in the primaries than any other candidate in history. To explain this phenomenon by saying that there have always been racists is to ignore the grievances of the white middle class specific to the current historical period.
20
Wow. Are you for real?
Bill Clinton left this country a SURPLUS.
George Bush, whom you did not even mention invaded the wrong country and cost us trillions, and had a huge huge housing bust because of unregulated mortgages.
Obama, without the help of the GOP Congress got our markets back.
If you want to critique a situation without using facts and just right wing talking points not based in reality, you are never going to arrive at a solution.
Bill Clinton left this country a SURPLUS.
George Bush, whom you did not even mention invaded the wrong country and cost us trillions, and had a huge huge housing bust because of unregulated mortgages.
Obama, without the help of the GOP Congress got our markets back.
If you want to critique a situation without using facts and just right wing talking points not based in reality, you are never going to arrive at a solution.
7
Whether the Orange Demagogue is racist depends on the context and his particular interest. To call for the firing of one of his accountants because the boss believed black men are "lazy" is racist and also a violation of our Constitution and the employee's civil rights (Equal Employment Opportunity Act among others). So is his preference for accountants whom he stereotyped for being "jewish."
To call for banning Muslims from entering the U.S. is demagoguery intended to court the support of nativist bigots to his campaign. Even if, in a historical travesty, were he elected president, such policy could not be enacted much less implemented. Riots will ensue.
To deny housing to blacks is, again, racist in violation of Fair Housing laws. But here is the subtlety: Fred Trump may have started such discriminatory policy by conflating his racism with his "concern" for the value of his properties. And that's the lesson and legacy acted upon not only by the Trumps, but by thousands of real estate owners throughout the U.S. to this day. The assumption is that the presence of non-whites, those people, lower its value. And, yes, that is racist.
To call for banning Muslims from entering the U.S. is demagoguery intended to court the support of nativist bigots to his campaign. Even if, in a historical travesty, were he elected president, such policy could not be enacted much less implemented. Riots will ensue.
To deny housing to blacks is, again, racist in violation of Fair Housing laws. But here is the subtlety: Fred Trump may have started such discriminatory policy by conflating his racism with his "concern" for the value of his properties. And that's the lesson and legacy acted upon not only by the Trumps, but by thousands of real estate owners throughout the U.S. to this day. The assumption is that the presence of non-whites, those people, lower its value. And, yes, that is racist.
32
I grew up in eastern Queens, near Jamaica Estates, the area which was originally developed by Fred Trump. Every time we drove through Jamaica Estates my father never failed to mention the fact that Lena Horne and her husband had tried to buy a house there once, only to be rejected by The Developer, simply because she was black. I've never forgotten.
631
Working in New York in the 1980s, I clearly remember the Central Park jogger case in which a young woman was horrifically assaulted. A group of young teenage boys was quickly rounded up as suspects. I remember Donald Trump screaming for the death penalty in the papers and media - his vitriol seemed as shocking as the crime. The contrast between a powerful and elite (white) businessman against the young African teenagers was very stark, whether they were guilty or not, like Trump couldn't control his prejudices or quietly leave the process to the legal system. The teenagers were sent to prison but years later when they were exonerated based on DNA evidence, the thought that immediately came to mind was how Donald Trump rushed to judgment against these young men who were minorities and vulnerable.
553
They weren't exonerated. Of the 30 or so involved another was identified, and he chose to claim that he did it alone, but that was just a claim, the better to get himself attention. The evidence against the first 5 was in no way refuted, and they are still felons.
1
As this primary season has shown, Donald Trump often views political events in terms of how they affect him personally. I wonder if his vitriolic reaction to this crime might have reflected his fear that such violent events would discourage tourists from coming to New York and staying in his properties.
1
Sociopaths are not racists. They are equal opportunity users of people who extract what they desire from each situation.
They see others as means to an end only.
They see others as means to an end only.
74
I beg to differ. The Ku Klux Kland has a history of racist sociopathic killers with hoods and ropes wandering randomly through rural areas, finding vulnerable children and lynching them up. That is indeed sociopathic racism. Donald Trump fits into that compound definition very well indeed.
9
@David Henry... You are conflating two different subjects; apples to oranges. One does not exclude the other. False equivalence. I wouldn't use your approach on any debate team. Not a credible one, anyway.
5
Doesn't really matter - if someone behaves like a racist, he is a racist. I think you are right about sociopathic motivation, but if they copy racist behavior because they think it gets them what the want (the US presidency and possibly world domination in Trump's case), they are, in effect, racists.
2
This information will be sidelined and put to the fire for its unique smell of truth.
At the end of the day I hope that in 2016 America we see THE TRUMP Name for what it is a facade of gold paint on a rotten wooden banner. Even more than trump having a sad record toward minority's he has an poor regard for women something he shares with radical Islam. He also has a nasty habit of hateful speech toward immigrants focusing on them as plages on the economy while the truth is without emigration people of different backgrounds America would not have the Strength, character, and economic prosperity it enjoys today and will enjoy again. All of these traits are a call back to another leader who's I honeyed words help people find a innocent lamb to offer the gods of prosperity so that there nation could be great again. That evil was defeated to late but we have time to avoid the pain of this ideology. The Republican Party is not evil they like me want to see fiscal responsibility and may other issues addressed but we value our Constitution as the most beautiful paper ever written in opposition to tyrants let's not give into hate and disunion but come together as Americans to reject this ivory tower elitist. Elect the dems for president and let gop keep congress they need to work together to make America great...
At the end of the day I hope that in 2016 America we see THE TRUMP Name for what it is a facade of gold paint on a rotten wooden banner. Even more than trump having a sad record toward minority's he has an poor regard for women something he shares with radical Islam. He also has a nasty habit of hateful speech toward immigrants focusing on them as plages on the economy while the truth is without emigration people of different backgrounds America would not have the Strength, character, and economic prosperity it enjoys today and will enjoy again. All of these traits are a call back to another leader who's I honeyed words help people find a innocent lamb to offer the gods of prosperity so that there nation could be great again. That evil was defeated to late but we have time to avoid the pain of this ideology. The Republican Party is not evil they like me want to see fiscal responsibility and may other issues addressed but we value our Constitution as the most beautiful paper ever written in opposition to tyrants let's not give into hate and disunion but come together as Americans to reject this ivory tower elitist. Elect the dems for president and let gop keep congress they need to work together to make America great...
32
As a young immigrant I have a distinct interest in this argument. Some call the east side of cleveland "ghetto" or "dangerous" I call it home. I have grown up during a time in our nation's history that is trying and difficult. I have grown up in a world that is constantly being attacked by terrorists. I read in the news about our embassies in benghazi being attacked and our allies in turkey being overthrown. All i know in this world is hate and violence. That is why after growing up in eastside cleveland and seeing all the hate and racism i have learned that racism is a powerful word. The word racism can start court cases in the courtroom and can start fights on the chain net courts. Through my distinct experiences i have learned that many people that are named as racist are just scared and ignorant. I think donald is scared of my world. He was born in a different world a different set of rules. He was born in a world where wars can be ended by oppressive force and borders can be secured by walls. I however was born in a world where wars will continue long after i die and borders are as free as the internet. What my generation may call racism or bigotry he may call getting the job done. This world has changed in the last 20 years and governments and candidates need to realize that.
43
I am grateful for the work that Nicholas Kristoff has invested in trying to answer the question. (When the Times prompt showed up in my phone email, it asked "Is Trump a ? and I found myself supplying the word fascist instead. I think the real word is demagogue. Ironically this was term usually used to tar and feather Barack Obama.Trump's language is so far from any civil discourse as to preclude a constructive exchange with him. How will the debates with Hilary be set up? The big mistake would be to have them in front of a large crowd because attention is his oxygen and there is nothing that gets him going like whipping up a mob. Racism is only one weapon in his arsenal-- personal attacks, schoolyard taunts and a string of outrageous assertions is how he has steamrollered his way to the top of the GOP midden heap. I would feel much less anxious if the American media would stand up to this man , The Times interviews him on foreign policy and it's clear that he is completely out of his depth, there are no real questions that push him to the walk. When someone called him on his accusation that Ted Cruz's father was involved in the assassination of JFK, he defended himself by saying that he had read it in the Nationak Enquirer, a publication that demands " respect". And now this man is receiving daily security briefings. Kristoff's piece is a a good start, but I am waiting for the electronic media, or at least the functioning part of it, to do its job.
257
Amen, Geoffrey James. Among our best hopes now for stopping the debacle of a Trump presidency is the Fourth Estate. If the press does their job responsibly, gets away from false equivalencies and holds both candidates' feet to the fire, Hillary will emerge as the only one qualified to be the next POTUS.
3
It seems that labels are often used by the very people they most apply to.
3
So to sum up what we've learned about Donald;
Legal proceedings have found he discriminates in housing. This article cites discrimination in dealing with employees. He tried to intimidate a judge on the basis of his ethnicity. Add in comments and tweets about Mexicans, Muslims, Jews, women, African-Americans, Native-Americans- hope I didn't leave anyone out.
Tony Schwartz, his ghostwriter, has recently said that he wrote the book that Donald takes credit for. And Schwartz, who spent 18 months with Donald, lets us know Trump is a sociopath with short attention span who would be dangerous as president. Only one man's opinion, but he is persuasive.
At his convention he let us know that the U.S. is hanging by a thread, and he is the ONLY ONE in the world who can save us. Most statements are full of superlatives- best, worst, most, all followed by, "In the history of the world." Labeling that behavior is above my pay grade.
So we know all this and more. (Pathological lying chief among the more.)
And still this guy is drawing 42% of the vote in current polls.
Personally I think he is the most unfit candidate for president in the history of the world. As we approach November, I'm hoping his percentage goes down into the 30's. He is just not suitable for the job.
Legal proceedings have found he discriminates in housing. This article cites discrimination in dealing with employees. He tried to intimidate a judge on the basis of his ethnicity. Add in comments and tweets about Mexicans, Muslims, Jews, women, African-Americans, Native-Americans- hope I didn't leave anyone out.
Tony Schwartz, his ghostwriter, has recently said that he wrote the book that Donald takes credit for. And Schwartz, who spent 18 months with Donald, lets us know Trump is a sociopath with short attention span who would be dangerous as president. Only one man's opinion, but he is persuasive.
At his convention he let us know that the U.S. is hanging by a thread, and he is the ONLY ONE in the world who can save us. Most statements are full of superlatives- best, worst, most, all followed by, "In the history of the world." Labeling that behavior is above my pay grade.
So we know all this and more. (Pathological lying chief among the more.)
And still this guy is drawing 42% of the vote in current polls.
Personally I think he is the most unfit candidate for president in the history of the world. As we approach November, I'm hoping his percentage goes down into the 30's. He is just not suitable for the job.
995
Recall that in the Spring of 2001, Bush was being called in the media the dumbest guy to ever be elected President (nay, "the dumbest guy in the history of the world" parodying this by Tom Tomorrow). Countering this he was re-certified by Yale University that June (He was admitted when he was 3), and then the events of 9-11 suddenly made him a savior and a hero in the public's eye.
So beware "most unfit person" (he is--I haven't gotten beyond draft dodger, playboy running for President). Events may save him, as has already been the case. examples: "murderers" followed by a Mexican deportee shooting in SF; "Muslims" followed by a mass shooting in Southern CA; Anti-Black (Obama bashing), followed by 2 targeted police shootings.
The point here: Racists don't care about "most unfit person". That's not what they respond to. And the economic issues--even they have to know the steady progress achieved under the Obama administration has been done against the most adverse political climate (racists and policies of corporate mandated inequality) we've ever seen. How to raise the education of the general population in an election to overcome this? My own take on this is that climate change denial is such an outrageous lie, that even in solidly red districts, voters will respond. Once one lie is acknowledged, maybe they will wake up to other lies, namely that they have been voting against their own economic self-interest. Social Security, food stamps, healthcare--all from Dems.
So beware "most unfit person" (he is--I haven't gotten beyond draft dodger, playboy running for President). Events may save him, as has already been the case. examples: "murderers" followed by a Mexican deportee shooting in SF; "Muslims" followed by a mass shooting in Southern CA; Anti-Black (Obama bashing), followed by 2 targeted police shootings.
The point here: Racists don't care about "most unfit person". That's not what they respond to. And the economic issues--even they have to know the steady progress achieved under the Obama administration has been done against the most adverse political climate (racists and policies of corporate mandated inequality) we've ever seen. How to raise the education of the general population in an election to overcome this? My own take on this is that climate change denial is such an outrageous lie, that even in solidly red districts, voters will respond. Once one lie is acknowledged, maybe they will wake up to other lies, namely that they have been voting against their own economic self-interest. Social Security, food stamps, healthcare--all from Dems.
13
You might also consider his proclivity for insults, for which I offer this theory: he's projecting. He can find nothing more damning with which to accuse his opponents than the faults he knows as his own.
6
"He tried to intimidate a judge on the basis of his ethnicity."
You mean he called into question the objectivity of a judge who belongs to an organization that has called for a boycott of Trump, proclaims its activism in opposition to anti-invasion California propositions, and who has been personally involved in selecting illegal aliens to receive scholarships. Yeah, that's "textbook racism", as Ryan described it. Truth is no defense, eh?
You mean he called into question the objectivity of a judge who belongs to an organization that has called for a boycott of Trump, proclaims its activism in opposition to anti-invasion California propositions, and who has been personally involved in selecting illegal aliens to receive scholarships. Yeah, that's "textbook racism", as Ryan described it. Truth is no defense, eh?
2
If one is comfortable amongst people of color, one does not use the definite article when referencing them, as in, “the blacks,” or “the Hispanics,” as Donald Trump is prone to do. This does not make him a racist per se, but does indicate that he is not very used to having them around, as he so clearly demonstrated at a rally in California in June when he pointed to a person in the crowd and said, “Look at my African-American over here…”
It would have been informative, if Mr. Kristof had been able to find out the percentage of colored people (i.e., blacks, Hispanics, Asians, mixed-race, etc.) employed by the Trump organization in its various companies. Hiring practices at companies are useful in illustrating how far they have progressed in representing contemporary America. And, in private companies, the culture of a company usually permeates from the top down.
It would have been informative, if Mr. Kristof had been able to find out the percentage of colored people (i.e., blacks, Hispanics, Asians, mixed-race, etc.) employed by the Trump organization in its various companies. Hiring practices at companies are useful in illustrating how far they have progressed in representing contemporary America. And, in private companies, the culture of a company usually permeates from the top down.
28
We should expect Fox News to present their "fair and balanced" coverage by pitting the talking heads advancing racism and bigotry versus the "PC" apologists. It will be their method to legitimize racism and bigotry as simply another acceptable opinion with moral and ethical equivalence. All in support of the Trump-Pence campaign. All to keep their audience complacent in the belief that hate and anger are normal, and to keep them tuned in for more.
33
And yet MSNBC has a commentator like Al Sharpton that blackmails corporations for money in order not to have his group label the company racist! This is the same Al that makes routine visits to the Oval Office to give Obama advice on race relations! No wonder Obama has failed miserably improving race relations during his presidency! I didn't vote for him and don't agree with most of his policies but was hopeful that he would be able to improve the country in this area with his ability to speak so eloquently.
1
Nick Kristof et al insist on fixing a light on Donald Trump's flawed character. We know. We've always known. And what of Hillary Clinton? A woman who has demeaned and attempted to ruin the lives of other women. A cheater. A liar. Guilty of treason and likely worse. Married to a disbarred, impeached rapist, who she defends. Who sold state secrets to US enemies to line her own pantsuits. I mean, really. What does one do with this? (Echo chamber.)
29
Guilty of treason? Sold state secrets to US enemies for personal gain?
Are you serious? We just wrapped up a 2-year long investigation by a congressional committee led by the GOP who investigated not only Benghazi, but lax use of an email server. Why the heck would they not have delved into these juicy allegations if they thought they had any merit? Perhaps because they knew they had no merit and they didn't want to end up looking more foolish than they already did.
But please, by all means, bring your evidence to the FBI.
Are you serious? We just wrapped up a 2-year long investigation by a congressional committee led by the GOP who investigated not only Benghazi, but lax use of an email server. Why the heck would they not have delved into these juicy allegations if they thought they had any merit? Perhaps because they knew they had no merit and they didn't want to end up looking more foolish than they already did.
But please, by all means, bring your evidence to the FBI.
9
Ummm unfortunately we have to choose the lesser of 2 evils and as a black woman I'm for #ClintonKaine2016. Trump is the embodiment of all things wrong in Anerica. I'd rather vote for someone who's not a racist.
3
Trump discriminated in housing. Guilty
or not guilty? Hillary sold state secrets? Guilty or not? Prove it and I'll scream the former to the heavens? Prove it!
or not guilty? Hillary sold state secrets? Guilty or not? Prove it and I'll scream the former to the heavens? Prove it!
1
Good for you Nicholas Kristof. For those who, like Trump, aspire to power, one could say that the "operational" component of their speech matters most, i.e. do Trump's statements encourage and support racists. The answer is clearly yes. The standard defense offered by these types is to have someone close to them attest that they are not, in fact, personally racist, a defense which rather than absolving them of responsibility only blurs the topic. But, looking over the decades of evidence cited here, it is worth asking the question, if someone was not a racist, how could they possibly have blundered into so many situations where their statements and actions lent support to racists? Any alternate interpretation does not seem plausible.
54
It is difficult to say what a person is. A better question is "Has Donald Trump consciously striven to oppress racial minorities?" The answer is a unequivocal yes. His actions speak for themselves. People are not oppressed by what anyone is, but rather by what they do. The evidence shows that Trump would attack racial and religious minorities if by some catastrophe he took office. A better headline would be something like "Trump Hostile to Racial, Religious Minorities."
63
Racist? Check.
Also: sexist, narcissist, fear-monger, liar, and bully.
Also: embodiment of the sins of pride, lust, greed, envy, anger, and sloth; and antithesis of the virtues of humility, chastity, temperance, kindness, patience, charity, and diligence.
And yet.
Most of my conservative, Christian neighbors (rural, white, hereditary Republicans) flock to him.
I will see them in a couple of hours at a high school reunion, and would love advice about how to talk with them, how to bridge, not a gap, but an abyss.
Also: sexist, narcissist, fear-monger, liar, and bully.
Also: embodiment of the sins of pride, lust, greed, envy, anger, and sloth; and antithesis of the virtues of humility, chastity, temperance, kindness, patience, charity, and diligence.
And yet.
Most of my conservative, Christian neighbors (rural, white, hereditary Republicans) flock to him.
I will see them in a couple of hours at a high school reunion, and would love advice about how to talk with them, how to bridge, not a gap, but an abyss.
413
Oh Terra, I have those folks as relatives. My 17-yr old son calmly says anyone who talks about he and his daughter both liking sex, and his other daughters potential breasts when she's a year old is someone loathsome. Couple that with his continuing to not specify how he'll get anything done. He can't just ignore the G7, G20. A man who threatens to break international contracts, who doesn't pay on business contracts to anyone who is weaker, who sues anyone who disagrees instead of engaging in reasonable discourse, is not presidential.
7
Don't talk politics at a high school reunion. When someone else starts it, change the subject abruptly to "remember when. . .?" If pressed, tell the speaker that in these divisive times, you don't think it's best to talk politics at social functions. Manners always win. Who cares what they think? If they shun you or turn their snooty backs so they can talk politics with the football captain, you haven't lost anything at all.
5
Get a bunch together, then ask in a clear moderately loud voice. Didn't think you were in High School (whether true or not doesn't matter), so when did you become paranoid, racist, bigoted, hateful people. Wait 5 seconds and walk off. Won't bridge the abyss. Will give them a tad to think about which often is more useful.
1
Kristoff's point is well taken but The Donald has never had a sufficiently organized mind to be effective at anything requiring commitment — a long- term bond — to a belief, regardless of how commendable or despicable that belief might be. Fred, in the photo heading the column, has a look of determination about him and the evidence seems incontrovertible Trump Inc., in its day, did discriminate against blacks resulting in irreparable harm to NYC residents. It is easy to believe.
But looking at the photo you have to wonder if Fred would have put The Donald in charge of such a program. Although he towers over his dad in height he doesn't have the same stature, the same gravitas as his dad; would Fred have trusted The Donald with such a delicate management task? Federal charges could result, not something to be taken lightly.
Fred knew The Donald changes his mind every 15 minutes, first he is X and then he is Y. Recently he has shown that in his comments about Cruz: a disruptive influence for not capitulating before and after the Indiana primary; then just before the the Cleveland convention he is a "good guy;" and after Cruz's speech he is once again a miscreant whose endorsement The Donald would not want. The pity is The Donald probably fails to notice his contradictions. He is getting older, recently turning 70, and dementia with its memory problems and anger may be setting in.
He's hardly a role model for any one but his mind is too muddled to be a racist.
But looking at the photo you have to wonder if Fred would have put The Donald in charge of such a program. Although he towers over his dad in height he doesn't have the same stature, the same gravitas as his dad; would Fred have trusted The Donald with such a delicate management task? Federal charges could result, not something to be taken lightly.
Fred knew The Donald changes his mind every 15 minutes, first he is X and then he is Y. Recently he has shown that in his comments about Cruz: a disruptive influence for not capitulating before and after the Indiana primary; then just before the the Cleveland convention he is a "good guy;" and after Cruz's speech he is once again a miscreant whose endorsement The Donald would not want. The pity is The Donald probably fails to notice his contradictions. He is getting older, recently turning 70, and dementia with its memory problems and anger may be setting in.
He's hardly a role model for any one but his mind is too muddled to be a racist.
13
He's discriminated consistently over the years. Not included here are bigoted statements he made to a Jewish classmate when he attended New York Military Academy. In the past, DJT presented more cogently. He's been doing this for decades.
5
John, you are wrong. Racism is not about focus and careful decisions. It is about prejudgment and gut level response.
A racist who has time to focus can camouflage his or her beliefs. By having the opportunity and not camouflaging intentions -- not even with a false smile -- Trump does more than merely exhibit racism; he makes explicit racist calls for action.
Perhaps you are confusing his equal opportunity racism for not being racist. Racism is not a black/white thing; it's a matter of discrimination.
That seems to be the platform he is running on: to become chief racist of the USA, rather than just an ordinary racist. And he has found many willing followers.
A racist who has time to focus can camouflage his or her beliefs. By having the opportunity and not camouflaging intentions -- not even with a false smile -- Trump does more than merely exhibit racism; he makes explicit racist calls for action.
Perhaps you are confusing his equal opportunity racism for not being racist. Racism is not a black/white thing; it's a matter of discrimination.
That seems to be the platform he is running on: to become chief racist of the USA, rather than just an ordinary racist. And he has found many willing followers.
7
His father wanted his older son Fred in Twinkletoes place. First born, yadayada. But, Fred committed suicide by alcoholism. that only left the clown. Mentally unstable is not necessarily a bad thing to a Nazi. Just remember their Fuerer. Even people with some type of dementia can be racist. Life long, not really memory, just a real solid part of them. Often brought into the public eye because they lose their ability to dissemble with their remarks. Same as someone's Gramma I knew as a child. Family always saying she was fine. Until the day she turned on all the burners or the gas stove and added the curtains, for dinner she said. Never have I seen the adults move faster getting someone put away than then. Kids never saw her again. Sad. Except for wanting a little roughage in her dinner, she wasn't bad. Left them with a fear of old people though.
Racists, prejudiced people, megalomaniacs, those who basically hate all people not themselves. The more noticeable the 'difference' the more they hate.
Racists, prejudiced people, megalomaniacs, those who basically hate all people not themselves. The more noticeable the 'difference' the more they hate.
5
There is no doubt from Trump's recent statements, actions during the primaries and at the RNC that he is a racist. Worse than being a racist he belongs to a sector of humanity which are designated by psychiatrists, as sociopaths - lacking in a conscience and empathy for anybody other than themselves. Fortunately it only represents about 4% of the population (more men than women). Unfortunately, he is line to be voted in as President of the US.
This takes me back to when fascists could be elected to supreme power and bully humans into believing bad things about other humans, different in color, race and religion.
There is no way Trump will change. He only inspires the "racist" sector in the US who want to see someone who will "wink wink" do despicable things to society in imposing order that is not relevant to 21st global conditions. After all humans are so close genetically, that the minor differences that do exist are relevant to humanity.
There is a sector of US society who want to go back to the 18th Century where you had the 1%, people of color, native Americans, women were considered "unworthy".
Trump is their leader, no wonder his shouted speech was so "dark" and lacked normal human reference points of inclusion, prosperity for all. He is only interested in empowering his family and the 1% - the rest, as in Orwell's 1984, can live in fear, and watch their "dear leader" dream about winning the unwinable war (and fighting and dying).
This takes me back to when fascists could be elected to supreme power and bully humans into believing bad things about other humans, different in color, race and religion.
There is no way Trump will change. He only inspires the "racist" sector in the US who want to see someone who will "wink wink" do despicable things to society in imposing order that is not relevant to 21st global conditions. After all humans are so close genetically, that the minor differences that do exist are relevant to humanity.
There is a sector of US society who want to go back to the 18th Century where you had the 1%, people of color, native Americans, women were considered "unworthy".
Trump is their leader, no wonder his shouted speech was so "dark" and lacked normal human reference points of inclusion, prosperity for all. He is only interested in empowering his family and the 1% - the rest, as in Orwell's 1984, can live in fear, and watch their "dear leader" dream about winning the unwinable war (and fighting and dying).
334
His believers should be making a decision. Are they willing to at his order, die for him. No choice. If they say no, but, try to stay on his side, they will be branded cowards and eliminated. That will make one hell of an army for him.
On the other side will be those who will die for this country. To keep it out of diseased hands. Difference? We will fight. Fight to live, so we can fight again. They will just die.
On the other side will be those who will die for this country. To keep it out of diseased hands. Difference? We will fight. Fight to live, so we can fight again. They will just die.
3
Large segments of the white population will vote for Donald precisely because he is a racist. Not just southerners. White guys in New England who don't want to rent to 'the blacks'. Who never could get used to a colored President.
My neighbors and clients. They'll believe any lie that defames Hillary and gives them an excuse to feel good about voting for the poor excuse for human being that is Donald. They've forwarded ad nauseum the you-tube video made by the beautiful black woman who works as an assistant to his children.
She's pretty, well dressed. And she loves them. Is grateful for her job with them. She clearly doesn't care about the people who were turned away from his rentals. Apparently she's cool with his homophobic Veterans Affairs advisor Baldasaro, who suggests we shoot Hillary soon, and leave gay soldiers behind on the battlefield to take care of themselves.
Women called dogs, pigs, bimbos, ugly, good only for a shag. All fine. Latinos as rapists, drug-dealers, murderers. Cool too. There are so many people who support this odious man, that we are more than a little worried.
My neighbors and clients. They'll believe any lie that defames Hillary and gives them an excuse to feel good about voting for the poor excuse for human being that is Donald. They've forwarded ad nauseum the you-tube video made by the beautiful black woman who works as an assistant to his children.
She's pretty, well dressed. And she loves them. Is grateful for her job with them. She clearly doesn't care about the people who were turned away from his rentals. Apparently she's cool with his homophobic Veterans Affairs advisor Baldasaro, who suggests we shoot Hillary soon, and leave gay soldiers behind on the battlefield to take care of themselves.
Women called dogs, pigs, bimbos, ugly, good only for a shag. All fine. Latinos as rapists, drug-dealers, murderers. Cool too. There are so many people who support this odious man, that we are more than a little worried.
607
We should all be more than worried; we should be actively, passionately fighting this. We should be making sure that our families, friends, neighbors vote for ANYONE else than Donald Trump. Of course the people you describe won't vote for Hillary, so we should shame them into not voting for Trump. They can write-in or stay home and write to the RNC about how disgusting it is that Trump has been annointed as Their Guy.
6
Are you going to join those people, of all races and religions who will fight to keep him out of the WH? Or just sit there saying, poor, dear, colored folk are going to have a hard time. TSK TSK.
Then happily move into a nicer apartment that is 'suddenly, for no reason' empty?
Do you ever say anything to the racists when they tune up to start a rant? Or just look down and wish it was over?
Are you part of the coming solution or a long term part of the problem?
Then happily move into a nicer apartment that is 'suddenly, for no reason' empty?
Do you ever say anything to the racists when they tune up to start a rant? Or just look down and wish it was over?
Are you part of the coming solution or a long term part of the problem?
6
I agree with Sanjay Gupta's observation that we all know or should have known the answer to the headline's question quite a while ago. I am grateful to you, on the other hand, for adding some less familiar facts from the court record.
As a Jew and a close follower (and former reporter) of racial politics in America, what I find even more disturbing is how closely Trump's rhetoric follows the well worn historical pattern that moves inexorably from hate speech against a particular group to discrimination and violence. It always begins with false stereotypes, moves to turning those stereotype into scapegoats for all sorts of problems, and then escalates to condemning entire peoples for the arguably murderous actions of one or more individuals.
While we have no idea how far down this road Trump might take us, we know for sure the road he is on and what lies at the end of it is generally, to one degree or another, tragedies that can include deportations, internment camps and mass murder.
We should be able to see that end-game by now just as clearly as we can see the racism.
As a Jew and a close follower (and former reporter) of racial politics in America, what I find even more disturbing is how closely Trump's rhetoric follows the well worn historical pattern that moves inexorably from hate speech against a particular group to discrimination and violence. It always begins with false stereotypes, moves to turning those stereotype into scapegoats for all sorts of problems, and then escalates to condemning entire peoples for the arguably murderous actions of one or more individuals.
While we have no idea how far down this road Trump might take us, we know for sure the road he is on and what lies at the end of it is generally, to one degree or another, tragedies that can include deportations, internment camps and mass murder.
We should be able to see that end-game by now just as clearly as we can see the racism.
1381
It always amazes me how easily the word 'racist' falls from the lips of anyone who doesn't know what a 'liar' is, what 'political corruption' is--creating personal wealth out of the pockets of taxpayers. Racism is outlawed. Self-aggrandizement continues to flourish compounded by lies.
2
Very nice article, Nicholas.
But I think it misses the point.
Trump has shown that he is extremely adept and very much willing to promote hate for specific minorities (Latinos, Muslims, and others) as a tool to stir up and consolidate his base. He also advocates violence against protesters and, at the convention, suppressed dissenters's voices.
If those are not the traits of Nazism, I don't know what they are. Goebbels would be very proud of his proud.
But I think it misses the point.
Trump has shown that he is extremely adept and very much willing to promote hate for specific minorities (Latinos, Muslims, and others) as a tool to stir up and consolidate his base. He also advocates violence against protesters and, at the convention, suppressed dissenters's voices.
If those are not the traits of Nazism, I don't know what they are. Goebbels would be very proud of his proud.
313
I just Googled the name Goebbels. Now I understand your reference. I agree with Nicholas. To be fair, any writer must be able to prove their acusation about a person. Nicholas proved his point Nevertheless, I'm guilty of calling Trump a racist. There was no doubt in my mind.
2
Wherever he speaks, when he starts with his hate there should be good people there ready to loudly call him on it. If stopped by police or even secret service for speaking, there should be lawyers immediately available both to get the individuals out of jail and sue the municipalities, and the Federal government for trampling one's 1st Amendment rights.
Also, all Independents, who actually are, should get gun licenses and buy one or several. He will take that right away very quickly if he wins. He plans to trash the amendments. Probably get rid of the secret service and hire 'security' people he trusts (bigots). Some will be former Secret Service agents. Won't live in the WH (it's too tacky). Will want to live in his new DC hotel he said is coming along splendidly. At the taxpayers expense (full price at least). Our important public buildings need to be protected, starting now. The Capitol Building first and foremost. Remember Hitler burned the Reichstag to gain popularity. His brown shirts are up and ready.
Also, all Independents, who actually are, should get gun licenses and buy one or several. He will take that right away very quickly if he wins. He plans to trash the amendments. Probably get rid of the secret service and hire 'security' people he trusts (bigots). Some will be former Secret Service agents. Won't live in the WH (it's too tacky). Will want to live in his new DC hotel he said is coming along splendidly. At the taxpayers expense (full price at least). Our important public buildings need to be protected, starting now. The Capitol Building first and foremost. Remember Hitler burned the Reichstag to gain popularity. His brown shirts are up and ready.
2
Recently when I commented about Donald Trump's acceptance speech and the very cloudy picture he painted of the country, someone asked me basically where I've been that I don't realize how bad off the country is.
I think it would be a better question to ask where Donald Trump has been that he thinks and says he knows how terrible the country is and who the culprits are.
You can bet Donald Trump probably does not associate personally with many average everyday African Americans, or Mexicans, or Muslims. Probably from what this article depicts and just by hearing him spew his hatred, his untoward sentiments, his creation of trying to make people of other ethnicity and cultures less than, we could bet he removes himself.
To the commenter who asked where I've been. I am an Registered Nurse who has worked in the trenches with almost every ethnic and cultural group in the country. I worked on an Native American Indian reservation in various positions. I have worked with people of all income ranges, and most all disabilities, ages, gender preference.I have facilitated diversity conversations at small business and large corporate venues.
Donald Trump would be the last person I would use as an example of advocation, kindness, diverse integrity, racial accountability. He seems to have forgotten this country has taken pride in being known as a melting pot.
Those who have worked so hard for civil rights must just be sick at the thought of him at the nation's helm.
I think it would be a better question to ask where Donald Trump has been that he thinks and says he knows how terrible the country is and who the culprits are.
You can bet Donald Trump probably does not associate personally with many average everyday African Americans, or Mexicans, or Muslims. Probably from what this article depicts and just by hearing him spew his hatred, his untoward sentiments, his creation of trying to make people of other ethnicity and cultures less than, we could bet he removes himself.
To the commenter who asked where I've been. I am an Registered Nurse who has worked in the trenches with almost every ethnic and cultural group in the country. I worked on an Native American Indian reservation in various positions. I have worked with people of all income ranges, and most all disabilities, ages, gender preference.I have facilitated diversity conversations at small business and large corporate venues.
Donald Trump would be the last person I would use as an example of advocation, kindness, diverse integrity, racial accountability. He seems to have forgotten this country has taken pride in being known as a melting pot.
Those who have worked so hard for civil rights must just be sick at the thought of him at the nation's helm.
1641
I'm 65, white in appearance. My father told me when I was 6 or 7 that the civil rights campaign would have to be fought over again when I was an adult. I'd watched the news footage showing both whites and Blacks marching together. Both Blacks and whites died in some of those protests. I felt proud that I would be able to be part of the solution then/now. But, it's different this time. I don't see Blacks and whites marching arm in arm. If Blacks feel that they must 'go it alone' this time, I will respect that. But, it leaves me sad. I am 25% Native American. It's been so muddied in my Mother's family that I probably will never know who, what, where. I'm getting old, I'm disabled, not much good to anyone anymore. But, I have a big strong heart. I give to the protesters, this time around, all my strength of heart to use as needed. I will keep writing comments, to leave a bigot's comment without rebuttal is to give it credence. That I won't do.
I will die for my country if it comes to that. I am proud to be of that service if necessary.
I will die for my country if it comes to that. I am proud to be of that service if necessary.
50
It sickens a lot of people that you on the left are so hateful and quick to use you're labels. it seems that
the people who I have seen condemn those with whom they disagree are mostly bums. So often they are dumb to the facts of the crimes and misdemeanors of your ilk. It's sad that a man who has worked all his life and produced some much for so many ,gets labeled with that word that the left loves to slobber out every chance they get..
the people who I have seen condemn those with whom they disagree are mostly bums. So often they are dumb to the facts of the crimes and misdemeanors of your ilk. It's sad that a man who has worked all his life and produced some much for so many ,gets labeled with that word that the left loves to slobber out every chance they get..
3
Thank you! Keep up the good work!
2
An excellent article, Mr. Kristof. Donald Trump is certainly a bigot. And what's shocking is
that he actually seems to be less bigoted than many of his followers. There was a line in his acceptance speech where he promised to protect members of the LGBTQ community. The audience cheered and he felt the need to thank them for cheering. That indicates that he very much feels the need to try to soften his bigotry or at least his image as a bigot - even if his supporters won't. And that's a step (tiny, granted) in the right direction.
that he actually seems to be less bigoted than many of his followers. There was a line in his acceptance speech where he promised to protect members of the LGBTQ community. The audience cheered and he felt the need to thank them for cheering. That indicates that he very much feels the need to try to soften his bigotry or at least his image as a bigot - even if his supporters won't. And that's a step (tiny, granted) in the right direction.
21
Interesting, I saw it as him trying to get more votes from the LGBTQ community and people who usually vote democrat. I believe his words about equality and everyone having the same priveleges of education, etc. is all talk because his actions throughout his lifetime and extending through the primaries is contrary to these words he said during the convention. He knows how to negotiate, commit fraud, garner support, only to let people down in the end. Just look at his marriages, Trump U, unpaid bills, etc
46
Plus, the platform treatment of the LGBTQ population...
3
No it doesn't. It's called pandering. Bet ten bucks he doesn't know or care what the "Q" means.
5
Trump is a bigot. His feelings are a result of his own experiences and emotions. However, racism is often described as a more rational conclusion that there are differences between races and some are more important than others. A true racist is much more dangerous than a bigot, because racism is a carefully thought out belief that masquerades as an intellectual construct and not as some type of emotional nonsense that the term bigotry often implies.
52
Getting sued for racial discrimination for his housing development is a good example of the baked in racism that makes life harder for a targeted population on purpose- in this case the Trump family's real estate holdings and dealings in NYC.
8
Of course Donald Trump is a racist. What is shocking is that, after forty years of continued observation of his character, that it is even a question.
The real question is, is it even relevant.
As the child of Indian Immigrants, I have some perspective on this from the vantage point of an American who was born and raised here, but no longer feels welcome in his own country. Donald Trump’s candidacy is alarming to us because he’s the monster we always feared, the person our parents always warned us about, the man that always had it in for “us” - people who were not like everyone else - people who were not “white”.
We recognize Donald Trump’s rhetoric and hostile posture towards all things “un-American” as code for “not white”; I now realize that Trump’s racism is the embodiment of the boogeyman of my childhood - he is the mean old man down the street in Augusta, Maine, where I was born, who did not welcome foreigners, who did not want people coming to this country, could not tolerate an “integrated” nation. Donald Trump’s racism is a repudiation of everything that this nation has claimed for advancement in the last several decades.
I grew up under the shroud of racism, I expected it, and anticipated it. It was a fact of life - in employment, in social situations, in life in general. What I didn’t expect was an endless soul-searching among white Americans as to whether someone as clearly bigoted and misogynistic as Trump is actually racist.
That's truly alarming.
The real question is, is it even relevant.
As the child of Indian Immigrants, I have some perspective on this from the vantage point of an American who was born and raised here, but no longer feels welcome in his own country. Donald Trump’s candidacy is alarming to us because he’s the monster we always feared, the person our parents always warned us about, the man that always had it in for “us” - people who were not like everyone else - people who were not “white”.
We recognize Donald Trump’s rhetoric and hostile posture towards all things “un-American” as code for “not white”; I now realize that Trump’s racism is the embodiment of the boogeyman of my childhood - he is the mean old man down the street in Augusta, Maine, where I was born, who did not welcome foreigners, who did not want people coming to this country, could not tolerate an “integrated” nation. Donald Trump’s racism is a repudiation of everything that this nation has claimed for advancement in the last several decades.
I grew up under the shroud of racism, I expected it, and anticipated it. It was a fact of life - in employment, in social situations, in life in general. What I didn’t expect was an endless soul-searching among white Americans as to whether someone as clearly bigoted and misogynistic as Trump is actually racist.
That's truly alarming.
2172
Spot on.
5
I share your alarm at the continued attempts by media writers to regard his racism as still debatable. Continuing to treat his racism as the penultimate danger Trump represents obscures the reality that the threat he poses is not limited to non-whites.
Trump's psychopathy combine with his wealth will become unstoppable with the power of the presidency. The race he is a threat to is the human race.
He lives in a reality where he, like Caligula in Camus's play believes that he "[is] the only true artist Rome has known - the only one, believe me - to match his inspiration with his deeds...Other artists create to compensate for their lack of power. I don't need to make a work of art; I live it.”
― Albert Camus, Caligula
Trump's psychopathy combine with his wealth will become unstoppable with the power of the presidency. The race he is a threat to is the human race.
He lives in a reality where he, like Caligula in Camus's play believes that he "[is] the only true artist Rome has known - the only one, believe me - to match his inspiration with his deeds...Other artists create to compensate for their lack of power. I don't need to make a work of art; I live it.”
― Albert Camus, Caligula
11
Hear, hear!
4
As the media try to appear unbiased in the coming months, they will constantly try to act as if there is equivalent good or bad characteristics in the two major party candidates. Racism is a serious problem in the country and should be part of the analysis of Clinton and Trump as possible leaders. Can the media pretend that there some sort of "balance" of racism seen in the two? It's impossible.
So there is to be a major historic test for journalists. Will they tell the truth about the racism of Trump, or will they sell out to a false "equivalent" presentation?
So there is to be a major historic test for journalists. Will they tell the truth about the racism of Trump, or will they sell out to a false "equivalent" presentation?
719
I read that quote about laziness being a black trait that they can't help on the daily kos on my iPad after returning home on Friday. As I walked in the noonday heat, slowly, slowly I can assure you, I thought of the slaves in the fields of the southernmost plantations who lived and died in heat and unrelenting suffering for hundreds of years. My heart ached for what we do to each other. How could anyone move fast in such circumstances as has hit the city this week.
289
I guess I think of not only my very hardworking ancestors, relatives and friends but of Trump's wife Melania's plagiarism. You know, the part about hard work.
7
The trouble is that many of his supporters have no problem with these facts. Moreover, they are tired of hearing accusations of racism, which they consider expressions of political correctness and "playing the race card" I agree that using the term "racism" is a conversation-stopper. I fear the outcome of this election could be determined by people who are unwilling or unable to show respect for others as human beings (except for fetuses) and lack a commitment to the fundamental American principle of equality.
821
Clinton is a liar. She is worse than racist.
3
He is a racist and misogynist, a bigot and most likely a narcissist. Yet he still gets the support of all but a handfull of GOP leaders. That is an indictment of that party and brings shame to the US. At what point do morals and principles trump partisan politics (pun intended)?
1441
Racist, misogynist, bigot, narcissist- whatever. Donald J. Trump is a piece of work that has no business being allowed near the presidency. I agree, it's an indictment of the GOP and it will cost them.
20
I think you will find that a large swath of the population does not care about racism, bigotry, or misogyny. They dismiss those accusations as tools of the left to attack their self interest via moral positioning. And they're right.
In fact, even minorities do not care about bigotry the way white leftists do, something they will find out soon enough.
In fact, even minorities do not care about bigotry the way white leftists do, something they will find out soon enough.
3
I think that ship sailed a long time ago.
Let's face it, Donald Trump is no paragon of civil rights and equality. At minimum his policies smack of xenophobia and divisiveness. He has created and constructed his campaign on a mythology of fear. Instead of hurling epithets Americans should carefully consider his policies to determine if Trump represents the candidate of unity.
66
You probably haven't listened to one of his speeches. Do you think Hillary Clinton will lead this country to prosperity and a renewed leadership position in the world? If you think she will you have been living under a rock.
5
To quote one of the users of the white supremacists on the site you linked for calling Trump's behavior a "wink":
"Even before becoming President, he has done so much. He has heavily damaged the PC machine and the PC police. He has shown white America that it is okay to say what they really think about their dispossession."
The man is right. Whatever "white America" or the "PC machine" may be, positions like Trump's on Mexicans, Immigration, Islam, woman, you name it, are given an aura of civility and legitimacy that is non-reversible short-term. The damage that bigotry of populists all over Europe and the US are inflicting to our political cultures is real and happening right now. Which, by the way, liberal media outlets are helping with by acting as multipliers for bigotry. I think there should be less of a platform for Trump here.
"Even before becoming President, he has done so much. He has heavily damaged the PC machine and the PC police. He has shown white America that it is okay to say what they really think about their dispossession."
The man is right. Whatever "white America" or the "PC machine" may be, positions like Trump's on Mexicans, Immigration, Islam, woman, you name it, are given an aura of civility and legitimacy that is non-reversible short-term. The damage that bigotry of populists all over Europe and the US are inflicting to our political cultures is real and happening right now. Which, by the way, liberal media outlets are helping with by acting as multipliers for bigotry. I think there should be less of a platform for Trump here.
378
In general, I agree with your point, but I don't think it's the media itself that's acting as the multiplier for bigotry, but rather, the amount of media and the access that we have to it that is the multiplier. Your comment got me to think about how things may have turned out differently if the 24 hour news cycle, social media, and the Internet had existed during the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s or even as far back as the American Civil War.
6
Read the comment columns like this one. After a couple hundred, polite, intellectual comments on Trump and racism the comments become racist, bigoted, nasty, and full of lie we are told to accept as fact. Hundreds, sometimes thousands of them. They trash the papers and stations the columns are part of. Try to call these foul mouthed cretins on what they are saying, and on their lies and none of these comments get in. A few months ago they did. Then Poof. Do they fear Drumpf enough to want to look as if they are not on his side but will allow his followers ample room to trash every decent person in the country? I even doubt this will get in. We haven't hit the magic number, but, I am pointing out something they all should know and be ashamed of. I hope others notice this phenomenon and comment on it, sometime they will slip and let one of us through. Am I untrusting? You betcha.
For your listening pleasure I suggest 'We Won't Take It Anymore" by Twisted Sister and 'We Won't Be Fooled Again' by The Who.
Lot's of good 60's-70's music seems aimed at us here. Even the Beatles' 'Revolution'.
For your listening pleasure I suggest 'We Won't Take It Anymore" by Twisted Sister and 'We Won't Be Fooled Again' by The Who.
Lot's of good 60's-70's music seems aimed at us here. Even the Beatles' 'Revolution'.
6
And David Duke now thinks it's "his time" to run for Senate. I call incidents like these ( and there are many) being "Trumped"!
5