Donald Trump’s Has A History Of Controversial Statements And Actions Related To Race

Raheem Anajai

Donald Trump has faced numerous accusations of racism and discrimination throughout his career[1]. Despite his claims of being “the least racist person,” many of his speeches and actions have been widely criticized as racially insensitive or discriminatory[2]. Scholars and the public have pointed out instances where Trump’s statements and policies have perpetuated racial tensions and inequalities[3]. For example, Trump’s involvement in the “birtherism” conspiracy, falsely questioning President Obama’s birthplace, perpetuated racist narratives and fueled division[4]. His white supremacist views have been problematic to say the least. He once said at a rally in Arizona, “The left is now rationing life-saving therapeutics based on race, discriminating against and denigrating, just denigrating white people to determine who lives and who dies,” Trump said. “You get it based on race. In fact, in New York state, if you’re white, you have to go to the back of the line to get medical help. If you’re white, you go right to the back of the line. “Additionally, Trump’s derogatory remarks about Blacks have further fueled accusations of racism, contributing to a divisive political climate[5].  In reference to the protests in Minneapolis that occurred after the police killing of George Floyd. Trump Stated, ‘When the looting starts, the shooting starts.’ Regarding Blacks and his indictments he said, “Black people are so much on my side now because they see what’s happening to me happens to them,” “Does that make sense?” For the record the vast majority of FBA are NOT criminals. Criminal behavior in the FBA community is largely contributed to a small number that are habitual offenders. Blacks being synonymous with crime is a racist stereotype.

Controversial comments and tweets made by Donald Trump have also stirred racial controversies during his presidency[6]. His statements denouncing racism as “evil” have been met with skepticism due to his history of making inflammatory remarks[7]. Trump’s public criticism of FBA athletes protesting against systemic racism and police brutality further exacerbated racial tensions and sparked debates on race relations in the United States[8]. He said about the athletes, “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired’,” he said. Moreover, his use of racially charged language and his failure to condemn white supremacist groups have drawn significant backlash, with critics arguing that his rhetoric has emboldened hate groups and fueled racial animosity[9]. Trump said, “there were fine people on both sides” after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. Suggesting the white nationalist were fine people.

Donald Trump’s policy decisions have also had a significant impact on FBA, often raising concerns about racial equality and social justice[10]. His administration’s stance on issues like voting rights, and criminal justice reform has been heavily scrutinized for their potential to disproportionately affect Black people[11]. By violating norms of racial equality with his rhetoric and policy choices, Trump’s presidency highlighted deep-seated racial tensions in the country and sparked conversations about the role of race in politics and public policy[12]. The intersection of race, politics, and policy during Trump’s tenure reflected broader societal divisions and highlighted the ongoing challenges related to racial equality and justice in the United States.

1. Trump had been accused of racism by contemporaries …. (n.d.) retrieved April 19, 2024, from www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1N2MT312/
2. Trump’s long history of racism, from the 1970s to 2020. (n.d.) retrieved April 19, 2024, from www.vox.com
3. Racial views of Donald Trump. (n.d.) retrieved April 19, 2024, from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_views_of_Donald_Trump
4. Trump’s Racism: An Oral History. (n.d.) retrieved April 19, 2024, from www.theatlantic.com
5. The 15 most offensive things that have come out of Trump’s …. (n.d.) retrieved April 19, 2024, from www.politico.eu
6. On Twitter, Trump accuses blacks of racism three times as …. (n.d.) retrieved April 19, 2024, from www.washingtonpost.com
7. Trump says ‘the Black people’ like him because he’s been ‘ …. (n.d.) retrieved April 19, 2024, from www.nbcnews.com
8. 52 Harms in 52 Weeks. (n.d.) retrieved April 19, 2024, from www.americanprogress.org/article/52-harms-52-weeks/
9. Trump and racism: What do the data say?. (n.d.) retrieved April 19, 2024, from www.brookings.edu
10. Trickle-down racism: Trump’s effect on whites’ racist …. (n.d.) retrieved April 19, 2024, from www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666622723000710
11. Fact check: Trump’s policies for Black Americans. (n.d.) retrieved April 19, 2024, from www.politico.com
12. Trump’s African Americans? Racial resentment and Black …. (n.d.) retrieved April 19, 2024, from www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21565503.2023.2265899