'When faced with evidence of Trump’s racism, they prefer either to defend him or to say nothing, or, should neither of those options prove tenable, to say as little as possible.' jonathanchait writes
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images In 2015, Lindsey Graham called Donald Trump “a race-baiting, xenophobic religious bigot.” In the intervening years, Trump has done nothing to refute this characterization, yet Graham has refashioned himself as Trump’s favorite senatorial pet. In the wake of Trump’s latest racist tirade, Graham appeared on Fox & Friends to deliver a supportive pep talk to the president.
This interlude in Graham’s homage to Trumpism was obviously so short and mild, Trump wasn’t bothered by it, and possibly didn’t even notice. But it has become a rhetorical trope for Trump’s Republican enablers. When faced with evidence of Trump’s racism, they prefer either to defend him or to say nothing, or, should neither of those options prove tenable, to say as little as possible.
“We must be better than comments like these,” urged Representative Paul Mitchell. “He should take it down,” suggested Senator Susan Collins. “Just because the so-called squad constantly insults and attacks the president isn’t a reason to adopt their unacceptable tactics. There is plenty to say about how destructive House Democrats’ policies would be for our economy, our health care system, and our security,” offered Senator Roy Blunt.
In reality, Trump is not going to take down his comments. He’s not going to do better, aim higher, or any other positive-sounding alternative his Republican enablers offer up. Trump’s career began by systematically excluding African-Americans from his father’s housing projects and relentlessly defying federal government orders to stop. He whipped up hysteria against innocent boys accused of rape in Central Park, and has continued to falsely insist upon their guilt.
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