By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The article emphasizes that Donald Trump’s racism is a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of his persona and presidency. While the focus may shift to other figures, the core issue remains Trump’s long-established racist tendencies, which are well-documented. This racism, demonstrated through various statements and actions, is not considered “news” anymore, yet it remains a defining characteristic of his actions and significantly impacts the United States. This reality shapes the country’s atmosphere and contributes to a hostile environment.
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Yep—Trump Is Still the Most Racist President of the Last 100 Years, and that’s a hard truth to swallow, but let’s face it, the competition is stiff. We’ve had some pretty rough characters occupying the Oval Office in that time. You’ve got Woodrow Wilson, who’s often cited for his explicitly racist views and policies. Then there’s LBJ, Reagan and even figures like FDR, whose actions, like the internment of Japanese Americans, were deeply troubling. But when you really look at the totality of Trump’s actions and words, the deliberate way he’s stoked racial divisions, the outright bigoted statements, the constant dog whistles, it’s hard to argue that he doesn’t take the cake.
Now, some might say, “Hey, what about Wilson?” And yes, Wilson was a terrible racist. He segregated the federal workforce, showed the film *Birth of a Nation* in the White House, and really set back race relations. But even with Wilson’s appalling record, the way Trump weaponized racism as a political tool, how he made it central to his entire persona and political strategy, is just different. Trump didn’t just hold racist views; he actively and consistently used those views to mobilize and energize his base. His entire political brand was built, in part, on the idea that he was the only one who could “Make America Great Again,” a phrase that resonated with many who felt that America was no longer their country because of shifting demographics.
Consider the birther movement, the relentless questioning of Obama’s citizenship. This wasn’t just an isolated incident; it was a calculated attempt to undermine the first Black president, to delegitimize his presidency and play on racial anxieties. Then, there’s his comments on Mexicans, on Muslims, and the list goes on. It’s hard to ignore the consistent pattern of racist rhetoric and behavior. He seemed to revel in it, bask in the outrage, and use it to fuel his base. He made it clear that he was speaking directly to those who harbored racist sentiments and that they were welcome in his movement.
Some people are quick to point out that other presidents, including LBJ, were openly racist. And there is truth to that. LBJ used racial slurs in private, and his motives for advancing civil rights are sometimes questioned. But the context is different. LBJ ultimately signed the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, landmark legislation that dismantled segregation and protected voting rights. Trump, on the other hand, seems to actively try to undermine and dismantle many of these protections, and make it so people can’t vote.
Also, the point should be made that Trump has gotten a pass in MAGA world for his actions. It doesn’t matter what he has done or is accused of doing. They are unwilling to condemn him. In fact, in many cases, they seem to support the very behaviors that should be condemned.
Trump seems to be the convenient enabling Yes man to their decades long policies. Removing Trump doesn’t remove the Republican Party ripping the U.S. to shreds. Take a look at Reagan and who he surrounded himself with and what his concerted goals were.
Let’s not forget his policies. From the travel ban targeting Muslim-majority countries to the family separation policy at the border, these actions were deeply rooted in racial prejudice. They inflicted real harm on real people, and they were carried out with a level of callousness that’s hard to comprehend.
The fact that this is even a debate speaks volumes. It’s a sign of the times, a reflection of the heightened political polarization, and a symptom of a nation struggling to come to terms with its history of racial injustice. We are a country that must be willing to call a spade a spade. We have to call out this piece of garbage for what he is. He is a Hitler wannabe, and would have all immigrants in a concentration camp if the opportunity arose because his even more radical MAGAT base wanted it.
And the truth is that Trump’s actions have opened the door for even more overt racism. His words have given license to white supremacists and other hate groups, emboldening them to come out of the shadows and spread their venom. The man refuses to admit he was wrong about the easiest thing to say he was wrong about, it does not matter to him that there is evidence that he has behaved in racist or questionable ways.
This isn’t about being polite, it’s about recognizing the danger. Authoritarianism is rising and flourishing in Trump’s wake. Trump has a secret police running around the country sending legal US residents to foreign concentration/death camps based on skin color. We can’t afford to beat around the bush anymore. Totalitarianism isn’t far around the corner if authoritarianism is rising and flourishing. It’s time to recognize the threat and to unite against it.