Donald Trump and Race: It’s a Long Story

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/22/opinion/letters/trump-race.html

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To the Editor:

Re “Trump Turns to Old Tactic: Using Race for His Gain” (front page, July 21):

This powerfully insightful article by five star reporters clarifies the true nature of our president. He is neither a racist nor a non-racist. He is a person who lacks the certitude of conviction; he is, rather, a chameleon who changes his speech and attitude to suit the occasion.

He will do whatever gets him higher ratings and helps him win. He will befriend blacks and allow them into his club but will refuse to allow them to be his tenants when it suits him. He will switch from Democrat to Republican, when it suits him. He will change into whatever garb suits the occasion.

He will love-hate the same ideal or person, lacking a firmness of attachment to any ideal or belief. He changed wives and lovers frequently. He is dangerous because whatever he says now is not what he really believes and not necessarily what he will say an hour later.

The leader who lacks firm beliefs and flits like a moth to whatever seems brightest at the moment is not someone the world will trust. Only his base is blind to his true nature.

Simon RaskinSpring Valley, N.Y.

To the Editor:

Donald Trump may claim that he is the “least racist person you have ever met,” and he no doubt has encouraged others in his private circle to agree with him.

Though he may be comfortable with his private views, Donald Trump is president of the United States, and when he stands before a crowd of people and exhorts the crowd to anger, he becomes the cheerleader for the racists who live among us. That’s the problem we have to deal with.

Ellie BernerStratham, N.H.

To the Editor:

Donald Trump has repeatedly said that he is the “least racist person you have ever met.” Most of us would agree that the person who claims to be the least racist person we have ever met is probably not the least racist person we have ever met.

John FriedlandChicago

To the Editor:

When our children use offensive, obscene or racist language or degrade and put down people, we reprimand them in no uncertain terms and tell them never to repeat it again. We do this to make sure that they understand what is not acceptable and to convey our values.

Why won’t the Republicans do the same thing with Donald Trump and his crowds?

Stephen GoldPhiladelphia

To the Editor:

Re “Democrats Recalibrate as Trump Exploits Race” (news article, July 22):

The cornerstone of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign is to focus on his enemy: four nonwhite women in Congress who are “socialists” and who “hate America.” The president has nothing else to offer.

The ugliness has just begun. We’re going to hear a lot more chanting “send her back,” or worse. Republicans may cringe at first, but they’ll get used to it, and fall helplessly silent.

Do Republicans know what to do? The answer is yes: nothing.

William GoldmanPalos Verdes Estates, Calif.

To the Editor:

“Impeachment Bid Fizzles, Showing Democratic Split” (front page, July 18) documents the division in the House Democratic caucus; more important, it hands President Trump an unnecessary win.

It is apparent that the caucus lacks the will to bring Mr. Trump’s many malfeasances to light via an impeachment action. Further, after all these months, the caucus has shown only a minimal will to bring his outrageous dismissal of congressional requests for documents and testimony before the courts for action.

Congress controls the purse, especially the House of Representatives. Perhaps it is time to refuse funding for the executive branch until and unless the requested information and testimony are produced. This can be considered a nuclear option, but it may be what it takes to get Mr. Trump’s acquiescence if not cooperation.

Kenneth RobbinsCharlestown, R.I.