Donald Trump knows he’s losing. I’m not saying that as a celebration nor am I saying that to drive complacency. It’s just a simple statement of fact: Trump knows he’s losing. He’s known since his struggling Nazi rally in Tulsa last month. It’s just been constant bad headlines and bad poll numbers. So Trump and his people decided, over the past week or two weeks, that they were going to switch up the campaign a bit. What that means is that Trump is just going Full Racist, 24/7. He spends all day tweeting racist conspiracies and issuing racist threats to BLM protesters. I’m sure there’s some high-minded strategy somewhere, but mostly this is just Trump leaning into the thing that’s most familiar to him: quickie culture wars, a greatest hits of sh-t which have historically gotten him attention.
Yesterday morning, he decided to tweet about Bubba Wallace, the only black NASCAR driver and Black Lives Matter advocate. Wallace made headlines last week when his team reported the presence of a noose hanging in their Talladega garage. It turned out it was a f–king noose, but the FBI thought it was just a weird coincidence and not a hate crime. Here’s what Trump tweeted on Monday:
Has @BubbaWallace apologized to all of those great NASCAR drivers & officials who came to his aid, stood by his side, & were willing to sacrifice everything for him, only to find out that the whole thing was just another HOAX? That & Flag decision has caused lowest ratings EVER!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 6, 2020
…Again, it wasn’t a hoax. There was an actual noose hanging in the garage. And Bubba Wallace wasn’t even the one to report it – his team saw the noose and they reported it to the NASCAR organization, and NASCAR called in the FBI. And why does Trump even care? Oh, right. It’s a “culture war.” Indignant, Confederate-flag-waving racists were mad at NASCAR for banning their treason flag and they got all gross about Bubba Wallace and the noose. This is so stupid.
Anyway, Bubba Wallace waited several hours before responding:
To the next generation and little ones following my foot steps..#LoveWins pic.twitter.com/tVaV3pkdLe
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) July 6, 2020
Bubba Wallace is handling this with grace – I always feel sorry for the athletes or normal people targeted by Trump, and Wallace did nothing wrong whatsoever. But that being said, I’d like to tell all the youths out there… you don’t actually have to handle unhinged fascists and fat racists with grace and love. It’s not required of you. You can react any way you want. If I was in this situation, I would be hate-tweeting and agitating and giving interviews on every cable news outlet.
Photos courtesy of Getty.
I would be rage tweeting too but I bet Bubba Wallace has advisors telling him to take the high road here. Which is probably the wisest option because it makes 45 look like an even bigger racist asshole. And even monster Lindsey Graham came out in support of Bubba and NASCAR for removing the confederate flag from their events. Which is interesting, but he’s facing a tough re-election and needs the black vote in SC 🙄🤬. I’m sure Bubbas advisors tell him to think of his sponsors and to just be professional. They know 45 will move on to the next distraction soon enough and NASCAR and Bubba will be a distant memory for 45 because he has the attention span of a gnat.
But you’re absolutely right. You can react to racist POS people however you choose.
@Heather.
Yeah, I totally buy his advisors encouraged a different route and that sucks.
Racism and stereotypes are so ingrained that Black people are not allowed to truly be upset and angry.
Even if Wallace did go a different route it would not have a impact. But someone else, a prolific white driver ( Tyler Reddick) telling Casino, ‘we didn’t ask you and doing fine’, will.
I feel bad for him, he has done absolutely nothing wrong. I am so disgusted with racism. I want to help as white woman living in the country I feel very removed right now. I do see myself and all of us as equal residents of planet earth but realize others do not, I don’t care for those people and their poor imaginations. I am going to support black and brown owned businesses as much as I can, redistribution of wealth is a cause I am for. I am open to anything else I can do to stop the evils that plague the world.
The scary thing about knowing he is losing is he seems to be taking a leaf out of the scorched earth playbook and crashing the whole thing into the ground so no one can fix it. I almost feel bad for Joe.
That’s weirdly why I’ve come around to being glad that Joe is the Democratic nominee. He’s already got the knowledge and experience to hit the ground running to fix all the problems that Trump and his MAGAts have caused in the federal government these days. There won’t be a learning curve with him.
The capital F on flag really says it all…
I can’t tell anyone how to react. I think it says a lot about Bubba’s strength & character that he’s handling the reactions of racist NASCAR fans with grace & dignity. He’s also dealing with the President with that same grace & dignity. I wouldn’t blame him if he raged tweeted him but it could affect his NASCAR career & all he’s worked for. I’m sure he’s angry, sad & disappointed. And he’s learned to channel it in a different direction.
Trump has decided to run as a full-on white supremacist. Which I personally believe he also did in 2016. But it was a bit more subtle, or not as loud anyway? Either way, I don’t think this is a winning message in 2020, but I’ll tell ya, it’s going to foment violence, which he also wants. Did I mention how much I hate him yet today?
I absolutely loathe him and have since I saw him him in the eighties on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous with Robin Leach. He is the ultimate example of money can’t buy class and I could see the sleaze oozing out of him as a teenager and nothing has changed. He is popular with people who thought/think professional wrestling is real. Despicable man Trump, he has to go.
Looking forward to this year being over.
The closer we get to election day the more nervous I get because we just don’t know what Trump and his allies have in store to steal the election. I feel confident this time around Americans are more aware what horrible people Trump and the Republicans are.
Agreed. As much as I want to believe that Trump will lose, I won’t believe it until I see it.
I have more anxiety about that than I do the coronavirus.
A far-right relative posted on facebook “if the Democrats succeed in stealing this election…” so it seems that the base believes Trump is so popular, he can’t lose, and they’re getting ready to react aggressively. I do not understand their outright worship of this waste of space.
Yes. It feels like every day is 6 months and we are so so tired.
My neighbor is HUGE NASCAR fan, had him and his wife over for 4th. This was brought up and OMG, his wife became such a racist. I knew she voted for Trump (husband did not) but she just went off. She is furious her husband still watches NASCAR, will no longer watch football with us and cancelling her directv because they show inter-racial couples. We kind of got into it and when she left to meet up with her sister, her husband apologized, said he doesn’t know what has gotten into her lately but they have had many arguments about this stuff. I am a couple months older than her and I have become more vocal on the other side. I do wonder if as you get older, your attitudes become more pronounced.
My attitudes have always been pronounced. Last year I got into a robust political debate with a work colleague during after work drinks and I ended up emptying a glass of water in his face. But lately I seem to be mellowing out a bit because I don’t really see the point in having heated arguments with the people in my life.
Arguing with some of the die-hards is exhausting.
There was a time when I thought it was possible to politely get others to see the light. Now I realize how hard it is to change anyone’s hard-wired opinions. It’s also hard to shame the shameless.
I am really curious about people who are racist on the most hating, basic level. Like not liking people of colour. What is even the logic behind it? Systemic racism is white blindness to its own privilege. Ok fine. But pure and sheer hatred of black and brown people is a mystery to me and although I hate this kind of argument, I do wonder if it’s not a mental instability to address your question about ageing.
The die hard racists on a a hating basic level
Some are super insecure about their place in life. So the this, the only thing that they can hold over other people (skin color). As in “well that person may make more money or be smarter, but I’m white so that makes be better” argument. These are the ones who get really angry if a person of color is doing better than them and actively tries to “put them in their place”.
Some are just trolls at heart. They truly enjoy the drama and meanness and hatred in their hearts because they find it exciting. They get off on hurting people.
Some are followers. They don’t think for themselves and just go with the flow of hatred because its what they know, what keeps their lives comfortable, and what gives them power and sense of belonging.
Either way, I have to thank them for feeling secure enough to let the world know they are racists so i can get rid of them from my life.
There is no logic it is purely emotional which is why as someone said above it’s so hard/impossible to change someone’s mind who is dug into their beliefs. They will come up with semi-logical arguments to support what they feel. If you knock down that semi-logical argument with actual logic they will just come up with something else to rationalize it. They probably do not know why they feel that way or where it came from nor do they care to examine it.
On Sunday I finally cut a friend of over 40 years out of my life. He has become an avid Trump supporter and after the Trump events of the weekend, I just “had it”. My friend sent me his usual Sunday morning email saying Happy Independence Day and went on to disparage people of color, liberals, taking down Confederate monuments, etc. It was time to cut ties. I haven’t heard from him since and doubt I will again. If there is no respect, there is no true friendship. I can’t respect anyone who supports Trump and his lackeys. I gave this guy a chance all these last three years, but finally my patience ran out.
Did he become more extreme because he is older now? Maybe. But I think most of the cause is because he moved to a small town in Nevada and is greatly influenced by the people who live there.
I’m reaching that point with some people in my life. I removed my Facebook profile, I couldn’t stand seeing some of the comments by friends of friends. I have one work friend who I used to go out with after work and largely, shes been too much. Idk what to do. She watches fox news, has some views I don’t agree with but she’s also been there for me when I was going through a divorce etc etc. I don’t know what to do!
You would think nothing Trump writes would affect me anymore, or surprise me and yet here we are. I can’t help having my mouth agape when I read his tweets. He’s gone full white supremacist without even bothering to speak in code anymore.
And Wallace’s response to use it as a textbook example of why any minority has to be two times better than the majority was pure class.
There’s a saying that applies to arguing with Trump: Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.
Bubba’s tweet brought a tear to my eye. So many good, gracious people in world yet Trump has been given the biggest platform in the world and he uses it only for hatred and divisiveness. My rage at him and those who continue to support him is just white hot.
He’s looking for a full on race war. He knows that’s what drives his supporters. He needs all their votes. Of all the despicable things he’s done, how the hell is he still POTUS?
This was the best response to Trump, because Bubba isn’t giving him what he wants – a fight. He wants the attention and the news cycle.
Exactly.
As much as Bubba is entitled to be furious and scream, that’s what Trump and his ilk want. Especially right now while he is losing every poll, and bad, and the country is a COVID nightmare, he wants to pick on someone else and draw attention away from himself and his failings.
Good for Bubba for not giving in and holding his head high.
Y’all, going by the reaction to this in my neck of the woods, I m do scared Trump is going to get re-elected. People are acting like this “hoax” somehow proves a point and embiggens President Big Boy. They don’t get that it is all just smoke and mirrors.
Bubba is a Black man trying to make it in NASCAR…his response to POS Trump was peak “Black person just trying to make it through another racist day WITHOUT catching a case or losing paper…” He don’t need a PR team for that…he had that stance down pat by the time he was 15 probably…
Yes Lala, I think you’re right. These were my thoughts exactly when I read his response
FOX’s NASCAR ratings this past weekend, after the Confederate flag was banned, were actually up 104% since last year. And I do hope that you will do a bit on Nuremberg Barbie trying to explain Trump’s tweets during a press conference. It would appear that the press is fighting back and not letting her lies stand. So maybe we can be a bit optimistic?
Drumpf is hateful mostly towards biracial people (i.e., Obama, Dutchess Meghan, Colin Kaepernick, and now Wallace) in addition to POCs, LGBTQ+/PRIDE, women who are strong/intelligent/successful (i.e., Hilary, Nancy, AOC, etc.). He’s The Greatest Loser, right next to his Idol-For-Life Shitler. Everyone: Please VOTE his ass out in November!
I got in a huge fight with my conservative friends yesterday. I stopped by and they had tucker carlson on and one of my friends asked me why i dont like trump.
“He’s racist.” I say. Trumper says, “No he’s not.”
“He calls covid the kung flu, the chinese flu in a derogatory way.” I say. Trumper Says, “Thats Not racist thats just where its from. What policies dont you like?”
“I dont like how he handled the pandemic.” Trumper says, “The pandemic isnt his fault! Its the governors job to handle this.” And I say “i dont like Trump bailing out big coRporations more than individuals. Businesses are not people. I dont believe in trickle down economics.” Trumper says, nothing.
Trumper says “BLM gives money to political organizations that are Sending money to democrats! Do you know when you donate to them they give it to democrats? They should give the money to black people if they want to help them.” I say to that, “Protests are making your grievances known to the public. Electing politicans that will make the change you want to see in regards to those grievances is part of the process. I dont donate, I protest and I dont understand why its shocking that they would give money to a political organization that supports candidates who support there cause.” More ranting from trumper.
“I didnt like how he celebrated the incarceration of 100 American protestors for taking down statues During his 4th of July speech. Who cares about these Racist statues? Why can’t we have new statues? It is glorified landscaping anyways.” Trumper says, “we need to preserve history! I celebrate these domestic terrorists getting arrested. If you were a small business owner and someone burned down your business, I bet you would be happy with Trump arresting these domestic terrorists.”
I finally got to the point where i said “I don’t want businesses being burned down, I want equality. Why are you talking to me like this? I am your friend. Why do you keep regurgitating fox news talking points to me?” I got up and stormed out. Then i got a condescending text about how im “too emotional” and i “oppress his opinions.” Dude whatever.
Sparkle, late comment: you tried and you rock. Keep up the good work of being a good human being.
Oh there is a HOAX alright. And it rhymes with Blonald Shrump. Couldn’t even win the popular vote, only a handful of votes shy of being fully impeached. Americans are dying by the thousands and he wants to focus on …black athletes, over and over again? This is just stirring the pot again to detract from his horrible deficiencies.
Trump is reeling in his racist base. It’s all he has.
That’s it, I am buying a Bubba Wallace T-shirt to support this kid. He has so much class and his friends standing up with him made me very proud