Most Americans thought Trump encouraged white supremacists — even before El Paso
"...Trump targets Antifa, while saying white supremacist organizations, as the KKK, are no big deal."
In using racist rhetoric Trump has in essence, even before his election, been saying white supremacy is not a big deal in the U.S.A. Yes, he has since condemned white supremacist terrorism, what else could he do. Further, in targeting Antifa for alleged violence while not targeting white supremacist organizations to nearly the same degree Trump is, in essence, saying white supremacist activity in the U.S.A. is no big deal.
And white nationalists agree that he helps their cause.
An American flag and flowers are placed at a makeshift memorial outside the Cielo Vista Mall Walmart in El Paso where 20 people were killed on Saturday. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)
By Michael Tesler August 5, 2019 at 10:00 p.m. GMT+10
Democratic presidential candidates have been especially quick to point out the similarities between the president’s statements and the shooter’s motives. Former congressman Beto O’Rourke, who represented El Paso, blamed .. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/beto-o-rourke-says-trump-blame-el-paso-shooting-because-n1039071 .. the president for the shooting because “he stokes racism.” Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.) similarly stated that the president “is responsible because he is stoking fears and hatred and bigotry.”
Although other Democratic candidates stopped short of directly blaming Trump, they still accused him of emboldening white supremacists. Julián Castro, a former housing secretary, tweeted .. https://twitter.com/JulianCastro/status/1158053907270131714?s=20 , “When Donald Trump fans the flames of hate and division, there are real consequences.” Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., likewise said that the president is “at best condoning and encouraging white nationalists.” And Sens. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) respectively tweeted:
Bernie Sanders @BernieSanders Mr. President: stop your racist, hateful and anti-immigrant rhetoric. Your language creates a climate which emboldens violent extremists. 174K 2:46 AM - Aug 5, 2019 51.5K people are talking about this
Elizabeth Warren @ewarren We need to call out white nationalism for what it is—domestic terrorism. It is a threat to the United States, and we've seen its devastating toll this weekend. And we need to call out the president himself for advancing racism and white supremacy. Embedded video 64.2K 1:32 AM - Aug 5, 2019 21.6K people are talking about this
Many Americans were already concerned that Trump’s language encouraged white supremacists
It’s not just Democratic politicians who are criticizing Trump. Nor are concerns about his rhetoric simply an emotional reaction to the horrific violence in El Paso.
Most Americans have also consistently said that Trump has encouraged white supremacist groups during his presidency. In August 2017, September 2018 and November 2018, pollsters asked nationally representative samples: “Do you think that President Trump’s decisions and behavior as president have encouraged white supremacist groups, discouraged white supremacist groups, or do you think his behavior and decisions haven’t had an impact either way?”
Graph by Michael Tesler. Sources: Quinnipiac University Poll, August 2017; Public Religion Research Institute Poll, September 2018; Quinnipiac University Poll, November 2018 (all results accessed from Roper’s ipoll).
The graph above shows that 54 to 59 percent of Americans in those three polls thought Trump’s decisions and behavior have encouraged white supremacist groups. Only 3 to 5 percent of Americans in those polls said that Trump has discouraged them.
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