During this election cycle, the word choices of former president Donald J. Trump have been closely examined. During a rally in March, Trump stated, “If I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath for the country, that’ll be the least of it.” Critics of Trump pointed out that his usage of the word “bloodbath” may be a way to encourage political violence. Trump’s defense was that his statement was taken out of context by the media and that the word “bloodbath” was referencing Democrats’ effect on the automotive industry. What made this incident interesting was the difference in how people observed Trump’s language. Trump seems to have this effect on people because there have been multiple similar incidents throughout his political career. As Election Day gets closer, it is important to examine Trump’s rhetoric, because if the polls and models are to be believed, he has a very good chance of being elected president again.
Trump’s relationship with words is fascinating because he seems to either use them carelessly or with intent. Last year, at a town hall, he mentioned how he wanted “to be a dictator on day one.” People pointed out that the word choice of “dictator” was odd, saying that it called into question Trump’s belief in democracy. In response, Trump’s supporters said he was joking and liberals were overreacting. He also talks about his opponents’ plans in crass ways, which seem designed to provoke strong reactions from the crowd. Additionally, in March, he described the Biden Administration as trying to “nullify the will of the actual American voters.” Telling a crowd of your supporters that the other side will “nullify” your vote is playing with fire. However, Trump seems to like to live on the edge. During the 2020 election, Trump had the opportunity to denounce white supremacy at a presidential debate. Instead, he referenced an extremist right-wing group the Proud Boys and told them to “stand back and stand by.” In a nation where political violence has grown, it is an unwise choice not to use your words to condemn it.
We should also look at who Trump targets with his language choice. He has used his language to target people who do not fit his vision of the United States. At one rally last November, Trump stated he would “root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country.” Trump was criticized for his use of the word “vermin”; some historians comparing it to the dehumanizing words used by autocrats. In response, a Trump campaign spokesperson said those criticisms were examples of “Trump derangement syndrome.”
When going through these incidents, a pattern emerges. Trump will make a claim that includes rhetoric that raises red flags among observers. People push him to elaborate on his reasoning for making the statement. Then, Trump’s campaign and supporters will claim that he was just joking or that people are overreacting. The dismissiveness of criticism is troubling because it implies that Trump may not understand the impact of his words. However, as a former president, Trump should know his rhetoric is powerful. His supporters take what he says to heart. The danger comes when Trump’s words harm people.
If you think this editorial is sensationalist, just look at what happened in Springfield, Ohio. In September, Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, spread rumors that Haitian immigrants living in the town were eating cats and dogs. What their hateful comments left out was how the town’s 12,000 to 15,000 Haitian immigrants are a key part of the community. City officials have confirmed that these rumors are categorically false and vocalized frustration about the rumors. Nonetheless, Trump declared during the September presidential debate, “They are eating the dogs. The people that came in, they are eating the cats.” While the absurdity of Trump’s statement created many memes, his rhetoric’s impact on the town is not a laughing matter. Bomb threats forced multiple Springfield public schools and municipal buildings to be closed. Racist comments about Haitian immigrants caused the father of Aidan Clark, a boy who was accidentally killed in a traffic accident involving a Haitian immigrant, to call for people to stop using his son’s name as an excuse to spread hate. He explicitly called on Trump and JD Vance to stop using his son’s name and said that he would “only listen to them one more time to hear their apologies.” It’s very telling when a regular citizen such as Nathan Clark realizes the impact words can have on a community more than a former president.
There is an old saying that when someone tells you who they are, believe them. When Trump speaks, he is revealing to the country what he thinks and who he is. So, in these final two weeks, listen to Trump. Watch one of his rallies and see for yourself what he says. He’s not hiding who he is.
