Think about it. His opening salvo was to describe the “rapists and murderers” pouring across the southern border. His theme has persisted throughout his term and been expanded to include Moslems and others.

This approach is the similar to that developed in Germany in the 1930’s. At the time Germany was experiencing severe economic distress. The key for Hitler was to enhance the nativist tribalism and find someone to blame for Germany’s troubles. For Hitler, it was the Jews and gypsies — and anyone else who was not Aryan. The key here was to find someone to blame for your personal and national troubles.

Donald Trump has used this technique masterfully to blame everyone other than native born, white Americans for any problems that you are personally experiencing.

So what qualifies him as a bigot? He is convinced that the Russians have not interfered with our elections. Vladimir told him so. His own FBI and national security professionals told him otherwise. He has not challenged Saudi Arabia on the murder and dismemberment of a resident American journalist. Mohammad bin Salman told him that the Saudis were not involved, disputing clear evidence to the contrary. His buddy in North Korea told him that he had stopped his nuclear development program, counter to what U.S. intelligence agency professionals concluded. Additionally, North Korea has resumed missile testing. Trump is convinced that his own beliefs and judgement are superior to that of trained professionals who spend their lives making these determinations. That’s the definition of a bigot.

Is Donald Trump a racist? His history says yes. To understand what he really is, however, look at the people he admires and defers to.  At the top of the list is Vladimir Putin. Second is probably Mohammad bin Salman, crown prince of Saudi Arabia. Kim Jong Un of North Korea and Xi Jinping, the President of China. What unifies these leaders is the effective dictatorship and ruthless control of their countries. That’s what Mr. Trump really wants to be — dictator of the United States of America.

The other thing that unites these leaders is their wealth. Regardless of their ethnicity or race, Mr. Trump values wealth. If you aren’t wealthy, you really don’t matter — except on the first Tuesday in November 2020 — Election Day.

John Gladden

Franklin