December 7, 2022
NO ONE HATES JUST MEXICANS:
The Warped Electoral Logic Behind Trump's Antisemitism (CHARLES SYKES, 12/07/2022, Politico)
Trump is seldom careful about who he offends -- tossing out jibes, insults, and threats with reckless abandon. He is more than willing to lash out at cultural elites and the people he calls "disloyal Jews" who support Democrats. But Trump has been consistent in his reluctance to offend what he regards as a crucial part of the base that he has nurtured over the years. He is unapologetic about associating with overt neo-Nazis, and unwilling to issue full-throated denunciations of antisemitism. Trump is willing to draw this barrage of opprobrium for one simple reason: He believes that he has tapped into something in the American electorate, especially among evangelical Christians, who have ingrained -- but complicated -- attitudes toward Israel and Jews. [...]This resurgent antisemitism -- a blend of old-fashioned anti-Jewish sentiment, extreme versions of Christian/evangelical nationalism and a deep investment in conspiracism -- is not, of course, new. But it is arguably more widespread, more virulent and closer to the political mainstream than at any time in recent history. The last few years have been a master class in the extent to which millions of Americans are willing to believe myths, lies and dark theories about cosmopolitan cabals who threaten the fabric of American life. Attacks on George Soros and "globalists" are now standard attack lines on the American right. Inevitably, though, a worldview obsessed with malign global elites will settle on the Jews as a target of choice.The result has been an ominous upsurge in violence and hate.In 2021, antisemitic incidents surged by 34 percent, to the highest number since the Anti-Defamation League began tracking anti-Jewish violence. Meanwhile, social media platforms have opened the gates to an alarming explosion of attacks on Jews and Judaism. In the two weeks after Elon Musk took control of Twitter, antisemitic posts spiked by more than 61 percent."Elon Musk sent up the Bat Signal to every kind of racist, misogynist and homophobe that Twitter was open for business," Imran Ahmed, the chief executive of the Center for Countering Digital Hate told The New York Times. "They have reacted accordingly."
Donald hated Jews and blacks long before Ross Perot taught him about hating immigrants.
Posted by Orrin Judd at December 7, 2022 12:00 AM
