In a discussion of white nationalist candidates on the ballot Joe Arpaio from Arizona, John Fitzgerald from California, Seth Grossman from New Jersey, Arthur Jones from Illinois, Paul Nehlen from Wisconsin David Jolly, former Republican congressman, tells the truth: that President Trump gives permission for these candidates and for all the racial incidents around the country to happen. And he called for all to help fix the problem.
“We can’t forgive it, we can’t normalize it, we can’t suggest that he can be the figure of a party we subscribe to. But this is the president who is the leader of the Republican Party and continues to peddle what is clearly racist tendencies.”
Angela Rye, political activist and commentator, thanked him and asked Republican CNN commentator Alice Stewart and the country to acknowledge that Trump is racist.
“I wish those following in your footsteps could acknowledge that. That’s all many of us are saying. I’m told every day that I’m on air that I’m racist because I call out racism and that’s maddening to me,” said Rye.
She cited examples of Black boys being harassed for selling newspapers in the same state where Tamar Rice was killed by police. Rye then thanked Jolly: “I commend you for saying what you said it means the world to me.”
And while Stewart said on the panel discussion that she is a Republican and supports Republicans, some of her constituents have called Trump out for being a racist before.
After Trump’s comment on “shithole” nations, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida said his comments were “reprehensible” and “racist.” Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said diversity was a strength, not a weakness, and that he was a descendent of immigrants who came from “shithole countries with no skills.”
Also after Trump’s “both sides” comments about Charlottesville, several Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. Dean Heller and Sen. Orrin Hatch, expressed disagreement, some calling white supremacy “repulsive” and that “we should call evil by its name.”
Democrats, however, have usually been quicker on the draw.
