NOW’s Response to Donald Trump’s Racism

WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s no wonder that practically the only President that Donald Trump can name is Andrew Johnson.  Among the impeached former president’s regular pronouncements on race was his vow that “Before I would see this Government destroyed, I would send every negro back to Africa, disintegrated and blotted out of space.” Until now, Andrew Johnson was considered the most racist U.S. president ever.  Johnson is now in second place. 

Fast forward to Donald Trump.  On Sunday he launched a vile tweet-storm using the most repulsive racist tropes to attack Representatives Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, U.S citizens, elected Members of Congress and women of diverse races and religions. 

Then he added fuel to the fire by going back in front of the cameras yesterday with carefully prepared notes that were captured by a news photographer, showing the words Trump had underlined: 

Somalia.  Socialist.  Anti-Semitic.  You can leave. 

Sadly, this cruel tirade is not new. Trump’s racism and misogyny are on display every day and clearly consume his every thought.    

NOW applauds brave leaders like the women known as “the Squad” who Trump fears so deeply. We are proud to count them as allies.  They inspire women, particularly women of color, who are more engaged in this election than ever before.      

We know what’s at stake our lives, our health, our rights and our equality.   

We need to be done with Trump and to instead be working with a bold, diverse, feminist Congress and a feminist woman as President. 

And we will.

Contact: Kimberly Hayes, Press Secretary, press@now.org, 202-570-4745