Many in the news media are branding President Trump as a racist after he insulted the intelligence of professional basketball player LeBron James and CNN’s Don Lemon, both of whom are black, even though Trump has made similar comments about prominent white men.
Over the weekend, liberal New York Times columnist Charles Blow said there was “definitely” a “racial underpinning” to Trump’s latest insults.
The Washington Post’s Max Boot tweeted Friday, “I’m sure it’s just a coincidence that Trump thinks African-Americans are dumb.”
Former CBS newsman Dan Rather called Trump’s remark, which he made on Twitter, a “disgrace” and “racist.”
Trump is, however, well known for taking aim at just about anyone who criticizes him in public, and there’s no evidence he considers race or gender before he fires back. Here are seven examples of when Trump insulted the intelligence of white, conservative men:
“Slippery James Comey, a man who always ends up badly and out of whack (he is not smart!), will go down as the WORST FBI Director in history, by far!”— Trump on former FBI Director James Comey, April 15.
[Also read: Roy Blunt insists Republican Party isn’t ‘anti-black’ in face of Trump insults]
Slippery James Comey, a man who always ends up badly and out of whack (he is not smart!), will go down as the WORST FBI Director in history, by far!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018
“Governor Perry just gave a pollster quote on me. He doesn’t understand what the word demagoguery means… Governor Perry failed on the border. He should be forced to take an IQ test before being allowed to enter the GOP debate.”— Trump on former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who now serves as secretary of the Department of Energy, July 2016
“Stupid Mitt. He is a dumb guy. I’ve always said he’s a dumb guy… I’m telling you, he’s a stupid person.”— Trump on 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, March 2016
“Just out Nevada poll shows Jeb Bush at 1%, he should take his dumb mouthpiece, Lindsey Graham, and just go home.”— Trump on Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., February 2016
Just out Nevada poll shows Jeb Bush at 1%, he should take his dumb mouthpiece, @LindseyGrahamSC, and just go home.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 17, 2016
“These real geniuses like George Will with the little glasses. Take away the glasses, he looks like a dumb guy, I’m telling you.”— Trump on Washington Post columnist George Will, January 2016
“Word is that crying Glenn Beck left the GOP and doesn’t have the right to vote in the Republican primary. Dumb as a rock.”— Trump on conservative radio host Glenn Beck, January 2016.
“Bill O’Reilly please explain to the very dumb and failing Glenn Beck that I supported John McCain big league in 2008, not Obama!”— Trump again on Beck, January 2016
.@oreillyfactor please explain to the very dumb and failing @glennbeck that I supported John McCain big league in 2008, not Obama!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016
