In an interview with Seattle-based conservative talk radio host Dori Monson on Friday, Donald Trump Jr. said that conversations like the one in which his father described his penchant for groping and kissing women without their consent are “a fact of life.”
“Obviously, he’s not happy about that,” Trump Jr. said of his father’s language on the tape, which caused many prominent Republicans to revoke their endorsements and a series of women to come forward and accuse him of sexual assault and misconduct.
“We all know guys that have had conversations with other guys that go a little bit in that direction,” he continued. “That’s a fact of life.”
But the “fact of life” argument is getting pretty old. Yes, I understand there are men who speak like that in private and in public, but that doesn’t mean I want my president to speak in this manner too. Categorizing every male into this vile group of people hurts the reputation of the true gentlemen we still have left in this world.
Trump Jr. said is father is “able to make mistakes because he hasn’t spent his whole life trying to be a politician.”
It sickens me to think that many Republicans are letting Trump’s comments slide. Women are not to be objectified. If Trump would have taken this situation seriously and sent a heartfelt apology to women (and the rest of the country) then it would be a different story. He needs to demonstrate to the country that he has a greater respect for women and for the office of the presidency.
The Trump defenders who say, “Oh, those comments were made ten years ago,” or “He’s just saying what everyone else is thinking,” or “You don’t like that he is politically incorrect,” are all fighting for a lost cause. I can tell you, I am the farthest person from being “politically correct.” Being un-PC doesn’t give Trump the right to talk down to women or disregard these comments like they never even happened.
I cannot, in good conscience, support a man who demeans women in such a disgusting way. When I think of the President of the United States, I think of a someone who will be held to the highest standards, who respects themselves as well as others, who is held accountable for their actions and accepts their consequences in a mature way. Acting unpresidential simply because you’ve never been a politician before will not earn my vote.
Donald Trump not owning up to his mistakes is the equivalent of Hillary Clinton not owning up to any of hers. How can Republicans be taken seriously when our nominee is acting the same way, or worse, than the Democratic nominee?
If you want to vote for Donald Trump despite his vulgar comments about women, that’s fine. We live in a great country that allows you to do so. But just know, the same country allows me to disavow both nominees and vote my conscience.
My advice for Donald Trump: Get off your high horse, own up to your mistakes, and take your presidential campaign seriously for the sake of the citizens of the United States of America.
