Thursday, February 16, 2017

What did Donald Trump do today?

He held an impromptu press conference at which he declared himself "the least racist person," then ordered a black reporter to set up a meeting with her "friends" at the Congressional Black Caucus.

AURN reporter April Ryan had this exchange with Trump:
RYAN: When you say the inner cities, are you going to include the CBC, Mr. President, in your conversations with your urban agenda, your inner-city agenda?
TRUMP: Am I going to include who?
RYAN: Are you going to include the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus?
TRUMP: Well, I would. I tell you what: Do you want to set up the meeting? Do you want to set up the meeting?
RYAN: No, no, no. I’m just a reporter.
TRUMP: Are they friends of yours? Set up the meeting.
RYAN: I know some of them, but I’m sure they’re watching right now —
TRUMP: Let’s go. Set up a meeting. I would love to meet with the Black Caucus. I think it’s great, the Congressional Black Caucus. I think it’s great.
The (actual) Congressional Black Caucus asked to meet with Trump in a letter dated January 19th but received no reply.

Why is that such a bad thing?

  • Automatically assuming that all members of a minority group are "friends" or otherwise interchangeable pretty much rules you out of contention as "the least racist person."