OPINION — I'm writing to express my deep concern over the lasting damage Donald Trump's rhetoric has inflicted on our country's most vulnerable communities.
A leader's words hold immense power, yet the president has consistently used his platform to demean, scapegoat and dehumanize marginalized groups through targeted name-calling. From mocking people with disabilities, targeting journalists, to using racially charged language against immigrants, black communities, Asian Americans, and trans, this behavior does more than lower the bar for public political discourse. It directly compromises the safety and well-being of our neighbors.
When a high-profile leader normalizes bullying, it gives permission for others to do the same, leading to a documented rise in discrimination, hate crimes and harassment across the nation. We cannot allow targeted cruelty to be treated as standard political theater.
