Just when you thought that this political season could not get anymore bizarre, guess what? It sure as heck did! The past few days has had much of political establishment—Democrats, Republicans, Independents, apolitical non-voters and others outraged, appalled, frustrated, disgusted or incredulous at the latest comments made by GOP nominee Donald Trump. Yes, it’s true that the comments were not all that recent. They were made in 2005 when then television celebrity host Trump was promoting his then hit NBC reality show program, The Apprentice (the version before Celebrity Apprentice) by making a cameo appearance on the network soap opera Days of Our Lives. Trump along with then Hollywood Access reporter, and up until recently Today Show host, (Bush has been suspended by NBC indefientely for his comments) Billy Bush, who mad crude, vulgar and sexist terms as they planned to meet actress Arainne Zucker. The transcript is here.
Mainstream press, alternative press, talk radio and virtually all segments of the media sounded aghast at what was admittedly shocking language that was being spewed by both men. Billy Bush even made a brash, crude comment about Trump’s daughter Ivanka. I believe that Bushs’ indefensible defense of Ryan Lotche’s behavior during the summer Rio Olympic games should have given many rational thinking Americans cause for pause.
The fact is that very few people are alarmed to the fact that Donald Trump has behaved in less than respectful behavior to woman.
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Even though virtually the entire nation is probably aware of what went down this weekend, for the two of you who are still in the dark (honestly if you have not aware of what happened you need to step up your game when it comes to following current events) let me break it down for you. Mr. Donald Trump. Mr. Billionaire businessmen Trump. Mr. Television Host Trump. Mr. father of two daughters and married man Trump. 2016 republican party nominee Trump, was caught on tape that was obtained by the Washington Post discussing how he had “moved on a married women like a bitch” kissed women without their permission, openly touched them and even “grabbed a few of them by the p*ssy.” Yes, you read that correctly! My initial reaction was WOW! WOW!WOW! In fact, as I am writing this column, more interviews and allegations of Trump admitted to groping women, engaging in threesomes and other forms of wild sexual banter and other are being leaked in the media.
Very few people are surprised that Donald Trump has behaved in less than respectful behavior to woman. Hell, he has admitted this fact himself. But the level of arrogance that Trump has demonstrated rivals that of even the most crude, virulent pimp. This is a man who has blatantly admitted to sexually assaulting women and has dismissed his actions “locker room banter” and attempts to deflect attention to Bill Clinton arguing that the former president’s behavior was considerably worse. Talk about failing to take responsibility for your own actions!
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Let me be clear, I am certainly not so naive (and I am sure that you are not either) as to not believe that there are men who do indeed engage in such language and use such talk in describing women. In fact, I have heard such language myself. That being said, I have heard very few if any, men married or, single make the claim that they freely go around brazenly kissing women on the lips and “grabbing women in their vaginas” and the women in question are totally okay with it. Nope! Never have! No indeed ! Can’t say I have and I doubt you have either. For the record, if you have then you serious need to re-evaluate the sort of guys you hang out or keep company with. You are hanging out with men who engage in sexual assault. Let’s be clear about that.
The undeniable and unfortunate fact is that there are men who are indeed sexist, condescending and misogynistic in their behavior toward women and their attitudes need to be called out. That being said, Donald Trump takes misogyny to an entire new level. The sort of behavior that Trump and Billy Bush exhibited to is a classic form of closet sexism. As is the case with closet racism, Trump, Bush and other men of their ilk inhabit a “prince charming” “congenial “prince charming,” “southern gentlemen,” downright chivalrous attitude toward their female brethren in their direct presence, yet have no qualms with making deplorably crude comments about women in private or when they (women) are absent from their (men) presence. In fact, all one has to do is review some of the comment s on various blogs defending the behavior of both men(Trump and Bush) and the virulent sexist comments that accompany such sentiment. It is clear that these men do not see women as people that are fully human, but rather as mere objects solely for the purpose of sexual objectification and pleasure. Racists behave in a similarly sinister manner.
Donald Trump is a classic example of White Privilege … his level of wealth, pedigree, connections and to a degree, gender have assisted him in many of his antics, giving him advantages and granting him privileges that would have been denied of others who do not fall into this category.
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Speaking of race, the fact is that Donald Trump is a classic example of White Privilege, specifically White Male Privilege. The fact is that it has been his level of wealth, pedigree, connections and to a degree, gender have assisted him in many of his antics, giving him advantages and granting him privileges that would have been denied of others who do not fall into this category. For example, does anyone honestly believe that a Black or non-White Hispanic man who had been married multiple times, admitted to cheating on his wives, public ally picked fights with certain women (and men), called his detractors (particularly his female detractors) all sorts of disrespectful names, insulted people of other races referring to them as rapists, terrorists, criminals, questioning the citizenship and legitimacy of a White president, insulting his presidential opponents and so on. Would have been able to secure the GOP nomination as president? Let me answer that question for you. HELL NO! In fact, he would have not have made it to the kids table debate. This is White privilege in action.
As of this moment, prominent republicans such as former secretary of State Condeleeza Rice, 2008 GOP nominee and Arizona senator John McCain, along with senators Kelly Ayotte, (New Hampshire) John Thune, (South Dakota), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Cory Gardner (Colorado) John Boozman (Arkansas) and Rob Portman (Ohio) along with governors Brian Sandoval (Nevada), Gary Herbert (Utah),along with a number of house representatives including African American Mia Love of Utah have withdrew their support for Donald Trump and have suggested that he either resign and step aside. Trump in his ever defiant manner has made it clear that he has no intentions of doing so.
His behavior during the opening moments of Sunday night’s debate made it clear that his non apology, apology was vintage Trump—arrogant, narcissistic and callous. It appears that the GOP has allowed a crude, rude, vile and monstrous figure to flourish in a manner that may very likely cost them them the keys to the White house the senate and possibly many local and state races as well.
Source: 30dB.com – White Privilege
“As the poster child for white privilege Trump may want to steer clear of the label since Social tags white privilege at 65% negative. Then again social media identifies him keeping company in the white privilege club with many of those in the article, which for Donald Trump may be a positive.” – Howard K. 30dB
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Solid, insightful piece.
“he had “moved on a married women like a bitch”” Although it hasn’t been widely circulated in the mainstream media, which has been known to really hate it when their feeding frenzies are upended with truth, a video has emerged concerning the same incident if an interview with the target of those supposedly unwelcome advances. Thanks to one of our intrepid GMPers though, we can continue to have the conversation that no one is having at least in the main stream media. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFneEUeZQVY&feature=youtu.be I’d start at about 5:15. You see that you’d see that rather than being offended, she thought… Read more »
There’s a lot that hasn’t been widely circulated in media John. This is a true fail as to what, and more importantly the why of what they’ve done and not done. I don’t trust the media at all anymore. It was thin at best before, but the outright lies and out of context reporting is despicable. I still can’t figure out what’s in it for them to sell themselves out like this. There’s something, but it’s not like normal.
“The level of arrogance that Trump has demonstrated rivals that of even the most crude, virulent pimp.”
Or maybe just a straight woman at a gay bar
http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/08/13/should_straight_women_go_to_gay_bars_a_drag_queen_reports_on_the_lady_invasion.html
, but we probably haven’t reached that point yet.
Trump is a disgraceful human being. Period.
Donald Trump represents a large percentage of White men – arrogant, entitled and privileged.
As opposed to racist, and hateful of a group that does not even exist except as a convenient means of focusing such hate. Those same words that you wrote were written before, in Mein Kampt, about another class of perceived privileged. What Donald Trump does or does not do has nothing to do with people that share the same sex organ, and do not share the same heritage. We are a melting pot of many cultures, My people suffered also, as did many who came to this country, and are now called “white” because of no other reason beyond intellectual… Read more »
Some good points made in your piece, especially about White privilege and male privilege
The author also made some good points about closet sexism and how it can be just as sophisticated as closet racism.