Is Donald Trump really 'the least racist person there is'?
The Donald takes to Fox News to answer a growing chorus of voices accusing him of racism. They're wrong, Trump argues, because... a past Apprentice winner was black?
The video: Donald Trump, the celebrity real estate tycoon and erstwhile GOP presidential frontrunner, is fending off charges that he's racist — charges that are tied to his many attacks on President Obama. Trump defended himself Monday on Fox & Friends, arguing, "I am the least racist person there is." (Watch the video below.) His supporting evidence? Apprentice contestant Randal Pinkett, who is black, won Trump's reality TV show six years ago. "And Randal's been outstanding in every way. So I am the least racist person." Is that really a winning argument?
The reaction: This couldn't be more ridiculous, says Jack Stuef at Wonkette. "Bob Barker gave away brand-new cars and tens of thousands of dollars to black people every day for decades on his game show." Is that really the standard? Well, to be fair, asking someone if they're racist is an "unfortunate and impossible question" to answer, says Tony Pierce at the Los Angeles Times. And I thought Trump handled it well, considering. Wait a minute, says Juli Weiner at Vanity Fair. Don't you think that "the least racist person on Earth would be highly unlikely to find himself in the position of continually having to go on the record and insist that he is not a prejudiced jerk"? See for yourself:
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Massacre in the favela: Rio’s police take on the gangsIn the Spotlight The ‘defence operation’ killed 132 suspected gang members, but could spark ‘more hatred and revenge’
-
The John Lewis ad: touching, or just weird?Talking Point This year’s festive offering is full of 1990s nostalgia – but are hedonistic raves really the spirit of Christmas?
-
Codeword: November 15, 2025The daily codeword puzzle from The Week
-
Has Zohran Mamdani shown the Democrats how to win again?Today’s Big Question New York City mayoral election touted as victory for left-wing populists but moderate centrist wins elsewhere present more complex path for Democratic Party
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ ralliesSpeed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardonTalking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidentsThe Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are US billionaires backing?The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration