Donald Trump’s most hostile quotes
US President has been accused of hypocrisy after lecturing the media on civility
Donald Trump has been accused of hypocrisy after lecturing the media on civility this week.
The US president had urged American to “come together in peace and harmony” after it emerged that pipe bombs were mailed to high-profile Democrats and organisations including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and CNN.
Then, “without naming a party, he pivoted to condemning Democrats”, says NBC News.
Subscribe to 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.
Americans should not “compare political opponents to historical villains” and “not mob people in public”, Trump told a campaign rally in Wisconsin, before going on to blame the media for the current political climate.
“The media also has a responsibility to set a civil tone and to stop the endless hostility and constant negative and oftentimes false attacks and stories,” he said. “They've got to stop.”
His apportioning of blame to seemingly everyone except himself comes as no surprise to many.
The president has been criticised repeatedly over his own hostile language. During a rally in Montana last week ahead of the midterms, Trump praised Republican Greg Gianforte, who allegedly body slammed a reporter while running for his congressional seat in 2017.
Referring to the attack on The Guardian journalist, Trump said that “any guy who can do a body slam, he is my type!”
The US leader’s words were “the latest example where he appears to encourage or support violence”, says ABC News.
Throughout his political career, Trump has managed to offend and humiliate huge swathes of people, from grieving Muslims to people with disabilities. Here are some of his most hostile comments:
On protesters
Protesters have been a regular feature of Trump's political career, regularly disrupting his rallies - much to his anger. On the day of the Iowa caucuses, in February 2016, Trump told a crowd of his supporters in Cedar Rapids that he would pay their legal fees if they engaged in violence against protesters.
“If you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously, OK? Just knock the hell... I promise you I will pay for the legal fees. I promise, I promise,” he said.
On Mexicans
Immigration has been at the centre of Trump's political discourse, with a lot of his ire directed at people arriving from south of the US.
“When Mexico sends their people [to the US], they are not sending their best. They are bringing drugs, they are bringing crime, they're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people,” he said during his campaign launch.
On black and Jewish people
“I have a great relationship with the blacks,” Trump told CNN in 2011. Two decades before that, one of his former colleagues accused him of saying: “Black guys counting my money! I hate it. The only kind of people I want counting my money are little short guys that wear yarmulkes every day.”
Responding to the allegations, the businessman said they were “probably true”, Rolling Stone reports.
On journalists
In July 2017, Trump tweeted a doctored video from a 2007 wrestling event at which he “fought” and took down WWE owner Vince McMahon. In the version posted by Trump, McMahon's face is blocked by the logo of CNN, which has frequently criticised the president.
In response, CNN released a statement that said: "It is a sad day when the president of the United States encourages violence against reporters.”
Trump’s hostility extends beyond angry tweets. Reporters who work for publications that have “gotten on Trump's bad side” find themselves ignored by him, says news site Mother Jones.
On criminals
During a speech to police officials in July 2017, Trump appeared to encourage law enforcers to be more violent in handling potential offenders.
“When you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon, you just seen them thrown in, rough. I said, ‘Please don’t be too nice,’” he told the audience.
“When you guys put somebody in the car and you’re protecting their head you know, the way you put their hand over [their head],” Trump continued, mimicking the motion. “Like, ‘Don’t hit their head and they’ve just killed somebody, don’t hit their head.’ I said, ‘You can take the hand away, OK?’”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What message is Trump sending with his Cabinet picks?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION By nominating high-profile loyalists like Matt Gaetz and RFK Jr., is Trump serious about creating a functioning Cabinet, or does he have a different plan in mind?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz ethics report in limbo as sex allegations emerge
Speed Read A lawyer representing two women alleges that Matt Gaetz paid them for sex, and one witnessed him having sex with minor
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The clown car cabinet
Opinion Even 'Little Marco' towers above his fellow nominees
By Mark Gimein Published
-
What Mike Huckabee means for US-Israel relations
In the Spotlight Some observers are worried that the conservative evangelical minister could be a destabilizing influence on an already volatile region
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The Pentagon faces an uncertain future with Trump
Talking Point The president-elect has nominated conservative commentator Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'All Tyson-Paul promised was spectacle and, in the end, that's all we got'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published