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
-
Today's political cartoons - December 21, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - losing it, pedal to the metal, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Three fun, festive activities to make the magic happen this Christmas Day
Inspire your children to help set the table, stage a pantomime and write thank-you letters this Christmas!
By The Week Junior Published
-
The best books of 2024 to give this Christmas
The Week Recommends From Percival Everett to Rachel Clarke these are the critics' favourite books from 2024
By The Week UK Published
-
'All too often, we get caught up in tunnel vision'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Georgia DA Fani Willis removed from Trump case
Speed Read Willis had been prosecuting the election interference case against the president-elect
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats blame 'President Musk' for looming shutdown
Speed Read The House of Representatives rejected a spending package that would've funding the government into 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Does Trump have the power to end birthright citizenship?
Today's Big Question He couldn't do so easily, but it may be a battle he considers worth waging
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Elon Musk about to disrupt British politics?
Today's big question Mar-a-Lago talks between billionaire and Nigel Farage prompt calls for change on how political parties are funded
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will California's EV mandate survive Trump, SCOTUS challenge?
Today's Big Question The Golden State's climate goal faces big obstacles
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'Underneath the noise, however, there's an existential crisis'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published