Like nearly every other black man in America, I've been taken aback by the manner through which Donald Trump has used racist code language to undermine the presidency of Barack Obama. After first wondering if he was born in the United States, Trump has made reference to Obama playing too much basketball to pay attention to the price of gas and even questioned whether or not he truly earned the grades necessary to get into the Harvard Law School.
Even if the president somehow slithered his way into Harvard, I can't imagine an unqualified student being chosen as the first black editor of the Harvard Law Review. Trump's questionable behavior is being called for what it is, for even Bob Schieffer from CBS has made reference to Trump's "ugly strain of racism." Many of Trump's fellow Republicans are running for the hills, as one of their most visible leaders has engaged in incredibly odd behavior.
But when I analyze Trump's statements objectively, I must confess that the Business School professor in me doesn't understand his choices one bit. One of the first rules of "Corporate America 101" is to avoid any serious controversy, especially religious or political, for this additional volatility almost never helps the bottom line. Cases in point are the recent boycott against Chick-fila by the gay community for standing against gay marriage, and the price that Oprah Winfrey paid for jumping out to support President Barack Obama. Mind you, Winfrey's price was minimal because her behavior was carefully planned, but Trump seems to be determined to destroy every business in which he's currently invested.
Viewers are now running away from The Apprentice television show in droves, with advertiser boycotts being launched by several groups across the nation. Also, I can't imagine any Obama supporter being excited about staying in a hotel with the name "Trump" in front of it. Trump's tirades will cost him billions, his shareholders and employees will suffer, and after it's all said and done, he still won't have a chance to become president.
I seriously wonder what's happened to Donald Trump. The calculated behavior that helped him rise to the top of the business world is nowhere to be found as he runs from one network to another pursuing his vendetta against President Obama. Could it be ego? Could Trump be losing it? Perhaps he is simply a disgruntled white male who has a tough time transitioning to a growingly-inclusive America.
Whatever the reason for Donald Trump's most recent behavior, the price is going to be steep. His status as a cultural icon, political leader and corporate captain are all in jeopardy and probably won't ever recover again. If I had to be honest, I'd say that deep down, there's a part of me that feels sorry for Donald Trump. Well, just a little bit.
Follow Dr. Boyce Watkins on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrBoyceWatkins1
Sarah Granger: Trump Autographed Copy Of Obama Birth Certificate For Auction Online
Really? I was under the impression that he held those positions only in his own imagination, propped up by his ego and bluster - and fed by those who hoped they could make a buck by throwing money at him.........
Is he in complete "2 year old" self distruct mode ?
"His status as a cultural icon, political leader and corporate captain are all in jeopardy and probably won't ever recover again."
Where and when, in Trump's entire sordid history, was he EVER a political leader?
Political joke yes, embarrassing yes, but a leader? Definitely NOT.
laughing
I really found Trump to be a delightful distraction, his totally unreflective admission that he "screwed" Quadafi because of how crooked he conducts himself in business, for example, and I was totally tolerant of Trump and his personal short-comings up until he started all this nonsense, attacking the president on such a personal note, as some kind of "inferior," particularly when the contrast between the two men and their relative accomplishments speak for themselves.
When are these political opportunists going to learn that the Country, with the exception of a slim, derranged minorty, has a great deal of personal respect for Obama, as a person and as a figure-head of America, regardless of politics?
The implication that Obama is some kind of defective enrages, not only African Americans who see him as a particularly important role-model to their community, but all Americans who selected his particular work ethic, demeanor and point of view to be that one person who represents America for his period in office.
His claims of super wealth seem questionable at best in an age of declining real estate values. The odds are high that he needs his night job to stay afloat, and started his presidential flirtation to bolster his ratings, but continues it to stroke his enormous ego.
If logic wins, he'll bow out with his Apprentice season finale, because his true net worth probably can't stand the disclosure forms.
The problem was clearly lack of substance. In this case, I'm going to defer to Harvard's judgment regarding these two as to who had it and who didn't.
FnF
Mr. Trump grew up in such an environment in his section of New York. Friends familiar with the family, and that community, point to the bigotry and dismissiveness of other not like them that was a central part of the comunity philosophy.
I saw that mindest acted out on Trump's show -- where he passed over Black talent to reward those who reminded him of himself. One year, when due to audience vote, an African American did win, Trump tried to shame the man into sharing his prized with the White runner-up.
Once the birth certificate issue blew up in his face, he revealed who he really was -- a pitiful little man, who was ill-served by those responsible for his upbringing. He is a sad character.
Well, demographically these dinosaurs are staring at the meteor that is the 'browning' of America, and their reaction is that of fear, ignorance and the thinly veiled bigotry of birthirism as witnessed by the Tea Party backlash and embodied by the election of a Black President.....
but thanks for playing