Why Donald Trump's Pocahontas "Joke" Is Not Just Dumb and Insulting -- It's Dangerous

Why Donald Trump's Pocahontas "Joke" Is Not Just Dumb and Insulting -- It's Dangerous
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Donald Trump did not just insult Elizabeth Warren, the intended target of his Pocahontas comments in a ceremony honoring the Native American windtalkers who played a crucial role in WWII. “Pocahontas” is his favorite derisive nickname for Senator Warren, a reference to her comment, based on family stories, that her has some Native American heritage. Pocahontas is a legendary Native American who saved the life of a British colonist when she was a young teenager, and was later captured, forced to convert to Christianity and change her name, and then married to another British colonist and tobacco farmer. Why would the President mention Elizabeth Warren with what is considered to be a reductionist, caricatured ethnic slur in the middle of an event paying tribute to men whose dedication and native heritage gave the United States an unbreakable code during wartime?

Donald Trump’s fragile ego is easily threatened, most viscerally by three categories of people: (1) people of color, especially strong, smart, outspoken ones who challenge him, (2) people of exceptional courage and achievement, especially physical strength and ability, and (3) women, especially strong, smart, outspoken ones who challenge him. Faced with the first two, he had to bring in the third as well. Note that when it comes to white, Christian males he is deferential, whether it is his “both sides” support for KKK members and Nazis in Charlottesville, endorsement of accused child molester and sexual predator Judge Roy Moore, or praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The President has no understanding or ability to care about what is appropriate or how his comments are received. As I have pointed out before, this is the result of a lifetime of surrounding himself with people who laugh at his “jokes” because they work for him or want something from him. His jibes are contrary to one of the fundamental rules of comedy: always punch up. Make fun of people who are stronger, higher status, or more powerful. Comedians can violate that rule; politicians can not.

In the past, some of the President’s comments have made him appear candid and direct to some supporters. After nearly a year in office, it is clear that he is terrified, desperate, and solipsistic, able to comprehend events only as they pertain to his sense of himself. As his failings and flaws interfere with his ability to work with members of Congress and world leaders, it is worse than humiliating; it puts all of us at risk.

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