In 2020, during the final Presidential debate Donald Trump said he was the “least racist person in the room” at the time. That notion needs to be challenged as it remains here are 7 instances when Donald Trump seems absolutely racist. Read for yourself.
- Central Park Five: In 1989, Donald Trump took out full-page ads in New York City newspapers calling for the death penalty for the Central Park Five, five Black and Latino teenagers wrongfully convicted of assault. Even after their exoneration in 2002, Trump refused to apologize or acknowledge their innocence.
- Birtherism: Trump was one of the leading proponents of the “birther” movement, questioning President Barack Obama’s birthplace despite evidence that Obama was born in Hawaii. This movement is widely regarded as racially motivated and aimed at delegitimizing the first Black president.
- Muslim Ban: Early in his presidency, Trump signed an executive order banning travel from several predominantly Muslim countries, a move criticized as being discriminatory against Muslims.
- Charlottesville Remarks: After the 2017 Charlottesville rally, where white supremacists clashed with counter-protesters, Trump claimed there were “very fine people on both sides,” a comment interpreted by many as equating racists with those protesting against racism.
- Policies on Diversity and Inclusion: Trump’s administration ordered federal agencies to cease all training on systemic racism and unconscious racial bias and banned diversity training that the administration deemed “anti-American propaganda.”
- Immigration Rhetoric and Policies: Trump’s rhetoric around immigrants, especially from Mexico, has been widely criticized as racist. He famously referred to Mexican immigrants as “rapists” and criminals and implemented the “zero tolerance” policy, which led to family separations at the border.
- “Shithole Countries” Remark: In a 2018 meeting about immigration, Trump reportedly referred to African nations, Haiti, and El Salvador as “shithole countries,” questioning why the U.S. should accept immigrants from these places instead of countries like Norway. This comment drew widespread condemnation as blatantly racist.
Bibliography:
- Wikipedia contributors. “Racial views of Donald Trump.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2023. Link
- Progressive Reform Staff. “Trump Administration’s Actions Against Black Americans Have Deep Historical Roots.” Center for Progressive Reform, 2020. Link
- Amnesty International. “President Trump’s first 100 days: Attacks on human rights.” Amnesty International, 2025. Link
- ACLU. “Trump on DEI and Anti-Discrimination Law.” American Civil Liberties Union. Link
- NIJC. “Leading with Cruelty: Eight Impacts of Trump’s First Day Executive Orders.” National Immigrant Justice Center, 2025. Link
