A party built on contradictions
Like many Canadians, I view the thought of Donald Trump returning to power as alarming.
I am also troubled with the contradictions I see in Trump, and the Republican Party (GOP.) These contradictions are very apparent and logically speaking should deter anyone from voting for them.
For example, Trump has a large following among evangelicals and others who refer to themselves as Christians. I am sure all these people are well acquainted with the famous “Sermon on the Mount.” In this sermon Jesus urged his supporters to care for the poor, love and forgive their enemies, turn the other cheek, be humble and to reject materialism among others.
Does any of that sound even remotely like Donald Trump? Is Trump humble? Think about all the times he boasts about the money he claims he has. (So much for not being materialistic.) In March 2023, at the CPAC conference, Trump announced “I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed: I am your retribution.” Where does that type of talk appear in the “Sermon on the Mount” and how does it align with the values that Jesus spoke of ?
Trump and the Republicans refer to themselves as “prolife.” When one declares themselves to be “pro-life” you would logically believe that they want to preserve life. Being “pro-life,” I would have thought that the Trump administration would have led the western world in the most restrictive COVID-19 lockdowns, promoted life-saving vaccines, social distancing and masking, etc. After all, being “pro-life” would mean taking all precautions to save lives during a pandemic.
Instead, what did we in fact see? We saw a president who downplayed the dangers of COVID, bellowed “Liberate Michigan” when that state implemented lockdowns, and he wouldn’t promote vaccines. It was reported that Trump discouraged the wearing of masks in the White House and in fact held rallies during the darkest days of the pandemic that flouted local social distancing and masking regulations. How is that “pro-life?”
USA Today reported on Feb. 13 there had been 1,714 mass shootings during the Trump administration resulting in 1,679 deaths and 7,355 injuries. Yet Trump boasted on Feb. 9 at a gun show referring to gun control, “During my four years nothing happened,” Trump said. “And there was great pressure on me, having to do with guns. We did nothing. We didn’t yield.”
How can one be “pro-life” and refuse to take any action to save lives from gun violence? Perhaps Trump and the GOP are not actually “pro-life.” It may be more accurate to refer to them as “pro-birth” or even “forced birth.”
Trump regularly boasts of his skills as a businessperson. But the reality is somewhat different. He has gone through six corporate bankruptcies. That is a significant number for such a “gifted businessperson.”
Part of business success is hiring the best people. Trump made former oil executive Rex Tillerson his first secretary of state. After firing him, Trump referred to Tillerson as “dumb as a rock” and “lazy as hell.” Recently, Trump referred to his opponent for the Republican nomination, Nikki Haley, as a “bird brain.” He had previously selected her to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Remember, he hired these people. What does that say about his managerial abilities and his hiring judgment?
We have all heard Trump’s claims of election fraud and how he really won the 2020 election. But why would anyone vote for him if he is telling the truth and elections are “rigged?” There would be no point.
Trump and the GOP are riddled with contradictions, which are readily visible to anyone who takes the time to listen to what they are saying and reflect on the reality of what they in fact do. Let’s hope American voters cast their votes accordingly.