Early in his Presidential campaign Donald Trump made some unsavory statements regarding border control targeting the Latino community with sharps generalizations as drug dealers an rapists.
I have included footage here:
In the weeks following there has been a highly warranted outcry of those who are appalled by these blatantly disrespectful comments. Various celebrities, public figures and major corporations have come out in support of the public shaming Trump’s comments and going so far as to severe business affiliations regardless of any financial penalties.
Recently, in the wake of all the reactions and news coverage there of a very dangerous gangster named El Chapo escaped from prison, with speculation he is “coming for” Trump in response to his statements. While some people have been incited by this as Trump possibly getting “what he deserves” from any harm by El Chapo, others maintain this behavior only perpetuates the generalizations Trump made in the first place.
Here are some contrasting examples:
Donald Trump
Calls in FBI
Over Death Threat Involving El Chapo
7/13/2015 9:39 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
EXCLUSIVE
Donald Trump tells TMZ he is contacting the FBI to investigate threats just made by a man claiming to be the son of escaped Mexican drug lord El Chapo.
Trump is reacting to a tweet reportedly made by El Chapo’s son, in which he blasts Trump for saying El Chapo is “everything that’s wrong with Mexico.”
The tweet was written in Spanish, with the rough English translation, “Keep f***ing around and I’m gonna make you swallow your bitch words you f***ing whitey milks***tter (that’s a homophobic slur).”
Trump tells TMZ he’s not backing down, saying, “I’m fighting for much more than myself. I’m fighting for the future of our country which is being overrun by criminals.” He adds, “You can’t be intimidated. It’s too important.”
The TMZ article above, along the following images in circulation review a host of contrasting positions created to shape the narrative for those who happen to encounter them.
Ultimately, it is important to remember this isn’t just a highly publicized beef between two personalities. It’s not like two housewives going at it or a narrative war amongst the Basketball Wives of wherever, these are the statements and positions of someone who’s entered the most important popularity contest in the WORLD, President of the United States. With the evolution of social media over the years, popularity-politics has added a new level of infiltration into the general public.
1. Do you think Trump intentionally started this “fire” with the purpose of gaining publicity, potentially under the “all press is good press” mantra?
2. With how active Trump is personally on social media, do you think his campaign will primarily take place online? If so, do you think that would be wise from a media management perspective?
3. In the wake of these outrageous yet highly entertaining exchanges, do you think voters will take him seriously as a candidate for office? And is he possibly getting more exposure than the other candidates in his party?
Thanks!
3 Responses to Donald Trump or Donald Chump?