Trump: Human Rights Threat, President or Not

Based upon his rhetoric, Mr. Trump is conducting his campaign without even a minimum standard of respect, let alone dignity.

In his book, The Narcissist Next Door, the author points to Donald Trump as an example of a narcissist.   This could explain many things about Mr. Trump.  He can easily believe he is telling the truth at any given moment.  When confronted with earlier contradictory statements, he either denies the statements, distinguishes or ignores them. 

And there are more dangerous components to his personality that could result in massive human rights violations.  Anyone criticizing or opposing him is an enemy.  This was played out in his “short fingers” controversy.  Trump reportedly spent years attempting to convince the reporter who referenced short fingers that she was wrong.  But now the stakes are higher.

Mr. Trump can accept neither criticism nor contradiction.  This is played out in his refusal to respect the judiciary.  Offended that the court is ruling against him, the presumptive Republican nominee went on the attack, claiming that the judge, whose parents are Mexican immigrants, is biased against him.  Of course, Mr. Trump already claims that his remarks were “misunderstood”.

This is not the first time that Mr. Trump has attacked judges on bias grounds when their rulings were not to his liking.  But prior attacks were not broadcast to millions of Americans.

It is unimaginable that Mr. Trump will relinquish control of his businesses and investments, a requirement if he is to assume the office of President.  For this reason, we should not be surprised if he declines the Republican nomination or creates chaos by declining to serve if elected.  No matter the political outcome, human rights damage is already done. 

Mr. Trump has already distributed his racist and misogynistic beliefs. While his offensive pronouncements may further alienate some political supporters, his remaining supporters appear unperturbed. Millions of Americans think that incivility, disrespectfulness, racism, ignorance and misogyny are tolerable.  Soon we will see Mr.Trump’s behavior mimicked.  For those in our population who share Mr. Trump’s beliefs, they are now empowered.  For those who had similar leanings, the removal of any civil boundaries serves to strengthen such beliefs. 

Mr. Trump does not want to make America great.  Mr. Trump wants to continue the feeding of his narcissism, even at the cost of human rights.