boasted about genes and invoked “racehorse theory”?

Throughout his life, and into his presidency, Trump voiced his belief that genes allowed for inherent superiority of some over others. He has invoked “racehorse theory” in relation to these beliefs, referencing the selective breeding of horses.

He reiterated these beliefs at a Minnesota rally on September 18, 2020:

This state was pioneered by men and women who braved the wilderness and the winters to build a better life for themselves and for their families. They were tough, and they were strong. You have good genes, you know that, right? You have good genes. A lot of it’s about the genes isn’t it, don’t you believe? The racehorse theory you think was so different? You have good genes in Minnesota.

The application of “racehorse theory” to people is known as eugenics, which has been the motivation behind a wide swath of crimes against humanity, from forced sterilizations to genocide.

While Trump frequently claimed that his genes were largely responsible for his skills and success, over $400 million was inherited by Trump using various tax evasion schemes, and one of his former professors referred to him as “the dumbest goddamn student I ever had.”

Time – Donald Trump Loves to Talk About His ‘Good Genes’
Business Insider – Trump told a crowd of nearly all white supporters that they have ‘good genes’
The Daily Beast – Trump Rambles About ‘Good Genes’ and ‘Racehorse Theory’ at Minnesota Campaign Rally

was an anti-vaxxer?

Trump first voiced the unsound claim that vaccines cause autism during a 2007 interview with the Orlando Sun-Sentinal. Trump said his then-infant son Barron was being given vaccinations over a prolonged period of time, explaining, “When I was growing up, autism wasn’t really a factor. And now all of a sudden, it’s an epidemic. Everybody has their theory. My theory, and I study it because I have young children, my theory is the shots.”

In a 2009 Fox News segment, Trump called to say, “I think the vaccines can be very dangerous. And, obviously, you know, a lot of people are talking about vaccines with children with respect to autism.” He reiterated the claim again in a 2012 interview with Fox News on Autism Awareness Day.

Trump has also voiced this belief via Twitter.

During the 2015 Republican Presidential Primaries, Trump said he was supportive of vaccines, but again stated his belief that the dosages should be smaller and administered over a longer period of time.

Orlando Sun-Sentinal – Trump: Autism Linked to Child Vaccinations
Insider – The powerful media mogul at the core of Trump’s debunked views on vaccines and autism
The New York Times – President Trump on Vaccines: From Skeptic to Cheerleader

was called a liar and a brat with no principles by his sister?

In August of 2020, tapes of Maryanne Trump Barry discussing her brother, Donald, were leaked. Mary Trump, Donald’s niece, recorded 15 hours of her talks with Barry in 2018 and 2019 for her book, Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man, published in July.

Throughout the released tapes, Maryanne is only critical of her younger brother, Donald:

…his goddamned Tweet and the lying. Oh my God. I’m talking too freely, but you know. And the change of stories, the lack of preparation, the lying, the holy sh*t.

Maryanne went on to call Trump a “brat,” and discuss how he paid someone to take his entrance exams for college:

In another tape, Marryane stated that Donald “has no principles,” and disparaged his border policy:

Trump’s response was, “Every day it’s something else, who cares. I miss my brother, and I’ll continue to work hard for the American people. Not everyone agrees, but the results are obvious. Our country will soon be stronger than ever before!”

Maryanne Trump Barry, former Senior United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Maryanne Trump Barry. American Legal News

 

Maryanne was a federal judge until 2019. She was appointed by Reagan to the District Court of New Jersey and by Clinton to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. She resigned amid a probe into whether she and her siblings engaged in in fraud to limit the tax liability of their inheritance. Because the investigation in her instance only sought to determine whether she’d violated judicial conduct rules, it concluded with her resignation.

The Washington Post – In secretly recorded audio, President Trump’s sister says he has ‘no principles’ and ‘you can’t trust him’
USA Today – ‘He has no principles. None’: Maryanne Trump Barry tears into her brother in secretly taped audio
Axios – Trump’s sister says “you can’t trust him” in audio leaked to WashPost
Newsweek – Trump Says ‘Every Day It’s Something Else, Who Cares’ to Sister’s Secret Audio Recording
American Legal News – Maryanne Trump Barry Resigns in Face of Ethics Investigation
Wikipedia – Maryanne Trump Barry

used pseudonyms to discuss himself with the press?

In 2016, audio resurfaced of a phone call to the media by John Miller, who claimed to be Trump’s publicists. It was noted, however, that his voice and speech patterns closely resembled those of Trump himself.

In the call, Miller said Trump was doing “tremendously well financially,” and despite there being several famous women who wanted to date him, including Carla Bruni and Madonna, “he treated his wife well and…he will treat Marla well.” Marla Maples was Trump’s second wife before their divorce and his marriage with Melania.

Trump has also accused of using another pseudonym, John Barron, to speak about himself to the media. Calling himself “vice-president of the Trump organization,” the name John Barron is first noted in the defense of Trump’s decision to destroy sculptures on the facade of a Manhattan building that was demolished for the construction of Trump Tower. Michael D’Antonio, the biographer to whom Trump said his temperament remained unchained since the first grade, noted that “John Barron was a way for Trump to talk himself up.” Trump later named his fifth child with third wife Melania “Barron.”

Trump vehemently denied the claims, saying in a Today interview. “It doesn’t sound like me on the phone, I will tell you that. And it was not me on the phone.” However, in a 1990 court case Trump testified, “I believe on occasion I used that name.”

Trump also appeared to pen a letter bragging of his relationship with women under another pseudonym, Carolin Gallego.

The Washington Post – Donald Trump masqueraded as publicist to brag about himself
The Washington Post – The amazing story of Donald Trump’s old spokesman, John Barron — who was actually Donald Trump himself
The New Yorker – Donald Trump and the “John Miller” Tape: A Question of Character
Vice – Remembering John Barron, Donald Trump’s ‘Spokesman’ Alter Ego
Today – Donald Trump denies posing as spokesman in recordings Washington Post uncovered
Wikipedia – Pseudonyms of Donald Trump

used a fake name to boast about his relationship with women in a NY Mag article?

In a 1992 issue of New York Magazine, a letter was published in defense of Donald Trump and his relationship with women.

Based on the fact that I work for Donald Trump as his secretary—and therefore know him well—I think he treats women with great respect, contrary to what Julie Baumgold implied in her article … I do not believe any man in America gets more calls from women wanting to see him, meet him, or go out with him. The most beautiful women, the most successful women—all women love Donald Trump.

Carolin Gallego December 7, 1992

No record of a Carolin Gallego in the employ of Trump has been found, and longtime Trump lawyer Michael Cohen said he’d never heard of her. The similarity between the letter and Trump’s own speech pattern has been noted by journalists and commentators.

Trump also used the pseudonyms John Miller and John Barron when speaking with the press.

Washingtonian – Carolin Gallego Wrote a 1992 Letter Saying Women Love Donald Trump. We’re Having Trouble Finding Her
Wikipedia – Pseudonyms of Donald Trump

talked about “nailing” Princess Diana after her death?

In his 1997 book The Art of the Comeback, Trump wrote, “I only have one regret in the women department – that I never had the opportunity to court Lady Diana Spencer. I met her on a number of occasions. I couldn’t help but notice how she moved people. She lit up the room with her charm, her presence. She was a genuine princess – a dream lady.”

Diana smiling
Princess Diana in 1997, the year of her death. Wikipedia

Trump also spoke about Princess Diana on-air during interviews with Howard Stern. During one such conversation after her death, Stern asked, “You could’ve nailed her?” Trump replied, “I think I could’ve.”

Stern and Trump also joked that Princess Diana would’ve needed an HIV test before Trump would’ve slept with her, referring to an earlier point in their conversation about HIV and dating.

“Hey Lady Di, would you go to the doctor?” Stern joked.

“Go back over to my Lexington Avenue doctor,” Trump added as though addressing the late princess. “We wanna give you a little checkup.”

Town and Country Magazine – A Brief History of Donald Trump’s Controversial Interactions with the British Royal Family
People – Donald Trump Hoped Princess Diana Would Be His ‘Trophy Wife,’ Says British TV Anchor
Newsweek – Trump Wanted to Sleep With Princess Diana If She Took an HIV Test First, According to Howard Stern Recordings

attacked late night hosts and comedy shows?

Before and after taking office, Trump has attacked a variety of comedians and late night hosts, including Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Bill Maher.

Many late night hosts were happy to address the comments on their shows.

He also has attacked Saturday Night Live multiple times, though claiming that he doesn’t watch it. He referred to their anti-Republican bias as “the real Collusion” and was voiced his frustration that they would spend so much time attacking his administration “without retribution.” He suggested that the Federal Election Commission and Federal Communications Commission investigate.

Unsurprisingly, this also drew more attention from SNL and late night hosts.

Trump has also taken specific aim at Alec Baldwin for his impression of Trump on Saturday Night Live:

Michelle Wolfe was also mentioned several times for her comments during the 2018 White House Correspondent’s Dinner, which were derided as being too vulgar and inappropriate. Trump has refused to attend any Correspondent’s Dinner since becoming President, and was famously roasted by Obama and Seth Meyers at the 2015 Correspondent’s Dinner.

Newsweek – Trump Wants ‘Retribution’ Against SNL and Critical News, Calling Media ‘Enemy of the People’
USA Today – Trump sounds off on ‘no talent’ late-night hosts; Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert fire back

attacked Obama over his handling of Ebola?

For four months, Trump railed against Obama’s handling of Ebola during the 2014 crisis. Trump demanded that all travel from Western Africa be immediately halted, promising that the crisis will “ONLY GET WORSE.” Saying that the government’s handling of the crisis was “almost like he’s saying F-you to U.S. public,” he warned about how “All the governors are already backing off of the Ebola quarantines.”

There were 11 total American cases of Ebola, resulting in 2 deaths. Neither of those who died contracted Ebola from within the United States. The CDC announced the first diagnosis September 30, 2014, and the last infected person was released from the hospital November 11.

Ebola outbreak in the United States / Wikipedia

During his Presidency, Trump repeatedly downplayed the severity of COVID-19. His administration implemented limited travel bans that only extended to non-US citizens and residents, failed to implement travel checks and tracing for the disease, and continually pushed for states to reopen their economies. Trump claimed he had total authority over governors to make policy in their states.

Fox News also drew attention for the discrepancy between their reporting on the handling of Ebola under Obama and COVID-19 under Trump.

An incomplete list of Trump’s tweets about Obama’s handling of Ebola follows:

Wikipedia – Ebola virus cases in the United States
Trump Twitter Archive

said the economy does better under Democrat leadership?

In a 2004 interview, Trump said he identified more with Democrats because he believed that the economy does better under their leadership.

I’ve been around for a long time and it just seems that the economy does better under the Democrats than the Republicans.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump blamed Obama, Democratic presidential candidates, and the federal reserve for economic problems during his tenure.

I think the financial markets are very upset when they look at the Democrat candidates on that stage making fools out of themselves.

The Fed was not good, as far as I’m concerned, and that was a big blip that should not have taken place, should not have happened…that was just killer when they raised the rate, it was just a big mistake, and they admit to it.

Forbes -Trump Is Right About One Thing: ‘The Economy Does Better Under The Democrats’
Politifact – Does the economy always do better under Democratic presidents? 

tweeted about “haters and losers” on the anniversary of 9/11?

While the tweet was deleted two year after first being made, a retweet of his own original tweet remains live.

Trump has made other, similar tweets about “haters and losers.”

Business Insider – Trump once extended ‘best wishes’ to ‘haters and losers’ on 9/11 — then deleted the tweet years later

More assuredly to come soon

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