Trump and Miss Piggy
Published in La Presse
(Canada) on 3 October 2016
by Alexandre Sirois (link to original)
Early yesterday morning, Donald Trump, presidential candidate in the world's sole superpower, published a series of inflamed tweets.
Were they about the U.S. economy? About his much talked about "secret plan" to destroy the Islamic State? About immigration reform? No, no, and no. Not even close.
The Republican politician let it all out about former Miss Universe Alicia Machado, who has been making headlines in the U.S. since Monday.
Her name was mentioned by Hillary Clinton during the first presidential debate. "He called her 'Miss Piggy.’ Then he called her 'Miss Housekeeping' because she was Latina," the Democratic candidate stated in front of over 80 million viewers. Her rival was fuming.
The next morning, Trump should have recognized his mistake and apologized. Instead, he poured gasoline on the fire. He implied that he had good reason to call her "Miss Piggy,” "[S]he gained a massive amount of weight and it was a real problem," he stated.
Wait, there's more ...
American journalists looked a bit closer at this story. They reminded us that 20 years ago, Donald Trump humiliated Alicia Machado, then 18 years old, by forcing her to work out in front of the cameras. She "likes to eat," he said. During this embarrassing public relations event, he said, "[T]he way she’s going, she’d eat the whole gymnasium.”
The New York Times recently interviewed the former beauty queen about it. “I was sick — anorexia and bulimia for five years,” she said.
Yesterday, Donald Trump brought the issue back to the table.
He attacked both Alicia Machado and Hillary Clinton. "Wow, Crooked Hillary was duped and used by my worst Miss U. Hillary floated her as an 'angel' without checking her past, which is terrible!" he tweeted. Alicia Machado is “disgusting," he added, and Trump claimed she had been in a "sex tape.”
Some have had a hard time explaining why the billionaire politician brought up the issue, which reflects so poorly on him, and gives his rival more ammunition less than 40 days before the election.
But it's simple: It is Donald Trump to a tee.
This whole affair demonstrates that he is incapable of admitting his own errors and that his temperament is not that of a future president.
It serves as a reminder that bullying and insults are part of his brand.
His reaction to Alicia Machado's extra pounds is yet another incriminating piece of evidence that proves that his faults range from authoritarianism to sexism, and dabbling in racism.
You do not have to look further to understand this new episode of the "Trump Show.” It is part of the true nature of the Republican candidate for the White House.
Were they about the U.S. economy? About his much talked about "secret plan" to destroy the Islamic State? About immigration reform? No, no, and no. Not even close.
The Republican politician let it all out about former Miss Universe Alicia Machado, who has been making headlines in the U.S. since Monday.
Her name was mentioned by Hillary Clinton during the first presidential debate. "He called her 'Miss Piggy.’ Then he called her 'Miss Housekeeping' because she was Latina," the Democratic candidate stated in front of over 80 million viewers. Her rival was fuming.
The next morning, Trump should have recognized his mistake and apologized. Instead, he poured gasoline on the fire. He implied that he had good reason to call her "Miss Piggy,” "[S]he gained a massive amount of weight and it was a real problem," he stated.
Wait, there's more ...
American journalists looked a bit closer at this story. They reminded us that 20 years ago, Donald Trump humiliated Alicia Machado, then 18 years old, by forcing her to work out in front of the cameras. She "likes to eat," he said. During this embarrassing public relations event, he said, "[T]he way she’s going, she’d eat the whole gymnasium.”
The New York Times recently interviewed the former beauty queen about it. “I was sick — anorexia and bulimia for five years,” she said.
Yesterday, Donald Trump brought the issue back to the table.
He attacked both Alicia Machado and Hillary Clinton. "Wow, Crooked Hillary was duped and used by my worst Miss U. Hillary floated her as an 'angel' without checking her past, which is terrible!" he tweeted. Alicia Machado is “disgusting," he added, and Trump claimed she had been in a "sex tape.”
Some have had a hard time explaining why the billionaire politician brought up the issue, which reflects so poorly on him, and gives his rival more ammunition less than 40 days before the election.
But it's simple: It is Donald Trump to a tee.
This whole affair demonstrates that he is incapable of admitting his own errors and that his temperament is not that of a future president.
It serves as a reminder that bullying and insults are part of his brand.
His reaction to Alicia Machado's extra pounds is yet another incriminating piece of evidence that proves that his faults range from authoritarianism to sexism, and dabbling in racism.
You do not have to look further to understand this new episode of the "Trump Show.” It is part of the true nature of the Republican candidate for the White House.
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