Trump’s Inflammatory Rhetoric is a Calculated Strategy
Trump’s Inflammatory Rhetoric is a Calculated Strategy
During a recent debate, former President Donald Trump made an outrageous claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were responsible for eating people's pets. This baseless accusation was quickly discredited by Springfield elected officials. In fact, the woman whose posts were the basis for the accusation "confessed she had no direct evidence supporting such a claim." However, in right-wing echo chambers, VP candidate J.D. Vance and figures like Elon Musk eagerly repeated these claims, further fueling anti-immigrant sentiment.
The impact on the Haitian community has been devastating. Since the false claims surfaced, Springfield residents have received bomb threats.
This is no accident—Trump knows exactly what he's doing. After a poor performance in his debate against Vice President Harris and facing a tightening race, he doubled down on a strategy that has worked for him: inciting fear and anger to energize his base. Trump thrives in destructive chaos. By painting Haitians as a threat, he gives his supporters a false target for their anxieties. The result is not just verbal abuse but real threats of violence, as seen in Springfield.
This strategy also serves to change the conversation and we should not fall for it. While mainstream media focuses on this story, the right-wing echo chamber consistently incites fear and stays on message. In this regard, the right has been far ahead of the left.
A History of Divisive Rhetoric
Trump has built his political career on spreading hateful rhetoric. During his 2016 campaign, he infamously claimed, "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're sending people that have lots of problems... They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists." Later, he falsely stated that "the overwhelming amount of violent crime in our cities is committed by blacks and Hispanics." These remarks are designed to stir division.
His hateful comments have not been limited to Latinos or African Americans. In 2017, he reportedly claimed that Haitian immigrants "all have AIDS," and later referred to Haiti and other countries as "shithole countries" during an Oval Office meeting on immigration reform. These remarks were not isolated incidents. Trump’s refusal to fully denounce white supremacists during events like the 2017 "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville remains a stark reminder of his alignment with far-right extremists. After the rally, where white supremacists carried Nazi flags, chanted anti-Semitic slogans, and marched with semi-automatic rifles, Trump infamously claimed there were “very fine people on both sides.” This false equivalence signaled to white supremacists that they had his tacit approval.
Trump's strategy is clear: sow division, incite outrage, and watch as his base rallies around him. He has calibrated his message carefully, wrapping his bigotry in economic populism and promises of restoring America's greatness. This approach has attracted not only white voters but also segments of the Hispanic, female, and even some black voters.
Countering the Strategy: Channeling Our Anger
As the Haitian community and other immigrant groups react with rightful anger, we must remember that outrage alone is not enough. Trump's comments are meant to provoke, distract, and dominate the narrative. Protests and rallies are important, but they can only go so far. The real work lies in mobilization and organization—turning our anger into sustained action.
We must educate our communities, especially those eligible to vote. The power of the vote is key to countering Trump's rhetoric. The energy we pour into protests should also be directed toward voter registration drives, fundraising for upcoming elections, and strategic get-out-the-vote efforts. We cannot afford to let our anger fade while Trump's supporters continue their steady march to the ballot box, convinced they are fighting for their way of life.
What we're up against is a well-oiled machine of fearmongering and division. Trump's supporters are deeply invested in the idea that immigrants are a threat to their very survival, and they will not back down easily. We must respond with equal resolve, but our strategy must be smarter and more enduring. Rather than reacting to every inflammatory comment, we should focus on building a long-term movement that ensures our voices are heard where it matters most: at the polls.
In addition to voter engagement, we need to build alliances with other marginalized groups and communities. The attacks on Haitians are part of a broader strategy that targets all immigrants and people of color. We are stronger together, and by uniting our efforts, we can create a more powerful response to the hatred that seeks to divide us.
This moment demands more than outrage; it demands action. If we are to combat Trump's hateful rhetoric and its consequences, we must organize with the same passion, consistency, and commitment that his supporters show. Our future depends on it. Let us respond not just with anger, but with strategy, resilience, and a clear plan for mobilization. Only then can we ensure that hate does not prevail and that our communities are protected, respected, and empowered.
More importantly, let's be smarter and not take the bait.
Moving Forward: Actionable Steps
As we face these challenges, it’s critical to adopt a clear and strategic plan of action. Here are three key strategies we can implement:
Humanize the Immigrant Experience: We must continue efforts to humanize immigrants. Launching an "I Am an Immigrant" campaign could be an initiative, which would highlight that the United States is a nation built by immigrants from diverse backgrounds. By sharing personal stories and showcasing the contributions immigrants make to American society, we can counter the dehumanizing rhetoric used by Trump and his supporters.
Amplify Haitian Voices: Haitian leaders should be featured more prominently on radio and television, particularly those with significant followings. While press releases and social media posts are important, we are talking to each other. Our influencers and those who aspire to lead our community need to engage more directly with the American public. By increasing the visibility of Haitian voices in mainstream media, we can present firsthand accounts that dispel false narratives and stereotypes, ensuring a more accurate portrayal of our community.
Build Inclusive Coalitions: We need to build strong alliances between immigrant communities and other marginalized groups. This could involve creating a "United for Diversity" coalition that brings together organizations representing various immigrant communities, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ groups, and other often-targeted populations. By standing together, we can more effectively advocate for policies that protect and empower all communities, making it more difficult for divisive rhetoric to gain traction.
These strategies aim to address anti-immigrant sentiment's root causes while building a more inclusive, unified movement. By humanizing immigrants, amplifying marginalized voices, and fostering unity across diverse groups, we can create a powerful counter-narrative to Trump’s divisive rhetoric.
It’s important to remember that our goal cannot be to react to each inflammatory statement that Trump and supporters make, but to shape the conversation around immigration and diversity in America proactively.
We are not going back! Therefore, we need to share a vision for a more inclusive and prosperous future that is different than the divisive rhetoric rooted in the past.
Haiti Policy House is a not-for-profit institution focusing on Haitian public policy issues. Its research is nonpartisan. Haiti Policy House does not take specific policy positions. Accordingly, all views, positions, and conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s).
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