Donald Trump is under fire this week for a lewd conversation about women that got caught on a hot mic back in 2005.
If you haven't watched the video, you should. The man is running for the highest office in the land, and anyone who thinks themselves politically engaged should hear the comments from the horse's mouth. It's vile, unprofessional, and inexcusible.
It's not easy keeping up with all the different people that Trump has targeted, insulted or offended. It grows often, and requires considerable effort to track as a result. Here are some of the most noteworthy groups he's accosted:
Women - Trump's unearthed comments on women are not even close to his first offense towards half of all Americans. Trump has verbally accosted notable figures such as Rosie O'Donnell, Ariana Huffington, Angelina Jolie, Megyn Kelly, and Carly Fiorina. To most of them he made objectifying comments about their appearance. He's also made rude comments about other women, women in general, and about his sexual life. A more comprehensive list can be found here.
Muslims - Trump has made outrageous comments about American Muslims. He has proposed that the Department of Homeland Security ban all travel of Muslims to the United States, that the federal government keep a national registry of all American Muslims, and has agreed with Ted Cruz on a policy that would allow for law enforcement to patrol Muslim inhabited neighborhoods. Not only are these unwieldy policy proposals, but they're also widely discriminatory towards a group of religious minorities in the United States.
Mexicans - "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're not sending you. They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."
Disabled People - Trump mocked Serge Kovaleski, a disabled journalist, in humiliating fashion at a rally. It was highly offensive, and instead of making a formal apology, Trump chose to claim that he had never met Kovaleski.
Prisoners of War - Trump said that John McCain, who suffered through a prison camp during the Korean War, was not a war hero. "He is a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured," said Trump. The statement was reckless and insensitive for those who have put their lives on the line in service of the United States, and all of the families of those who do so.
Taxpayers - Donald Trump said he's "smart" for not paying his taxes in the last debate. What does that say about honest Americans who pay their taxes? This is not a good look for him when coupled with new information about his taxes. He declared a loss of $916 million back in the nineties that would allow him to avoid paying taxes for eighteen years. And yet to Trump, somehow, when others don't pay their taxes they're freeloaders. His rhetoric doesn't match the facts we have about his personal life.
Journalists - Trump constantly attacks journalists with insults both personal and professional, often over social media. His attacks on the media as a collective often resurface as he is asked questions regarding whatever the newest scandal of his campaign is.
The President of the United States represents all of the American people. Who's left that he hasn't offended? This most recent scandal has brought on a mass exodus of Republican support, with some calling for him to end his campaign. If there were ever one moment when voters should stop and reconsider their choice in November, it would be now.
