If your first reaction when you heard that Donald Trump was running for President of the United States was uncontrollable laughter, you aren’t alone. When Trump made his announcement last June, social media circles began to explode with ubiquitous “Donald Trump memes” as well as plenty of photos comparing his hair to that of an ungroomed guinea pig. Seven months later, his candidacy continues to be the punchline of many jokes, and any mention of his name is sure to bring about some uncomfortable laughter.
Admittedly, there’s something quite comedic about the notion that the leading Republican presidential candidate is Donald Trump, who is often noted for his outspoken nature and general lack of interpersonal skills. However, as the election draws nearer, Trump’s views become more inflamed, and his numbers in the poll continue to climb. So it’s probably well past time to take a moment to reflect upon the implications that a Trump presidency might hold, and I doubt that what we find will leave us laughing.
Since the announcement of his candidacy, Donald Trump has garnered a great amount of media attention for his troubling statements on a number of pressing national issues. It began with his outlandish claim that we should build a wall along the Mexico-US border and has escalated to the absurd notion that all Muslims should be barred from entering the country. Such statements –– among a sprinkling of other racist, sexist, homophobic and otherwise ridiculous claims –– are revelatory of Trump’s deep-seated prejudices and desire to appeal to those who share his views.
Although his claims might seem so preposterous that no rational human being would support his political aspirations, the unsettling truth is that a large portion of voters have expressed some remote form of approval for a Trump presidency in one poll or another. This trend uncovers deeper undercurrents of bigotry in our society –– a reality that should not be taken lightly.
Although the likelihood that Donald Trump will be able to achieve his problematic aims should he hold office is rather slim, his fiery views would make his presidency a bothersome one nonetheless. His prejudices directly target a vast number of already-marginalized people who are just as entitled to freedom and security as any other American.
A Trump administration would infringe upon the right of these individuals to live and thrive in a country that values their inherent worth and would inhibit the progress that has already been made towards eliminating patterns of discrimination in our society. Furthermore, Trump’s arrogant posture towards anyone who does not look, act and believe as he does would be a detriment to already-rocky relations between the US and other nations. As the time to elect our nation's next leader and commander in chief quickly approaches, these implications need to be taken into serious consideration and perhaps met with more apprehension and action than halfhearted humor.
So, as Donald Trump continues to make ludicrous claims with absolutely no merit in an attempt to gain political appeal, abstain from the overwhelming temptation to join in on the meme-making fun. Instead, speak out against his prejudices, and advocate for leaders who will point our country in a more positive direction.
