This reality is critical to keep in mind when interpreting Trump’s response to the rising tide of national protests against racism and police brutality in the past couple of weeks. The temptation is strong to resort to “he’s too dumb to know what he’s doing” argument, which might fluff one’s own ego but has the unfortunate side effect of downplaying how sinister Trump’s fascistic impulses actually are.
Trump announced this week that his regular rallies, which were on hiatus due to the coronavirus, would return next week, despite the very real possibility threat these will become virus super-spreader events. But that concern was overshadowed by the obnoxious racist provocation of the date and location: June 19, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.