The white guy

The saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” isn’t just a proverb but a survival lesson. It reminds us that we are often shaped by the roots from which we come, carrying the traits and influences of our families. We’re not just acknowledging the physical or behavioral similarities between parents and children but embracing a wisdom that spans time, recognizing that we are largely products of our origins, whether we accept it or not.

But like any tree, not all apples fall close by. The story of George Wallace and his son, George Wallace Jr., vividly illustrates this idea. George Wallace, one of Alabama’s most infamous governors, was known for his segregationist policies and for declaring “segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever” during his inaugural address in 1963. In contrast, his son, George Wallace Jr., over the years, adopted a more moderate stance and made efforts to distance himself from his father’s racist policies, advocating for racial reconciliation and publicly acknowledging the mistakes of the past.

While some families reflect their roots, others scatter in unpredictable directions, revealing the complexity of human inheritance and the myriad factors that shape each individual.

Amid the pomp and circumstance surrounding the Trump dynasty, a story of racism and privilege intertwines with the social fabric of the United States. The Trump family’s trajectory begins with Friedrich Trump, a German immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1885. Initially, Friedrich made his fortune during the Alaskan gold rush by operating hotels and brothels. This initial financial boost was crucial in establishing the foundation of the Trump empire.

Fred Trump, Friedrich’s son, was born in 1905 and significantly expanded the family business. During the Great Depression, Fred took advantage of plummeting real estate prices to buy land and build houses, which were later sold at substantial profits. His success in real estate was bolstered by his ability to secure government contracts to build housing during and after World War II. However, his career was marred by discriminatory practices, with the Department of Justice suing him in the 1970s for preventing black people from renting his properties. Fred Trump also had ties to controversial organizations, such as when he was detained in 1927 during a KKK march, though the exact details of his involvement remain unclear.

Donald Trump, heir to this tarnished empire, brought a more explicit and visceral racism to the forefront. From the infamous smear campaign against the “Central Park Five” to his refusal to condemn white supremacists, his political and personal trajectory is marked by actions and statements that reinforce racial divisions. From the presidential pulpit, his rhetoric inflamed dormant prejudices, giving voice to a base that felt forgotten in an increasingly diverse world.

The election of 2008, with Barack Obama breaking barriers as the first black president of the United States, was a turning point. The reaction was immediate and fierce. Trump, questioning Obama’s citizenship, led the birther movement, a racist crusade disguised as a search for truth. This episode, among others, cemented the perception that the Trump family not only perpetuates but revels in systemic racism.

In February 2024, during a speech at the Black Conservative Federation’s Annual BCF Honors Gala in Columbia, South Carolina, Trump made a statement that crystallized this mentality: “Would you rather have the Black president or the white president? I think they want the white guy.” This comment, made in an appeal to black voters, reflects a deeply ingrained line of reasoning in his political and public rhetoric, where explicit racism frequently finds a platform.

Donald Trump’s behavior did not emerge from a vacuum; it was cultivated in an environment where racism was not only tolerated but practiced as a means to protect and expand economic power and influence. The transition of this systemic racism from business to the political arena further amplified social and racial divisions in the United States. Trump’s statement about preferring a white president over a black president serves as a poignant reminder of the persistence of racism in contemporary American politics.

When Trump asked the audience if they preferred “the black president or the white president” and asserted, “I think they want the white guy,” he was not merely making a superficial observation. He was reaffirming a racial hierarchy that, in his view and that of many of his supporters, should still prevail. This phrase encapsulates a worldview that privileges skin color as a determining factor of value and competence, thus perpetuating a legacy of racism that his family has carried for decades.

Some might say it was an ethical misstep, so here are two other “missteps.” In June 2015, while announcing his candidacy for president, Trump declared that Mexico was sending “people with lots of problems,” including “drugs,” “crime,” and “rapists,” though he added that “some, I assume, are good people.” In January 2018, during a meeting at the White House, Trump referred to African nations as “shithole countries,” provoking widespread outrage and accusations of racism.

Everything I’ve said so far isn’t a guarantee that I’m right, but if there’s one thing that’s been in our DNA since the time of the early Homo sapiens, the troglodytes, it’s that if something looks like shit, tastes like shit, and smells like shit, it usually is shit.