Trump Used “Palestinian” as a Slur. Biden and Debate Moderators Didn’t Say a Word.
Introduction:
Thursday’s presidential debate has sparked controversy and raised concerns about President Joe Biden’s ability to remain the Democratic candidate. While much attention has been given to Biden’s faltering performance and Trump’s nonstop lies, the open xenophobia displayed by Trump against Palestinians and immigrants has largely been overlooked. This article aims to shed light on this issue and analyze the silence with which it was met.
Trump’s Xenophobic Remarks:
During the debate, Trump responded to a prompt about Israel’s war on Gaza and the “humanitarian crisis” it has caused. While Biden blamed Hamas for the lack of a ceasefire, Trump pushed back and suggested that Israel should be allowed to “finish the job.” He even went as far as accusing Biden of becoming “like a Palestinian,” using the term as a pejorative. Surprisingly, the moderators did not question Trump’s use of the word or challenge the absurdity of his statement.
Lack of Moderator Response:
Throughout the debate, a pattern emerged where CNN moderators would ask a question, Trump would respond with off-topic, dishonest, and dangerous remarks, and the moderators would simply move on without pushing back or acknowledging the absurdity of his answers. This lack of response allowed Trump’s xenophobic comments to go unchecked and unchallenged.
Biden’s Response:
While Biden did dismiss Trump’s claims as “foolishness,” he failed to directly refute the accusations or address the xenophobic language used. Instead, he shifted the focus to Trump’s desire to leave NATO, missing an opportunity to address the issue at hand.
Biden’s Stance on Israel:
In response to the same question about Israel and Palestine, Biden emphasized his commitment to pushing for a ceasefire deal with Hamas. He also reassured voters that his administration would provide Israel with all the necessary weapons and support. However, the moderators did not follow up with Trump on the same question, allowing him to evade a direct response.
Trump’s Anti-Palestinian and Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric:
Trump’s hateful rhetoric extended beyond Palestinians to include immigrants. He referred to them as hordes coming from “prisons, jails, and mental institutions” to destroy the country. He falsely claimed that migrants were responsible for unprecedented levels of crime and were taking jobs away from Black and Hispanic communities. These remarks were reminiscent of his previous controversial statements about Barack Obama and Mexico.
Silence from Moderators:
The moderators remained silent in the face of Trump’s anti-Palestinian and anti-immigrant comments. This silence allowed his viciousness to be treated as a baseline rather than an aberration. It raises questions about the media’s role in addressing and challenging such rhetoric.
Conclusion:
The presidential debate highlighted Trump’s use of “Palestinian” as a slur and his xenophobic remarks against immigrants. The lack of response from both Biden and the moderators raises concerns about their willingness to address and challenge such language. It is crucial for the media and political leaders to take a stand against xenophobia and ensure that debates are platforms for informed discussions rather than opportunities for hate speech.
