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The mask is off. For decades, white political leaders in the U.S. have masked their racism, subtly stoking white voters’ racial fears, grievances, and even hatred of those whose skin color makes them matter less to white America.
But throughout his presidency, Donald Trump has steadily moved from covertly racist rhetoric and policies to ones that are overtly so. And standing in front of Mount Rushmore on July 3, Donald Trump abandoned any remaining shred of pretense (he doesn’t like masks anyway) and delivered a speech that offered a classic defense of white nationalism in America’s past and for America’s future. I don’t normally recommend people watch the deeply problematic speeches of this president, but I do suggest that people watch this one — especially those Republicans and white Christians who continue to uncritically endorse this president.
“Our nation is witnessing a merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame our heroes, erase our values, and indoctrinate our children,” said Trump in his Mount Rushmore speech. Trump never says the word “Confederate” but it’s clear he is referring to the recent protests that resulted in the removal or vandalism of dozens of mostly-Confederate statues and monuments across the country; to Trump, these are important parts of our history, in need of protection. (Trump’s speech also failed to mention that these statued Confederate leaders acted in treason against America to protect racialized slavery).
Trump's speech was not just “out of step with changing American opinion” as many commentators have said. Fully 54 percent of Americans support the Black Lives Matter protests that have now occurred in at least 1,300 counties and 67 percent of Americans support the “Black Lives Matter” affirmation that Trump continues to attack as a “symbol of hate.” On the celebration of the nation’s founding, Trump was extolling and identifying himself with America’s white dominant past and promising to protect it for the future. Let’s be clear: the white identity politics that are clearly animating Trump’s campaign, are also white idolatry politics — and it is past time for white Christians to pay attention.
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