Readers Lament 'Our President's Overt Racism'

Letters to the editor criticize Trump's racist rhetoric and actions, and call on Republicans to condemn it.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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In a series of letters to the editor, readers express outrage over President Trump's history of racist rhetoric and actions, including posting a 'blatantly racist video' of the Obamas. They call on Republican leaders to stop enabling Trump's racism and change the direction of their party, which they say has 'ridden to power with appeals to white fears and resentment.'

Why it matters

The letters highlight the deep divisions in the country over Trump's racist behavior, which many see as an embarrassment to the nation. They also raise questions about the Republican party's complicity in Trump's racism and whether the party will ever truly distance itself from the racist elements that have fueled its rise to power.

The details

The letters criticize Trump for posting a racist video of the Obamas, as well as for his long history of using racist slurs and appealing to white supremacy. One reader says Trump is simply 'being his authentic self' and that white supremacy has been a 'consistent theme' throughout his life. The readers call on Republican leaders to stop offering 'crocodile tears' and actually induce their party to change direction away from appeals to 'white fears and resentment.'

  • In the last several months, Trump has posted a video of himself flying in a fighter jet spreading excrement over demonstrators, badmouthed Rob Reiner after his murder, and portrayed the Obamas as apes.
  • On February 7, 2026, the New York Times published an article titled 'Trump Posts, Then Erases, Racist Video of Obamas'.

The players

Donald Trump

The current president of the United States who has a long history of using racist rhetoric and appealing to white supremacy.

Republican leaders

Political leaders in the Republican party who the readers say have enabled Trump's racism and ridden to power by appealing to 'white fears and resentment.'

Mitchell Zimmerman

A reader from Palo Alto, California who wrote a letter to the editor criticizing Trump's racism and the Republican party's complicity in it.

Robert D. Diamant

A reader from Staten Island who wrote a letter to the editor expressing shame over Trump's racism and the Republican leaders who remain silent about it.

George Schroeter

A reader from Halfmoon, New York who wrote a letter to the editor expressing disbelief over Trump's racist actions as president.

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What they’re saying

“Why should he? Donald Trump is being his authentic self. White supremacy represents the consistent theme and the one sincerely held belief that has preoccupied Mr. Trump for his entire life.”

— Mitchell Zimmerman (The New York Times)

“I have voted for many Republicans over seven decades, but I will never support any politician who will remain silent about our president's overt racism. How any Black, brown, white or any other human could vote for Republican cowards who approve of this racist is beyond my comprehension.”

— Robert D. Diamant (The New York Times)

“Let's see if I have this right: The president of the United States, the president of the United States, yes, the president of the United States in the last several months has posted a video of himself flying in a fighter jet spreading excrement over demonstrators, badmouthed Rob Reiner after his murder and portrayed the Obamas as apes. Really, the president of the United States?”

— George Schroeter (The New York Times)

The takeaway

These letters highlight the deep divisions in the country over Trump's racist rhetoric and actions, and the refusal of many Republicans to condemn it. It raises serious questions about the future of the Republican party and whether it can ever distance itself from the racist elements that have fueled its rise to power in recent years.