In a letter obtained by NBC News, Donald Trump told the people of Africa that he “deeply respects” them.
According to NBC, “The letter — a copy of which was obtained by NBC News — is dated Thursday and was sent ahead of the African Union summit this weekend in Ethiopia.”
To show his so-called commitment to the region, Trump also said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Secretary will make an “extended visit” to Africa in March of this year. Oh, good.
The empty letter comes weeks after the president offended just about everybody with a conscience by referring to nations in Africa as “shithole countries,” a view which apparently guides his immigration policy.
To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.
“Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” Trump said during a meeting with members of Congress. Instead, the president suggested the U.S. take in more immigrants from predominantly white countries, like Norway.
Despite the letter, few people – both at home and abroad – will believe his words are sincere. Before, during and after he became a political figure, he has demonstrated deeply held racist views, whether it’s claiming a judge can’t do his job properly because of his Mexican heritage or saying there are “very fine” people who participate in Nazi marches.
A letter written by a White House staffer that Trump probably never read won’t make those moments go away.
We know what Donald Trump really believes because he tells us each time he has to think and speak for himself, whether it’s during unscripted interviews, Twitter posts or private Oval Office meetings.
Without a prewritten speech or functioning teleprompter, Donald Trump always reveals himself as the racist man that he is and has been throughout his entire life.
Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.
