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Trump’s Dangerous America First Campaign

Donald Trump’s loutish campaign for the Republican nomination for the US presidency has left the world aghast. Given the difficulty of assessing not only what Trump would do as president, but also which race, religion, or country he holds most in contempt, US allies are regarding his rise with growing concern.

TOKYO – Donald Trump’s loutish campaign for the US presidency has left most of the world – excluding, perhaps, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his European populist allies, like France’s Marine Le Pen – confused and aghast. Indeed, it is difficult for anyone to assess not only what Trump would do as President, but also which racial or religious minority, or foreign country, he holds in greatest contempt.

Name virtually any group or country, and you can bet Trump has insulted it. He has called Mexican immigrants to the US “criminals” and “rapists.” He has proposed banning all Muslims from entering the US. He has flung sexist invective at professional women, such as the political pundit Megyn Kelly, who have the temerity to stand up to him, and has called others “dogs” and “fat slobs.” He has sneered at America’s European and Asian allies, and blamed China for many of America’s economic woes.

But it seems that the people whom Trump holds in the greatest contempt are his own supporters. Instead of giving anything like a straight answer about the policies he would pursue were he actually elected, he has stoked and manipulated their inchoate rage, rooted in frustration with stagnant wages and fear of the unknown.

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