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Trump’s “Unfair” Closing Argument
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Trump’s “Unfair” Closing Argument

It’s a family matter.

Amanda Carpenter's avatar
Amanda Carpenter
Oct 22, 2020

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US President Donald Trump reacts during the final presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, on October 22, 2020. (Photo by JIM BOURG / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JIM BOURG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Under President Trump, more than 223,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus. At least 545 children were forcibly orphaned at the border by Trump’s Department of Homeland Security. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs, are unable to send their children to school or daycare, and are wondering when it will ever be safe to gather with friends and family again.

And, President Trump’s closing message in the final presidential debate was clear: “It’s not my fault.” He wants everyone to know how unfairly he’s been treated.

“No president should ever have to go through what I went through,” he complained.

“I was put through a phony witch hunt,” he lamented.

“I get treated very badly by the IRS, very unfairly,” he whined.

The unfairness of his life as president was a constant refrain. In fact, over the evening, the only sympathy he bothered to express was for himself.


He didn’t have a shred of concern for the migrant children his administration effectively kidnapped from their parents. In fact, he said their parents were “bad people” who “used them to get into our country.”

“They are so well taken care of,” he said.

He clearly never bothered to listen to their screams.

If he was looking for anything in this debate, it was more family separation—this time between Joe Biden and his son. The only thing Trump really wanted to talk about was his baseless smear campaign against the Bidens, accusing them of unethically profiting off government service. It was like he wanted Biden to disown his son as easily as Trump disowned any responsibility for the 545 children.

Meanwhile, it must be noted, Trump’s children, spouses, and an ex-Fox News girlfriend remain safely ensconced in their various White House positions and campaign roles.

They enjoy a life of utterly decadent nepotistic privilege never before flaunted in American political life.

Ivanka, Jared, Don Jr., Kimberly, Eric, Lara, and Tiffany will never see the inside of a cage. They’ll never lose a day’s work. They’ll never know what it’s like never see their grandmother, or child, again because of President Trump’s heinous actions.

So, yes, maybe Donald Trump is right.

There is something about all this that’s grossly unfair. And it is a family affair.


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