The Only Context to Trump's "Animals" Comment That Matters Is His Vile Nativist Agenda

[Content Note: Dehumanization; eliminationism; nativism; anti-Semitism.]

The apologia for Donald Trump's "animals" comment has begun, and the general shape it's taking is: "He wasn't talking about all undocumented immigrants; just members of MS-13!"

Here is the full context of President Trump’s “animals” comment during the immigration/sanctuary city roundtable, which came as a Sheriff was complaining about restrictions placed on ICE databases, and MS-13 gang members. pic.twitter.com/sI9uWXr1Sc

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 17, 2018

As you probably guessed, I have some thoughts about that.

"Here is the full context of the President of the United States using vile dehumanizing language against a population he has relentlessly targeted with lies, bigotry, othering, and displacement." Okay, thanks. https://t.co/jtVtAo13yM

— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) May 17, 2018

Here's more relevant context for Trump's eliminationist rhetoric. Just one example of the violent othering happening across the country. https://t.co/2VbqBHiB5m

— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) May 17, 2018

Trump has been narratively conflating undocumented immigrants with violent criminality since his very announcement address (at least). To parse that he's "only" talking about violent criminals ignores that he routinely suggests most undocumented immigrants ARE violent criminals.

— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) May 17, 2018

Exactly this. https://t.co/Jj4n1M9vsM

— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) May 17, 2018

Clearly when Hitler published, "Der Jude Kriminell" he was just speaking of criminal Jews and it wasn't part of a broader campaign to stoke racist fears. #Animals #MS13 pic.twitter.com/YPmOS4ifBH

— David M. Perry (@Lollardfish) May 17, 2018

Even if Trump didn't routinely conflate all undocumented immigrants with violent criminality, and even if his "animals" comment referred only to gang members, dehumanizing language ISN'T OKAY to use against anyone. It's especially dangerous in the mouths of political leaders.

— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) May 17, 2018

If you want to talk about context, let's talk instead about the context that is Trump's heinous, nativist, white supremacist agenda, and how his othering language furthers that agenda and endangers undocumented immigrants by whipping up resentments toward them.

— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) May 17, 2018

I resist this sinister trash with every molecule of my being. This is not okay. This is intolerable. And fuck anyone who tries to make it "acceptable," in any way.