COLUMN: Trump, the Obamas, and the Republican Shame: When Defense Becomes Capitulation

“I didn’t see the whole thing”: the indefensible argument

When asked about the incident, Trump replied, “I only watched the first part of the video. No one knew what was at the end.” ” An argument as weak as it is ridiculous. How can anyone believe that a president—obsessed with social media and known for his maniacal control over his image—wouldn’t have watched a video posted on his own account? Worse still, he dared to declare: “I’m the least racist president you’ve had in a long time. ” A claim that sounds like an insult to the collective intelligence. The facts speak for themselves: the video was reposted twice, and Trump has a long history of racist attacks against Barack Obama, whom he systematically refers to as “Barack Hussein Obama,” emphasizing his middle name as an insult.

Hearing Donald Trump call himself “the least racist” of all presidents is like hearing an arsonist boast that he’s the best firefighter. The man who built his political career on “birtherism,” who called African countries “shithole countries,” and who has made countless xenophobic remarks, still dares to play the victim. And his defenders, like spokesperson Leavitt, continue to deny the obvious, accusing the media of “false outrage.” But no, Ms. Leavitt, the outrage is very real. It is legitimate. It is necessary. Because certain lines must never be crossed—even—especially—by a president.

When Allies Push Back (a Little)

For the first time in a long while, Republicans have dared to publicly criticize their leader. Tim Scott, Mike Lawler, Katie Britt… All of them condemned the video, with some demanding an apology. A belated reaction, but a significant one. Yet the question remains: why now? Why not before, when Trump was spreading conspiracy theories about Obama’s citizenship? Why not when he was attacking Black elected officials, immigrants, and Muslims? The answer is harsh: because the party’s image is at stake. Because the 2026 and 2028 elections are approaching, and the Republican Party knows it can no longer afford to be associated with such excesses. But is that enough? No. Because as long as Trump remains the face of the GOP, racism and division will remain his legacy.

I don’t believe in sudden conversions. I don’t believe that the Republicans criticizing Trump today have become heroes in the fight against racism. They are simply facing the facts: their silence makes them complicit. And this time, the scandal is too big to ignore. But beware: a timid condemnation isn’t enough. Action is needed. We must break with the culture of hate. We must stop turning a blind eye to abuses under the pretext of “winning elections.” Because some victories aren’t worth the price of a nation’s soul.

A Party at a Crossroads

This affair reveals an uncomfortable truth: the Republican Party is held hostage by Donald Trump. Year after year, it has chosen to turn a blind eye to his excesses, justify his outrageous behavior, and normalize his attacks. The result? Today, even its most moderate members are forced to speak out, lest they lose all credibility. But what would they do if Trump were reelected in 2028? Would they continue to remain silent? To justify the unjustifiable? America deserves better than that. It deserves leaders who defend its values, not trample on them.

I sometimes wonder what remains of the Republican Party of yesteryear—the one that believed in dignity, honor, and decency. Today, all that remains are shadows—figures bent under the weight of fear and opportunism. And meanwhile, millions of Americans—Black, White, Latino, Asian—watch in horror as their country tears itself apart. They ask themselves: Will this ever end? Will anyone, someday, have the courage to say “enough”? Because if no one does, history will judge harshly those who chose power over principle.

Unanimous outrage, but not enough

On the Democratic side, reactions were immediate and unequivocal. Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader, called Trump a “pernicious, despicable, and deranged vulture.” Gavin Newsom, governor of California, spoke of “despicable behavior.” Even Barack Obama, usually reserved, could not ignore the matter. But words are no longer enough. Action is needed. Congress must act. The media must stop treating these scandals as “controversies” and call them what they are: racism, plain and simple.

America has known dark times before. It has survived McCarthyism, segregation, and unjust wars. But each time, it was because men and women had the courage to stand up. Today, where are they? Where are those who will say no, not in our name? Because if we let this happen, if we accept that hatred becomes the norm, then we will have lost far more than an election. We will have lost what makes us a nation: our ability to rise above our divisions, to choose hope over fear.

Truth Social, Trump’s Weapon of Mass Destruction

Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform, has become his preferred vehicle for attacks. No moderation, no filters, no limits. The racist video is just the latest in a long series of toxic posts. Yet nothing changes. No one takes action. No one says “stop.” Because in the America of 2026, anything seems to be allowed. Even the worst. Even the unspeakable.

I remember a time when presidents spoke to the nation with gravity, when their words carried weight. Today, we have a president who tweets racist videos at 3 a.m. Who uses social media as a weapon. Who turns politics into a freak show. And the most terrifying thing is that millions of people are cheering him on. They’re laughing. They’re sharing. They’re cheering him on. As if decency no longer had any value. As if dignity were an outdated concept. But no. Dignity is what we have left when everything else falls apart. And that is precisely what Trump is destroying.

Everyone’s Responsibility

In the face of this downward spiral, everyone has a role to play. Elected officials must stop hiding behind timid press releases. The media must stop treating these scandals as mere “buzz.” Citizens must demand better. Because if we do nothing, we will all be complicit. We will all be responsible. We will all be guilty of silence.

I don’t want to live in a country where a president can post a racist video and get away with a phony apology. I don’t want to live in a country where hate has become an election strategy. I don’t want to live in a country where my children will one day have to explain to their own children how we let this happen. So yes, I’m angry. Yes, I’m disgusted. But above all, I’m determined. Determined not to stay silent. Determined to fight. Because some things are worth fighting for. Justice. Equality. Decency. And if we lose these values, we’ll have lost everything.

2026, a pivotal year

2026 will be a decisive year. The midterm elections are approaching. The Republican Party must choose: continue to follow Trump down his spiral of hatred, or return to the path of honor. The Democrats, for their part, must offer a clear, strong, and united alternative. And Americans must vote—not out of habit, not out of resignation, but out of conviction—because the future of their country depends on it.

I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t know if America will be able to rise above this dark era. But I know one thing: if we do nothing, nothing will change. So yes, I still believe in democracy. I still believe in people’s ability to choose light over darkness. But to achieve that, we must fight. We must resist. We must say no. Because silence is complicity. And complicity is defeat.

America Facing Itself

The racist video scandal is not an isolated incident. It is symbolic of an era in which politics has become synonymous with division, and hatred has become commonplace. But it is also an opportunity—an opportunity to say: Enough. Enough racism. Enough lies. Enough cowardice. America deserves better. Much better.

I’ll end this article with a question: Which side of history do you want to be on? The one that turned a blind eye, or the one that dared to face the truth head-on? The one that stood by and did nothing, or the one that said “no”? Because history never forgets. It remembers those who resisted. Those who fought. Those who refused to remain silent. So today, I ask you: which side will you be on?

Signed, Jacques Provost