Trump's fundraising emails show 'erratic' mood swings as election draws near: columnist
Former President Donald Trump's fundraising emails are growing more unstable as the election draws closer, Chauncey DeVega wrote for Salon.
It's common for emails from both political parties to use overwrought and dramatic language — but, he wrote, there's something different about what Trump is doing — something darker and uglier.
Trump, "is using his propaganda emails to target and incite violence and hatred against non-white 'illegal immigrants,' refugees and other non-citizens," wrote DeVega.
For example, in one email that was sent to supporters last week, "Trump told his followers: 'Don’t let anyone view your screen.' The fundraising email is styled as some type of secret message, an 'eyes-only' communication akin to the ones sent to intelligence operatives or perhaps something lurid that could get them in trouble if others were to see it." And it said the message was for “verified citizens” — which sends a clear message set against his rants that immigrants are "poisoning the blood" of America.
Trump is also directing hatred against the LGBTQ community, with another recent email saying, "Are you male or female? MALE/FEMALE/INSANE."
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Making the whole thing more unsettling, DeVega noted, is that Trump will swing between these hate-filled characterizations, and then insert declarations of love for the loyal. Another of his emails proclaimed, "I am Donald J. Trump. FEAR NOT! I will always love you for supporting me. Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again."
The juxtaposition and the wild swings between hatred of the other and love of the in-group, he wrote, serves to incite "stochastic terrorism."
Ultimately, this is all happening in broad daylight and cannot be ignored, DeVega concluded. "If Donald Trump defeats Harris in the election and then takes power next January, becoming the country’s first dictator as promised, the American people, their news media and other leaders cannot say they were not warned. Once again, as it has been true throughout the Age of Trump, they live, and you sleep. Please wake up. You are almost out of time."