While having a diversity of opinion is an ostensibly positive thing for American politics, there is a limit to how constructive or patriotic this dissent can be…and Donald Trump may have just flirted with that line.
Sure, Trump was elected to the presidency in 2016 under the auspices that he would be the proverbial “bull in a China shop” for the American political system, holding every ill-gotten politician accountable for whatever dereliction of duties they prefer to commit.
But now, as the right side of the aisle continues to rail against everyone that they don’t see eye-to-eye with, Trump appears to be entertained by the idea that Americans would boo US athletes competing overseas in the Olympics on account of their socio-political beliefs.
From a weekend rally in Arizona:
The political action committee Turning Point Action sponsored the “Protect Our Elections Rally,” which turned into a wide-ranging attack on fellow Republicans, the military, the press, “woke” culture — and eventually U.S. athletes.
“Wokeism makes you lose,” Trump said, according to a video of the speech posted to Twitter by Turning Point officials.
“The U.S. Women’s soccer team is a very good example of what’s going on,” he continued, shaking his head with a smirk as the crowd booed loudly.
“Earlier this week they unexpected lost to Sweden three to nothing and Americans were happy about it,” he said, a line that drew laughs and cheers – enough for Trump to quickly add “you proved that point before I even said it.”
The statement highlights the recent rift within the US political scene in which protestors, both famous and not-famous, have found themselves vilified by whichever side of the aisle happens to disagree with their demonstrated opinions.
This, of course, is a far cry from the patriotism that we expect to see displayed when it comes to the First Amendment, and appears to be yet another reason why our political divide is growing so bitter in the early parts of the 21st century.
