Trump's racist post condemned

I wonder if President Harry S. Truman's slogan "The Buck Stops Here" ever resounds with our current president. If you allegedly allow an underling in your administration to produce a racist social media post, you cannot say, "I didn't make a mistake" ["Racist Trump post deleted," News, Feb. 7]. Is President Donald Trump aware this is Black History Month?

I am amazed that after that post, Trump said he is the "least racist president." He didn't do his job to fully review the media post. Similarly, when he spoke of Haitians "eating the pets" in Springfield, Ohio, he didn't do his homework. There was no pet eating.

He called the COVID-19 virus the "Kung Flu." Remember when he banned Third World countries from immigrating here and wondered why we could not get more immigrants from Norway? Was that not racist in tone?

We need a President for all the people. This is a nation of many colors and beliefs. Name-calling, racist insults and cruel social posts are not acceptable, especially from the office of the president.

Noel Gish Sr., Riverhead

Depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes is not satire or politics — it is racist dehumanization. Everyone knows this. There is no debate.

When Donald Trump promotes or amplifies such imagery, it disgraces the office he holds and further poisons our public life. This behavior emboldens bigotry and demands condemnation, not excuses.

What of those who remain silent? Silence is not neutrality; it is complicity. The public deserves to know who will confront overt racism — and who lacks the courage to do so. Enough.

Jacqueline Vollmer, Patchogue

Many elected officials — on both sides of the aisle — condemned Donald Trump’s social media post that included the Obamas. Some called it racist, mean-spirited, hateful, unacceptable, vile, or abhorrent. It is all of these. And, of course, Trump said he won’t apologize because he thinks he "didn't make a mistake." His lack of humility and empathy and his lying point to a bigger problem.

This post, along with a slew of others, including Trump’s shocking post after the murder of Rob Reiner are evidence that Trump is unfit to be president. His Memorial Day and Christmas Day social media posts, including the "Radical Left Scum,” should be red flags. Elected officials and the media need to stop sanewashing Trump. Instead they should be considering the 25th Amendment, which explains what happens if the president becomes unable to do the job.

Alan Kurek, East Islip

The question we have to ask ourselves is this: Is it acceptable for the president of the United States to post racist commentary on social media? If it is, then all of the deplorable policy and practices that emanate from that office become justifiable, taking us further away from the intent of the Founding Fathers.

Ed Weinert, Melville

The House of Representatives should censure Donald Trump for his vile, racist depiction of the Obamas as apes. Censure does not require a Senate impeachment trial and would stand on its own. A congressional censure would demonstrate to the world that we reject Trump's revolting mindset.

John O’Reilly, Forest Hills, Queens

Donald Trump's blatant racism, this time toward the Obamas, shows that his cruelty knows no limits.

Diane McGuire, Northport

I was as outraged by Rep. Nick LaLota’s weak response to Donald Trump’s racist post as I was by the video itself [“LI delegation among bipartisan critics of video,” News, Feb. 7]. LaLota begins by falsely claiming that Trump has made tremendous inroads with the Black community. Then he buys into the ridiculous claim that the video was just sloppy work by a Trump staffer. Really? If this was Trump’s first foray into overt racism, then maybe, but it's far from it. LaLota’s response was that of someone who appears afraid of Trump's reaction.

Rich Poggio, Miller Place

Barack and Michelle Obama are literally Black History Month in motion — worthy of honor and respect.

The Rev. Arthur L. Mackey, Roosevelt

Bad Bunny's show has me hopping mad

I live in an active senior community. As with every Super Bowl, we have a community watch party of about 60 residents. At halftime, fists were almost flying over whether we would be watching Bad Bunny or an alternative halftime choice ["Puerto Rican culture comes to Super Bowl," flash!, Feb. 9].

What was NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell thinking?! Why would he choose a politically charged performer who would divide viewers and probably a few families?

Bad Bunny may not be a politician, but nonetheless his persona is political. Goodell may be unable to find a show appealing to everyone, but Bad Bunny? The singer likely had an effect on most viewers, but I'd say not in a good way. I'm sorry I had to see it.

Michael Forgione, East Meadow