Michigan’s newly elected representative, Rashida Tlaib, recently gave a speech about not letting bullies win. She pointed toward President Donald Trump in saying, “we’re going to impeach the motherfucker.”
Despite the fact that this was only one curse word in a larger speech, Tlaib has drawn much criticism over her use of profanity. Trump himself has responded, saying, “I think she dishonored herself, and I think she dishonored her family."
Tlaib’s actions and the decorum of the Democrats in general have been debated since the statement was made, even though this should not be a big deal. The world of politics is mostly adults. There aren’t many children watching political speeches. If a politician lets the F-bomb slip occasionally, no one is harmed.
In addition to the fact that it’s a nonissue that doesn’t harm anyone, it is also no surprise that Tlaib is being mercilessly attacked for her words. She is the first Palestinian-American woman to serve in Congress and one of two Muslim women sworn into office this term. The spotlight on her is an unfair one. There are always people who are critical of those who break the status quo.
It’s also staggeringly hypocritical for the Republican Party to be criticizing Tlaib for something said in a passionate speech when Trump himself swears a ludicrous amount. Past presidents have used curse words in private, but Trump regularly uses them in public. This includes speeches made on the campaign trail.
Even when he doesn’t use profanity, Trump has no room to criticize Tlaib for calling him names. He consistently and childishly makes fun of his opponents. He once said Maxine Waters had a “low IQ." He said Stormy Daniels had a “horseface." He called a retired army general a “dog” and said he has a “big, dumb mouth."
And in 2011, he said that if he became president, he would tell China, “listen you motherfuckers, we’re going to tax you 25 percent." Let’s also not forget about the infamous "grab 'em by the pussy" locker room talk.
More recently, he cursed during a meeting with Democrats about the government shutdown. I could go on for the entire rest of this column listing the times Trump has cursed at or made fun of an opponent.
The point of what I’m saying isn’t that politicians should be saints who never have a profanity come tumbling out of their angelic mouths. I truly do not care if a politician curses during speeches, barring slurs and other sort of derogatory terms aimed at oppressed peoples. But if a politician drops an F-bomb in a moment of passion, it’s no skin off my back.
My point is, however, that Trump is widely loved by the GOP for his dirty mouth. It makes him seem honest and willing to make change.
The same people who praise Trump for profanity are the same people who are harshly criticizing Tlaib for it. The message is clear — a white man showing his anger through curse words is fine and dandy, but if a woman does the same, and a woman of color no less, it’s suddenly the end of the world.
The hypocrisy is an excellent example of the double standards held by the GOP.
Maybe in the past I would have agreed with calling the president names, but Trump has clearly set the bar when it comes to respect, and he has set it incredibly low.
