America is currently facing a cornucopia of calamities. They include everything from mass murders to healthcare to income inequality to voter suppression to potential nuclear war. And there is virtually no government in place to address these dilemmas as Donald Trump and his administration is ripping apart at the seams.
So naturally Trump’s son Don, Jr. is taking the lead on the matter that is most pressing in the country today: What to do about sexual abusers in positions of power. Except his attention is narrowly focused on a single case, that of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Little Donnie has been following in his father’s footsteps by tweeting furiously about whether liberals and Democrats have sufficiently condemned Weinstein’s gross misconduct. For instance:
Will She/they all Disavow? Embattled Hollywood Producer Harvey Weinstein Raised Big Bucks For Hillary Clinton & Dems https://t.co/6PHQaAQFNm
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 6, 2017
It's like supporting someone "against your own voice" but he's a Hollywood liberal so it's all good. https://t.co/6wDIxUuUOc
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 6, 2017
[Retweeting right-wing radio talker @marklevinshow]
Silence of the late night "comedians" https://t.co/t1r4X8dGHh
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) October 6, 2017
Phenomenal idea, let's hear about real Hollywood… New York Times wants Weinstein to release accusers from NDAs – https://t.co/0SWPJ8cY5g
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 6, 2017
Weird, Hillary has been really quiet about Harvey Weinstein. You would think she would be all Over this. #WhatHappened?
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 7, 2017
[Retweeting alleged rapist @JulianAssange]
America's leading fake feminist, @HillaryClinton, still silent on Harvey Weinstein. pic.twitter.com/qIandk16pC
— Julian Assange ? (@JulianAssange) October 7, 2017
[Replying to @jimmykimmel]
Thoughts on Harvey Weinstein? #askingforafriend https://t.co/iyHhvrlDXO
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 7, 2017
I can't wait for the Oscar's!!!
Hollywood’s Loud Silence on Harvey Weinstein’s Sexual Harassment Allegations https://t.co/pSqOzbzMpl
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 8, 2017
Interesting. Will Michael Moore denounce Harvey Weinstein??? Haven't heard anything yet. Like other Limo Libs $$$ > principals https://t.co/h1KFRMFreo
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 8, 2017
That’s great. A conservative who is uncharacteristically speaking out against the abuse and harassment of women in the workplace. There’s just one problem. The Trumpette has left some glaring omissions from his crusade for women’s rights and safety. First and foremost, his own father. Donald Trump has been accused by at least a dozen women of sexual harassment or abuse. And he has even confessed to criminal abuse in the infamous Access Hollywood videotape.
The Little Don is very upset that, in his warped view, liberals and Hollywood “elites” haven’t spoken out about Weintstein. But his father is also among those who have declined to condemn him. When asked on Saturday, Trump said only that “I’m not surprised.” That hardly qualifies as a denunciation. And for the record, many on the left have come forward to rebuke Weinstein. In fact, all of the women who courageously came forward with their testimony are denizens of Hollywood. And it was the supposedly leftist New York Times that broke the story in the first place.
The Weinstein affair is, unfortunately, not unique. There are many similar atrocities being committed every day. But there are some distinct differences between Weinstein and the behavior of the President. For one thing, Weinstein is not a national leader. He has no role in the legal or administrative process of government. He makes entertainment for television and cinema. Secondly, he was not nominated for the presidency by the Republican Party, or voted into office by sanctimonious, family-values, right-wingers. And finally, Weinstein voluntarily took a leave of absence from his own company, and its board of directors has ordered an investigation. [Late Breaking: The board has fired Weinstein].
Needless to say, Donald Trump still resides in the White House. He has not acknowledged his inappropriate behavior. Nor have most of his supporters spoken out against it. What’s more, Don, Jr. is a frequent guest on Fox News which has had its own problems with sexually abusive personnel. Their late CEO, Roger Ailes, was ousted earlier this year. Likewise their biggest star, Bill O’Reilly, and several other prominent Fox news staffers. Neither Trump the elder, nor his son have denounced any of them. It’s a case of such blatant hypocrisy that it seems profoundly ludicrous for them to even bother talking about Weinstein.
How Fox News Deceives and Controls Their Flock:
Fox Nation vs. Reality: The Fox News Cult of Ignorance.
Available now at Amazon.
When Trump or his Trumplet can publicly condemn people like Ailes and O’Reilly (and Trump himself), then they will have some moral grounds for tackling Weinstein. In the meantime they should stop criticizing liberals and Democrats who have been forthrightly fighting for women’s rights all along, and without regard to political partisanship.