Focusing on immigration, Trump laments those with 'bad genes'

In the run-up to the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump campaigned in Minnesota and took time to offer some unwritten thoughts about genetics.

“You have good genes, you know that, right?” The Republican told Minnesotans in late September 2020: “You have good genes. A lot has to do with genes. Don't you think so? The racehorse theory. Do you think we are that different? You have good genes in Minnesota.”

Shortly afterward, a Daily Beast report explained, “The 'racehorse theory' of genetics posits that some people are born genetically superior than others, and Trump has reportedly attributed his success to his genes.”

Ahead of the 2024 election, the former president has a similar message in mind. Raw Story reported:

The former president specifically complained: “We have a lot of bad genes in our country right now.”

Unfortunately, this isn't entirely new. Time magazine reported this time seven years ago: “President Trump brags a lot about his genes. In interviews over the years, Trump has attributed everything to his genes, from his health to his success, and he has noted that his children and grandchildren will benefit as well.”

The New York Times and CNN have documented similar patterns dating back to 1988, when he told Oprah Winfrey that a person must “have the right genes” to achieve great wealth.

Decades later, as Trump awaits his return to the White House, he appears eager to get those with “bad genes” out of the United States.

The Republican hasn't explained exactly which groups of people have “bad genes,” although the former president has gone on record saying he would welcome more immigrants from countries like Norway and Denmark — which he considers “nice” countries.

Against this backdrop, Trump continues to spread anti-immigrant views with subtle subtexts. In fact, it was exactly a year ago this week that he first began using anti-immigrant rhetoric reminiscent of Adolf Hitler's “Mein Kampf” and complaining about those he believes are “the blood.” poison our country”.

After he began repeating the line with disturbing frequency, Trump was reminded in an interview that his language mirrored Hitler's. The Republican candidate shrugged indifferently.

Seven months later, the Republican, long fascinated by the “racehorse theory” of genetics, complains about immigrants with “bad genes.” This idea is rooted in the belief that some immigrants are not only bad, and not only come from countries Trump doesn't like, but that they are also inferior on a general level.

For a major party candidate burdened with a history of racism, that's a pretty provocative move just 29 days before Election Day.