BE AFRAID. That’s the message of a new Donald Trump campaign ad. To describe the ad with its full measure of nuance, it’s “The world is terrifying. Be afraid if a weak woman becomes president. Soothe your fears by electing strong daddy Donald Trump.”
First, the litany of things to fear: ISIS, North Korea, etc. Then, the voiceover is about Hillary Clinton’s alleged failures as secretary of state, but the visuals are the real point: Clinton coughing, Clinton tripping going up stairs, Clinton becoming faint when she kept working through pneumonia. The conclusion to be drawn:
“Hillary Clinton doesn’t have the fortitude, strength, or stamina to lead in our world.”
And finally, an image of a baseball-capped Trump giving one tiny thumb up, with the baseball bat-subtle text:
Donald Trump will protect you. He is the only one who can.
Mind you, at the second debate—a debate in which, speaking of stamina, he was the one clinging to the back of his chair—Trump said that Clinton “doesn't quit. She doesn't give up.” (Video below.) In 2012, he talked about how “terrific” she was, highlighting that “she really works hard.” In 2008, she was “tough.” But now there are thinly veiled appeals to sexism to be made, so this tough, non-quitting, terrific woman suddenly doesn’t have “the fortitude, strength, or stamina” to protect us. Sure, Donald. Whatever you say.
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