In a move that has reignited accusations of racism and divisive rhetoric, former US President Donald Trump has launched a venomous attack on the city of Baltimore, Maryland, describing it as a "disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess".
The outburst, posted on his Truth Social platform, took direct aim at the district represented by the late Congressman Elijah Cummings, a prominent Black Democrat and frequent critic of Trump. The former President's comments have been widely condemned as a blatant appeal to his base using racially charged language.
A Controversial Comparison to El Salvador
In a bizarre and inflammatory comparison, Trump juxtaposed the American city with the Central American nation of El Salvador, which has been a primary source of migrants seeking asylum in the US.
"El Salvador is looking good today," Trump wrote, adding, "Their leaders are working with the United States to stop immigration at the border. Baltimore should do that. Also, El Salvador has the death penalty for crime. Baltimore doesn't, and look at the crime numbers."
This comparison has been criticised as a flawed and misleading oversimplification of complex socio-economic and immigration issues.
Defence of His Border Wall Policy
The tirade served as a defence of his administration's hardline immigration policies, particularly the construction of sections of wall along the US-Mexico border. He claimed his project was "beautiful" and effective, a point heavily disputed by critics and fact-checkers.
Trump's comments come amidst his ongoing campaign for the 2024 presidential election, where he remains the dominant frontrunner for the Republican nomination. Analysts suggest this style of attack is a core strategy to mobilise his supporters.
History of Attacks on Baltimore and Cummings
This is not the first time Trump has targeted Baltimore. In 2019, he engaged in a bitter feud with Rep. Cummings, launching similar attacks on his district and accusing him of neglecting his constituency while investigating the Trump administration.
Those previous comments were condemned by Democrats and some Republicans alike as racist, with current Maryland lawmakers, including Senator Chris Van Hollen, swiftly denouncing this latest volley as a rehash of his "old, ugly, racist attacks."
The article highlights how Trump's rhetoric continues to dominate the political landscape, ensuring that issues of race, immigration, and urban policy remain at the forefront of the national conversation as the next election cycle heats up.
