Trump told crowd of white supporters they have ‘good genes’
- Trump made boast in Minnesota, predominantly white state where many people are of Scandinavian descent
- Trump has previously suggested he has superior genes and boasted of his ‘German blood’
US President Donald Trump told a crowd of nearly all white supporters in Minnesota that they have “good genes” and referenced the “racehorse theory”, or the belief that some people are born genetically superior.
“You have good genes, you know that, right? You have good genes. A lot of it is about the genes, isn’t it, don’t you believe? The racehorse theory. You think we’re so different? You have good genes in Minnesota,” Trump said to his supporters in a state where many people are of Scandinavian descent.
Minnesota is roughly 79 per cent white, and the crowd last Friday appeared to reflect that.
At other points in the rally, Trump disparaged refugees and applauded the fact a reporter was recently struck in the knee with a rubber bullet fired by police.
The president’s comments on “good genes” prompted alarm on social media and comparisons to the Nazi obsession with the “master race” and eugenics.
“As a historian who has written about the Holocaust, I’ll say bluntly: This is indistinguishable from the Nazi rhetoric that led to Jews, disabled people, LGBTQ, Romani and others being exterminated. This is America 2020. This is where the GOP has taken us,” Steve Silberman, an author and historian, tweeted.