J.D. Vance used a racial slur as his go to political tool on June 20th by referring to Alex Padilla as "Jose Padilla". Trump declares war, through his actions, with airstrikes on Iran on June 21st after stating there would be a two-week period for a decision. Yet more examples that the USA is being led by individuals whose politics are characterised by racism and pathological lying. Vance employing tactics that would make the Ku Klux Klan blush and Trump delivering lies that outshine Pinocchio. One an apostate turncoat the other some macabre version of a cartoon villain. The problem here is that both of these characters stoke hate and division which harm others
Vance's Rhetoric and the Trope of Racism
The use of "Jose Padilla" by J.D. Vance towards Senator Alex Padilla taps into a deeply problematic and historically rooted racist trope. Referring to a Latino individual by a generic, culturally associated name like "Jose" (especially when their actual name is known) is a form of racial othering. It strips an individual of their unique identity and reduces them to a caricature based on their perceived ethnicity. This practice carries echoes of:
Dehumanisation: By using a generic and often stereotypical name, it implies that individuals of a certain background are interchangeable and not worthy of individual recognition. This is a common tactic in racist discourse to diminish the humanity of a group.
"Othering": It reinforces the idea that individuals from certain ethnic backgrounds are not "truly American" or do not belong, even if they are elected officials representing American states. This fuels xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments.
Playing to a Base: Such language resonates with a segment of the population that holds prejudicial views. For a political figure, this suggests a willingness to engage in or tolerate rhetoric that caters to racist biases, thereby normalising it within the political discourse.
Vance’s contemptuous behaviour aligns with a broader pattern in his political rhetoric, which has been described as national conservative and right-wing populist. Analysis of his rhetoric points to themes of "civilizational contempt" and a focus on "culture war issues" that frequently involve "othering" groups perceived as threats to a particular vision of American identity. His criticism of migration, for instance, uses strong language that can be interpreted as targeting specific ethnic or national groups. Therefore, "Jose Padilla" is not an isolated gaffe but fits within a framework of rhetoric that is a nasty, racially charged core. History records that the Nazis used such techniques. How does Vance sleep knowing that he is nothing short of a Nazi?
Donald Trump's Actions and Pathological Lying:
Trump ordered airstrikes on Iran on June 21, 2025, after having stated just two days prior that he would make a decision within "two weeks" regarding potential action against Iran. This rapid reversal demonstrates a significant breach of trust and a pattern of disregarding previously stated intentions or facts. This fits well within the moniker of ‘TACO’ - Trump got scared and acted like the coward he is.
Breaking Word and Undermining Trust: A direct contradiction between a public statement and immediate action undermines public trust in the leader. When a leader's pronouncements are shown to be quickly discarded, it constructs a sense of unpredictability and unreliability, making it impossible for allies, adversaries and the public to rely on their word.
Pathological Lying as a Political Tool: The consistent and numerous instances of false or misleading statements, aka LIES, by Donald Trump throughout his public life and presidency have led many commentators and fact-checkers to describe his mendacity as unprecedented in American politics. The speed with which the "two-week" deadline was abandoned, in favor of immediate military action, shows a willingness to use deception not as an occasional misstep, but as an integral part of his political strategy. This is a pathological pattern, where truth is secondary to achieving immediate objectives or maintaining a desired narrative, even if fleetingly.
Consequences for Governance: A leader who habitually breaks their word or misrepresents facts creates an environment of uncertainty and distrust, both domestically and internationally. This hinders diplomatic efforts, complicates policy implementation and erodes the democratic norm of accountability.
A Leadership Defined by Racism and Deceit
When these two events are considered together, they show that elements of current US leadership are dominated by racism and pathological lying. Vance's racial slur shows a willingness to engage in demeaning and stereotypical language that exploits racial biases for political ends. This highlights a core of racial animus and a cynical readiness to embrace it as his political approach. Trump's swift abandonment of a publicly stated timeline for a major military decision, following a well-documented history of factual inaccuracies and broken promises, points to a leader who operates with a fundamental disregard for truth and consistency.
In combination, these incidents portray a political environment where racial insensitivity is tolerated or even amplified and where integrity and factual accuracy are devalued. This is a governance style that is not only divisive but also unpredictable and dangerous, both at home and on the global stage.
SHAME ON THE RACIST AND THE LIAR.
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