It would be hard to miss the weekly nature of each new Donald Trump scandal. News coverage of his comments about Miss Universe 1996 managed to stretch about five days, until that scandal was supplanted by the Billy Bush tapes and the emergence of several women who accused Trump of groping and sexual assault.
Despite detailed allegations of sexual misconduct dating back more than three decades, that seemingly campaign-ending scandal was pushed aside to free up column inches to cover the newest threat to America’s democratic process: Trump’s dangerous rhetoric about the election being rigged.
So … which is it? Hillary Clinton and her surrogates, including President Obama, have all pivoted to attack Trump over his claims of election rigging, which is of course ridiculous and would never happen — certainly not in numbers big enough to sway the election.
Now voter suppression, on the other hand, is another story. The threat is enough so that the Justice Department will be deploying election workers to 25 states. Not all 50 states, mind you, but 25 states: sounds like profiling at work.
.@LorettaLynch says that @CivilRights will be deployed to polling places in 25 states, protecting the right to votehttps://t.co/Jrjq3yy7dA
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) October 21, 2016
Yes, Attorney General Loretta Lynch will be working to make sure there’s no funny business at the polls. Maybe Bill Clinton will drop by on Election Day to chat about his golf game and the grandkids and lend a hand if needed.
With Lynch and crew on the case, there’s no need for Trump to dispatch his own monitors, who’d really be there only to intimidate voters, right? There’s no other explanation, is there?
Experts worry that Donald Trump's call for supporters to "prevent" voter fraud may lead to intimidation. https://t.co/B5Vhwx5GbV
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) October 24, 2016
Donald Trump's language has stirred increasing fears of intimidation of minorities inside polling places https://t.co/2uEs4mLCbx
— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 19, 2016
The private sector is pitching in as well to help ensure everyone who wants to vote can vote. Skittles and Tic Tac made it clear they’re not comfortable being dragged into this election, but Ben & Jerry’s is going all in to make sure voter suppression efforts fail in their effort to keep everyone from voting except wealthy, white people, who do weird things like pay $5 for a pint of ice cream.
Why do some politicians only want wealthy, white people to vote? Every American has an equal right to vote!
https://t.co/0V72OIeh2W— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) October 22, 2016
Signing a petition isn’t going to stop voter suppression, so what do Ben and Jerry want, anyway? The company’s teamed up with Color of Change to call for the Voting Rights Act to be reauthorized to prevent laws that “make it harder for people to vote – particularly Black people and their allies in the rising new majority such as young people, students, and other people of color.”
And some political parties only want CITIZENS to vote in AMERICAN elections
— Buel Walls (@macbuel) October 24, 2016
You do understand your crappy ice cream is purchased almost exclusively by wealthy white people?! Idiots. Support #voterID!!
— Lisa Hudson (@LHudson) October 24, 2016
Why do some millionaires only want wealthy, white ppl to eat their overpriced ice cream? Everyone has equal right 2 ice cream @benandjerrys
— Joe Wellborn (@CupoJoeBlow) October 24, 2016
why are wealthy white ice cream owners such douche bags????
— Sheriff Lucia Arpaio (@ArpaioLucie) October 24, 2016
Brought to you by two guys born with silver ice cream spoons in their mouth that epitomized "do as I say,not as I do"wealth.
— Tom (@TomBBoston) October 24, 2016
Can you name these politicians who only want wealthy white peoples to vote? Any direct quotes as well?
— MauiMyrtle?? (@Maui_Myrtle) October 24, 2016
stick to peace, love and ice cream fellas! Voter suppression is a myth. I need ID to volunteer at PTA! #VoterFraud #mediabias
— Proud New American (@da_thrill_16) October 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/realtalkjmbo/status/790508686976352256
Ice cream man propaganda is the worst flavor
— Autumn-y Wiffle (@wifflewaffel) October 24, 2016
Great. Ben and Jerrys putting their ice cream money to work trying to incite racial division. No more "Chunky Monkey" for me.
— Brett Adams (@BrettAdams12) October 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/RightNutDouche/status/790567103896047616
Looks like Ben & Jerry’s is prepared to eat any losses if that’s what it takes to stop those state laws that suppress the vote of the “rising new majority.”
Discriminatory voting laws are purposefully making it harder for Americans to vote. This shouldn't be happening. https://t.co/m8gAKLK9hP
— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) October 21, 2016
To its credit, Ben & Jerry’s has prompted substantial discussion about voter fraud, and most seem to be firmly against it.
https://twitter.com/Stick_Man_Says/status/789601013426753537
https://twitter.com/coolbearcjs/status/789788244552450048
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Related:
'Any cop that kills again will be HANGED': Color of Change's 'lynching map' incites hatred http://t.co/uH8NaOgd5b
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) January 18, 2015
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