ASPIRE PAC Releases Statement On Racism In Latest Trump Attack Ad

WASHINGTON, D.C. – ASPIRE PAC, the political arm of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Members of Congress, today responded to the racist rhetoric in Donald Trump’s latest political attack ad. The ad falsely suggests that Gary Locke, former Governor of Washington and former U.S. Ambassador to China, is a Chinese official. Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY), the PAC’s current Chair, and Congresswoman Judy Chu, (D-CA) who launched ASPIRE PAC in 2011, denounced the racism and xenophobia featured in the ad. 

“This ad is a perfect example of the kind of dog whistle racism we’ve come to expect from Donald Trump and lays bare the president’s worldview: being Asian means you’re not a ‘real American’ and makes you the enemy. Every day, President Trump makes it clearer that he cannot distinguish between those of us who are Chinese American and Chinese nationals. This is unacceptable, dangerous behavior from the President of the United States, and as the mother of two Chinese-Korean American sons, I have to call it out,” said Congresswoman Meng. “President Trump again is showing a complete lack of leadership and is giving rise to hatred at a time when hate crimes against Asian Americans are increasing. This ad shows the ignorance and lack of compassion that defines him and his administration.”

“Donald Trump’s latest ad against Joe Biden stokes bigotry against Asian Americans by reinforcing the harmful stereotype that Asian Americans are perpetual foreigners in our own country. The fact that an American patriot like Secretary Gary Locke is portrayed as a member of the Chinese Communist Party is despicable. It shows how low Trump is willing to go to scapegoat the Asian American community and distract the nation from his own failed leadership during this crisis. By believing the Chinese government’s false narrative regarding how well their containment efforts were working, Trump downplayed the true threat of the coronavirus and put our nation at risk. Vice President Biden, on the other hand, warned that we should not take the Chinese government’s word on this and must allow our own experts to verify what is happening in China. As our nation faces this unprecedented crisis, we need a leader like Joe Biden who has the experience to bring our nation together and focus on the needs of all Americans, including our most vulnerable. Viruses do not discriminate, and we must stand united to end this pandemic once and for all,” said Congresswoman Chu. 

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