Philip Bump had an article today in the Washington Post explaining that when Trump condemns “all forms of racism,” what he actually means is that hecondemns anti-white racism, which is a peculiar fixation of his base. A graph in the article shows that Trump supporters are more likely to e press concern about anti-white racism than other groups.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/08/12/how-to-understand-trumps-condemnation-of-all-types-of-racism/?utm_term=.f996a49e15d0&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1

The article is probably behind a pay wall.

Here are some excerpts.

President Trump on Saturday condemned “all types of racism and acts of violence” on the first anniversary of the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, calling for the nation to “come together” after a week in which he stoked racial divisions with attacks on black athletes and other minorities….

“I condemn all types of racism and acts of violence,” Trump wrote. “Peace to ALL Americans!”

The remarks stood in stark contrast to Trump’s reaction a year ago — when he declared that “both sides” were to blame for the violence in Charlottesville — and followed a week of racially incendiary statements by the president and allies. Trump insulted the intelligence of NBA star LeBron James and CNN anchor Don Lemon, both of whom are black, reignited his crusade against black football players protesting police brutality and told a group of business leaders that Chinese students studying in the United States were spies….

On his attacks on black athletes, cable news personalities or members of Congress, Trump allies argue that he is merely swinging back at opponents when provoked. White House aides also say Trump loves the attack on National Football League players kneeling for the national anthem and seeks out reasons and stories to tweet about it…

Trump’s political base is overwhelmingly white and older, and he won the 2016 presidential election in part by rallying white voters who do not have college degrees. The perceived erosion of former cultural and economic touchstones — the American flag, the steel and mining industries — were mainstays of his campaign. Immigration, which Trump has called a “disaster,” and the wall he wants to build on the Mexican border are among his most consistent themes. He counts few minorities among his top advisers or friends.

Christopher Malone, a political-science professor and dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Molloy College, said Trump’s racially charged outbursts are part of a calculated effort to appeal to whites, especially those with a sense of cultural grievance, and is best expressed through his campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again.”

“These are intentional acts, even though people may not see the rhyme or reason to it,” Malone said.

Race is a frequent subtext of Trump’s most prominent crusades, including his long-running feud with black NFL players and his anger at James, who told Lemon in a recent interview that Trump uses sports “to divide us.”

“Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do,” Trump wrote on Twitter at 11:37 p.m. on Aug. 3, his first full day here at his New Jersey golf resort.

In a private dinner at his Bedminster club with business executives a few days later, Trump asserted that “almost every student” from China studying in the United States is a spy. And in a pair of tweets on Friday, Trump revived his periodic criticism of NFL players who kneel during the national anthem to protest racial profiling and police brutality.

“Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!” he tweeted….

Trump has stayed quiet about this weekend’s planned demonstration by potentially hundreds of white nationalists at Lafayette Square, across the street from the White House. He will remain in New Jersey on Sunday.

Trump, several current and former aides said, does not use racial slurs in private or make comments that demean minorities among his aides. Instead, they said, he brags about the record-low African American unemployment rate and talks about what he is doing for black Americans.

But, aides say, he often talks about what his supporters will think of racially tinged issues. After The Washington Post reported that Trump had questioned why the United States was admitting people from “shithole countries” in Africa and Latin America, he decided not to push back against the story because he was not convinced it was a political negative for him, according to aides who spoke with him at the time.

One of Trump’s frequent targets for attack is Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), a black congresswoman whom Trump singled out again during a campaign rally last weekend to boost an Ohio House candidate.

“Maxine, she’s a real beauty, Maxine,” Trump said in Lewis Center, Ohio, during his only out-of-town foray from his Bedminster retreat. “A seriously low I.Q. person. Seriously.”

On Friday, Trump gave a nod to one prominent black supporter, the rapper Kanye West, tweeting that he is “willing to tell the TRUTH.”

“One new and great FACT — African American unemployment is the lowest ever recorded in the history of our Country,” Trump tweeted. “So honored by this. Thank you Kanye for your support. It is making a big difference!”

But Trump’s racially charged statements continued to draw backlash.