It’s a tale as old as time, or at least as old as 2015: the media paints a certain picture of Donald Josephine Trump. They say he hates Muslims. They say he’s got a problem with Black people. They portray him as a man whose scorn is a blunt instrument, swinging wildly at entire demographics.
This, my friends, is fake news of the highest order.
To understand the 45 & 47th President’s worldview, you must discard the crude brush of prejudice and pick up the fine-tipped, gold-plated Sharpie of nuance. Mr. Trump doesn’t deal in blanket bigotries. That would be inefficient and, frankly, bad for business. His is a meticulously curated, bespoke brand of disdain, tailored specifically for those who cannot offer him anything in return.
Let’s call it the Doctrine of Selective Scorn.
On Islam: It’s Not the Faith, It’s the Finances
The narrative that Trump hates Muslims is a gross oversimplification. He doesn’t hate all Muslims. He only hates the poor ones. You know, the ones you see in those sad pictures on the news, fleeing dusty, unfortunate places. The ones without a private Boeing 757 to lend out or a few million in “digital coin” to invest in a new social media venture.
Contrast this with the rich Islamic rulers he so openly admires. He doesn’t see the Kingdom Tower in Riyadh; he sees a towering stack of planning approvals. He doesn’t see a traditional thobe; he sees the deep pockets of a walking, talking line of credit. The call to prayer becomes the sweet sound of a cash register ringing.
And the most beautiful part of this arrangement? The rulers don’t seem to mind the occasional insult hurled at their faith. When Trump infamously proposed a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States,” he was quick to assure his billionaire friends in the Gulf, “Not you, of course! I mean the other ones. The ones without a portfolio.” It’s a classic “some of my best friends are Muslims” defense, just scaled up to a geopolitical level with more gold leaf.
He doesn’t see Islam in them. He sees an ATM with a really nice falcon.
On Black America: It’s Not the Hue, It’s the Hustle
The same sophisticated logic applies to his relationships within the Black community. The “shithole countries” comment? A simple misunderstanding. He wasn’t referring to all Black people, just the ones who haven’t secured a multi-platinum album or a hit daytime talk show.
Look at his inner circle. There’s Steve Harvey, a man who knows his way around a sharp suit and a game show buzzer. There’s the esteemed businessman and rapper, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who famously supported Trump after a potential tax hike threatened to turn his fortune into a “20 Cent” situation. These men are not from “shithole countries” in Trump’s eyes; they are from the prosperous lands of Celebrity and Net Worth.
These are what he privately refers to as “my Blacks”—a term of endearment that, while grammatically and socially clunky, is delivered with the pride of a collector showing off his most impressive trophies. They are the exceptions that prove the rule, living proof that he can’t be prejudiced because he has some.
The Unifying Principle: The Gilded Exception
At its core, the Trump Doctrine of Selective Scorn is beautifully simple. It transcends race, religion, and nationality, uniting people under one glorious banner: utility.
Are you a poor, white coal miner from West Virginia? You’re a patriot, a symbol of American grit. Are you a poor, white journalist from New York? You’re the “enemy of the people.”
Are you a Muslim from a country he can’t locate on a map? You’re a threat. Are you a Muslim who owns the map-making company and is considering naming a cartographical institute after him? You’re a “great guy, the best.”
So, the next time you hear someone accuse Donald Trump of blanket prejudice, do not be fooled. His judgments are not shallow. They are deeply considered, meticulously calculated, and entirely conditional on what you can do for him. It’s not hate; it’s just highly selective appreciation.
Centre for Nigeria Progress 