Jorge Ramos Reminds Us That We Will Be Judged

I have been giving a lot of what I think is deserved flak to the media for not aggressively pursuing Trump’s refusal to release his taxes. Yes, I know that Trump gives us all something new and astounding to write about virtually every day. But like the refusal of Republicans to give Merrick Garland a hearing, Trump’s refusal release his taxes is an attack on transparency and democracy. It sets a precedent that can only be detrimental going forward. I have also been critical of Republican leaders who still refuse to repudiate Trump even as his outrages continue and that history will judge them harshly for their cowardice.

Jorge Ramos is considered the Walter Cronkite of Spanish-language TV in America today. And Ramos sees Trump’s actions and positions, not only on his taxes but also his racist and sexist remarks, as antithetical to American democracy. Ramos went on Fox News the other night and, in words far more eloquent than mine, laid down the gauntlet to the media, to the politicians, and to the American people regarding Trump. Here are his powerful words:

“It doesn’t matter who you are—a journalist, a politician or a voter—we’ll all be judged by how we responded to Donald Trump. Like it or not, this election is a plebiscite on the most divisive, polarizing and disrupting figure in American politics in decades. And neutrality is not an option. […]
Regardless of whether Donald Trump wins or loses, we will be asked on November 9th: What did you do? Did you support him? Were you brave enough, ethical enough, to challenge him when he insulted immigrants, Muslims, women, war heroes and people with disabilities? Are you on the record correcting his lies? Did you discuss with your friends and family that in a democracy like ours there is no room for racism and discrimination? Or did you just seat idly, silently, allowing others to decide the future of the United States?
Because you will be asked.
Trump has forced journalists to revisit rules of objectivity and fairness. Just providing both points of view is not enough in the current presidential campaign. If a candidate is making racist and sexist remarks, we cannot hide in the principle of neutrality.”