The New York Times editorial board on Friday called President Trump “the greatest threat to American democracy since World War II,” while encouraging voters to “end our national crisis” in voting him out of office.
“Trump’s ruinous tenure already has gravely damaged the United States at home and around the world. He has abused the power of his office and denied the legitimacy of his political opponents, shattering the norms that have bound the nation together for generations,” the editorial board said. “He has subsumed the public interest to the profitability of his business and political interests. He has shown a breathtaking disregard for the lives and liberties of Americans. He is a man unworthy of the office he holds,” the editorial board wrote.
“The editorial board does not lightly indict a duly elected president,” it continued. “During Mr. Trump’s term, we have called out his racism and his xenophobia. We have critiqued his vandalism of the postwar consensus, a system of alliances and relationships around the globe that cost a great many lives to establish and maintain,” the editorial board continued. “We have, again and again, deplored his divisive rhetoric and his malicious attacks on fellow Americans.”
“Now, in this moment of peril, it falls to the American people — even those who would prefer a Republican president — to preserve, protect and defend the United States by voting,” the board concluded.
The New York Times and President Trump have traded rhetorical blows ever since the former real estate mogul jumped into the political arena. In 2016, the editorial board called Trump “the worst nominee put forward by a major party in modern American history” in its endorsement of then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
The Times has not endorsed a Republican nominee for president in the last 16 elections, dating back to 1956.
Trump has repeatedly referred to the New York Times as “failing” and “fake news” primarily on social media.❐
So now the Fake News @nytimes is tracing the CoronaVirus origins back to Europe, NOT China. This is a first! I wonder what the Failing New York Times got for this one? Are there any NAMED sources? They were recently thrown out of China like dogs, and obviously want back in. Sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2020
