One Step Away: Reflecting on Trump's Narrow Escape and Disability

Law enforcement officers gather at the campaign rally site for Republican presidential candidate former President Trump.

Evan Vucci/AP

This weekend's events at Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania have left us all grappling with numerous questions. How could such a security failure occur? What were the motivations behind the shooting? How will this historic moment reshape US politics in the 2024 election? Amidst the whirlwind of these discussions, one question has been persistently echoing in my mind: What does this assassination attempt say about our current views on disability in this country?

As someone who lives with multiple disabilities, this question is not just rhetorical. Former President Donald Trump has openly and notoriously mocked disabled individuals and wounded veterans. The irony is that by sheer luck, he narrowly avoided becoming part of the community he has so often disparaged. This incident starkly reminds us that we are all just one moment away from joining the ranks of the disabled community.

During the chaos following the shooting, Democratic strategist Johnny Palmadessa told Reuters he witnessed elderly and disabled attendees struggling to evacuate the venue. He described scenes of mothers shielding their children from bullets, husbands protecting their wives, and elderly people giving up on trying to escape because they couldn't move quickly enough. Palmadessa observed, "I watched elderly people struggle to leave fast enough. Some of them practically gave up and decided, I'm just going to wait here because I can't get out right now. That's not okay."

This heartbreaking reality is all too familiar to many of us in the disability community. During emergencies, our needs are often overlooked, leaving us vulnerable and, at times, resigned to our fate. The U.S. Secret Service, while prioritizing the protection of the president, has a responsibility to ensure the safety of all attendees, including those with disabilities. Their failure to do so at this event is a glaring oversight that demands immediate rectification.

The broader implications of this incident extend beyond just the physical safety of disabled individuals at public events. It forces us to confront how deeply ingrained ableism is in our society. Trump's history of mocking disabled individuals is not just offensive; it's indicative of a societal mindset that devalues and disregards the disabled community. As a result, the protections and considerations that should be in place are often absent.

We must advocate for inclusive emergency preparedness plans that account for the needs of disabled individuals. This includes ensuring accessible egress routes, providing adequate assistance during emergencies, and training all personnel on how to effectively support disabled attendees. The Trump assassination attempt is a stark reminder that our current systems are insufficient and that immediate action is necessary to prevent future tragedies.

No Way to Run a Country? The Harmful Narratives of Ableism in Media

Cover of The Economist magazine dated July 6th-12th, 2024, featuring an image of a walker with the Presidential Seal of the United States and the headline 'No Way to Run a Country’.

As a disability advocate, I am often reminded of the pervasive ableism that infiltrates many aspects of our society. The recent cover of The Economist, depicting a walker with the presidential seal and the caption "No way to run a country," is a stark example of this issue. Regardless of political views or the current debates around President Biden's fitness, framing his capability to govern based on a disability is not only cruel but highlights a deep-seated ableism that must be addressed.

This kind of representation perpetuates harmful stereotypes, suggesting that those who use mobility aids are less capable. Such images can have far-reaching consequences, reinforcing negative perceptions and fostering environments where people with disabilities feel pressured to hide their conditions. The Economist should be ashamed of themselves for this front-page cover and for continuing to push a harmful narrative that deems individuals with disabilities as less competent.

The Economist's cover is not just an isolated incident; it reflects a broader issue within media representation. This portrayal underscores the editorial team's lack of understanding and empathy toward disability. It's a reminder of the significant work needed to educate and shift societal perspectives. Media outlets have a powerful influence on public opinion, and with that power comes the responsibility to portray all individuals fairly and accurately.

This is not the first time we've seen such blatant ableism in politics. Senator John Fetterman faced criticism for using assistive technology to perform his duties, with many questioning his ability to serve. While the office of the President is indeed a different challenge, ableism should have no place in our political discussions. As advocates, we must highlight these issues and push for a more inclusive narrative recognizing the capabilities of all individuals.

Ableist portrayals like The Economist's cover can discourage employees from disclosing their disabilities, fearing judgment and discrimination. This reluctance prevents many from accessing necessary accommodations that could enhance their productivity and well-being. It's crucial that we create workplaces where disability disclosure is met with support and understanding, not prejudice.

To combat these harmful narratives, media organizations must take actionable steps to improve their representation of individuals with disabilities. This includes hiring more people with disabilities in visible roles, consulting with disability advocates when creating content, and committing to ongoing education on disability issues. By doing so, they can help dismantle ableist stereotypes and promote a more inclusive society.

Let's use this moment to spark a conversation about ableism in the media and beyond.

The Ableist Discourse Around John Fetterman’s Stroke

“What is so harmful about seeing what's happened to John Fetterman is that he's actually experiencing what many disabled people experience every day when we ask for accommodations,” Maria Town, President and CEO of American Association of People with Disabilities added, “which is an instant doubt of our competence and a questioning about whether, you know, ‘Can you really do this job?’”
-David Mack, BuzzFeed

Watching John Fetterman’s interview with Dasha Burns of NBC News highlighted in real-time how pervasive ableism is in our culture. In a tight senate race that should be focused on issues, Burns chose instead to emphasize Fetterman’s need for accommodations, questioning his fitness for office over a chance to spotlight policy during a prime-time interview Tuesday night.

For his part, Lester Holt introduced the segment calling it, “Not your typical candidate interview,” placing additional focus on Fetterman’s disability.

NBC is clearly gunning for the #NDEAM Awards.

Burns has since backtracked saying, “Our reporting did not and should not comment on fitness for office. This is for voters to decide.” Voters are persuaded by news coverage, and as a journalist, her coverage irresponsibly perpetuated myths surrounding the competence of disabled people seeking employment, particularly when reasonable accommodations are involved.

Adding fuel to the fire were Burns’ additional queries surrounding Fetterman’s health, implying the medical documentation supplied by his team was outdated and asking, “Don't voters deserve to know your status now?” While voters have become accustomed to candidates running for high political office releasing medical records, there are no established norms concerning what those records should include. The one constant for disabled job seekers is that we are routinely asked to provide information and documentation far above that of our non-disabled colleagues simply to prove fitness, both for the job and any related accommodations.

Barriers are constantly placed in front of us to to earn our place at the table. Those barriers are difficult to overcome with Implicit biases about disabled people being incredibly pervasive. A 2007 study led by Brian Nosek, a Professor of Psychology at University of Virginia found "[p]reference for people without disability compared to people with disabilities was among the strongest implicit and explicit effects across the social group domains" with only age showing more implicit bias. Significantly, 76 percent of respondents showed an implicit preference for people without disabilities, compared to nine percent for people with disabilities." NBC put those biases front and center for a national audience.

Thankfully media personalities like Comedy Central/The Daily Show host Trevor N. aren’t afraid to call out ableism. We need more allies like him. His impending departure leaves big shoes to fill.

#disability #politics #employment