San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has never been reluctant to express his opinion about matters of social importance. In the wake of George Floyd’s death, Popovich side stepped the usual social media statement and spoke to The Nation’s Dave Zirn about his thoughts on white privilege, the current protests sweeping the country and what he sees as a vacuum of leadership in President Trump.
“White Americans have avoided reckoning with this problem forever, because it’s been our privilege to be able to avoid it. That also has to change,” Pop told The Nation.
Never not candid, Pop delivered an absolutley blistering rebuke of Trump’s handling of the Floyd killing.
If Trump had a brain, even if it was 99 percent cynical, he would come out and say something to unify people. But he doesn’t care about bringing people together. Even now. That’s how deranged he is. It’s all about him. It’s all about what benefits him personally. It’s never about the greater good. And that’s all he’s ever been.”
When Trump was first elected, Pop initially said he was reluctant to share his opinions, because as a rich white guy, he’s not sure anyone should care what he thinks. That’s long since changed. He’s spoken out before about Trump’s presidency, and didn’t hold back this time around.
“He’s not just divisive. He’s a destroyer. To be in his presence makes you die. He will eat you alive for his own purposes. I’m appalled that we have a leader who can’t say ‘black lives matter.’ That’s why he hides in the White House basement. He is a coward. He creates a situation and runs away like a grade-schooler. Actually, I think it’s best to ignore him. There is nothing he can do to make this better because of who he is: a deranged idiot.”
He also leveled criticism at Republican Senator Mitch McConnell.
In the end, what we have is a fool in place of a president, while the person who really runs the country, Senator Mitch McConnell, destroys the United States for generations to come. McConnell has destroyed and degraded our judicial system. He has tried to destroy heath care. He’s destroyed the environment. He’s the master and Trump’s the stooge, and what’s funny is that Trump doesn’t even know it. Trump’s always wanted to be part of the in-group, but McConnell is an in-group of one and Trump plays the fool.”
You can read Pop’s full take on Trump here.
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