Child actors
In the flourishing world of baseless conspiracy theories, this one, part hoax, part smear, has been having its moment.
The idea that people whose experiences speak to some of the consequences of government policies are not to be taken at face value, and are actually “crisis actors” working for a nefarious purpose, has taken on particular prominence in the wake of mass shootings, such as those in Newtown, Conn., and Parkland, Fla.
Conservative commentator Ann Coulter on Sunday became the latest figure to spread a similar claim, as a guest on a Fox News show, when she charged that some of the migrant children who have been photographed in varying stages of distress were “child actors,” in a bit of messaging she directed at President Trump.
Yes, certainly, that’s highly plausible, because of course it would be terribly difficult to find real children who were distressed by being yanked away from their parents by strangers. Real children in that situation are all smiling happily as they settle down on the floor of the small room walled with chain link and filled with other children, foil “blankets,” and water bottles. What child wouldn’t be delighted to have a journey interrupted in that way?
“These child actors weeping and crying on all the other networks 24/7 right now; do not fall for it, Mr. President,” she said, staring directly into the camera. “I get very nervous about the president getting his news from TV.”
She says, on TV, staring into the president’s eyes via the camera.
Coulter’s remarks went unquestioned by Fox News host Steve Hilton, on whose show she appeared. He did try to move the conversation forward as a break in the show approached.
“I don’t know if that’s …” he said, trailing off as Coulter continued. “I told you we wouldn’t get a word in,” he said to the two other guests, Republican former congressman Jason E. Chaffetz and Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle.
But Coulter continued.
“These kids are being coached,” she said. “They’re given scripts to read by liberals. . . . Don’t fall for the actor children.”
She said her information came from New Yorker magazine, though it was not immediately clear which report she was referring to.
Over a series of emails with The Post, Coulter did not provide evidence for her claim.
Well she couldn’t, could she.
When our government in Australia started doing this shit, they implemented rules to stop the media photographing crying children and frightened adults because people watching would feel empathy and would be less likely to support prison camps for refugees and immigrants.
Is Trump doing this to put the screws on Democrats to fund his Wall, and that’s why he is being so open about the cruelty? Or is he counting on Fox News to spread word it isn’t really happening?
It’s so frightening to see so many people relishing doing this.
I think basically Trump is doing it because he likes it. I think his loathing of immigrants is genuine as well as opportunistic.
The Trump Administration represents the confluence of the two dominant strains in Republican Party ideology for the past several decades: the white Christian identity culture wars and tax cuts for the extremely wealthy. They need some voters for the program – with their franchise amplified by gerrymandering and voter suppression – but the tax cuts favor only a very small number of voters, so the burden of keeping that base happy relies on the culture war aspects.
Trump’s big bogeyman for that has been immigrants more than anything else. Overt racism directed against second or more generation citizens risks energizing opposition voters to actually, you know, vote, and turning off friendly voters who work hard to believe they’re not racists. Demonizing foreign darker people is easy and gets him attention and political polarization. Plus, as Ophelia says, it’s just plain gratifying for him and his true believers. Latinos are subhuman, in their view, and treating them like animals is so very satisfying.
This is the article she was referring to:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/08/01/the-asylum-seeker
It talks about how asylum seekers often exaggerate or invent stories to stay in this country (not really a surprise).
It does not say anything about children being taught to act and to cry. The author has blasted Coulter for misuse of his article. Summary here:
http://www.newser.com/story/260836/ann-coulters-child-actors-claim-called-into-question.html
She went on to make other outrageous claims, such as the adults being “drug mules” and not the children’s parents.
Good to see Coulter keeping up her well deserved reputation for being awful, a liar, and an awful liar.
Man, trumpkins give a whole new meaning to the term white trash.