If there is one tried and true way for white people to attempt to deny that they are racists, it is to claim they have black friends.
That method is considered trite and ineffective, as people’s interpersonal relationships don’t really directly correlate with their world views, but it doesn’t stop some from trying—and subsequently getting mocked for their feeble efforts.
President Donald Trump‘s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, went that route on Wednesday morning, after a chaotic few days of racial tension in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the president’s disastrous press conference Tuesday afternoon.
As the son of a holocaust survivor, I have no tolerance for #racism. Just because I support @POTUS @realDonaldTrump doesn't make me a racist pic.twitter.com/lfIwdosreE
— Michael Cohen (@MichaelCohen212) August 16, 2017
Many, many people disagree with that position—an argument that’s been ongoing since before the election—arguing that since many of Trump supporters espouse racist ideology, any support of the president makes you complicit.
https://twitter.com/NifMuhammad/status/897811205125025796
https://twitter.com/teenagesleuth/status/897823463850655744
https://twitter.com/adamannapolis/status/897804350046818304
I've been on Twitter for about 2 years, and I think this is the highest level of cognitive dissonance ever I've seen on this app. https://t.co/VhOUbBAT30
— Torraine Walker (@TorraineWalker) August 16, 2017
Upon receiving scores of LMAOs, Cohen went on a Twitter storm, retweeting people of color and Jewish people who said they too stood with President Trump.
Make no mistake, there is zero tolerance for racism. But the protesters of today are not our brave passive resistance predecessors. 🇺🇸 #Fact pic.twitter.com/zkFxmHN1Mw
— 🇺🇸 Lynne Patton (@LynnePatton) August 16, 2017
— Dave's Spirit (@dave_spirit2001) August 16, 2017
I'm Jewish as well and 100% support the President! We must stand united against the Alt-Left fascist groups!
— can't decide ✡️🇺🇸 (@cantdecide98) August 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/DebbyHouser/status/897806351086301185
Cohen also shared a Facebook post from Lynne Patton, a black woman who works for Trump in the Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Thank you @LynnePatton for your articulate and accurate point of view. Always there for each other! pic.twitter.com/scMgDkRmoO
— Michael Cohen (@MichaelCohen212) August 16, 2017
Many, however, feel the president has cast his lot with the hate-filled bigots she refers to.