Laura Ingraham's Xenophobic and Racist Rant Captures the Fears of Fox News Viewers and Trump Vot

Laura Ingraham's disturbing rant yesterday about America's changing demographics perfectly captures the fears and prejudices of the "Trump voter" and Fox's viewers.

Ingraham via CNN: "This is a national emergency, and we must demand that Congress act now."

"In some parts of the country, it does seem like the America that we know and love doesn't exist anymore.

"Massive demographic changes have been foisted upon the American people, and they are changes that none of us ever voted for, and most of us don't like. From Virginia to California, we see stark examples of how radically, in some ways, the country has changed."

"Now, much of this is related to both illegal, and in some cases legal immigration that, of course, progressives love."

Ingraham didn't mention any specific problems that have resulted from America's changing demographics, and she didn't have to. She understands who watches her cable channel. Fox News viewers, are predominantly 65 and older and almost 100% white according to Nielsen ratings.

And Ingraham knows that she was voicing the concerns of Donald Trump's base of support. There is a growing body of research that demonstrates that much of the President's base is motivated by a "fear of America's increased diversity." It's why the President keeps coming back to the immigration issue and why the administration is now also focused on limiting legal immigration into the country. To many of his supporters, America's growing diversity is a problem, in and of itself.

Ingraham will be pilloried today across America for giving voice to "white nationalism" and the irrational fears that inspire white supremacists. She and Fox should be ashamed, but its a much broader problem that America must address. Russia and China will be the least of our worries if America tears itself apart along racial and ethnic lines. Republicans must join with Democrats to repudiate xenophobia and racism instead of embracing it for political gain.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore

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