Lena Dunham Compares Donald Trump to Charleston Mass Shooter Dylann Roof
Lena Dunham has never been one to follow rules. That includes the Goldwater Rule, which dissuades mental health professionals from diagnosing public figures if they have never treated them in person. Luckily, the “Girls” creator has no such obligation, and the outspoken mental health advocate tweeted yesterday: “Not only is [Donald Trump] a racist, but he’s a racist with untreated mental illness. So under diff[erent] circumstances, he’s Dylann Roof.” The comment came in response to a thread by “Full Frontal With Samantha Bee” writer Travon Free urging journalists to call out Trump’s blatant racism.
Dunham was referring to the convicted murderer responsible for the 2015 mass shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
Not only is he a racist but he’s a racist with untreated mental illness. So under diff circumstances he’s Dylann Roof.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) September 25, 2017
Dunham later voiced support for Colin Kaepernick and fellow NFL players taking a knee during the pre-game national anthem in support of Black Lives Matter. “Do people get how much bravery it takes to stand up to the pres[ident], whether you’re rich or not? These players are black Americans,” she wrote. “Along with the president’s ire they get every violent racist who supports him. They are deluged with threats. Have to shield their families.”
Along with the president’s ire they get every violent racist who supports him. They are deluged with threats. Have to shield their families.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) September 25, 2017
Imagine their national stage, the abuse they know they’ll get for doing the right thing and the fact that they do it anyway? True applause.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) September 25, 2017
Dunham’s outspoken support of racial justice issues has evolved in the last few years. Early in her show’s run, she faced criticism for a dearth of central black characters on “Girls.” At the beginning of this year, she told Nylon, “I wouldn’t do another show that starred four white girls.”
