Code Switch In the Trump era, has the word 'racist' lost its meaning?
Dec 10, 2025
Mark Mamet, a former NPR standards editor, shares insights on when to label language as racist. He discusses a recent decision regarding derogatory tweets from Trump. Joining him is Keith Woods, former VP of newsroom training, who debates the challenges of maintaining consistent standards in such labels. They explore how today's rhetoric has influenced perceptions of racism and the implications for journalism's credibility. Their deep dive reveals the fine line reporters must walk between factual reporting and the moral obligation to call out hateful language.
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The Problem With Broad Labels
- Journalists wrestle with whether “racist” is too broad to be useful and risks losing clarity.
- The word carries moral weight, so reporters sometimes prefer more specific language.
Examples Of Repeated Racial Rhetoric
- The episode catalogs Trump's recurring rhetoric targeting immigrants and people of color across years.
- Hosts cite examples like the 'shithole countries' remark and claims about Haitian immigrants.
When Newsrooms Choose The R Word
- NPR decided this particular Trump tweet qualified as racist because it reused an old racist trope aimed at four women of color.
- Editors said they use the word sparingly and only when evidence and context support it.
