For most people, verbal communication is a seamless, unthinking act.
But for individuals with communication disorders — such as stuttering, aphasia, or other speech and language impairments — speech is anything but automatic. They must not only consider what they say but also how they say it, knowing their manner of speaking might elicit judgment, dismissal, or ridicule.
And soon they’ll have to worry about that ridicule coming from the White House again.
President-elect Trump has repeatedly mocked people with disabilities, including his infamous imitation of a reporter with a congenital movement disorder and President Joe Biden’s stuttering, often to eruptions of laughter from his supporters. Trump also allegedly told his nephew to let his son with developmental disabilities die.
When the most powerful leader in the world engages in this behavior, it sends a chilling message: Some people are less deserving of respect simply because of their disabilities or how they express themselves.
Worse still, many of Trump’s defenders normalize his behavior, arguing that his comments are “just words” or “Trump being Trump.” This allows stigma and discrimination to flourish, embedding them deeper into the fabric of our society.
For individuals with communication disorders, this means more judgment, more misunderstanding, and fewer opportunities to participate fully in society. To accept or excuse this behavior is to condone cruelty and undermine the principles of empathy and respect that should define us as a nation.
In fact, verbal attacks and public ridicule significantly exacerbate neurodevelopmental disorders like stuttering. These cruel reactions can make it significantly more difficult, at a neural level, for the individual to focus on their message and say what they want to say. So individuals with communication disorders often choose to limit their talking — and ultimately their participation in society.
Negative perceptions about stuttering perpetuate feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness. Trump’s mockery of stuttering and other disabilities exacerbates this and signals to his supporters that such ridicule is acceptable — or worse, inconsequential.
This issue should transcend debates about political correctness, “wokeness,” and whatever else. It’s a moral judgment — especially when it’s linked with his policy agenda, which includes trying to eliminate the Department of Education. Among other things, the department provides funding for students with disabilities.
If people genuinely care about humanity, they should understand that Trump’s propensity to mock individuals with disorders or differences isn’t a trivial lapse in behavior. It’s a direct attack on humanity itself.
Communication is not just a human right, it is the cornerstone of community, understanding, and progress. To mock someone for the way they speak, or for any other disability, is to undermine their humanity.
Will we stand up for the dignity of all individuals, or will we allow mockery and disdain to dictate our national discourse?
Those who voted for Trump, particularly those who don’t face the daily struggles of disability, bear a special responsibility to push back against this behavior. They must recognize that their silence is complicity — and that the defense of dignity transcends politics.
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