Trump, Of All People, Fat Shames A Supporter At Campaign Rally

Donald Trump

At his New Hampshire campaign rally Thursday night, Donald Trump fat-shamed what appeared to be a protester as they were being ejected from the event.

It turns out, however, the man was actually a supporter.

From The Hill:

The man, Frank Dawson, law enforcement and Navy veteran, was interviewed by Fox News Thursday night following the rally and revealed he was a Trump supporter, adding that he ripped signs out of the hands of nearby protesters at the rally.

“He didn’t see me rip the signs away from those three people that were sitting near us, and they were trying to cause a ruckus,” Dawson told Fox. “It wasn’t going to happen beside me because I’m trying to listen to my president.”

“I think he thought I was part of it, but I wasn’t. I was the good part of it,” Dawson added.

Trump singled out Dawson at Thursday's campaign-style rally when protesters were being escorted out of the arena, apparently mistaking him for one of the demonstrators.

"That guy’s got a serious weight problem. Go home, start exercising," Trump said at the rally in Manchester.

"Get him out of here, please. Got a bigger problem than I do,” Trump added. “Got a bigger problem than all of us. Now he goes home and his mom says, 'What the hell have you just done?'"

Said the fattest President since William Howard Taft . . . https://t.co/T3Cbnx5T4S

— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) August 16, 2019

Trump was reportedly informed of his mistake, asked for the supporter's contact info and called Dawson from Air Force One.

A White House official said Friday that Trump left a voicemail message thanking him for his support, but the call didn't include an apology.

Correction: Trump did not apologize, a White House official tells me. He phoned the supporter, left him a message thanking him for his support, but did not use the words "sorry" or "apologize." https://t.co/0G32RSHI1G

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) August 16, 2019

I can’t get past tonight’s Trump rally takeaway:

Trump. Called someone ELSE.

Fat.

— Rob Anderson for Louisiana (@RobAnderson2018) August 16, 2019

Out Actor Wentworth Miller Responds To Fat-Shaming

On Monday, Prison Break/Flash star Wentworth Miller responded to an internet meme that was intended to "fat shame" him for gaining some weight a few years ago.

The very personal post is spot on, and courageous.

Here's the full essay via Facebook:

Today I found myself the subject of an Internet meme. Not for the first time.

This one, however, stands out from the rest.

In 2010, semi-retired from acting, I was keeping a low-profile for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, I was suicidal.

This is a subject I've since written about, spoken about, shared about.

But at the time I suffered in silence. As so many do. The extent of my struggle known to very, very few.

Ashamed and in pain, I considered myself damaged goods. And the voices in my head urged me down the path to self-destruction. Not for the first time.

I've struggled with depression since childhood. It's a battle that's cost me time, opportunities, relationships, and a thousand sleepless nights.

In 2010, at the lowest point in my adult life, I was looking everywhere for relief/comfort/distraction. And I turned to food. It could have been anything. Drugs. Alcohol. Sex. But eating became the one thing I could look forward to. Count on to get me through. There were stretches when the highlight of my week was a favorite meal and a new episode of TOP CHEF. Sometimes that was enough. Had to be.

And I put on weight. Big f--king deal.

One day, out for a hike in Los Angeles with a friend, we crossed paths with a film crew shooting a reality show. Unbeknownst to me, paparazzi were circling. They took my picture, and the photos were published alongside images of me from another time in my career. "Hunk To Chunk." "Fit To Flab." Etc.

My mother has one of those "friends" who's always the first to bring you bad news. They clipped one of these articles from a popular national magazine and mailed it to her. She called me, concerned.

In 2010, fighting for my mental health, it was the last thing I needed.

Long story short, I survived.

So do those pictures.

I'm glad.

Now, when I see that image of me in my red t-shirt, a rare smile on my face, I am reminded of my struggle. My endurance and my perseverance in the face of all kinds of demons. Some within. Some without.

Like a dandelion up through the pavement, I persist.

Anyway. Still. Despite.

The first time I saw this meme pop up in my social media feed, I have to admit, it hurt to breathe. But as with everything in life, I get to assign meaning. And the meaning I assign to this/my image is Strength. Healing. Forgiveness.

Of myself and others.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Reach out. Text. Send an email. Pick up the phone. Someone cares. They're waiting to hear from you. Much love. - W.M. #koalas #inneractivist #prisonbroken

www.afsp.org
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
www.activeminds.org
www.thetrevorproject.org
www.iasp.info