Asian-American groups fear Trump’s escalating rhetoric will fuel prejudice, racism in US

Advertisement Asian-American groups fear Trump’s escalating rhetoric will fuel prejudice, racism in US Community leaders warn US president’s explosive China election-interference allegations may see rise in anti-Asian hate crimes 4-MIN READ4-MIN Mark Magnierin New York Asian-American groups on Friday slammed US President Donald Trump’s speech delivered this week as a dangerous threat to citizens of US minority communities already facing attacks and hostility during troubled and deeply partisan times, even as China hawks praised its message and tone. On Thursday during a prime-time address from the East Room of the White House, Trump repeated unsubstantiated claims that Beijing was interfering in US elections, citing his suspicion of what he termed “China’s sinister election meddling” and “the largest compromise of election data in history”. Much of the voter registration data in the previously classified reports that the president cited is disputed and is not new, analysts said. The speech – coming four months before a high-stakes midterm election amid an unpopular war and record-low polling numbers – raised concern that he could attempt to alter or overturn the results even as he repeated unproven claims that he won the 2020 election. China’s foreign ministry dismissed Trump’s comments as factually wrong, aimed at “vilifying China”, while Chinese-American groups said his conspiracy theories threaten to fan an already tense domestic situation. Advertisement Select Voice Select Speed 1.00x [Image text:] ASIAN AMERICANS tselectbus sorvice AMERICANS ARE BOWSTAT +selectbusservic C