Letter to the editor: 'Weird' is a mean word, and Trump may take the bait

Was anyone surprised last week to hear so many prominent Democratic spokespeople use the same exact word? The word of the day was “weird.” When you see a montage of the clips, it’s obvious to me that they brainstorm via Zoom each morning to decide on the talking point for the day.

In unison they said J.D. Vance, the Republican candidate for vice president, is “weird.” They aren’t insinuating that Vance could be inbred because he was born in Kentucky, are they? Would they go that low? I hope not.

And the same day Vice President Kamala Harris echoed the echos saying Donald Trump is weird, too. If you think about it, “weird” is much worse than a childish playground taunt. “Weird” is one of the meanest words one person could call another person. Why? Because to be a human is to have an existential need to be loved and accepted and to not be cast out of the group because we are different.

And we all know how Trump loves to be loved. Are they trying to hurt his feelings? What would they gain from hurting his feelings? No, they are baiting him in hopes that he will lash out at their meanness with more of his own meanness the way anyone might who has long been bullied. Will Trump take the bait? I hope not.

Matt Shaffer

McKeesport