The Surge of Racism from Trump’s First Presidency to His Current Term: A Comprehensive Analysis
Since Donald Trump first took office in January 2017, racism in the United States has shown alarming increases, a trend that has continued into his current presidency. This rise spans hate crimes, extremist group activity, public perceptions, and online radicalization. Understanding the scope of these changes over multiple years helps clarify the social and political dynamics that have shaped contemporary America.
1. Hate Crimes: Sustained Increases and New Peaks
FBI Hate Crime Data (2017–2023)
2017: Hate crimes surged approximately 17% compared to 2016, the largest annual increase in decades.
2018–2019: Hate crimes remained elevated, with smaller year-over-year fluctuations but staying above pre-2016 levels.
2020–2021: The COVID-19 pandemic period saw a shift—hate crimes targeting Asian Americans rose sharply, exacerbated by racially charged rhetoric.
2022–2023: Overall hate crimes have hovered at higher levels than before 2017, with persistent violence against Black, Jewish, Latino, and other minority communities.
The persistent increase over this period indicates a sustained emboldening of racially motivated violence, not just a temporary spike.
2. Growth and Evolution of Hate Groups
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Reports
2016: Approx. 784 active hate groups.
2018: Increased to 940, a nearly 20% rise.
2020–2023: Hate group numbers fluctuated but remained above 800, with new forms emerging, including acceleration of extremist militia groups and digital-only cells.
Far-right groups have adapted, expanding their tactics to include cyber harassment and coordinated misinformation campaigns.
3. Rising Anti-Semitism and Other Targeted Harassment
Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Findings
2017: Anti-Semitic incidents jumped 57%—the highest since 1979.
2018–2023: While numbers varied, anti-Semitism remained a significant threat. New anti-Semitic conspiracy theories circulated widely online, often overlapping with QAnon and other extremist movements.
Targeting of other groups, including Muslims and Latinos, also saw sustained increases, particularly in areas with heightened political tension.
4. Public Perceptions and Social Division
Pew Research & Other Surveys
From 2017 through 2023, a majority of Americans consistently reported that race relations worsened.
Younger generations, especially under 30, express high levels of concern about racism and discrimination.
Communities of color report feeling more vulnerable and less trusting of government institutions over this period.
The continued negative perception reflects an environment of heightened social polarization and racial tension.
5. Online Extremism and Digital Radicalization
Social media algorithms continue to promote divisive content, with extremist rhetoric spreading rapidly across platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Telegram, and emerging apps.
Far-right influencers and conspiracy theorists have exploited these channels to recruit and radicalize followers over several years.
Online communities became crucial organizing hubs for real-world hate rallies and violent events, including the January 6 Capitol insurrection in 2021.
Digital ecosystems have deepened and prolonged the cycle of hate and misinformation.
6. Factors Driving the Prolonged Rise in Racism
Trump’s Rhetoric: Throughout both presidencies, Trump has repeatedly used nationalist, anti-immigrant, and racially charged language that critics argue legitimizes hate.
Policy Actions: Attempts to restrict immigration, reduce civil rights protections, and target minority communities contributed to perceptions of state-sanctioned discrimination.
Cultural and Demographic Shifts: Increasing diversity and debates over American identity have been leveraged by extremist groups to stoke fear and resentment.
Media Polarization: Fragmented and partisan media environments magnify racial grievances and fuel tribalism.
7. Real-World Consequences and Community Impact
Communities of color face ongoing threats of violence, discrimination, and institutional neglect.
Psychological toll includes heightened stress, trauma, and mistrust among affected populations.
Social fragmentation undermines collective action and national unity.
Conclusion: Facing a Continuing Challenge
The data and trends from Trump’s first term through his current presidency show a disturbing and sustained increase in racism in America. This includes more frequent and severe hate crimes, growth in extremist groups, expanded online radicalization, and worsening social divides.
Reversing this trend requires:
Proactive leadership that unequivocally condemns racism.
Stronger legal frameworks to combat hate crimes and extremist activity.
Education and community programs fostering understanding and inclusion.
Responsible media and platform policies to curb misinformation and hate speech.
Only through comprehensive, sustained efforts can America hope to heal these deep racial wounds and move toward a more equitable and just society.