
Donald Trump’s political career is often viewed as one that defied conventional wisdom, fueled by populist rhetoric and a deep appeal to disillusioned segments of the American electorate. But a deeper look reveals a long history of unethical practices, political opportunism, and policies that contradict the values of justice, equality, and rational governance that secular humanists hold dear. This article will trace Trump’s history, from his early days marred by accusations of racism and business failures to his presidency, where his ethical transgressions reached new heights. We will conclude by examining his lasting impact on the United States, particularly through his Supreme Court appointments, and the potentially devastating consequences of a future Trump presidency, particularly with the rise of Project 2025.
Early History of Racism and Unfair Housing Practices
Donald Trump’s journey into the public eye began long before his foray into politics. Born into wealth, he inherited a vast real estate empire from his father, Fred Trump. From the beginning, this empire was tainted by discriminatory practices. In 1973, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Trump Management Corporation, accusing the company of discriminating against Black tenants in their housing developments. While Trump and his father denied the charges, testimonies from employees and prospective tenants told a different story. Black applicants were often denied leases, while white tenants were given preferential treatment. Instead of admitting guilt, Trump settled the case in 1975 without admitting to the discriminatory practices, but the settlement included provisions that required Trump Management to change their rental practices.
These early experiences reflect Trump’s willingness to exploit systemic racism for personal gain—a pattern that would repeat itself throughout his career. This lack of accountability and disregard for equality contradicts the secular humanist principles of fairness and human dignity. The early housing discrimination case also speaks to Trump’s long-standing approach to business, where ethics often take a back seat to profit.
Business Failures and Ethical Transgressions
Despite cultivating an image as a savvy businessman, Donald Trump’s business record is filled with notable failures and dubious practices. His casino ventures in Atlantic City were emblematic of his approach: over-leverage the company with debt, make bold promises, and then walk away when the businesses failed. By the early 1990s, Trump had declared multiple bankruptcies, leaving creditors and investors with substantial losses. Meanwhile, Trump continued to amass personal wealth, often at the expense of those who had placed their trust in him.
Trump’s business dealings were rife with ethical lapses. His now-infamous Trump University was exposed as a predatory scam that defrauded thousands of students. Participants were promised valuable real estate knowledge, only to be pushed into paying for more expensive seminars that delivered little value. Trump ultimately settled lawsuits over Trump University for $25 million, but his refusal to admit wrongdoing is a hallmark of his career—one built on manipulation, deception, and exploitation of others for personal enrichment.
These business practices reflect a pattern of behavior that is deeply antithetical to the values of accountability and ethical responsibility that secular humanism promotes. Trump’s willingness to harm others for personal gain reveals a profound lack of concern for human welfare, a concern that should lie at the heart of any just society.
The Presidency and Ethical Violations
When Trump transitioned from business to politics, his ethical violations grew even more pronounced. As president, Trump demonstrated a blatant disregard for both legal norms and ethical standards. These violations highlight Trump’s consistent prioritization of personal and political gain over the welfare of the American people and the principles of democracy. Let’s cover some of the highlights.
Emoluments Clause Violations
One of the most glaring ethical violations throughout Trump’s presidency was his refusal to divest from his businesses. Despite calls from ethics experts, Trump maintained ownership of the Trump Organization, leaving him open to potential conflicts of interest. The Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution prohibits presidents from receiving financial benefits from foreign governments, yet Trump routinely profited from foreign dignitaries and businesses patronizing his properties, particularly the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.
For example, reports surfaced that foreign governments, including Saudi Arabia, spent significant amounts at Trump properties, raising concerns about whether their spending was meant to curry favor with the Trump administration. Despite lawsuits and legal challenges, Trump remained unwilling to fully address these conflicts of interest, underscoring his disregard for ethical norms designed to ensure the president works solely for the American people, not for personal financial enrichment.
Obstruction of Justice
Another significant ethical violation came in Trump’s efforts to obstruct investigations into his conduct and that of his campaign. The Mueller Report, which investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election, documented multiple instances of Trump attempting to obstruct justice. Trump reportedly pressured White House officials to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller, attempted to curtail the investigation, and even instructed aides to create false records to mislead investigators.
These efforts to obstruct justice demonstrated Trump’s willingness to subvert the rule of law to protect himself. Obstruction of justice is a grave ethical violation for any leader, as it undermines the integrity of legal processes that are meant to hold powerful individuals accountable. Trump’s actions during the Mueller investigation highlighted his view that he was above the law—a dangerous mindset for any leader in a democratic society.
Ukraine and the Abuse of Power
One of the most notorious moments of Trump’s presidency was his first impeachment in 2019, stemming from his attempt to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden, and Biden’s son, Hunter. During a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump withheld nearly $400 million in military aid, asking Zelensky to announce an investigation into the Bidens in return for the release of the funds. This quid pro quo constituted a gross abuse of power, as Trump used his position as president to attempt to coerce a foreign government into intervening in a U.S. election for his own political benefit.
This episode marked a low point in Trump’s presidency and revealed his willingness to exploit the tools of foreign policy and military aid for personal gain. The impeachment that followed was a testament to how far Trump was willing to go in corrupting the office of the presidency to serve his personal interests, disregarding national security concerns and the ethical standards expected of public officeholders.
Undermining the Rule of Law: Attacks on Inspectors General
Throughout his presidency, Trump consistently undermined or removed independent watchdogs meant to provide oversight and hold government officials accountable. Inspectors General (IGs) are appointed to oversee the operations of federal agencies and ensure they are acting lawfully. Trump, however, viewed these officials as threats and systematically fired or sidelined several of them when they challenged or investigated his administration.
For instance, Trump fired Michael Atkinson, the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community, after Atkinson forwarded the whistleblower complaint about Trump’s Ukraine call to Congress. Additionally, Trump removed Steve Linick, the Inspector General of the State Department, while Linick was reportedly investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for potential misconduct.
These actions represent a direct assault on the checks and balances that are crucial to democratic governance. By firing watchdogs who were simply doing their jobs, Trump demonstrated a disdain for accountability and transparency—core ethical values that a president should uphold.
Family Favoritism and Nepotism
Trump’s appointment of his daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner to prominent advisory roles in the White House raised serious concerns about nepotism and conflicts of interest. Neither Ivanka nor Kushner had the experience or qualifications typically required for senior roles in government, yet both were given significant influence over important policy areas, including Middle East peace negotiations, criminal justice reform, and economic policy.
While nepotism laws exist to prevent public officials from favoring family members in hiring, Trump circumvented these rules by appointing Ivanka and Jared as unpaid advisors. Nevertheless, both continued to have extensive business interests, and the potential for conflicts of interest was high. These appointments also raised concerns about the ethical implications of entrusting national policy decisions to individuals who may not have been acting solely in the public’s best interest.
This favoritism violated the principle of meritocracy and fairness that should guide public service, sending the message that loyalty to Trump mattered more than qualifications or expertise.
Weaponizing the Justice Department
Trump repeatedly attempted to use the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) as a political tool to protect himself and punish his enemies. Throughout his presidency, Trump sought to influence investigations and prosecutions, urging the DOJ to investigate political opponents like Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden. He publicly criticized then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from the Russia investigation, demanding that Sessions intervene to protect him from scrutiny.
The Justice Department, intended to function independently of partisan politics, was treated by Trump as a personal legal defense agency. Trump’s attempts to interfere with DOJ investigations and prosecutions represent a dangerous blurring of the lines between personal interest and government authority, undermining the rule of law in pursuit of self-protection and revenge.
The Capitol Insurrection and Attempt to Overturn the Election
Perhaps the most egregious violation of ethical norms during Trump’s presidency occurred in the aftermath of the 2020 election. After losing to Joe Biden, Trump embarked on a campaign to overturn the election results, baselessly claiming that the election was “stolen” through widespread voter fraud. These false claims culminated in the violent insurrection on January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the certification of Biden’s victory.
Trump’s role in inciting the insurrection was undeniable. For weeks, he spread conspiracy theories about the election and refused to concede, stoking anger and mistrust among his supporters. On the morning of January 6, Trump addressed a rally of his supporters, urging them to “fight like hell” and march to the Capitol. The resulting violence led to deaths, injuries, and significant damage to the symbol of American democracy.
Trump’s attempts to subvert the democratic process and his incitement of the mob on January 6 stand as some of the gravest ethical violations of his presidency. His unwillingness to accept the results of a fair election and his encouragement of violence and sedition marked an unprecedented attack on democracy in modern American history.
Mismanagement of the COVID-19 Crisis
Another significant ethical failing of Trump’s presidency was his mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic. From the outset, Trump downplayed the severity of the virus, even as public health experts sounded alarms. In February 2020, while Trump publicly claimed that COVID-19 was “under control,” private recordings revealed that he understood the virus was “deadly” but chose not to communicate the full truth to the American people.
As the crisis deepened, Trump’s administration floundered. His promotion of unproven treatments like hydroxychloroquine and his dangerous suggestion that disinfectant injections might combat the virus sowed confusion and undermined trust in science and medical experts. Trump’s reluctance to implement a national testing strategy and his frequent contradictions of the CDC and public health officials exacerbated the pandemic’s toll. By the time Trump left office, over 400,000 Americans had died from COVID-19, many of whom might have survived with a coordinated, science-based response.
Trump’s response to the pandemic was a direct violation of the secular humanist principle of prioritizing human welfare and respecting scientific knowledge. His refusal to acknowledge the seriousness of the crisis and his politicization of basic public health measures—such as mask-wearing—contributed to the unnecessary loss of lives and prolonged the suffering of millions.
The Lasting Impact: Supreme Court Appointments and Future Dangers
Even though Trump’s presidency is over, the damage from his time in office endures, particularly through his appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court. During his four years in office, Trump appointed three justices: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. These appointments shifted the balance of the court to a solid conservative majority, with lasting implications for decades to come.
The decisions made by this court are already beginning to unravel key secular humanist achievements. The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, which had protected a woman’s right to choose for nearly 50 years, is just the beginning. The current court is likely to challenge civil rights, environmental protections, and the separation of church and state—fundamental pillars that we secular humanists advocate for. Trump’s influence on the judiciary will shape the direction of the country long after his presidency, making it harder to protect human rights and secular governance.
The Looming Threat of Project 2025
As we look to the future, Trump’s potential return to the presidency represents a grave danger to the progress secular humanists have fought for. Project 2025, a policy blueprint developed by right-wing organizations aligned with Trump, outlines a plan to radically reshape the U.S. government in ways that further erode democratic norms and empower a far-right agenda. The project calls for the dismantling of regulatory agencies, the restriction of voting rights, and the entrenchment of conservative policies on everything from healthcare to education.
While Trump has publicly denied knowledge of Project 2025, the architects of the plan are closely connected to his administration. This strategic denial is typical of Trump’s disingenuous approach to politics—separating himself from controversial plans while benefiting from their outcomes. If Trump returns to power, he would almost certainly implement the key aspects of Project 2025, turning the United States into a nation where American values are systematically dismantled.
Trump’s second term would likely see a further erosion of civil liberties, with attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, women’s rights, and religious minorities intensifying. His authoritarian instincts, combined with the agenda of Project 2025, could usher in an era where democracy itself is at risk.
Donald Trump’s career, from his early days of housing discrimination to his ethically compromised presidency, is a case study in the dangers of unchecked power and the consequences of placing personal gain above public good. His mismanagement of the COVID-19 crisis, attacks on the rule of law, and stacking the Supreme Court with conservative ideologues will have lasting effects on the nation. With Project 2025 looming, the threat of a second Trump term should serve as a clarion call for secular humanists to defend the values of reason, equality, and justice. The fight for a just and humane society is far from over, and Trump’s return could mark a devastating setback in that battle.