Dear President Trump,

How late, how lame, how lacking in credibility, when you tweet today that “we must all come together as one.” Please don’t pretend that you didn’t know that hate-based violence would spread as a result of your rhetoric. The haters out there heard you loud and clear, throughout your campaign and beyond. As David Duke says, “This is why we voted for Trump!”

They heard you when you declared that Mexican immigrants to this country were rapists.

“This is why we voted for Trump!”

They heard you when you said all Muslims should be banned from entering the country.

“This is why we voted for Trump!”

They heard you when you repeatedly claimed without evidence that President Obama had not been born in this country.

“This is why we voted for Trump!”

They heard you when you invited your fans to beat people who protested against you, promising to pay for their legal defense costs.

“This is why we voted for Trump!”

They heard you when you encouraged police officers to rough up suspects.

“This is why we voted for Trump!”

It’s way too late to unwind the effect of your words and behavior. The haters you gave renewed life to will never believe that you’ve turned on a dime and suddenly worship unity. And, even if they believed you’ve turned the page, they won’t care. You brought them to life. You nourished their hatred.

“This is why we voted for Trump!”

Very truly yours,

Bruce J. Berger