Why is Trump doubling down on racism?

[Dill]

(07-02-2020, 03:05 AM)BmorePat87 Wrote: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/01/politics/donald-trump-black-lives-matter-confederate-race/index.html

Trump spent the last week tweeting digital wanted posters of people, mostly of color, who tore down Confederate statues.

He then went after attempts to rename buildings named after known racists.

He resorted to dog whistle politics and warned of “chaos” and the suburbs not being great if fair housing regulations aimed at decreasing segregation are allowed to continue.

He tweeted a video of a supporter yelling “white power”.

His latest move was calling “black lives matter” painted on the road by NYC a “symbol of hate”, a phrase he won’t use for confederate relics.

Why is Trump doubling down on overt racism? Does he think this is a winning strategy?

That's not going to be "overt" racism to many Americans.  I know someone who doesn't want black people living near him but is sure that is not "racist."

He knows that the majority of the US is white. Is it possible that he really believes such divisive tactics will force enough white votes?

He has seen his poll numbers falling, and despite all the clamor about fake polling and threats to Fox and CNN, he knows what those numbers mean. His handlers certainly do. He has had opportunities to salvage his presidency this year, but he has taken the wrong turn almost every time, and likely against the advice of his handlers. 

My guess: knowing he will win even less of the popular vote this time around, his one hope is to motivate his demographic(s), making sure they don't just attend rallies and post on Facebook, but actually vote. If he has still got the bright red states, maybe voter turnout will bring home the battle ground states.

The Right Wing News machine appears to have his back here, churning out story after story of riots, looting, and defunded police departments. (Could "THEY" be taking over"?     )

I think as we get closer to election, attempts to keep the more numerous Biden supporters home will complement the division and fear. That tactic produced the margin of victory in the last election.  I don't think it will this time, as so many previous independents and undecides now know it matters who is president, but Trump hopes it will, and he's pulling out all the stops.