Statement from Beth Sirull, President and CEO of the National Organization on Disability

The National Organization on Disability is a nonprofit organization that seeks to increase and improve employment opportunities for the 27% of Americans with disabilities. We are non-partisan and speak out against any comments that inappropriately address or depict people with disabilities, regardless of who makes them. We are committed to holding everyone accountable for their words and actions.

Today I feel compelled to respond to the comments reportedly made by former President Donald Trump, as recounted by his nephew Fred Trump in a recently published memoir. We understand that these comments are unconfirmed; but they have been widely reported and thus demand a response. If true, these comments are deeply hurtful, and frankly, repulsive. 

According to this memoir, Donald Trump suggested that Americans with intellectual or developmental disabilities should “maybe just die given the shape they’re in and the expense they cost.” Additionally, he allegedly told his nephew that he might be better off if his own disabled son were dead. 

These statements, if true, are not only reprehensible, but utterly dehumanizing. Such callous remarks betray fundamental ignorance and lack of empathy toward the disability community. Every person with a disability has inherent dignity, value, and a right to live a full and meaningful life.

The idea that anyone would suggest that the lives of people with disabilities are expendable is unacceptable. These words have enormous consequences. They fuel discrimination, perpetuate harmful stereotypes, and contribute to a society where people with disabilities – who make up over a quarter of the US population – are marginalized and undervalued. 

People with disabilities are our family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. We must reject these toxic attitudes and affirm the worth of every individual.  

To those who feel the sting of these reported comments, I want you to know that the National Organization on Disability stands with you. We will continue to fight against ignorance and bigotry every day, and advocate for a society where everyone, regardless of their abilities, is treated with dignity and respect.

 This moment is a stark reminder of the work we still need to do. It is a call to action for all of us to speak out against hatred and to stand up for the rights and humanity of people with disabilities. Together, we can create a world where every person is valued and given the opportunity to thrive.

 

To learn more about NOD’s efforts in creating an equitable future, please visit NOD.org.