Watching the pain in Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s eyes as Trump demeans, degrades, and hurls racist insults at the Somali community is absolutely heartbreaking. This man – and those who support him – gleefully cheer on blatant, horrific racism. They’re sick. This is sick.

Ilhan Omar is one of the first Somali-American members of Congress, and when rhetoric targets immigrants or the Somali community, many people understandably see it as personal and painful. Words from powerful leaders — including a former president like Donald Trump — carry weight, and critics have often argued that some of his past statements about immigrants and minority communities were inflammatory or divisive.

At the same time, supporters of Trump often argue that his comments are about policy (immigration, national security, etc.) rather than race, and they reject the claim that they support racism. That disagreement is part of why debates around him become so intense and polarized.

A few things can be true at once:

Racist language and attacks on communities are harmful and should be called out.

Political rhetoric is often interpreted very differently depending on perspective.

Labeling entire groups of supporters as “sick” can deepen division rather than solve the problem.