Readers sound off on what Trump is accused of, massacres in Gaza and racially biased coverage

Trump’s transgressions are why he’s where he is

Ossining, N.Y.: Voicers Nancy Brenner and Eugene Dunn represent the astonishing problem we citizens face. They bend over backwards to defend and normalize the behavior of a morally bankrupt fraud and criminal who should not be allowed to operate a food cart, let alone hold elected office.

Donald Trump was charged for massive business fraud. Contrary to Brenner’s dismissing this as normal practice, the scale of his fraud was unprecedented. It is not “subjective” to claim your 10,000-square-foot apartment is 30,000 square feet to get a loan, while claiming it is not worth that much to get a tax break. There are victims; the rest of us who would not be allowed to do such things wind up paying higher interest rates, higher property taxes, and the banks earned less than they should have. The damages would go to the state to pay for things that benefit us.

As for Dunn, committing fraud running into hundreds of millions of ill-gotten profits or defrauding the public with illegal hush money payments to influence an election are not flimsy charges. And any criminal defendant would be required to attend their trial every day. The judge has not denied Trump the opportunity to go to his son’s graduation. He said he would decide based on the trial’s progress. The only reason it conflicts is because Trump has done everything he can to delay it. And let’s remind Dunn that Trump — thrice married, fathering five children — pretending to be a devoted parent and husband, is belied by the fact that he cheated on all his wives, who all say he did not involve himself in the children’s upbringing. Robert Rundbaken

Asked and received

Bronx: When you watch the former president rant about how he is stuck in the courtroom when he should be out campaigning, does that remind you of the old joke where a person kills his parents, then throws himself on the mercy of the court, claiming he is an orphan. Same with the former president. He delayed the trial and now complains that he is being persecuted when the trial would have been over. Martin Sandok

Bag of wind

Brooklyn: The recent hot Trump news, aside from hush money and stolen documents, is the Orange Turd’s farting in court! Though scientists blame cows for the greater cause of global warming due to their gaseous discharges, this fat “cow” must be held accountable too! He’s got Pepe Le Pew beat! Pity those sitting behind this human methane generator, but as for his attorneys, that’s why you get paid (if you get paid!). Since his Secret Service detail will take a bullet for him, what’s a fart or two — or 20? Can’t we also indict him for the crime of polluting the Earth’s environment and endangering the lives of all in court due to his toxic releases? In the meantime, someone pass out the gas masks! Kevin Hanley

The old guard

Forest Hills: Can we stop calling the members of the GOP things like MAGAs, conservatives, etc.? Barry Goldwater was a conservative. Bill Buckley was a conservative. Here’s what these guys and women now are: the plantation owners and wives, overseers and bounty hunters. It’s really that simple. The only principle here is being reactionary. Stew Frimer

Material conditions

Palm Coast, Fla.: To Voicer Jimmy Layton: I wake up and smell the coffee every day. Didn’t know you moved to San Fran — you wake up and smell human feces every day. As for that list of President Biden’s so-called accomplishments, it’s easy to say things and do nothing. They’re not accomplishments unless they accomplish something! Inflation Reduction Act? Are you kidding me? What has it accomplished? Everything costs more and more every month! Haven’t even mentioned his domestic policies that have eliminated law and order and public safety. Women and elderly people are scared to go out. How’s that smell, Jimmy? Douglas Weinberg

Force to be reckoned with

Brooklyn: Just wondering what it would be like if the Orthodox Jewish community, which numbers in the tens of thousands, was to march over the bridge and surround Columbia University. When the protesters would mention what they call genocide and the slaughter of Palestinian people, they would be met with a response of, “Blame Hamas! Blame Hamas!” Now that would be a sight! Pat Kulikowski

Disallowed dissent

Princeton, N.J.: The hatred, bigotry, antisemitism and disrespect for the law, as well as fear, can easily be stopped by calling in the National Guard. This is like hatred in Little Rock, Ark., stopped by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1957. It is very sad that it has come to this level, but unfortunately it has. Let’s not wait until somebody gets killed. This should also call into question the teaching in our universities and high schools. Charles Winfield

Mass atrocity

Hempstead, L.I.: I am writing about the horrific discovery of mass graves in Nasser Medical Complex by civil defense workers in Gaza. So far, 200 bodies have been exhumed with another 200 estimated bodies still buried. Some of the bodies were missing heads while others had organs missing. Many had their hands tied behind their backs, indicating they were executed by the Israeli army. How can you turn a blind eye to this and ignore the war crimes being committed by the revenge-seeking Israeli army? There are videos of the bodies being exhumed. How cruel for Israel to bulldoze these souls. Syed Hasan

War on a people

Manhattan: When Benjamin Netanyahu first revealed plans to invade Gaza, he set several goals. Israel would destroy Hamas so another Oct. 7 could never happen, and the Palestinian people would thank Israel for getting rid of Hamas. At least four months ago, Israel completed the destruction of Hamas’ ability to attack Israel again — unless Bibi pays Qatar to keep them armed and gives the IDF a day or two off from protecting Israel, which is another story. Israel won months ago, destroying Hamas’ ability to repeat 10/7. In doing so, they obliterated 3/4 of all structures in Gaza, destroyed its electric grid and water treatment plants, displaced 3/4 of Gazans and sent them to refugee camps and destroyed schools, hospitals and food production. They killed thousands of women and children. No one in Gaza has a home, job or fresh water or food. Why aren’t those ungrateful Palestinians thanking Israel? Steven Davies

Cranky crooner

West Caldwell, N.J.: Kudos to Voicer Michael DeSouza for confirming what I’ve been saying for almost 20 years. Taylor Swift has zero range, every song sounds exactly the same and she’s always the victim! Really? She’s probably a very nice person, but she should have stuck with country music, as she whines really well. She can’t hold a candle to any of those ladies Michael mentioned; Miley Cyrus has better range. I will never understand why she’s the new queen of pop. So meh! Carrie Pesante

Incompetence

Manhattan: Re “How Adams can get NYC back in gear” (op-ed, April 23): Bradley Tusk’s assessment is clear, concise and sometimes courageous, like when he recommends reviving broken-windows policing. But it’s his final lines that say it all: “We need strong, competent leadership” and a first-rate team to deliver. We have neither, and most people know that. Frankie Turchiano

A disparaging lens

Manhattan: I’ve lived in NYC for 65 years and have read NYC-oriented newspapers daily. The evidence proves they are extremely racist against American Descendants of Slavery/Black citizens. I can’t recall reading any positive stories from the tabloids about Black Americans as a group. Crimes are only reported when Black people (usually males) are the suspects. It’s telling when newspapers continue to be racist against one group from the paper’s inception in the 1800s to the present day, setting a hateful mindset against us for centuries. It’s also telling that the voices of America choose to demonize ADOS/Black men specifically. They have never shown such hatred against any other group in our country. I mean a people whose lineage goes back to U.S. chattel slavery, not Black-skinned immigrants. It’s past time the media is called to task about its centuries-old hateful practices against us. Heyward Johnson Jr.