In a rally held in Georgia, former President Donald Trump took a jab at President Joe Biden's lifelong stutter, marking a shift from his previous restraint around the topic. Trump sarcastically questioned whether Biden's stutter had brought the country together, and proceeded to mimic Biden's speech, imitating his stutter for comedic effect.

This is not the first time Trump has targeted disabilities; in 2015, he infamously mocked a New York Times reporter's disabled upper-body movements, and later, as president, he requested that amputees wounded in combat not be included in a White House event for military veterans, stating that "Nobody wants to see that."

Stuttering, a neurological disorder that affects approximately 3 million Americans, has been an enduring struggle for Biden since childhood. Although he has worked to manage his disfluent speech, Biden has never fully "beaten" his stutter, despite his efforts. It is important to note that while Biden may occasionally mix up names, dates, or facts, not all verbal flubs are related to his stutter.

Despite these challenges, Biden has proven to be a confident and effective public speaker, displaying his ability to connect with audiences. He can strike a balance between moments of eloquence and occasional stuttering, as was evident during his State of the Union speech. These moments are beyond Biden's control, and Trump, the bully, has seized upon them as a source of mockery.

Interestingly, during the 2020 election, Trump exercised some restraint around this topic, likely realizing that stuttering is not exclusive to Biden but can affect individuals across the political spectrum. However, the recent rally in Georgia showed a shift in Trump's approach, as he directly mocked Biden's disability. This move demonstrates Trump's small-mindedness and his belief that dehumanizing his rival and millions of other Americans with disabilities will somehow benefit him politically.

While it remains to be seen whether Trump's strategy will pay off, it is crucial to recognize that his actions are disrespectful and hurtful to individuals who navigate through life managing disabilities and disorders. The fact that Trump's supporters laugh along with him reflects a building block of Trumpism, where followers feel empowered to exhibit their worst selves under the influence of their leader.

As we continue to witness such behavior, it is essential to remember that Trump's actions only serve to expose his true character. Despite his fame and power, Trump remains a small-minded bully. Whether more people are repulsed or entertained by his mockery remains to be seen, with eight more months until determining the consequences of his actions.