Kathleen Béres Rogers

Donald Trump at an Erie, Pa., rally on Sept. 29, 2024, at which he said Democratic rival Kamala Harris was ‘mentally impaired.’ Dustin Franz/AFP/Getty Images

Yes, calling someone ‘mentally disabled’ causes real harm

Donald Trump’s words about Kamala Harris – she’s a ‘mentally disabled person’ – were widely criticized as coarse and ugly. They are also often found among disparaging descriptions used by others.

Contact Kathleen for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision
  • Article Feed
  • ORCID
  • Joined