USA Today breaks editorial tradition, calls Trump ‘unfit' to be president

USA Today's editorial board broke a 34-year tradition this week, taking sides in a presidential race and declaring Republican nominee Donald Trump "unfit" to serve in the White House.

Trump has “demonstrated repeatedly that he lacks the temperament, knowledge, steadiness and honesty that America needs from its presidents,” the newspaper wrote in an editorial. The newspaper called him “erratic” and “ill-equipped,” that he “traffics in prejudice,” and that he is not being honest with the American public.

The newspaper called Trump “a serial liar,” saying that even though Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is “considered less honest and trustworthy," the GOP candidate is in “a league of his own” when it comes to the quality and quantity of his misstatements.

Clinton does not get a pass from the USA Today editorial board, either. While some members said they believe she would serve ably, others have “serious reservations” about her sense of entitlement, lack of candor and carelessness in handling classified information.

The newspaper suggests voters stay true to their convictions, whether it means a vote for Clinton, a third-party candidate or a write-in. But the newspaper warned voters to “resist the siren song of a dangerous demagogue.”

“By all means vote, just not for Donald Trump,” the newspaper said.

Cox Media Group