Trump’s official statement marking Holocaust remembrance leaves out all mention of the Jews. Here’s the statement from Trump, in full:

“It is with a heavy heart and somber mind that we remember and honor the victims, survivors, heroes of the Holocaust. It is impossible to fully fathom the depravity and horror inflicted on innocent people by Nazi terror.

“Yet, we know that in the darkest hours of humanity, light shines the brightest. As we remember those who died, we are deeply grateful to those who risked their lives to save the innocent.

“In the name of the perished, I pledge to do everything in my power throughout my Presidency, and my life, to ensure that the forces of evil never again defeat the powers of good. Together, we will make love and tolerance prevalent throughout the world.”

Yeah. We all know many peoples besides Jews perished in the Holocaust, members of races and creeds the Nazis felt did not fulfill the full measure of Aryan exceptionalism. It is true, Slavs, Gypsies, homosexuals and many other groups suffered. But more Jews than anyone else perished, they were not just collateral damage. The Holocaust was devised as the Final Solution to the “Jewish Problem”, not the Slav, Gypsy or homosexual Problem.

Leaving out anti-Semitism as the driving force behind this obscenity is the first step in minimizing and excusing the action itself. This is not an error or an oversight. It is deliberate and calculated, a dog-whistle to those with the keen ears and twisted souls to recognize it. Of course, it could be argued the statement is not real racism, that it is only a cursory nod to Trump’s Neofascist allies, not a true embrace of their other agendas. Somehow, I think that would actually be worse.

This is classic Holocaust denialism. And you’ve heard it right here, similar excuses were made for Confederate treason, “it wasn’t about slavery, it was economic, it was about states’ rights, it was about freedom, Federalism, slavery was already on the way out and besides it really wasn’t all that bad, the slaves were valuable property and well-treated by their masters…”.

With Holocaust Denialism you first dilute the victimhood of the Jews with the deaths of other innocents. Next, you make claims of how the numbers and manner of Jewish deaths have been exaggerated, or that most were due to other causes, such as the war, hunger, or disease–even Allied military action! And finally come the conspiracy theories and alternate facts, how Jewish propagandists are manipulating a minor tragedy, a bit of bad luck, and turning it into a major genocide. Trump, Duke and Bannon didn’t invent this narrative. Its been around for decades, usually supported by copious footnotes and calm, reasoned arguments, and always interspersed with solemn and compassionate references to those who suffered.

I hope you guys enjoy your tax cuts. I hope you enjoy them in Hell.