Trump 2.0 / Her Sacrifice / Racist Abuse
In this issue, we cover Trump's second term, the legendary Mitsuye Endo, and groundbreaking developments from Taiwan’s gaming industry to cancer research in South Korea.
The Rebel Yellow Newsletter Issue 14: Trump 2.0 Is Here—What It Means for Us
With Donald Trump returning to the White House, the nation is bracing for significant policy changes. For Asian Americans, his administration’s stances on jobs, healthcare, immigration, and hate crimes carry profound implications. In this issue, we explore what his second term could mean for our communities, highlight stories of resilience and representation, and cover groundbreaking developments from Taiwan’s gaming industry to cancer research in South Korea.
Trump 2.0 is here. Here’s what to expect on key issues

As President-elect Donald Trump heads for his inauguration on Jan. 20, Asian Americans are watching closely. Here, we review what we can expect from his second administration on issues deemed important by our community.
According to the Asian American Voter Survey (AAVS) released last July, jobs and the economy (86%), inflation (85%), healthcare (85%), crime (80%), education (80%), Social Security and Medicare (79%), cost of housing (78%), national security (77%), gun control (73%) and immigration (71%) were identified as “extremely” or “very” important by Asian American voters. Additionally, 68% expressed concerns about hate crimes, harassment and discrimination, reporting they experienced this “sometimes” (38%), “somewhat often” (17%) or “very often” (13%).
Jobs and the Economy
Trump has pledged to transform the U.S. into a manufacturing powerhouse by implementing large tax cuts for workers and eliminating taxes on tips. He also plans to impose big tariffs on imported goods — notably from Canada, China and Mexico — to encourage domestic production and reduce outsourcing. These measures aim to create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth.
Inflation
Trump’s proposal to implement universal tariffs on imports has raised concerns about potential increases in consumer prices, which could exacerbate inflation. He recently reiterated his commitment to his tariff policy, disputing a Washington Post story that reported about its supposed narrowing to select goods and services. Meanwhile, purported plans to devalue the U.S. dollar to reduce trade deficits may further contribute to inflationary pressures. Asian American families, like all Americans, could face higher living costs as a result.
Healthcare
The returning president has expressed intentions to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — known for his controversial views on vaccines — to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. This signals potential shifts in healthcare policy that could affect access to medical services and public health initiatives.
Crime
Trump has always emphasized a tough-on-crime approach, pledging full support to affected cities and highlighting the need for enhanced public safety measures. He plans to deploy federal resources to combat crime and has proposed using the National Guard in cities with high crime rates. These measures aim to improve safety in urban areas, which could impact Asian American communities residing in such locales.
Education
The president-elect has vowed to abolish the Department of Education, advocating for increased local control over educational policies. He supports school choice initiatives and aims to cut federal funding for schools that push “critical race theory, radical gender ideology and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content.” These changes could lead to significant shifts in education funding and curriculum standards, affecting Asian American students.
Social Security and Medicare
While Trump has previously suggested openness to cutting entitlement programs, his campaign has stated intentions to protect Social Security and Medicare without making cuts or changing the retirement age. However, specifics on how this will be achieved remain unclear. Asian American seniors and those approaching retirement may be particularly attentive to any policy changes affecting these programs.
Cost of Housing
Trump’s proposal to sell federal lands to builders aims to address housing affordability by increasing the supply of homes, potentially lowering housing costs. Additionally, he has suggested that deporting millions of undocumented immigrants would bring housing prices down, although some economists argue it could raise prices by removing construction workers who use less real estate. These policies could have complex effects on the housing market.
National Security
The incoming administration plans to reassess NATO’s mission, suggesting that Washington’s support for allies would depend on increased defense spending by member nations. Trump also proposed deploying U.S. troops to Mexico to combat drug cartels, whose activities have been linked to the trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the U.S. Additionally, he committed to swiftly negotiating an end to the Ukraine conflict and banning Chinese ownership of critical U.S. infrastructure as part of a tougher stance on national security.
Gun Control
Trump has historically supported gun rights and has pledged to defend the Second Amendment. His administration is expected to prioritize protections for gun ownership, potentially influencing future gun control legislation. This stance will likely affect debates on gun control measures, with implications for public safety concerns within Asian American communities.
Immigration
The president-elect has pledged to execute mass deportations and implement stringent immigration policies, including ending birthright citizenship and restoring travel bans. Undocumented Chinese immigrants are reportedly among the new administration’s first targets. These actions could directly impact families with undocumented members, as well as individuals seeking to immigrate to the country. Unsurprisingly, such policies raise concerns not only among Asian immigrants, but others who may feel uncertain about their status.
Hate Crimes
Trump’s anti-China rhetoric during the COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to a significant increase in anti-Asian sentiment. NextShark extensively covered the surge in anti-Asian hate crimes during this period, in which many perpetrators blamed victims for allegedly spreading the coronavirus and demanded them to “go back to China.” As Trump makes his way back to the White House, Asian Americans must remain informed, vigilant and prepared to call out injustices that happen to members of our community.
Remembering Mitsuye Endo’s sacrifice to end Japanese American incarceration
President Joe Biden posthumously awarded Mitsuye Endo the Presidential Citizens Medal on Jan. 2 — a long-overdue recognition of a quiet hero whose name should echo in American history.
Endo’s courage in challenging the U.S. government during World War II not only secured the release of thousands of Japanese Americans, it also reaffirmed the principle that justice must prevail, even in the darkest times.
A loyal citizen betrayed
Endo was, by all measures, the ideal American. Born in Sacramento, California, in 1920 to Japanese immigrant parents, she graduated from Sacramento High School, attended secretarial school and worked as a clerk for the California Department of Employment. She was Christian, spoke only English and had a brother serving in the Army. But when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, none of that mattered.
After President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, over 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from their homes and sent to incarceration camps. Endo and her family were among them, enduring harsh conditions in camps like Tule Lake, California, and Topaz, Utah. Her loyalty to the U.S. was unquestionable, but that loyalty was betrayed by a nation gripped by fear and racism.
An unlikely fighter for justice
Amid this injustice, Endo’s resolve never wavered. Fired from her state job alongside hundreds of other Japanese American employees, she became part of a legal battle supported by the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). Atty. James Purcell, who represented Endo, initially sought to challenge these wrongful terminations but soon realized a larger fight loomed: the legality of Japanese American incarceration itself.
Purcell needed a plaintiff whose loyalty to the U.S. would be unimpeachable. Endo’s impeccable background made her the perfect choice. At first hesitant, Endo ultimately agreed, saying years later, “They said it’s for the good of everybody, and so I said, ‘Well if that’s it, I’ll go ahead and do it.’”
The case that changed history
Endo’s legal journey began in 1942 with a habeas corpus petition challenging her imprisonment. For two years, she remained confined in the camps, even declining the government’s offer of early release to ensure her case could continue. Her decision demonstrated extraordinary selflessness; she stayed behind bars so others might one day walk free.
On Dec. 18, 1944, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Ex Parte Endo that the government could not detain loyal citizens without cause. This landmark decision effectively ended the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans. However, the ruling stopped short of declaring the incarceration itself unconstitutional, leaving other injustices, like Fred Korematsu’s conviction, unresolved for decades.
A quiet legacy
After her release in 1945, Endo moved to Chicago, where she worked for the Mayor’s Committee on Race Relations. She married, raised three children and lived a quiet life, rarely speaking of her role in history. Even her own children did not learn about her pivotal lawsuit until adulthood. Unlike figures such as Korematsu, who gained renewed attention in the 1980s, Endo remained largely out of the public eye.
Yet her contributions were no less monumental. As U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) remarked, “Mitsuye’s story should be told and retold... It’s a story of strength and resilience. It’s a story of justice and principle.”
The Presidential Citizens Medal acknowledges individuals who have performed exemplary deeds for their country. For Endo, this honor comes at a particularly meaningful time — just weeks after the 80th anniversary of her Supreme Court victory.
“As it was with JACL’s urging that Endo brought forth her case, we have long advocated for Presidential recognition of Endo for her actions, including passing a national council resolution in 2014,” JACL said in a statement. “We thank President Biden for acknowledging and recognizing such a monumental case and the woman behind it all.”
Taiwan board game challenges players to survive a hypothetical invasion
Taiwanese company Mizo Games is set to release a new board game this month that immerses players in a fictional Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Set 20 years in the future, “2045" plunges players into a conflict erupting in Taiwanese waters as China launches a "special military operation" against the island.
A game of tactics: In "2045," players are randomly assigned roles such as Taiwanese military officers, Chinese sleeper agents, pro-China politicians and civilian fighters, each with unique objectives. Depending on their allegiances, players will either resist the invasion or support unification with China. Victory is achieved by accumulating the highest score after the war, regardless of whether Taiwan's resistance succeeds or China achieves military unification.
Making tough choices: The game immerses players in a unique universe blending science fiction and allegory. Mizo Games founder Chang Shao Lian told Reuters that he wanted “players to feel they want to win and think about what they will do to win.” Playtesters, who encountered scenarios involving cyber warfare, economic disruption and societal unrest in the game, reported gaining a deeper understanding of the potential implications of an invasion by Beijing.
Real-world tensions: The release of "2045" comes amidst a backdrop of escalating real-world tensions. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently reiterated Beijing's intent to "reunify" with Taiwan in his New Year's address, emphasizing that "no one can stop the historical trend of national reunification." China has intensified its military presence around Taiwan, with warships and planes regularly entering Taiwanese airspace and waters. While Taiwan maintains its desire for peaceful and reciprocal relations with China, President Lai Ching Te has criticized Beijing for imposing restrictions on travel and exchange programs, hindering meaningful dialogue.
Challenges and expectations: Chang shared that some Taiwanese exhibitors were initially hesitant to associate with the game due to the project's political sensitivity. Despite these challenges, "2045" successfully raised over 4 million Taiwan dollars ($121,500) in crowdfunding and is on track to release in the U.S. and Europe later this year. Mizo Games hopes the game will spark broader discussions about Taiwan’s future and the global implications of conflict in the region. "We're a games company, and we just want to make fun games," Chang said. "But if we can also encourage people to think deeply about these issues, that's a win for us."
Soccer sees alarming surge in racist abuse of Asian players
A new report by anti-racism charity Kick It Out (KIO) reveals a troubling surge in racist abuse targeting players of East and South Asian descent. Documenting a record number of discriminatory behaviors during the 2023/24 season, the report underscores that incidents like the one involving Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur and his South Korean teammate Son Heung-min are far from isolated.
“They all look the same”: In June 2024, Bentancur appeared on a Uruguayan TV program where when asked for a soccer shirt belonging to his teammate, Bentancur joked, “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin, too, as they all look the same.” In November, the English Football Association (FA) fined Bentancur 100,000 pounds ($124,800) and handed him a seven-game suspension, causing him to miss key Premier League matches against Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Son, who accepted Bentancur’s explanation of the remark being a “very bad joke,” has long been a target of racist abuse. During an FA Cup match in 2017, he endured racially charged chants from Millwall supporters, who hurled derogatory stereotypes about East Asians. In February 2023, Son faced another wave of abuse after scoring a crucial goal against West Ham United, this time through racist messages on social media.
Targets of abuse: KIO’s 2023/24 end-of-season report revealed that racist incidents rose by 47% over the previous year, accounting for 731 of the 1,554 total discriminatory reports—an overall increase of 32.3%. Alarmingly, East Asian players were disproportionately targeted, representing 55% of racist player abuse reports, despite constituting only 4.5% of top-league players. South Asian players, who make up less than 1% of professional soccer players, accounted for 8.26% of the abuse. Racism extends beyond professional leagues into grassroots soccer, where racist abuse made up nearly 60% of all reports.
The issue also impacts fans. Kevin Yuan, a London-based Premier League content creator, shared his experiences with the BBC, stating, “It happens no matter which team you support. I came to the UK in 2008 and have been going to games since then — but I feel like a foreigner, like I don’t fit in. I hope people can understand how unsettling it is and put themselves in my shoes.”
Barriers to representation: The KIO report also highlights the persistent underrepresentation of Asian athletes in soccer. A 2013 study revealed that over 90% of respondents of Asian heritage identified institutional racism and racist supporters as significant barriers to entry into professional soccer.
“Asians Can’t Play Football,” published by author and activist Jas Bains in 1996, shed light on the deeply ingrained stereotypes that hinder progress. Outdated assumptions about Asian physiques being “unsuited” for the physical demands of soccer create unconscious biases among scouts and coaches. These prejudices deny many talented Asian players the opportunities they deserve.
Addressing the issue: Anti-racism advocates have urged governing bodies to promote diversity and inclusion initiatives, impose stricter sanctions on offenders and foster a zero-tolerance culture for discrimination. Groups like Kick It Out and the Frank Soo Foundation,
which celebrates the legacy of Soo, the first non-white player to play for England in 1945, emphasize the importance of education and awareness campaigns to challenge stereotypes and support players from East and South East Asian communities. These organizations also encourage fans to report discrimination and foster accountability within the sport to create a more equitable and respectful environment for all participants.
Notre Dame’s Charles Du: Proud to be Chinese in college football
Charles Du, a junior cornerback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, is gaining attention not only for his athletic talent and cultural pride during the Sugar Bowl on Thursday but also for his poised response to a recent racist incident.
Du made headlines during the 2024 College Football Playoff by wearing his name in Chinese characters on his jersey, a tribute to his heritage that went viral on social media. The gesture echoes that of former Arizona State tailback Jackson He, the first Chinese-born player to score a touchdown in a Power 5 conference game, who similarly donned Chinese characters on his jersey.
Du’s proud moment, however, became a subject of controversy when former NFL player Antonio Brow posted a video of Du on social media, while calling him the “Chink of the Day” and claiming that he "got an NIL deal for this kid." The derogatory term “chink” is often used to belittle, stereotype and dehumanize Asian people, particularly during periods of anti-immigrant sentiment.
Brown’s post, viewed over 10 million times, drew backlash from fans and observers who condemned the slur as blatantly racist. “Stop with the racist comments,” one user wrote. “The game is international now.”
Du responded to Brown's remarks with grace, stating on X that he considered it a "sign of love and respect," while saying he signed an NIL deal with the ex-player. The legitimacy and terms of the purported deal with the former player’s satirical brand remain unclear.
Born in Beijing, Du moved to the U.S. and honed his football skills at Stevenson School in California. His talent and skills earned him a walk-on spot at Notre Dame, where he has primarily contributed on special teams. Despite limited playing time so far, the 5'9" cornerback is known for his speed, coverage skills and strong work ethic. Notre Dame is set to face Penn State in the College Football Playoff Semifinals this Thursday.
Cancer breakthrough: South Korean tech converts cancer cells into normal cells
Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have achieved a breakthrough in cancer treatment by converting colon cancer cells into normal-like cells without destroying them.
How it works: Published in Advanced Science on Dec. 11, the innovative approach utilizes a digital model of normal cell development to identify key molecular switches that induce cancer cell reversion, potentially minimizing the harsh side effects associated with traditional cancer therapies.
Led by Kwang-Hyun Cho, the team focused on the concept of cell differentiation, observing that cancer development involves a regression in this process. By creating a "digital twin" of the gene network regulating this process, they identified three master regulators: MYB, HDAC2 and FOXA2, which are crucial for healthy intestinal cell differentiation. Suppressing these regulators in colon cancer cells successfully reverted them to a normal-like state. This breakthrough was validated through digital modeling, molecular experiments and animal studies.
Dawn of reversible cancer therapy: Beyond colon cancer cells, the digital modeling tool also helped identify differentiation regulators in the hippocampus region of mouse brains, hinting at its potential use in brain cancer and other malignancies. "The fact that cancer cells can be converted back to normal cells is astonishing," says Cho. "This study proves that such reversion can be systematically induced."
Cho emphasized that the research not only establishes the concept of reversible cancer therapy but also provides foundational technology for identifying therapeutic targets for cancer reversion. The technology has been transferred to BioRevert Inc. for the development of practical cancer reversion therapies.
More cancer research wins: This breakthrough builds on another exciting development in cancer research from 2023, where scientists at Pusan National University identified the gene, SURF4, which plays a key role in leukemia progression. The study revealed that high levels of the SURF4 protein correlate with lower survival rates in leukemia patients. Suppressing the gene showed promise in curbing tumor growth in laboratory animals, suggesting a potential new avenue for leukemia treatment.
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