Photo/Illutration Caption) Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris debate onscreen at a watch party hosted by the New York Young Republican Club in New York on Sept. 10. (REUTERS/Adam Gray)

"Crooked Hillary" and "Sleepy Joe" are just two of the many disparaging nicknames Donald Trump has given to prominent Democratic Party politicians.

Every time Trump taunted his political foes with such monikers during the last two presidential election campaigns, I was thoroughly disgusted. Not only was he being outright rude, but I also felt that his conduct bespoke his total lack of class or gravitas as a political leader.

The "victims" of Trump's vulgarity could only ignore it or dismiss it with an exasperated smile.

But after Kamala Harris became the Democratic presidential candidate, her campaign began calling Trump "weird."

The word was initially used by Harris' running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. It flooded social media in no time.

Harris supporters are having a great time deriding Trump and his words and actions as "weird," and the U.S. media is having a field day.

Reacting to this unexpected "counterattack" from the Democrats, Trump fumed during a town hall event late last month, accusing Walz of being weird.

“He’s weird, I’m not weird, he’s weird. No, he’s a weird guy, he’s a weird dude,” he ranted.

Personally, I have not been in favor of the Harris campaign's strategy of verbally ridiculing Trump. It felt as if Harris, after dealing with his infantile outbursts patiently like an adult, was lowering herself to his level. I thought that was regrettable.

However, while watching the televised presidential debate on Sept. 10, I heard words that must belong to a different dimension from simple derision.

Criticizing the current administration's immigration policy, Trump named an Ohio community that is rumored to be experiencing an influx of Haitian immigrants and ranted: “They’re eating the dogs. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there.”

That rumor, which is completely groundless, has been spread on the internet.

Trump's diatribe was so ridiculous, Harris could only shake her head in disbelief with a wry smile. I imagine she was determined not to fall for Trump's provocation.

But I wish she'd corrected him severely. He was guilty of unconscionable verbal abuse that violated human rights.

—The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 12

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.