As an Atlantic subscriber, I read both pieces when they were published.  One was, in my opinion, the seminal examination of Obama's presidency.  The other missed the mark.  Trump is an idiot. To imbue him with any ideology, even white supremacy, is to risk taking our eyes off those who truly hold those views.   Coates's writing illustrates that, sadly, he has no real hope for the future. My son confirmed this when he heard him speak at his college last year.