I know this is an old post, but I’m compelled to respond—better late than never: Firstly, “Baron Munchausenian fantastical declarations” is great, and I’m stealing it! Secondly, while much off what you say is absolutely true, no one who follows Trump will haved whatever sick charm, charisma, cunning that holds his shiny-eyed devotees. It’s a cult, he’s the cult leader, and though it’s completely lost on me, he has a base magnetism that will die with him. Along with his salesmanship. No WAY Vance (have you seen him in public interactions??)!or any other MAGA Republican will be able to hold sway the same way. It will not end, but it will change dramatically and weaken. Hope it won’t be too late.
I disagree with the common and understandable idea that Trump’s support is strictly a personality cult. I argue that Trump is the current figurehead of a much older and larger movement, one that had earlier figureheads as objects of adoration and will have new ones after Trump is gone.
I don’t think strictly, but largely. He’s the best salesman, for whatever reason. I understand this Christian nationalism, isolationist movement/culture long precedes him, but he is the one who brought the coalition together via vote, and I think it will shed votes with his (hopefully soon and very timely) demise. Will it be too late? I don’t know. I know who Leonard Leo is, I recognize the vast network of sick, solipsistic scumbags who’ve played the loong game and been the architects of this project for decades, but it didn’t cement until Trump pied his pipe. I’m not naive (I don’t think, anyway), and I don’t think his death will be the death knell of MAGA, but it will surely weaken it.
“…someone will start blathering about how undocumented immigrants, ANTIFA, drag queens, feminists, and professors who teach critical race theory all conspired with Nancy Pelosi to murder Trump and destroy America. I’m not trying to be funny.”
The minute Ronald Reagan won the 1980 election, I panicked and saw a dim future ahead. I initially thought the damage he introduced was so egregious that the pendulum of public energy would swing back towards trying to positively tweak our democracy, most people thought I was “crying wolf” and didn’t want to hear it, and so I waited, and waited as the destruction and distortion of American identity and values continued. When Bush stole the 2000 election and promulgated two reckless wars, I kept waiting for our collective consciousness to awaken and move back towards the values and ideals that I had always associated with being American, only to watch lies and deception sully the reputation of John Kerry, and continue the destruction of our solidarity and integrity that Bush engaged in. Foolishly, once Obama was elected, I breathed a temporary sigh of relief, but by then the national narrative and the “opposition” had been coopted. Instead of social justice and equal opportunity, narcissism and greed had infected the national consciousness. I agree with you that Trump is the symptom of a much larger illness that has been festering for at least 50 years. The country will continue to struggle with an epistemological and ontological bipolarity between tribalism and pluralism, and between ego and community whether he’s around or not.
"Even if Trump is struck by a meteorite live on TV, the right-wing con(spiracy) artists will immediately try to blame it on a Leftist conspiracy to murder Trump."
Good points. It’s a long game but Vance will continue to be shaped by Peter Thiel and P2025. He may be a puppet but he has skilled puppet masters. I remain scared and fearful people aren’t really getting off their duffs to defend our country and what we want her to stand for. We’re a work in progress. He’s a bloody fraud.
While I basically agree with these observations there is something quintessentially American about the charlatanism of Trump. He is a PT Barnum and as nauseating and narcissistic as he is many Americans , 74 million at least, find him charismatic and humourous (aka cruel bully).
I realize that he is a symptom of a broken system but it's not quite clear that just anyone can pull off a "victory" (twice!) like 47 has.
A punk like Yale Hillbilly Vance has the backing of big money (Silicon Valley) but his brand of fascism lacks the humor, eccentricity and outrageousness (WWE). He's not ignorant enough to gain the support of the same people as 47. He is potentially more dangerous than 47 so I hope he never gains power. In a primary he would face much competition among the extreme right . The old GOP is dead. It's now all about who will support Project 2025 and a new digital dictatorship.
Then it’s gonna get real Faustian real fast at my house.
I mean, I spoke the words I made the deal but never for a moment did I think that this thing was gonna work.
I’ve been throwing pennies into wells. I’ve been rubbing old bottles. I’ve been slaughtering my own chickens so I can look at the innerards and cast the bones and see what maybe could be the best resolution to this whole thing and meanwhile all along all we had to do was draw the pentagram light the candles whisper into the goat’s ear drag the special dagger across my forearm and it’s done.
It’s true what they say. The old ways are sometimes best.
If any of you have aspirations to Goethe and want to undertake my biography, please let me know in the replies.
In answer to the question posed by the title of this essay, I’d say not to forget about the months-long, worldwide party that will occur. We can worry about JD after that winds down.
The constant bellyaching about Trump and MAGA is, in my humble opinion, one of the major reasons why he won another election. Referring to a political movement as a cult is something I still don’t quite understand. Remember, most people lie at the middle of the political divide. Their vote was what won Trump the election.
The Democratic Party have not found a representative who can pull those voters to the other side. You mentioned that Trump is not really a Christian (I don’t know if that’s true or not). In any event, he’s not a Republican either. He’s a lifelong Democrat who knew he’d have a better shot running on the Rep. bill.
My point being that he won because he influenced the majority of moderate voters. This is something crucial for the Dems to understand if they want to win power back. Sadly, though, they don’t seem to be getting it. They still run on identity politics - a divisive and fruitless ideology. It’s baffling that the Dems are holding onto this so stubbornly. It’s so obviously working.
If the Dems don’t start appealing to the political center with clear and sensible policies, they will not regain the majority.
But I can't agree with the claim that the Democrats' don't try to appeal to the political center. That is literally all they have done for 30 years. The Harris campaign was primarily trying to scare suburban white people into opposing Trump. If you call that "identity politics" than the GOP are no different.
Disagree. I think tariff policy will change with Vance as president given the personalist nature of the tariff push and the fact that Vance has shown little interest in a universal 10% tariff on inputs.
I know this is an old post, but I’m compelled to respond—better late than never: Firstly, “Baron Munchausenian fantastical declarations” is great, and I’m stealing it! Secondly, while much off what you say is absolutely true, no one who follows Trump will haved whatever sick charm, charisma, cunning that holds his shiny-eyed devotees. It’s a cult, he’s the cult leader, and though it’s completely lost on me, he has a base magnetism that will die with him. Along with his salesmanship. No WAY Vance (have you seen him in public interactions??)!or any other MAGA Republican will be able to hold sway the same way. It will not end, but it will change dramatically and weaken. Hope it won’t be too late.
I disagree with the common and understandable idea that Trump’s support is strictly a personality cult. I argue that Trump is the current figurehead of a much older and larger movement, one that had earlier figureheads as objects of adoration and will have new ones after Trump is gone.
I don’t think strictly, but largely. He’s the best salesman, for whatever reason. I understand this Christian nationalism, isolationist movement/culture long precedes him, but he is the one who brought the coalition together via vote, and I think it will shed votes with his (hopefully soon and very timely) demise. Will it be too late? I don’t know. I know who Leonard Leo is, I recognize the vast network of sick, solipsistic scumbags who’ve played the loong game and been the architects of this project for decades, but it didn’t cement until Trump pied his pipe. I’m not naive (I don’t think, anyway), and I don’t think his death will be the death knell of MAGA, but it will surely weaken it.
I hope you are correct!
I really hope so, also!
“…someone will start blathering about how undocumented immigrants, ANTIFA, drag queens, feminists, and professors who teach critical race theory all conspired with Nancy Pelosi to murder Trump and destroy America. I’m not trying to be funny.”
And yet you are.
How so?
The minute Ronald Reagan won the 1980 election, I panicked and saw a dim future ahead. I initially thought the damage he introduced was so egregious that the pendulum of public energy would swing back towards trying to positively tweak our democracy, most people thought I was “crying wolf” and didn’t want to hear it, and so I waited, and waited as the destruction and distortion of American identity and values continued. When Bush stole the 2000 election and promulgated two reckless wars, I kept waiting for our collective consciousness to awaken and move back towards the values and ideals that I had always associated with being American, only to watch lies and deception sully the reputation of John Kerry, and continue the destruction of our solidarity and integrity that Bush engaged in. Foolishly, once Obama was elected, I breathed a temporary sigh of relief, but by then the national narrative and the “opposition” had been coopted. Instead of social justice and equal opportunity, narcissism and greed had infected the national consciousness. I agree with you that Trump is the symptom of a much larger illness that has been festering for at least 50 years. The country will continue to struggle with an epistemological and ontological bipolarity between tribalism and pluralism, and between ego and community whether he’s around or not.
"Even if Trump is struck by a meteorite live on TV, the right-wing con(spiracy) artists will immediately try to blame it on a Leftist conspiracy to murder Trump."
They'll say it was a radical leftist meteorite.
Using Jewish lasers funded by Soros! MTG will say.
Good points. It’s a long game but Vance will continue to be shaped by Peter Thiel and P2025. He may be a puppet but he has skilled puppet masters. I remain scared and fearful people aren’t really getting off their duffs to defend our country and what we want her to stand for. We’re a work in progress. He’s a bloody fraud.
What if?. . .declare it “liberation” day and make it a national holiday. Then brace for something even worse: JD Hillbilly
While I basically agree with these observations there is something quintessentially American about the charlatanism of Trump. He is a PT Barnum and as nauseating and narcissistic as he is many Americans , 74 million at least, find him charismatic and humourous (aka cruel bully).
I realize that he is a symptom of a broken system but it's not quite clear that just anyone can pull off a "victory" (twice!) like 47 has.
A punk like Yale Hillbilly Vance has the backing of big money (Silicon Valley) but his brand of fascism lacks the humor, eccentricity and outrageousness (WWE). He's not ignorant enough to gain the support of the same people as 47. He is potentially more dangerous than 47 so I hope he never gains power. In a primary he would face much competition among the extreme right . The old GOP is dead. It's now all about who will support Project 2025 and a new digital dictatorship.
Absolutely! Trump harnesses the distinctly American thread of right-wing politics. He "pulls it off" because he knows how to play to that crowd.
https://dgilesphd.substack.com/p/in-the-project-2025-trump-regime
But like you say, Vance is more dangerous. I have always believed that Trump is a useful idiot for the use of larger forces.
So the axiom is wrong, you can avoid death & taxes, or @ least releasing details about your personal health & taxes.
Tragic that the accumulation of errors by banana Republicans have converged in Trump.
Then it’s gonna get real Faustian real fast at my house.
I mean, I spoke the words I made the deal but never for a moment did I think that this thing was gonna work.
I’ve been throwing pennies into wells. I’ve been rubbing old bottles. I’ve been slaughtering my own chickens so I can look at the innerards and cast the bones and see what maybe could be the best resolution to this whole thing and meanwhile all along all we had to do was draw the pentagram light the candles whisper into the goat’s ear drag the special dagger across my forearm and it’s done.
It’s true what they say. The old ways are sometimes best.
If any of you have aspirations to Goethe and want to undertake my biography, please let me know in the replies.
In answer to the question posed by the title of this essay, I’d say not to forget about the months-long, worldwide party that will occur. We can worry about JD after that winds down.
A
The constant bellyaching about Trump and MAGA is, in my humble opinion, one of the major reasons why he won another election. Referring to a political movement as a cult is something I still don’t quite understand. Remember, most people lie at the middle of the political divide. Their vote was what won Trump the election.
The Democratic Party have not found a representative who can pull those voters to the other side. You mentioned that Trump is not really a Christian (I don’t know if that’s true or not). In any event, he’s not a Republican either. He’s a lifelong Democrat who knew he’d have a better shot running on the Rep. bill.
My point being that he won because he influenced the majority of moderate voters. This is something crucial for the Dems to understand if they want to win power back. Sadly, though, they don’t seem to be getting it. They still run on identity politics - a divisive and fruitless ideology. It’s baffling that the Dems are holding onto this so stubbornly. It’s so obviously working.
If the Dems don’t start appealing to the political center with clear and sensible policies, they will not regain the majority.
I completely agree that the Democrats' strategy of ridiculing Trump and MAGA was a major reason why they lost.
https://youtu.be/PUiZTO4Kd7U
But I can't agree with the claim that the Democrats' don't try to appeal to the political center. That is literally all they have done for 30 years. The Harris campaign was primarily trying to scare suburban white people into opposing Trump. If you call that "identity politics" than the GOP are no different.
Disagree. I think tariff policy will change with Vance as president given the personalist nature of the tariff push and the fact that Vance has shown little interest in a universal 10% tariff on inputs.
That’s a fair point. I had written that before the big tariff push and hasn’t foreseen that would be such a big deal.
Point of order: they don’t have to wake up JD Vance for him to become president…
Party at my house that night.