Your Psych 101 diagnoses appear on point, but we shouldn’t ignore Trump’s dishonest mendacity that underlies so much of what he says and does, on top of his incessant narcissism.
Thanks Chris…I liked the Robert E. Lee or Captain Crunch line too. Your piece was reposted by Charlie Sykes. You both are great writers/essayists who can truly turn a phrase.
As for Trump’s monotonous refrain about ending “the weaponization of the Justice Department and our government,” many of Trump’s supporters — perhaps even most — would never care about it save for the unlikely prospect of the department or government being weaponized against them. Of course this is all projection by Trump of his own intentions falsely shifted to his opponents. As narcissistic as Trump is, he believes that the weaponization issue resonates with most of his supporters the way it does with him, as if they, not he, were the ones desperately trying to avoid prison. As ordinary folk who generally obey the law, this is no concern of theirs. It is all about him, and one has to wonder how long it will be before most of his voters get sick and tired of this canard.
Glad to see another Ted Sorensen fan. He drifted into my awareness when I was reading presidential history from the '60s. I wish more Americans knew about him. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Sorensen
This is one of the times when I feel a little ambivalent about a title or headline (this happens pretty often for me): _A Loss for Words Can we prosecute Trump for crimes against eloquence?_
But it's a good hook (which is what titles and headlines are about). I kinda read it as a piece about Trump's personality and character, as revealed through his choice of (and fumbling with) words. At that the piece succeeds very well.
Thanks for subscribing and for your comment. I actually met Sorensen about 20 years ago and chatted with him about JFK and Sorensen's work for him. He agreed with me that Kennedy could never make it in today's populist political culture, which is all about dumbing down the conversation and tearing down elites, unless the elite is MAGA. Candidate Kennedy would show up in places like rural West Virginia in an immaculate $500 Brooks Brothers suit, which was probably about the median home value there at the time, and no one would howl about east-coast Elites Who Think They're Better Than Us. Today he'd have to show up in jeans and a Nascar T-shirt and do the obligatory pancake flipping for the camera, or else exit the race. It's a long time since 1960.
Herblock’s cartoon reminds me of the biblical phrase’ and Jesus wept ‘ at the tomb of Lazarus. Both Lincoln and Jesus can give us hope that our country can rise up from its current state.
I keep pinching myself to see if I'm awake! What in the world were people thinking when they chose him to represent US? More exhaustion from this borish man. You called it Charley Sykes ...truly a Cap 'n Crunch
Your Psych 101 diagnoses appear on point, but we shouldn’t ignore Trump’s dishonest mendacity that underlies so much of what he says and does, on top of his incessant narcissism.
JG, Virginia
Agree entirely.
I especially love the first paragraph. Perfect analogy! Great article. Thanks, Joel!
Throw up your hands or just throw up?
Thanks Chris…I liked the Robert E. Lee or Captain Crunch line too. Your piece was reposted by Charlie Sykes. You both are great writers/essayists who can truly turn a phrase.
As for Trump’s monotonous refrain about ending “the weaponization of the Justice Department and our government,” many of Trump’s supporters — perhaps even most — would never care about it save for the unlikely prospect of the department or government being weaponized against them. Of course this is all projection by Trump of his own intentions falsely shifted to his opponents. As narcissistic as Trump is, he believes that the weaponization issue resonates with most of his supporters the way it does with him, as if they, not he, were the ones desperately trying to avoid prison. As ordinary folk who generally obey the law, this is no concern of theirs. It is all about him, and one has to wonder how long it will be before most of his voters get sick and tired of this canard.
Glad to see another Ted Sorensen fan. He drifted into my awareness when I was reading presidential history from the '60s. I wish more Americans knew about him. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Sorensen
This is one of the times when I feel a little ambivalent about a title or headline (this happens pretty often for me): _A Loss for Words Can we prosecute Trump for crimes against eloquence?_
But it's a good hook (which is what titles and headlines are about). I kinda read it as a piece about Trump's personality and character, as revealed through his choice of (and fumbling with) words. At that the piece succeeds very well.
Thanks for subscribing and for your comment. I actually met Sorensen about 20 years ago and chatted with him about JFK and Sorensen's work for him. He agreed with me that Kennedy could never make it in today's populist political culture, which is all about dumbing down the conversation and tearing down elites, unless the elite is MAGA. Candidate Kennedy would show up in places like rural West Virginia in an immaculate $500 Brooks Brothers suit, which was probably about the median home value there at the time, and no one would howl about east-coast Elites Who Think They're Better Than Us. Today he'd have to show up in jeans and a Nascar T-shirt and do the obligatory pancake flipping for the camera, or else exit the race. It's a long time since 1960.
Trump is what happens when you let someone else take your tests for you.
Herblock’s cartoon reminds me of the biblical phrase’ and Jesus wept ‘ at the tomb of Lazarus. Both Lincoln and Jesus can give us hope that our country can rise up from its current state.
I correct myself: The cartoon was by Bill Mauldin of the Chicago Sun-Times. Don't know why I was thinking Herblock. Apologies.
It's actually by the WaPo cartoonist Herblock, on the day after the Kennedy assassination.
The picture of Trump taking the oath of office with his left arm at his side was thought provoking. Did he also have his fingers crossed?
Folks, Charlie Sykes recommended this article - or re-substacked it, or whatever we call it on this platform - but Chris Gay wrote it.
Great piece Chris!
Herblock’s immortal editorial drawing after the assassination President Kennedy.
I keep pinching myself to see if I'm awake! What in the world were people thinking when they chose him to represent US? More exhaustion from this borish man. You called it Charley Sykes ...truly a Cap 'n Crunch
You're the second person to call me Charlie. Did you get post from someone named Charlie?
One cartoon is worth a thousand words.
You keep writing Charlie, and I’ll keep reading.
Charlie?