Last Time: Trump Playing 4-D Chess

Once again Trump put on a mask, pushed an old lady down the stairs, and tore off the mask to go help her up: he once again wants to be congratulated for solving a problem he created.  Putting on his strong man persona, he unleashed the national guard and marines on the American people even though the protests were being handled fine on a local level because … of course he did, lol.  It should be clear by now that Trumpism isn’t Republicanism because he doesn’t want small government in the traditional Republican sense, he wants the power of government consolidated in a small focal point, with his inner group of sycophants constantly stroking his ego chirping “Yes Mr. President; Brilliant Mr. President; Thank-You Mr. President; etc.”

Of course, an authoritarian personality getting popular and winning the big political popularity contest is nothing new.  Reich asked the perennial question which is ours again today: “Why would a people will their own repression?”  Foucault noted in his preface to Deleuze’s “Anti-Oedipus: Capitalism and Schizophrenia” the question of ethics in such circumstances is how do we combat fascisms, both in society and in ourselves?

Everything with Trump is hyperbole: “huge; like never before; like nothing you’ve ever seen; massive; in record numbers; etc.”  The reality-star-in-chief knows how to bring the drama!  And it fits with how he is trying to reprogram the way people understand their society. 

Orwell says in 1984, his classic on authoritarian governments (Big Brother), that:

“It does not matter whether the war is actually happening, or whether the victory can be achieved. The war is not meant to be won; it is meant to be continuous. The essential act of war is destruction, not necessarily of human lives, but of the products of human labour. War is a way of shattering to pieces, or pouring into the stratosphere, or sinking in the depths of the sea, materials which might otherwise be used to make the masses too comfortable, and hence, in the long run, too intelligent.” (Part 2, Chapter 9).

Trump’s America is caught up with the perpetual drama of other countries supposedly abusing Americans with unfair trade and looking to destroy the states with tariffs if the president’s control on tariffs is let up for a second.  Moreover, the narrative is evil illegal immigrants are constantly looking to destroy the country from within unless Trump comes to the rescue.  The enemy without and within must be dealt with severely and by Trump, and with shows of strength such as the upcoming military parade on Trump’s birthday.  Thank you, Mr. President!  Bless you, Mr. President!  Your will be done, Mr. President!