Is this actually our government... or is it branding with nuclear codes??? Are these real policy decisions... or ego maintenance? I am no longer watching leadership... It's like some sick vanity project with real-world consequences.
If the presidency = personal brand extension, like media control, loyalty tests, narrative management, etc.... is governence even in the same ballpark as representation or public service? At what point do I get official notice that it all start becoming private enterprise? What about the people that can't see this?
I think everyone sees what he's doing. I've interviewed a lot of Republicans for my new publication here on substack and I would say one out of three of them will criticize Trump when they are with each other, they don't see any identifiable liberals in the room. It's just ridiculous that everybody is so hell-bent on sticking with their tribe, that no one calls out Trump for being crazy on the right. No one on the left says, hey.. as bad as he is, when we get our turn.. we're going to need to be ready with something better than what we've been showing for the last 10 years as far as candidates coming and plans... Cuz it'll be the most important presidency ever from 2028-2032.
One out of three. Polling those anonymous, self-identified Republicans? Over multiple polls and multiple time frames -- greater than 80% of Republicans say "Sir, you are doing a great job! Keep it up!".
In the latest (link below)... 85% of Republicans say they "approve of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president". Down from a high of 88% from the period just after his inauguration. This percentage has not varied more than 3%. Will self-identified Republicans be turning independent or will they continue to watch Fox and related media outlets for their dose of confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance. I know the answer to that one. Hell in a handbasket!
A strong indicator that 85% of Republicans are out of their minds. This may be the most frightening statistic moving forward. Assuming we survive the Trump era, that is.
I agree with all of this but feel the word "vanity" doesn't do justice to Trump's titanic self regard. It is like comariing a microbe to an elephant. That said I think his vindictiveness and hyperactive malice towards anyone who disagrees with him is a bigger flaw....But hey. Why pick and choose now he's President and running amok? No doubt there will be an army of historians toiling away to list the full gamet of his manifest character flaws.
An entire book could not describe the vanity of the single most depraved character to ever pollute the politics of this country. Many books would be needed to widen the field of fire to include the class of people who ascribe to his particular brand of keeping up with Joneses. An entire library could not contain the volumes necessary to chronicle the experiment that turned into an exercise in grabbing while the grabbing's good. A nice little title for a history book describing the US.
"The single most depraved character to ever pollute politics in this country"? When I read this I thought that was a big claim Thomas....then I thought about it long and hard. No. I honestly can't think of anyone else who comes close and there's been plenty of grubby characters in politics.
The only good thing is, once Dems back in charge of all branches of government, we can tear all this shit down, remove his name and banish it forever. Any dem the refuses to do this, can fuck off and will be removed from office.
Of course there’s historical precedence - Caligua comes to mind - but more recently it would be Il Duce—all talk, no taste, a fondness for building “eternal” monuments … to himself.
I am awaiting the pronouncement that from this day forward, America/USA should now be called Trumpland. I awaited his picture to be put up on buildings and, sure enough, that happened. The problem is his enablers; if they didn’t support him, he wouldn’t be in this position. Also, he isn’t smart enough to come up with much of what he is doing – he is a puppet of others who know just how to appeal to his vanity and manipulate him.
This is a succinct and fair summary of one of the worst human beings ever elected to public office in America. I hope the nation can survive three more years. The damage he can do in those months is probably at least three times what he has done already. Thanks for taking the time to systematically review this horrible record.
Is this actually our government... or is it branding with nuclear codes??? Are these real policy decisions... or ego maintenance? I am no longer watching leadership... It's like some sick vanity project with real-world consequences.
And let’s not forget that Trump’s “Apprentice” persona was scripted by people who could actually write, not neo-Goth Miller.
If the presidency = personal brand extension, like media control, loyalty tests, narrative management, etc.... is governence even in the same ballpark as representation or public service? At what point do I get official notice that it all start becoming private enterprise? What about the people that can't see this?
If you don’t see what he’s doing, you are willfully IGNORANT, or making lots of money along side him. We must get rid of him!!!!
I'd love to see that happen, Janet, but I fear what can't be cured must be endured. I reckon gigantic amounts of endurance are going to be called for.
31 more months. 😕
I think everyone sees what he's doing. I've interviewed a lot of Republicans for my new publication here on substack and I would say one out of three of them will criticize Trump when they are with each other, they don't see any identifiable liberals in the room. It's just ridiculous that everybody is so hell-bent on sticking with their tribe, that no one calls out Trump for being crazy on the right. No one on the left says, hey.. as bad as he is, when we get our turn.. we're going to need to be ready with something better than what we've been showing for the last 10 years as far as candidates coming and plans... Cuz it'll be the most important presidency ever from 2028-2032.
One out of three. Polling those anonymous, self-identified Republicans? Over multiple polls and multiple time frames -- greater than 80% of Republicans say "Sir, you are doing a great job! Keep it up!".
In the latest (link below)... 85% of Republicans say they "approve of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president". Down from a high of 88% from the period just after his inauguration. This percentage has not varied more than 3%. Will self-identified Republicans be turning independent or will they continue to watch Fox and related media outlets for their dose of confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance. I know the answer to that one. Hell in a handbasket!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/05/03/trump-approval-ratings-poll/
A strong indicator that 85% of Republicans are out of their minds. This may be the most frightening statistic moving forward. Assuming we survive the Trump era, that is.
I agree with all of this but feel the word "vanity" doesn't do justice to Trump's titanic self regard. It is like comariing a microbe to an elephant. That said I think his vindictiveness and hyperactive malice towards anyone who disagrees with him is a bigger flaw....But hey. Why pick and choose now he's President and running amok? No doubt there will be an army of historians toiling away to list the full gamet of his manifest character flaws.
An entire book could not describe the vanity of the single most depraved character to ever pollute the politics of this country. Many books would be needed to widen the field of fire to include the class of people who ascribe to his particular brand of keeping up with Joneses. An entire library could not contain the volumes necessary to chronicle the experiment that turned into an exercise in grabbing while the grabbing's good. A nice little title for a history book describing the US.
"The single most depraved character to ever pollute politics in this country"? When I read this I thought that was a big claim Thomas....then I thought about it long and hard. No. I honestly can't think of anyone else who comes close and there's been plenty of grubby characters in politics.
The only good thing is, once Dems back in charge of all branches of government, we can tear all this shit down, remove his name and banish it forever. Any dem the refuses to do this, can fuck off and will be removed from office.
I'm struck how the felon's expression looks increasingly vacant. Advancing dementia (he's had symptoms since at least 2015/2016.)
Of course there’s historical precedence - Caligua comes to mind - but more recently it would be Il Duce—all talk, no taste, a fondness for building “eternal” monuments … to himself.
I am awaiting the pronouncement that from this day forward, America/USA should now be called Trumpland. I awaited his picture to be put up on buildings and, sure enough, that happened. The problem is his enablers; if they didn’t support him, he wouldn’t be in this position. Also, he isn’t smart enough to come up with much of what he is doing – he is a puppet of others who know just how to appeal to his vanity and manipulate him.
Although the article is on a serious and rather alarming subject, the sentence “[h]e could make Narcissus blush” made me laugh.
Silver lining.
Carly Simon needs to re-record that song with slightly updated lyrics.
The damage is done. We're in a new era.
"He who saves his Country does not violate any law.”
And he who's destroying it ought to pay the price.
This is a succinct and fair summary of one of the worst human beings ever elected to public office in America. I hope the nation can survive three more years. The damage he can do in those months is probably at least three times what he has done already. Thanks for taking the time to systematically review this horrible record.
I think I will read this great article 86 times to really study 47.
He's a bona fide head case Linda.
It’s “Trump” everything. All over again. Ewwww…..
This is one of the best written articles you have produced. Nothing we all didn't know, but well done.