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Be careful what you wish for (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
On 22 January 1905, the Orthodox priest Georgy Gapon led a large procession of hungry and dissatisfied workers towards St. Petersburg’s Winter Palace, an event that would culminate in the tragedy known as Bloody Sunday, as imperial soldiers opened fire on the unarmed crowds. Father Gapon, however, was not exactly a model revolutionary. Born to a Cossack father, he had excelled in school and seemed destined for a life in the church, and though his life took some twists and turns before he was finally ordained as a priest, he turned out to be a very talented one.
In the years leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1905, Gapon — who had always been interested in the betterment of the poor — eventually set up an explicitly non-socialist, non-revolutionary worker’s organisation focused on education and mutual aid. And he did so with the support of the Russian secret police, the Okhrana, who hoped to use Gapon to sideline the Bolsheviks, Mensheviks, and Socialist Revolutionaries, all of whom hoped to use the workers to overthrow the Tsar.
In other words, the man at the centre of the event that would quite literally spark the 1905 Russian Revolution had been put there in order to prevent it from happening. Gapon’s plan was straightforward, if naïve: he hoped that handing over a written petition to the Tsar — or at least a representative of the Tsar — would mollify the angry workers and de-escalate the rapidly worsening political situation. Once the soldiers started firing on the crowds, however, he quickly lost control of the entire situation. The revolution that Gapon almost certainly had been trying to avoid was now on, and he was simply along for the ride.
At a time when the rumour mill is abuzz with news of the impending arrest of Donald Trump, and the increasing likelihood that America’s 46th President will be subjected to some drawn-out and polarising court spectacle, it is useful to recall the ultimately tragic lessons of 1905. Trump, like Gapon before him, was very much an unlikely protagonist, with little in his life to suggest he’d become a populist candidate or be turned into an enemy of the republic by almost half of America. In 2016, hardly any Republican insiders took him seriously, while Democrats cheered him on and hoped he’d stay in the primary for as long as possible, thinking it would make Hillary Clinton’s stroll into the White House that much easier. On the eve of the election, Trump’s belated victory speech was topped off by The Rolling Stones’ ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’. It was an odd choice of music to celebrate a victory; it was almost as if the Trump campaign had expected to be giving a concession speech instead, and never even took the time to prepare another song.
Both during his time in office and afterwards, Trump has generated more than his fair share of disappointment and disillusionment among both former and current supporters. His rock-star patina of 2016 is by now very tarnished, though it would be foolish to assume it has disappeared completely. With all that said, however, both those who hate Trump and those who idolise him tend to make a similar mistake: they either underestimate him or overestimate him, and often do both at the same time.
The real force behind Trump in 2016 was the same as that of Gapon in 1905. Trump, like Gapon, was propelled not just by his personal qualities, but also by the way these qualities allowed him to serve as a vessel for political passions that were much, much more powerful than him. No matter what they thought they were doing or initially hoped to accomplish, both men eventually ended up being swept along by the tide. The events of January 6th, which the Democratic Party has long tried to turn into America’s own contemporary Bloody Sunday, with fairly modest results, was something that Trump himself was powerless to control.
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SubscribeThe Democrats seem to still think that if they get rid of Trump they get rid of the angry populist movement that elected him in the first place. They are wrong about that. Look at France and Holland – people are getting very sick of the globalist progressive agenda – Trumpism is here to stay even if Trump isn’t.
Yep. In fact, they need Trump because he’s the only thing they have to scare voters at the polls but once Trump is no longer a factor? It’s gonna get ugly.
gonna? the word does not exist
gonna? the word does not exist
More cynically, I think they’ve decided the more they can keep Trump in the news, the more divided the Republican Party will become and thus their chances of winning the next election will increase. Trump doesn’t command the level of support he once did outside a small band of hardcore loyalists, the majority that voted for him as a way of shaking up the status quo are now tired of his antics and have moved on to other politicians such as De Santis
Correct. The Donkeys want to run against Trump because Biden and the progressive agenda is very, very unpopular and the last 2+ years have been disastrous. Anything to keep people from thinking about that.
At this point in time, Trump still commands 30 to 35% of the base. Now that Alvin Bragg wants to d**k around with him expect that number to increase- by how much? – who knows? Americans love an underdog.
It all becomes clear when one goes to a NASCAR race and looks round at the crowd…A full Talladega speedway has a combined IQ of around 9
So, why would YOU go to a NASCAR race if that is what you think ?
somehow i don’t think Nicky has actually been to a NASCAR race.
I worked advising F1 teams for many years and my family owned 2 F1 teams Yeoman Credit and Bowmaker… its all on the net if you look.
I worked advising F1 teams for many years and my family owned 2 F1 teams Yeoman Credit and Bowmaker… its all on the net if you look.
see below… I worked in the financial side of automotive / motor sports for many years
somehow i don’t think Nicky has actually been to a NASCAR race.
see below… I worked in the financial side of automotive / motor sports for many years
So, why would YOU go to a NASCAR race if that is what you think ?
It all becomes clear when one goes to a NASCAR race and looks round at the crowd…A full Talladega speedway has a combined IQ of around 9
DeSantis 2024.
This isn’t about Trump. We voted for him hoping he would ruin the government, expose the social media liars, the fake press, and the decadent education establishment.
Mission accomplished.
I remember long ago reading Mao went after those same elites, excepting social media, which didn’t exist. I have decided Mao was right.
Correct. The Donkeys want to run against Trump because Biden and the progressive agenda is very, very unpopular and the last 2+ years have been disastrous. Anything to keep people from thinking about that.
At this point in time, Trump still commands 30 to 35% of the base. Now that Alvin Bragg wants to d**k around with him expect that number to increase- by how much? – who knows? Americans love an underdog.
DeSantis 2024.
This isn’t about Trump. We voted for him hoping he would ruin the government, expose the social media liars, the fake press, and the decadent education establishment.
Mission accomplished.
I remember long ago reading Mao went after those same elites, excepting social media, which didn’t exist. I have decided Mao was right.
Yep. In fact, they need Trump because he’s the only thing they have to scare voters at the polls but once Trump is no longer a factor? It’s gonna get ugly.
More cynically, I think they’ve decided the more they can keep Trump in the news, the more divided the Republican Party will become and thus their chances of winning the next election will increase. Trump doesn’t command the level of support he once did outside a small band of hardcore loyalists, the majority that voted for him as a way of shaking up the status quo are now tired of his antics and have moved on to other politicians such as De Santis
The Democrats seem to still think that if they get rid of Trump they get rid of the angry populist movement that elected him in the first place. They are wrong about that. Look at France and Holland – people are getting very sick of the globalist progressive agenda – Trumpism is here to stay even if Trump isn’t.
The author of the article tries to be a good academic by bringing in Father Gapon. To me, this part seems irrelevant.
If you want to know why Trump wins votes you need to speak to some rednecks. The world is full of politicians who don’t stand for anything good. Look at the columns of UnHerd and see the bile aimed at MPs who are 100% woke. They won’t fight woke, or stand up for anything; they are grey, they live for sound bites, in a word they are useless.
Then, imagine, someone comes along who is different. This person says what he thinks and actually appeals to the voters. He brings more people out to vote. He is immediately labelled ‘populist’ by the pseudo-intellectuals because he doesn’t follow the usual patterns; the clever people are the ones who want woke because they see themselves as above it all – and woke controls the plebs.
So, ask the rednecks – do you want a populist or do you want the usual grey person who makes things worse. Stand back when they answer….
To a large extent right wing parties in the west have brought this on themselves. Appeal to a right wing audience and promise to govern in a right wing manner and then tack to the left when they get in. To many working class voters (and others) they appear to be quite happy to lie to voters to get elected and then shape shift in order to join an elite in-crowd who in general have more ‘progressive’ values. A political version of ‘meet the new boss, same as the old boss.’
The right wing might have set the kindling, but it was the left who lit the match, and put fire to fuel.
The right wing might have set the kindling, but it was the left who lit the match, and put fire to fuel.
True (about the author throwing in the Father Gapon analogy). But what about the other side? Obama, Clinton, Biden and Woke Machine playing the role of the Czar?
As I said, the middle-classes want woke because they are above it. The problems caused by woke are other peoples’ problems. Being woke, thinking about race, being nice to ‘unusual’ people, aspects of tolerance, etc, is a sort of pseudo-religion. It takes peoples’ minds off the real problems. It is a form of mind control.
As I said, the middle-classes want woke because they are above it. The problems caused by woke are other peoples’ problems. Being woke, thinking about race, being nice to ‘unusual’ people, aspects of tolerance, etc, is a sort of pseudo-religion. It takes peoples’ minds off the real problems. It is a form of mind control.
Not sure why you think this only applies to who you call rednecks
Yes, you are right. My experience in the US comes from many visits to Kentucky. There, almost 100% were Trump supporters.
You have been taken to task about this before. Maybe time to reframe!
You have been taken to task about this before. Maybe time to reframe!
Agreed- many Trump supporters including myself are very well educated- they see through the Democrat BS.
ei fink lotza trump sipotaz iz veri kleve pipl n wel ejjercated an read buks an kan kount an do summs an uvver finkx
ei fink lotza trump sipotaz iz veri kleve pipl n wel ejjercated an read buks an kan kount an do summs an uvver finkx
Yes, you are right. My experience in the US comes from many visits to Kentucky. There, almost 100% were Trump supporters.
Agreed- many Trump supporters including myself are very well educated- they see through the Democrat BS.
To a large extent right wing parties in the west have brought this on themselves. Appeal to a right wing audience and promise to govern in a right wing manner and then tack to the left when they get in. To many working class voters (and others) they appear to be quite happy to lie to voters to get elected and then shape shift in order to join an elite in-crowd who in general have more ‘progressive’ values. A political version of ‘meet the new boss, same as the old boss.’
True (about the author throwing in the Father Gapon analogy). But what about the other side? Obama, Clinton, Biden and Woke Machine playing the role of the Czar?
Not sure why you think this only applies to who you call rednecks
The author of the article tries to be a good academic by bringing in Father Gapon. To me, this part seems irrelevant.
If you want to know why Trump wins votes you need to speak to some rednecks. The world is full of politicians who don’t stand for anything good. Look at the columns of UnHerd and see the bile aimed at MPs who are 100% woke. They won’t fight woke, or stand up for anything; they are grey, they live for sound bites, in a word they are useless.
Then, imagine, someone comes along who is different. This person says what he thinks and actually appeals to the voters. He brings more people out to vote. He is immediately labelled ‘populist’ by the pseudo-intellectuals because he doesn’t follow the usual patterns; the clever people are the ones who want woke because they see themselves as above it all – and woke controls the plebs.
So, ask the rednecks – do you want a populist or do you want the usual grey person who makes things worse. Stand back when they answer….
Trump must remain center stage for Biden to win a second term. The Dems will do anything to keep the spotlight on him because that will split the Republican vote between MAGA and non-MAGA, or at least persuade many Republican moderates to stay home on election day.
The Dems seem to be doing quite a good job but, as the author points out, be careful what genie you loose from the box. Once political trials of ex-presidents become acceptable in the US anyone is fair game.
I don’t think the Dems actually want him convicted. Shows trials are great theatre. They would be quite happy to see this drag on for two more years.
Trump just represents what the Republican Party has become, one seemingly their voters want. He didn’t create it. A party that doesn’t stand for anything positive any more, the party of manufactured white grievance, performative obnoxiousness, the forever culture wars and being against anything and everything the Democrats propose. The party of gutless weasels like McCarthy and Stepanik, the clown car of the Freedom Caucus, Fox News full of millionaires happy to lie and subvert elections if it’s good for the share price….oh, and tax cuts for billionaires, they will always be in favour of tax cuts for billionaires.
The problem for the Republican Party is that more people vote Democrat than Republican, and have done for some time, so they can only hang on to power, or any chance of regaining the White House, by gerrymandering, and the twin absurdities of the Electoral College and Wyoming being allowed the same number of Senators as Texas or California.
Now, a lot of people who vote Democrat don’t do it out of conviction or any great enthusiasm but because the alternative is so toxic while the whole ecosystem of the right remains in Trumpworld, either with or without the man himself.
So, if Trump ever does end up in jail it will be hugely divisive but the likely reaction of Trumpworld will just alienate more voters than the act itself will repel.
It’s true that a minority of voters may help the Republican Party to keep getting control of one or more branches of power, often because of the inadequacy of the Democrats, but their likely actions in power mean they’ll soon lose it.
The perfect Doom Loop and ultimately bad for America, and the world.
‘the twin absurdities of the Electoral College and Wyoming being allowed the same number of Senators as Texas or California.’
Yes, the Constitution of the United States of America is absurd, isn’t it?
Perhaps it should be subverted?
The Dems are doing their best.
I repeat what I’ve said before:-
(a) Trump made bad mistakes, but he did more great things (Keeping out of the Paris CoP Net Zero Nonsense Fest, Refusing to pay CCP dominated Tedros and the WHO, Moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem just for three).
(b) If it could be convincingly shown that the Dems didn’t actually steal the 2019 election, it is certain that it wasn’t for the Dems trying their very best.
Meanwhile, whoever pulls Biden’s strings is heading straight to the cliff edge, pedal to the metal.
What you might be forgetting is that the United States is a large geographic nation with most of its population on the two coasts. A structure that tries to balance out those disparities is likely what makes that system work. I should know as I live in Western Canada where are our elections are decided by the time the votes are counted in Toronto’s suburbs. It results in political parties whose goal is to win votes in the eastern third of the country and therefore has policy platforms aimed at those voters. The other two thirds are a second thought. Although we have a Senate in our system they are not elected but chosen by the Prime Minister. I’ve often thought we would be better served by an elected Senate based on an equal number from all provinces and territories.
The geography of large nations is well served by such a system.
I’m not sure the system does work any more, which I see as part of the problem. While you may want to avoid ‘the tyranny of the majority’, the ‘tyranny of the minority’ is arguably worse.
Big governments only have to buy off those they need to get elected. Which is why big government is to be avoided. Currently Ottawa is expanded government in an effort to only have to listen to government workers. If they are successful it will be the end of a workable Canadian government.
I like Canada so much, I think there should be 13 of them.
I’m not sure the system does work any more, which I see as part of the problem. While you may want to avoid ‘the tyranny of the majority’, the ‘tyranny of the minority’ is arguably worse.
Big governments only have to buy off those they need to get elected. Which is why big government is to be avoided. Currently Ottawa is expanded government in an effort to only have to listen to government workers. If they are successful it will be the end of a workable Canadian government.
I like Canada so much, I think there should be 13 of them.
The Constitution of the United States was written several hundred years ago and reflected the country and the times the framers of it lived in. So, no I’m not suggesting subverting the constitution just the inescapable fact that both the country and the times are very different today. Voting throughout history, for example, was restricted and defined groups eg women weren’t allowed to vote. That changed as times and attitudes changed.
Republicans are happy to keep the constitution preserved in aspic because it suits their political purposes.
The Constitution addresses itself to permanent problems, not ephemeral ones. The problem that will never go away is the problem of tyranny. The solution to that problem divided and thus limited governmental powers. That solution is not perfect, but it has worked quite well. Those who want to get rid of the electoral college and the Senate are not at all happy about limitations on governmental powers and are, for that reason, to be feared.
I wasn’t advocating getting rid of the the electoral college or the Senate just addressing the obvious democratic deficits of both. Why should a vote in one state be worth so much more than a vote in another? Why can a President be elected by ‘electors’ in a winner takes all system when more voters nationally want the other guy, so an election comes down to a few thousand than several million?
I was addressing ‘tyranny of the minority’ not suggesting giving one branch more power.
Politicians need to be accountable to all voters, and act in everyone’s interests, not just an unrepresentative base. This applies to both parties.
My point was that the senate and the electoral college are anti-tyranny and thus essential if there is to be anything even approaching democracy. Of course the United States is not a democracy but a mixed regime. Pure democracies are fragile and when they crumble it is into tyranny. It sounds to me like we agree that this is “the” political problem.
My point was that the senate and the electoral college are anti-tyranny and thus essential if there is to be anything even approaching democracy. Of course the United States is not a democracy but a mixed regime. Pure democracies are fragile and when they crumble it is into tyranny. It sounds to me like we agree that this is “the” political problem.
I wasn’t advocating getting rid of the the electoral college or the Senate just addressing the obvious democratic deficits of both. Why should a vote in one state be worth so much more than a vote in another? Why can a President be elected by ‘electors’ in a winner takes all system when more voters nationally want the other guy, so an election comes down to a few thousand than several million?
I was addressing ‘tyranny of the minority’ not suggesting giving one branch more power.
Politicians need to be accountable to all voters, and act in everyone’s interests, not just an unrepresentative base. This applies to both parties.
The Constitution addresses itself to permanent problems, not ephemeral ones. The problem that will never go away is the problem of tyranny. The solution to that problem divided and thus limited governmental powers. That solution is not perfect, but it has worked quite well. Those who want to get rid of the electoral college and the Senate are not at all happy about limitations on governmental powers and are, for that reason, to be feared.
Without the electoral college you get Canada – a PM elected with 32% of the vote who targets entire regions of the country who don’t vote for him.
electoral college? what an ironic contradiction in terms!
electoral college? what an ironic contradiction in terms!
The Dems are doing their best.
I repeat what I’ve said before:-
(a) Trump made bad mistakes, but he did more great things (Keeping out of the Paris CoP Net Zero Nonsense Fest, Refusing to pay CCP dominated Tedros and the WHO, Moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem just for three).
(b) If it could be convincingly shown that the Dems didn’t actually steal the 2019 election, it is certain that it wasn’t for the Dems trying their very best.
Meanwhile, whoever pulls Biden’s strings is heading straight to the cliff edge, pedal to the metal.
What you might be forgetting is that the United States is a large geographic nation with most of its population on the two coasts. A structure that tries to balance out those disparities is likely what makes that system work. I should know as I live in Western Canada where are our elections are decided by the time the votes are counted in Toronto’s suburbs. It results in political parties whose goal is to win votes in the eastern third of the country and therefore has policy platforms aimed at those voters. The other two thirds are a second thought. Although we have a Senate in our system they are not elected but chosen by the Prime Minister. I’ve often thought we would be better served by an elected Senate based on an equal number from all provinces and territories.
The geography of large nations is well served by such a system.
The Constitution of the United States was written several hundred years ago and reflected the country and the times the framers of it lived in. So, no I’m not suggesting subverting the constitution just the inescapable fact that both the country and the times are very different today. Voting throughout history, for example, was restricted and defined groups eg women weren’t allowed to vote. That changed as times and attitudes changed.
Republicans are happy to keep the constitution preserved in aspic because it suits their political purposes.
Without the electoral college you get Canada – a PM elected with 32% of the vote who targets entire regions of the country who don’t vote for him.
How anyone can type that with a straight face, I don’t know. Kudos to you.
Performative? How about AOC at the met gala, maskless with the other maskless celebrities, surrounded by masked workers, as she showed off her ‘tax the rich dress’? How about Pelosi and friends kneeling for BLM in traditional African garb?
Obnoxious? “If you don’t vote for me, you ain’t black!”, :they want to put y’all back in chains”
Culture wars?!? Really? Abortion on demand with no gestational limit. Trans issues: bathrooms (see Loudoun County schools and the rape and sexual assault that took place and the subsequent cover up), women’s sports, women’s prisons. The hijacking of #metoo in order to prevent the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh. The Masterpiece bakeshop endless court proceedings.
MSNBC, CNN, WaPo, NYT and the Russia collusion, the laptop cover up, the covid ‘misinformation’. The coverage of the ‘mostly peaceful protests’ vs the January 6th riot.
The hysterical race baiting and hyperventilating when minority voters move toward Republicans, “these people are white adjacent’, they are “acting White”, “the black face of white supremacy” and so on.
The Democrats never gerrymander? That reminds me, let’s talk about statehood for Puerto Rico and DC.
You’ve made my point perfectly for me, so thanks for that. Nothing you’ve said details what Republicans offer to all US citizens in terms of policy or positive actions, you’ve just listed a whole bunch of whataboutery about the Democrats. Exactly as I said.
It’s really hard to remember all the election policy documents and manifestos isn’t it? So I did back check on Google and, goodness me, Trump did have a policy objective and plan and seemingly acted on that plan. But obviously it never got any press coverage, so naturally no-one remembers what it was about – something forgettable like “Make America Great Again”…
The flaw in your argument is that there was no manifesto in 2020, it was “L’etat, C’est Moi” from Trump and was a factor in why he lost.
That was an article from Brookings, the seat of lots of anti-Trump commentary (and more…). Explains a lot if you believed that was reality. The Republicans stayed with the same platform as 2016, partly due to Covid: https://ballotpedia.org/The_Republican_Party_Platform,_2020
I hadn’t read the article (or Brookings as it happens, I live in the UK) so thanks for sending it through, but I don’t think the lack of a policy platform had much to do with COVID. More voters were repelled by MAGA than enthused by it, hence Trump, a sitting President, lost.
No, the Dems stole the election.
We know the media buried the Hunter Biden laptop story.
No, the Dems stole the election.
We know the media buried the Hunter Biden laptop story.
I hadn’t read the article (or Brookings as it happens, I live in the UK) so thanks for sending it through, but I don’t think the lack of a policy platform had much to do with COVID. More voters were repelled by MAGA than enthused by it, hence Trump, a sitting President, lost.
L’État, c’est moi.
Trump is living walking proof that irony is as rare as A Stormy Daniels in The Royal Box on Derby Day…
Trump is living walking proof that irony is as rare as A Stormy Daniels in The Royal Box on Derby Day…
That was an article from Brookings, the seat of lots of anti-Trump commentary (and more…). Explains a lot if you believed that was reality. The Republicans stayed with the same platform as 2016, partly due to Covid: https://ballotpedia.org/The_Republican_Party_Platform,_2020
L’État, c’est moi.
The flaw in your argument is that there was no manifesto in 2020, it was “L’etat, C’est Moi” from Trump and was a factor in why he lost.
It’s really hard to remember all the election policy documents and manifestos isn’t it? So I did back check on Google and, goodness me, Trump did have a policy objective and plan and seemingly acted on that plan. But obviously it never got any press coverage, so naturally no-one remembers what it was about – something forgettable like “Make America Great Again”…
It’s no use feeding the trolls. Anyone who wishes to subvert the constitution says everything you need to know. It’s a direct road to totalitarianism.
You’ve made my point perfectly for me, so thanks for that. Nothing you’ve said details what Republicans offer to all US citizens in terms of policy or positive actions, you’ve just listed a whole bunch of whataboutery about the Democrats. Exactly as I said.
It’s no use feeding the trolls. Anyone who wishes to subvert the constitution says everything you need to know. It’s a direct road to totalitarianism.
How anyone can type that with a straight face, I don’t know. Kudos to you.
Performative? How about AOC at the met gala, maskless with the other maskless celebrities, surrounded by masked workers, as she showed off her ‘tax the rich dress’? How about Pelosi and friends kneeling for BLM in traditional African garb?
Obnoxious? “If you don’t vote for me, you ain’t black!”, :they want to put y’all back in chains”
Culture wars?!? Really? Abortion on demand with no gestational limit. Trans issues: bathrooms (see Loudoun County schools and the rape and sexual assault that took place and the subsequent cover up), women’s sports, women’s prisons. The hijacking of #metoo in order to prevent the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh. The Masterpiece bakeshop endless court proceedings.
MSNBC, CNN, WaPo, NYT and the Russia collusion, the laptop cover up, the covid ‘misinformation’. The coverage of the ‘mostly peaceful protests’ vs the January 6th riot.
The hysterical race baiting and hyperventilating when minority voters move toward Republicans, “these people are white adjacent’, they are “acting White”, “the black face of white supremacy” and so on.
The Democrats never gerrymander? That reminds me, let’s talk about statehood for Puerto Rico and DC.
was the word culture and United States used in the same piece? Surely not?
was the word culture and United States used in the same piece? Surely not?
How dare Republicans to have actual policy preferences! The temerity of them wanting things I don’t like!
Rude, to say the worst.
You’re missing my point in a spectacular way.
Maybe we are, but are you not also missing an often made point? Human beings face political problems that never change or go away. Something like human greatness is necessary if human beings are to thrive. The Founders of the American regime were great souled, even if flawed. The same thing can be said about Churchill, surely one of the greatest political figures in all of human history. To show one’s palm the the idea of human greatness is tyranny itself.
Maybe we are, but are you not also missing an often made point? Human beings face political problems that never change or go away. Something like human greatness is necessary if human beings are to thrive. The Founders of the American regime were great souled, even if flawed. The same thing can be said about Churchill, surely one of the greatest political figures in all of human history. To show one’s palm the the idea of human greatness is tyranny itself.
You’re missing my point in a spectacular way.
You don’t have to like Republicans – I agree with virtually all of your comments – but the Democrats are far more dangerous.
A party that doesn’t stand for anything positive any more, the party of manufactured white grievance, performative obnoxiousness
From what I can see from this side of the pond I agree with you here about the Republican Party, but replace the word “white” with “black” or “trans” or numerous other groupings and you have the Democratic Party to a tee. This is the problem with much politics today, it is about grievances, not finding positive ways forward in complicated and dangerous times.
‘the twin absurdities of the Electoral College and Wyoming being allowed the same number of Senators as Texas or California.’
Yes, the Constitution of the United States of America is absurd, isn’t it?
Perhaps it should be subverted?
How anyone can type that with a straight face, I don’t know. Kudos to you.
Performative? How about AOC at the met gala, maskless with the other maskless celebrities, surrounded by masked workers, as she showed off her ‘tax the rich dress’? How about Pelosi and friends kneeling for BLM in traditional African garb?
Obnoxious? “If you don’t vote for me, you ain’t black!”, :they want to put y’all back in chains”
Culture wars?!? Really? Abortion on demand with no gestational limit. Trans issues: bathrooms (see Loudoun County schools and the rape and sexual assault that took place and the subsequent cover up), women’s sports, women’s prisons. The hijacking of #metoo in order to prevent the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh. The Masterpiece bakeshop endless court proceedings.
MSNBC, CNN, WaPo, NYT and the Russia collusion, the laptop cover up, the covid ‘misinformation’. The coverage of the ‘mostly peaceful protests’ vs the January 6th riot.
The hysterical race baiting and hyperventilating when minority voters move toward Republicans, “these people are white adjacent’, they are “acting White”, “the black face of white supremacy” and so on.
The Democrats never gerrymander? That reminds me, let’s talk about statehood for Puerto Rico and DC.
How anyone can type that with a straight face, I don’t know. Kudos to you.
Performative? How about AOC at the met gala, maskless with the other maskless celebrities, surrounded by masked workers, as she showed off her ‘tax the rich dress’? How about Pelosi and friends kneeling for BLM in traditional African garb?
Obnoxious? “If you don’t vote for me, you ain’t black!”, :they want to put y’all back in chains”
Culture wars?!? Really? Abortion on demand with no gestational limit. Trans issues: bathrooms (see Loudoun County schools and the rape and sexual assault that took place and the subsequent cover up), women’s sports, women’s prisons. The hijacking of #metoo in order to prevent the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh. The Masterpiece bakeshop endless court proceedings.
MSNBC, CNN, WaPo, NYT and the Russia collusion, the laptop cover up, the covid ‘misinformation’. The coverage of the ‘mostly peaceful protests’ vs the January 6th riot.
The hysterical race baiting and hyperventilating when minority voters move toward Republicans, “these people are white adjacent’, they are “acting White”, “the black face of white supremacy” and so on.
The Democrats never gerrymander? That reminds me, let’s talk about statehood for Puerto Rico and DC.
How dare Republicans to have actual policy preferences! The temerity of them wanting things I don’t like!
Rude, to say the worst.
You don’t have to like Republicans – I agree with virtually all of your comments – but the Democrats are far more dangerous.
A party that doesn’t stand for anything positive any more, the party of manufactured white grievance, performative obnoxiousness
From what I can see from this side of the pond I agree with you here about the Republican Party, but replace the word “white” with “black” or “trans” or numerous other groupings and you have the Democratic Party to a tee. This is the problem with much politics today, it is about grievances, not finding positive ways forward in complicated and dangerous times.
Trump just represents what the Republican Party has become, one seemingly their voters want. He didn’t create it. A party that doesn’t stand for anything positive any more, the party of manufactured white grievance, performative obnoxiousness, the forever culture wars and being against anything and everything the Democrats propose. The party of gutless weasels like McCarthy and Stepanik, the clown car of the Freedom Caucus, Fox News full of millionaires happy to lie and subvert elections if it’s good for the share price….oh, and tax cuts for billionaires, they will always be in favour of tax cuts for billionaires.
The problem for the Republican Party is that more people vote Democrat than Republican, and have done for some time, so they can only hang on to power, or any chance of regaining the White House, by gerrymandering, and the twin absurdities of the Electoral College and Wyoming being allowed the same number of Senators as Texas or California.
Now, a lot of people who vote Democrat don’t do it out of conviction or any great enthusiasm but because the alternative is so toxic while the whole ecosystem of the right remains in Trumpworld, either with or without the man himself.
So, if Trump ever does end up in jail it will be hugely divisive but the likely reaction of Trumpworld will just alienate more voters than the act itself will repel.
It’s true that a minority of voters may help the Republican Party to keep getting control of one or more branches of power, often because of the inadequacy of the Democrats, but their likely actions in power mean they’ll soon lose it.
The perfect Doom Loop and ultimately bad for America, and the world.
And it looks to me like Bill Clinton and George Bush Jr. would be two reasonable targets for prosecution.
The Clinton Foundation shakedowns. Trips to pedophile island on the Lolita Express with Epstein.
Agree that this is a can of worms they really do not want to open but are apparently dumb enough to. Sorta like getting rid of the filibuster.
Add the blatant corruption of the Clinton Foundation and of the Biden Family.
Add the blatant corruption of the Clinton Foundation and of the Biden Family.
So if it’s proven that Joe did business with communist china and is compromised, you don’t think he should be put on trial?
If they want him to run so they can reelect Biden they shouldn’t be trying to convict him now. It invigorates his supporters and if they win they won’t be facing a split Republican party.
The goal is NOT to convict Trump, but to drag out the process of seeing him hounded by reporters and courts on the news every night. The PROCESS IS THE PUNISHMENT, and what will distract voters from the gawd-awful mess Biden has made.
The goal is NOT to convict Trump, but to drag out the process of seeing him hounded by reporters and courts on the news every night. The PROCESS IS THE PUNISHMENT, and what will distract voters from the gawd-awful mess Biden has made.
I don’t think the Dems actually want him convicted. Shows trials are great theatre. They would be quite happy to see this drag on for two more years.
And it looks to me like Bill Clinton and George Bush Jr. would be two reasonable targets for prosecution.
The Clinton Foundation shakedowns. Trips to pedophile island on the Lolita Express with Epstein.
Agree that this is a can of worms they really do not want to open but are apparently dumb enough to. Sorta like getting rid of the filibuster.
So if it’s proven that Joe did business with communist china and is compromised, you don’t think he should be put on trial?
If they want him to run so they can reelect Biden they shouldn’t be trying to convict him now. It invigorates his supporters and if they win they won’t be facing a split Republican party.
Trump must remain center stage for Biden to win a second term. The Dems will do anything to keep the spotlight on him because that will split the Republican vote between MAGA and non-MAGA, or at least persuade many Republican moderates to stay home on election day.
The Dems seem to be doing quite a good job but, as the author points out, be careful what genie you loose from the box. Once political trials of ex-presidents become acceptable in the US anyone is fair game.
‘Far from Trump being a snake charmer and “the mob” being a passive victim in this drama, it is his voters and supporters who have made him and who have the power to unmake him. ‘
This is why Trump said ‘In reality, they’re not after me. They’re after you.’
Exactly. The truth was revealed by H. Clinton’s use of the word “deplorable.” She unmasked the truth seething just below the surface. Her intentions for the working class were and are the same as the Tsars. Or better, the working class would be lucky if it were the Tsar and not her. She all but said out loud what Nietzsche did: “There will never be enough water to wash away all the blood.” This, precisely this, is what Pres. Trump stands against. Those who cling to him know exactly why they do that. It’s a matter if life or death, as was so obviously the case in 1905 Russia. Yet one can only assume that they cling in vain. It all is, and always will be, so terribly regrettable.
Exactly. The truth was revealed by H. Clinton’s use of the word “deplorable.” She unmasked the truth seething just below the surface. Her intentions for the working class were and are the same as the Tsars. Or better, the working class would be lucky if it were the Tsar and not her. She all but said out loud what Nietzsche did: “There will never be enough water to wash away all the blood.” This, precisely this, is what Pres. Trump stands against. Those who cling to him know exactly why they do that. It’s a matter if life or death, as was so obviously the case in 1905 Russia. Yet one can only assume that they cling in vain. It all is, and always will be, so terribly regrettable.
‘Far from Trump being a snake charmer and “the mob” being a passive victim in this drama, it is his voters and supporters who have made him and who have the power to unmake him. ‘
This is why Trump said ‘In reality, they’re not after me. They’re after you.’
Love him or loathe him Trump was not a ‘machine politician’, conditioned by years of compromise and favours. He had to go, and be prevented from standing again.
Love him or loathe them Biden (and previously Clinton) are ‘machine politicians’, conditioned by years of compromise and favours.
Meanwhile the Military-Industrial Complex soldiers(!) on although you can amuse yourself by coming up for a new name for the current instantiation. Global-Pharmaceutical Complex perhaps? Whatever the name it requires compliant politicians to smooth the way.
My quiet expectation is that the Elite don’t mind who is the next President – as long as he or she has been conditioned by years of compromise and favours.
Medical -Industrial Complex.
Larry David should be President!
Medical -Industrial Complex.
Larry David should be President!
Love him or loathe him Trump was not a ‘machine politician’, conditioned by years of compromise and favours. He had to go, and be prevented from standing again.
Love him or loathe them Biden (and previously Clinton) are ‘machine politicians’, conditioned by years of compromise and favours.
Meanwhile the Military-Industrial Complex soldiers(!) on although you can amuse yourself by coming up for a new name for the current instantiation. Global-Pharmaceutical Complex perhaps? Whatever the name it requires compliant politicians to smooth the way.
My quiet expectation is that the Elite don’t mind who is the next President – as long as he or she has been conditioned by years of compromise and favours.
Indicting Trump may be a mistake if you want a stable democratic (small “d”) republic. But not if you want a security state controlled by a tight oligarchy and you want to replace that democracy with a controlled simulacrum that will keep the people quiet and easily manipulable.
As all the evidence suggests is the case.
When intelligent people seem to make big, obvious mistakes you should first ask yourself, “What am I missing?” Maybe they are wrong in the end, but assume that their actions reveal their motives.
Indicting Trump may be a mistake if you want a stable democratic (small “d”) republic. But not if you want a security state controlled by a tight oligarchy and you want to replace that democracy with a controlled simulacrum that will keep the people quiet and easily manipulable.
As all the evidence suggests is the case.
When intelligent people seem to make big, obvious mistakes you should first ask yourself, “What am I missing?” Maybe they are wrong in the end, but assume that their actions reveal their motives.
You want to “turn the tail end of Trump’s political life into a tragedy”? Ignore him. If the Democrats really thought Trump was a threat to the Republic, this is what they would do.
Instead, the Democrat’s political machine is using all its power to keep Trump in the news and rile up his supporters. Why? Because they want him to win the GOP primary. They Biden is so weak they think Trump is the only candidate he can beat, and they are probably right on both counts.
I think you are totally wrong. The Dems have elections in the bag after over 10 years of fraud.
I think you are totally wrong. The Dems have elections in the bag after over 10 years of fraud.
You want to “turn the tail end of Trump’s political life into a tragedy”? Ignore him. If the Democrats really thought Trump was a threat to the Republic, this is what they would do.
Instead, the Democrat’s political machine is using all its power to keep Trump in the news and rile up his supporters. Why? Because they want him to win the GOP primary. They Biden is so weak they think Trump is the only candidate he can beat, and they are probably right on both counts.
Could not agree more. Trump is now and always has been a vehicle for something else. He tapped into something that was already ripe and ready to explode.
His voters CHOSE him as their vehicle. Attacking their vehicle is attacking them. Its not about Trump as a person for them, its about Trump as a symbol of their disdain for the political and social elites.
If they wanted Trump to go away, to stop being a vehicle for these voters, then the thing to do is to ignore him, not attack him.
These politically driven attacks on him via the legal system are simply going to create chaos and turmoil and deepen the social fractures. Better to have allowed his voters to move on. Allowed time to settle things down. DeSantis would have beaten Trump in the end for the nomination.
What all these people should fear? Trump actually remaining relevant and winning the nomination and then winning the election. God help them if he actually gets back into the White House. God help us all. But my guess is that they will kill him before he takes the oath.
Echos of Rome all over the place …
Echos of Rome all over the place …
Could not agree more. Trump is now and always has been a vehicle for something else. He tapped into something that was already ripe and ready to explode.
His voters CHOSE him as their vehicle. Attacking their vehicle is attacking them. Its not about Trump as a person for them, its about Trump as a symbol of their disdain for the political and social elites.
If they wanted Trump to go away, to stop being a vehicle for these voters, then the thing to do is to ignore him, not attack him.
These politically driven attacks on him via the legal system are simply going to create chaos and turmoil and deepen the social fractures. Better to have allowed his voters to move on. Allowed time to settle things down. DeSantis would have beaten Trump in the end for the nomination.
What all these people should fear? Trump actually remaining relevant and winning the nomination and then winning the election. God help them if he actually gets back into the White House. God help us all. But my guess is that they will kill him before he takes the oath.
After three years of Democrat lockdowns and the resulting economic calamity plus the deranged Biden regime, Trump is more powerful than ever. He’s successful because he’s in touch with ordinary Americans rather than relying on the leftist press to tell him what Americans want.
After three years of Democrat lockdowns and the resulting economic calamity plus the deranged Biden regime, Trump is more powerful than ever. He’s successful because he’s in touch with ordinary Americans rather than relying on the leftist press to tell him what Americans want.
I have stated this before on Unherd, so it’s nice to hear it from an actual professional, that Trump’s enemies have always had it backwards. Trump is what he always was, a showman, a salesman, a circus conductor, a flim flam man, a gambler and a dealer. He’s the sort of man who, had he not been born into wealth, probably would have ended up as a used car salesman, a game show host, a mediocre comedian, or some other such profession that relies on the only above average ability Trump possesses, the ability to read people individually and collectively, identify what motivates them, and use that to get them to vote for him, or buy an overpriced jalopy, or just to get a laugh. When he entered politics and started reading the rooms he found himself in on campaign rallies, he suddenly sounded like a populist revolutionary, because that’s what the people wanted. It was not, notably, what the establishment of either party wanted then or now, but Trump did not care because while he was very much wealthy and upper class, he was never accepted by the wealthy and powerful into their innermost circles, for obvious reasons. It was that personal resentment and disregard for the others of his economic class that allowed him to channel the people’s anger. Now let’s all remember the full chorus of that Rolling Stones song.
“You can’t always get what you want, you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need.”
Neoliberal globalism was and is failing. Trump’s message, or more accurately the message of the people sent through Trump’s election, was the vehicle by which the people delivered that message to the establishment and very much analagous to the Brexit vote, a parallel Trump himself astutely identified when he, considerably less astutely, dubbed himself Mr. Brexit. It was a message long overdue. Speaking as someone who dislikes Trump and found the four years of his presidency both miserable and embarrassing, I concede that it, or something very much like it, needed to happen for history to move to the next phase, whatever that may be. It was a message of resentment, both broad and deep, of the powerlessness that the globalist world has brought us. It was a message of anger towards the diminishing power of individuals and elected governments in the face of impersonal economic forces, unelected bureaucracies, huge profit capturing global corporations, and super wealthy aristocrats. It’s a message that needed to be broadcast loud and clear to anyone who has power or influence in this world, and it has, though human nature is a stubborn thing, and hearing the message is not the same as accepting it. The people who hold power would do well to listen, lest they end up suffering the same ultimate fate as those who placed their hopes on Father Gapon to hold back the tide of history.
The people I know who voted for Brexit were voting for change, as they didn’t feel the status quo worked for them or their communities, and things were getting worse not better. The problem was that those who they empowered to deliver Brexit had no interest in changing the status quo, they were just another branch of the same establishment who benefited from the way things were.
For communities left behind in the USA, by globalisation and outsourcing etc., who saw Clinton as the embodiment of the establishment Trump seemed to offer an alternative. But, for the reasons you identified, Trump was motivated only by self interest and, of course, one of his first acts was unfunded tax cuts for the rich and the corporations, the very thing they thought a vote against Clinton would prevent. And Trump governed through grievance politics leaving the US as divided, arguably more divided, than when he arrived, and the status quo still firmly in place.
The people in power, whether left or right, have no interest in change because they are they fear they will lose, and they are greedy. The media, certainly the Murdoch empire, also have no interest in change so would rather feed culture wars to divert the masses.
At the moment, those at the bottom, or even those further up the food chain who don’t really belong to the elite, are OK with hating others who are, really, just like them. But sooner or later, they may realise they have been fooled and who knows what might happen then.
I think that you underestimate ‘those at the bottom’, perhaps because they are ‘uneducated’, ‘low information’, or some other such category that sounds intelligent and scientific but that functions in much the same way as a racial slur, as a form of in-group/out-group signaling for some reason still deemed acceptable by whoever it is that determines such things, or perhaps out of personal dislike. In either case, I must point out those you broadly paint as ‘those at the bottom’ as ‘hating others who are just like them’ are a diverse and heterogenous group with a variety of different religions, races, and values whose views differ on many issues but who nevertheless share a certain skepticism towards the status quo and the classes, organizations, and individuals who tend to benefit from the status quo. Even the term, populist, has been used variously to refer to groups across the political spectrum on both the left and right who represent insurgent, underrepresented groups against established interests. There is no established populist platform, only a general anti-establishment sentiment accompanied by an amalgam of whatever policies are pursued by those who are tagged with the populist label. The fact that personalities and policy platforms as different as Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, and Rand Paul in the US and the even more varied approaches outside the US, such as Orban, Le Pen, Bolsonaro, etc. have been labelled populist speaks to the nebulous and shifting nature of the term. Trump’s particular flavor of populism is unappealing to many, including myself. I personally prefer those who are more soft spoken and libertarian leaning, such as Rand Paul, or whose policies are more specifically targeted at the most problematic policies, individuals, and organizations, such as Bernie Sanders, despite the fact that they come from opposite ends of the political spectrum and differ greatly on most issues. Nevertheless, I can appreciate that Trump’s election did further the cause of populism generally insofar as it delivered the message of disaffection and disapproval to an unsympathetic and largely unaware ruling elite. It isn’t my intent to defend Trump personally. The man’s behavior and personality speaks loudly enough of his general unacceptability. I feel little need to pile on gratuitous criticisms besides. I will, however, speak up for his supporters, many of whom I know personally, against sweeping negative stereotypes such as those which you seem to favor. Accusing ‘those at the bottom’ of mindless hate sounds like a way to dismiss their grievances and arguments as stupid or irrelevant without having to actually address them on an intellectual level, an ad hominem attack applied to a broad group. The poor benighted peasants with their backward ways just don’t know what’s good for them, or some such nonsense. If this was not your intent, I apologize but nevertheless would advise you to choose your words more carefully in the future. We would properly ignore and roundly condemn such arguments were they aimed toward a racial or religious minority. I see no reason why we should accept the same logic for any other group.
I guess this is how you operate, twisting the meaning of what someone else said to make some over elaborate point or other…in tedious detail.
Do feel free not to reply to my comments. Save us both the time.
My reply was intended to be constructive, yours was a hatchet job hence my last comment. No worries, though, I’ve learned my lesson.
My reply was intended to be constructive, yours was a hatchet job hence my last comment. No worries, though, I’ve learned my lesson.
aka that you don’t understand?
Do feel free not to reply to my comments. Save us both the time.
aka that you don’t understand?
In fact, now that we’ve left NYC and moved to the ‘country’ – the locals in our small town are refreshingly honest & intelligent. I don’t miss the neuroticism that pervades NYC.
I guess this is how you operate, twisting the meaning of what someone else said to make some over elaborate point or other…in tedious detail.
In fact, now that we’ve left NYC and moved to the ‘country’ – the locals in our small town are refreshingly honest & intelligent. I don’t miss the neuroticism that pervades NYC.
Trump might have been motivated by self-interest but he got lots done especially in abolishing regulations that were hindering economic growth. When he left we had 1.6% inflation versus 6-10% today and gas prices were low compared to today even though Joe Biden’s administration has depleted the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for essentially political purposes, an unwise move in a precarious, warring world. Trump questioned NATO and called for a reassessment- much needed after 70 years; He pressed the Europeans to live up to their obligations before they were forced to faced with Russian aggression. Trump never started nor exacerbated a world conflict whereas Joe Biden ordered what turned out to be a chaotic, death-filled withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump also had the USA southern border under control: Biden has allowed it to be open. Gotta admit though it’s been amusing watching NYC struggle with housing 50,000 illegals (glad I left the city when Idid).Trump delivered lots and folks know it….
Trump had, able advisors: his knowledge of economics and markets does not exist: the ONLY benefit Trump had was the he was too ill educated and stupid to read, let alone understand, and certainly not create and implement anything! One of the unrivalled strengths of the US system is that government advisors, not least in the Fed and Treasury are a superbly efficient and highly educated machine, that arguably work far better with Trump in situ, as they can get on with the job without him getting involved, precisely because he does not have the mental capacity to read or understand the necessary voluminous paperwork involved in running a government!
What utter twaddle.
Please elaborate in detail, pointing out where you consider my observations to be incorrect?
Please elaborate in detail, pointing out where you consider my observations to be incorrect?
You have characterized the man very accurately! Excellent comment!
What utter twaddle.
You have characterized the man very accurately! Excellent comment!
Trump had, able advisors: his knowledge of economics and markets does not exist: the ONLY benefit Trump had was the he was too ill educated and stupid to read, let alone understand, and certainly not create and implement anything! One of the unrivalled strengths of the US system is that government advisors, not least in the Fed and Treasury are a superbly efficient and highly educated machine, that arguably work far better with Trump in situ, as they can get on with the job without him getting involved, precisely because he does not have the mental capacity to read or understand the necessary voluminous paperwork involved in running a government!
I think that you underestimate ‘those at the bottom’, perhaps because they are ‘uneducated’, ‘low information’, or some other such category that sounds intelligent and scientific but that functions in much the same way as a racial slur, as a form of in-group/out-group signaling for some reason still deemed acceptable by whoever it is that determines such things, or perhaps out of personal dislike. In either case, I must point out those you broadly paint as ‘those at the bottom’ as ‘hating others who are just like them’ are a diverse and heterogenous group with a variety of different religions, races, and values whose views differ on many issues but who nevertheless share a certain skepticism towards the status quo and the classes, organizations, and individuals who tend to benefit from the status quo. Even the term, populist, has been used variously to refer to groups across the political spectrum on both the left and right who represent insurgent, underrepresented groups against established interests. There is no established populist platform, only a general anti-establishment sentiment accompanied by an amalgam of whatever policies are pursued by those who are tagged with the populist label. The fact that personalities and policy platforms as different as Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, and Rand Paul in the US and the even more varied approaches outside the US, such as Orban, Le Pen, Bolsonaro, etc. have been labelled populist speaks to the nebulous and shifting nature of the term. Trump’s particular flavor of populism is unappealing to many, including myself. I personally prefer those who are more soft spoken and libertarian leaning, such as Rand Paul, or whose policies are more specifically targeted at the most problematic policies, individuals, and organizations, such as Bernie Sanders, despite the fact that they come from opposite ends of the political spectrum and differ greatly on most issues. Nevertheless, I can appreciate that Trump’s election did further the cause of populism generally insofar as it delivered the message of disaffection and disapproval to an unsympathetic and largely unaware ruling elite. It isn’t my intent to defend Trump personally. The man’s behavior and personality speaks loudly enough of his general unacceptability. I feel little need to pile on gratuitous criticisms besides. I will, however, speak up for his supporters, many of whom I know personally, against sweeping negative stereotypes such as those which you seem to favor. Accusing ‘those at the bottom’ of mindless hate sounds like a way to dismiss their grievances and arguments as stupid or irrelevant without having to actually address them on an intellectual level, an ad hominem attack applied to a broad group. The poor benighted peasants with their backward ways just don’t know what’s good for them, or some such nonsense. If this was not your intent, I apologize but nevertheless would advise you to choose your words more carefully in the future. We would properly ignore and roundly condemn such arguments were they aimed toward a racial or religious minority. I see no reason why we should accept the same logic for any other group.
Trump might have been motivated by self-interest but he got lots done especially in abolishing regulations that were hindering economic growth. When he left we had 1.6% inflation versus 6-10% today and gas prices were low compared to today even though Joe Biden’s administration has depleted the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for essentially political purposes, an unwise move in a precarious, warring world. Trump questioned NATO and called for a reassessment- much needed after 70 years; He pressed the Europeans to live up to their obligations before they were forced to faced with Russian aggression. Trump never started nor exacerbated a world conflict whereas Joe Biden ordered what turned out to be a chaotic, death-filled withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump also had the USA southern border under control: Biden has allowed it to be open. Gotta admit though it’s been amusing watching NYC struggle with housing 50,000 illegals (glad I left the city when Idid).Trump delivered lots and folks know it….
tl:dr
Trump?… upper class? ” super wealthy aristocrats”?….!!!!!
There is something of the carnival barker about Trump. The guy at the door of Barnum and Bailey. You can certainly see it in his pre-presidential TV appearances. That’s very American. The people see it, the people know.
The wisdom of a nation is in its people, to quote a well-known British politician.
The people I know who voted for Brexit were voting for change, as they didn’t feel the status quo worked for them or their communities, and things were getting worse not better. The problem was that those who they empowered to deliver Brexit had no interest in changing the status quo, they were just another branch of the same establishment who benefited from the way things were.
For communities left behind in the USA, by globalisation and outsourcing etc., who saw Clinton as the embodiment of the establishment Trump seemed to offer an alternative. But, for the reasons you identified, Trump was motivated only by self interest and, of course, one of his first acts was unfunded tax cuts for the rich and the corporations, the very thing they thought a vote against Clinton would prevent. And Trump governed through grievance politics leaving the US as divided, arguably more divided, than when he arrived, and the status quo still firmly in place.
The people in power, whether left or right, have no interest in change because they are they fear they will lose, and they are greedy. The media, certainly the Murdoch empire, also have no interest in change so would rather feed culture wars to divert the masses.
At the moment, those at the bottom, or even those further up the food chain who don’t really belong to the elite, are OK with hating others who are, really, just like them. But sooner or later, they may realise they have been fooled and who knows what might happen then.
tl:dr
Trump?… upper class? ” super wealthy aristocrats”?….!!!!!
There is something of the carnival barker about Trump. The guy at the door of Barnum and Bailey. You can certainly see it in his pre-presidential TV appearances. That’s very American. The people see it, the people know.
The wisdom of a nation is in its people, to quote a well-known British politician.
I have stated this before on Unherd, so it’s nice to hear it from an actual professional, that Trump’s enemies have always had it backwards. Trump is what he always was, a showman, a salesman, a circus conductor, a flim flam man, a gambler and a dealer. He’s the sort of man who, had he not been born into wealth, probably would have ended up as a used car salesman, a game show host, a mediocre comedian, or some other such profession that relies on the only above average ability Trump possesses, the ability to read people individually and collectively, identify what motivates them, and use that to get them to vote for him, or buy an overpriced jalopy, or just to get a laugh. When he entered politics and started reading the rooms he found himself in on campaign rallies, he suddenly sounded like a populist revolutionary, because that’s what the people wanted. It was not, notably, what the establishment of either party wanted then or now, but Trump did not care because while he was very much wealthy and upper class, he was never accepted by the wealthy and powerful into their innermost circles, for obvious reasons. It was that personal resentment and disregard for the others of his economic class that allowed him to channel the people’s anger. Now let’s all remember the full chorus of that Rolling Stones song.
“You can’t always get what you want, you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need.”
Neoliberal globalism was and is failing. Trump’s message, or more accurately the message of the people sent through Trump’s election, was the vehicle by which the people delivered that message to the establishment and very much analagous to the Brexit vote, a parallel Trump himself astutely identified when he, considerably less astutely, dubbed himself Mr. Brexit. It was a message long overdue. Speaking as someone who dislikes Trump and found the four years of his presidency both miserable and embarrassing, I concede that it, or something very much like it, needed to happen for history to move to the next phase, whatever that may be. It was a message of resentment, both broad and deep, of the powerlessness that the globalist world has brought us. It was a message of anger towards the diminishing power of individuals and elected governments in the face of impersonal economic forces, unelected bureaucracies, huge profit capturing global corporations, and super wealthy aristocrats. It’s a message that needed to be broadcast loud and clear to anyone who has power or influence in this world, and it has, though human nature is a stubborn thing, and hearing the message is not the same as accepting it. The people who hold power would do well to listen, lest they end up suffering the same ultimate fate as those who placed their hopes on Father Gapon to hold back the tide of history.
This is so good. I don’t find many writers who really seem to be able to understand this moment, what exactly it means, and why the uprisings against the government have been intensifying. They started around Y2K with the WTO protests and have only been getting more urgent. All you have to do is look at the two protests from the Summer and on Jan 6th to see an administration and a government that is in over its head.
This is so good. I don’t find many writers who really seem to be able to understand this moment, what exactly it means, and why the uprisings against the government have been intensifying. They started around Y2K with the WTO protests and have only been getting more urgent. All you have to do is look at the two protests from the Summer and on Jan 6th to see an administration and a government that is in over its head.
Good comments. I’ll throw in on the choice of President Trump’s inauguration music. “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones was a message to Hillary Clinton and the Democrats.
Good comments. I’ll throw in on the choice of President Trump’s inauguration music. “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones was a message to Hillary Clinton and the Democrats.
If the Dems don’t get him, The Swamp will.
If the Dems don’t get him, The Swamp will.
…the most astute and intelligent analysis of Donald Trump’s triumph, and role that I have seen…and British readers might note that although the relentless comparison between Trump and Boris Johnson is ludicrous…the men are fundamentally different in every respect possible bar the blonde bombshell hair, and the populist appeal (because the British People are NOT American, even the ones on the populist side of the argument)…Johnson’s role in this one respect is exactly the same…
…so getting rid of him by use of the kangaroo court currently sitting WON’T get rid of his supporters…they will just need a new leader, but one will certainly happen along in due course…and it will be no more Sir Keir Starmer than it is Rishi Sunak…
All of the polls indicate that Boris Johnson doesn’t have a lot of support in the country, and we know he doesn’t have much support in the Tory Party in Parliament. The current investigation into whether he misled Parliament was initiated after a vote in Parliament with no dissenting votes. The committee reflects the current composition of Parliament with 4 Tories, 2 from Labour and 1 from SNP. Kangaroo Court? Seriously?
Yes, seriously. It’s not me saying so, it’s one of our most senior lawyers, and Lib Dem peer, Lord Pannick KC.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/legal-opinion-by-lord-pannick-qc-relating-to-the-privileges-committee
Who is representing Boris Johnson at a cost of £220-250k to the taxpayer. Any court of law generally doesn’t make a judgement based only what the defence lawyer said (or there would be a lot more criminals out there).
Who is representing Boris Johnson at a cost of £220-250k to the taxpayer. Any court of law generally doesn’t make a judgement based only what the defence lawyer said (or there would be a lot more criminals out there).
Yes, seriously. It’s not me saying so, it’s one of our most senior lawyers, and Lib Dem peer, Lord Pannick KC.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/legal-opinion-by-lord-pannick-qc-relating-to-the-privileges-committee
Prime Minister Nigel Farage?
All of the polls indicate that Boris Johnson doesn’t have a lot of support in the country, and we know he doesn’t have much support in the Tory Party in Parliament. The current investigation into whether he misled Parliament was initiated after a vote in Parliament with no dissenting votes. The committee reflects the current composition of Parliament with 4 Tories, 2 from Labour and 1 from SNP. Kangaroo Court? Seriously?
Prime Minister Nigel Farage?
…the most astute and intelligent analysis of Donald Trump’s triumph, and role that I have seen…and British readers might note that although the relentless comparison between Trump and Boris Johnson is ludicrous…the men are fundamentally different in every respect possible bar the blonde bombshell hair, and the populist appeal (because the British People are NOT American, even the ones on the populist side of the argument)…Johnson’s role in this one respect is exactly the same…
…so getting rid of him by use of the kangaroo court currently sitting WON’T get rid of his supporters…they will just need a new leader, but one will certainly happen along in due course…and it will be no more Sir Keir Starmer than it is Rishi Sunak…
Trump is praying to be arrested – electoral catnip for his voters.
Trump is praying to be arrested – electoral catnip for his voters.
This is not all about Trump. DeSantis (or whoever) will suffer from the same anti-republican bias and two-tiered justice system as Trump. Probably worse if they are successful against #45.
This is not all about Trump. DeSantis (or whoever) will suffer from the same anti-republican bias and two-tiered justice system as Trump. Probably worse if they are successful against #45.
Much to be said for keeping Trump out of jail and into pole position for GOP nomination…if you are a Democrat.
Unfortunately for Democrats the legal system is not completely controlled by politicians and the Cogs of the Rule of Law are turning.
GOP will still secretly be hoping Jack Smith does them a real favour.
Much to be said for keeping Trump out of jail and into pole position for GOP nomination…if you are a Democrat.
Unfortunately for Democrats the legal system is not completely controlled by politicians and the Cogs of the Rule of Law are turning.
GOP will still secretly be hoping Jack Smith does them a real favour.
Whichever side you are on, there is no need to fight Trump or Woke excess: they are zombies, sustained by manipulation and victimhood – let them wither on the vine.
Whichever side you are on, there is no need to fight Trump or Woke excess: they are zombies, sustained by manipulation and victimhood – let them wither on the vine.
Why on Earth do you keep saying Trump was the 46th president??? He was the 45th. Whoever is running Biden is the 46th president.
Why on Earth do you keep saying Trump was the 46th president??? He was the 45th. Whoever is running Biden is the 46th president.
Hey, Swedish dude, Trump was the 45th president. Really, just stop writing about American politics.
It’s the only way anyone would read his work.
It’s the only way anyone would read his work.
Hey, Swedish dude, Trump was the 45th president. Really, just stop writing about American politics.
Interesting article thank you. The Russian historical figure I did not know and the anecdote about the booing of a self-sustaining, almost symbiotic crowd at Trump rallys were both fascinating
Interesting article thank you. The Russian historical figure I did not know and the anecdote about the booing of a self-sustaining, almost symbiotic crowd at Trump rallys were both fascinating
If trump committed a crime, it seems he’s committed many going back decades, he should be prosecuted. It shouldn’t matter that he’s famous or was a politician. Laws apply to everyone.
If trump committed a crime, it seems he’s committed many going back decades, he should be prosecuted. It shouldn’t matter that he’s famous or was a politician. Laws apply to everyone.
The important question is – did he commit a crime? Paying a porn star is rather distasteful, but not illegal, paying her to cover-up something that was embarrassing but not illegal is not a crime, however, if he fiddled his finances to cover-up that he made a payment then that is illegal, but this would have to be proved. You could argue that it’s not in the public interest to bring the case, but then this might be interpretated as there being one law for the rich and one for the poor. So, whatever the motivations of those bringing the case, only two points that need to be considered: was a crime committed? Is it in the public interest to bring a case? All else is noise.
The important question is – did he commit a crime? Paying a porn star is rather distasteful, but not illegal, paying her to cover-up something that was embarrassing but not illegal is not a crime, however, if he fiddled his finances to cover-up that he made a payment then that is illegal, but this would have to be proved. You could argue that it’s not in the public interest to bring the case, but then this might be interpretated as there being one law for the rich and one for the poor. So, whatever the motivations of those bringing the case, only two points that need to be considered: was a crime committed? Is it in the public interest to bring a case? All else is noise.
It speaks volumes about American average education, geographical insularity cum addiction to any screen be it phone, cinema or TV, that so many completely fail to see what a ridiculously implausible, farcical ignorant arrogant, creature Trump is? One can dislike and or disagree with any politician, but to have a president who is laughed at and derided worldwide, as some bit player from a Larry David show is dangerously frightening? The man is devoid of intellect, has the vocabulary of a twelve year old, and possesses no actual knowledge or experience of anything of consequence?
Just substitute Biden for Trump and you might have a valid point and something worth saying.
please elaborate?
please elaborate?
Just substitute Biden for Trump and you might have a valid point and something worth saying.
It speaks volumes about American average education, geographical insularity cum addiction to any screen be it phone, cinema or TV, that so many completely fail to see what a ridiculously implausible, farcical ignorant arrogant, creature Trump is? One can dislike and or disagree with any politician, but to have a president who is laughed at and derided worldwide, as some bit player from a Larry David show is dangerously frightening? The man is devoid of intellect, has the vocabulary of a twelve year old, and possesses no actual knowledge or experience of anything of consequence?
Sad and tragic for America. You can bet the ranch that when the Repubs own the White House and the House, there will be indictments for Biden and his cabinet, Obama and his cabinet, and the same will happen when the Dems are in if we, as a country go down this rabbit hole.
This is being led by the most inept, arrogant, and vindictive people this nation has ever seen. Revenge for EVERYTHING is their motto and since they own the Media, the Education establishment, the bureaucrats, and the National Security apparatus, they will double and triple down because they can.
I have no problem indicting any President as long as there is overwhelming evidence but this is not the case to set that precedent. If we continue to go down this path, the bumper stickers, Eat the Rich and Revolution is the only solution, will tragically come true.
Stand by.
Sad and tragic for America. You can bet the ranch that when the Repubs own the White House and the House, there will be indictments for Biden and his cabinet, Obama and his cabinet, and the same will happen when the Dems are in if we, as a country go down this rabbit hole.
This is being led by the most inept, arrogant, and vindictive people this nation has ever seen. Revenge for EVERYTHING is their motto and since they own the Media, the Education establishment, the bureaucrats, and the National Security apparatus, they will double and triple down because they can.
I have no problem indicting any President as long as there is overwhelming evidence but this is not the case to set that precedent. If we continue to go down this path, the bumper stickers, Eat the Rich and Revolution is the only solution, will tragically come true.
Stand by.
He was a great President. Lousy orator.
He was a great President. Lousy orator.