American political election campaigns have never been known to be the most genteel of events. Richard Nixon delivered his famous “Checkers” speech where, among other things, he proclaimed that his wife only wore a Republican cloth coat not a fancy fur. F.D.R. lambasted his Republican opponents for attacking his “little dog Fala.” The charges of loose morals made against Bill Clinton and John Kennedy were legion. None of these Presidents or presidential candidates, however, ever campaigned in a manner that was consistently found to be lying and denying facts, as has former President Donald Trump.
From his days as a real estate tycoon in New York City to his career as the host and focus of his own television reality show, Donald Trump has never felt the need to play by any traditional rules. He believed he could spin every issue in his favor, and was always prepared to blame his opponents or adversaries when he was caught red-handed with his hand in the “cookie-jar.”
Telling the truth and accepting responsibility for his actions is not part of his character. Trump is always blaming others for all his own petulant remarks and picadilloes. It is this character flaw that dominated former President Trump’s conduct throughout his four years in the White House. It continues to be employed now in his campaign to be re-elected. Ironically, it is this side of Donald Trump’s persona that actually is admired by so many of his minions; especially lower-middle-class, non-college educated, White males.
This most ugly manifestation of this side of Trump’s personality was in full view during his recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery. It was not only that Trump was accused by cemetery staff, at this most sacred of spaces, of politicizing his visit there; but he chose this opportunity to once again demean and denigrate Americans who gave their lives on behalf of the nation. For many observers, there almost was no plausible explanation that Trump could offer for his behavior and subsequent misconduct; yet he did so.
Perhaps what is most alarming about this particular incident is the fact that Trump’s supporters, many of whom undoubtedly served in the U.S. military and probably have comrades who are buried in Arlington, appear to have given Trump a free pass for his behavior. It is inexplicable that Trump can continue to be excused even for this most offensive of incidents. How former military personnel, especially non-officers, are willing to tolerate Trump’s disregard and disrespect for the military is indeed a mystery.
Trump’s behavior at Arlington and his subsequent comments about what transpired there suggest two very alarming facts about Trump’s campaign and his supporters. It is inexplicable how former President Trump devotees—among which are many former military service persons—are willing to find a positive message within Trumps dissing of their fallen comrades. Are there no insults beyond which they would no longer be able to tolerate and excuse him?
What is much even more scary and has been circulating in the background since Donald Trump first ran for office, is the fact that Trump absolutely believes that the Armed Services owe their first and supreme loyalty to the President, not to the country or to the Constitution. It is this core group of Trump supporters who are waiting to be mobilized, as many of them probably were on January 6, 2021.
What Donald Trump and the Trump campaign have lacked most has been the availability of a para-military force ready to be mobilized to overthrow the results of the November 6 election, if necessary. Former President Trump needs a force to secure a victory for himself after he declares that his “victory” was stolen from him. It could well be just such a group of retired military loyalists who could be mobilized to enable Trump to regain the White House. Such a para-military group, which America has never known but is present in most authoritarian regimes, that could guarantee Trump’s triumphant return to power.
Trump repeatedly lies and denies facts with which he disagrees. He charges that all media comments that are not positive must be “fake news”. This enables him to convince his core supporters to believe his version of the “truth”. It is this character which will be on display next week during his debate with Vice-President Harris. One must assume based on prior performances that Donald Trump will be unable to tolerate any verbal attacks against his interpretation of the facts. It is going to be a test as to whether his political core will continue to go to the barricades for him.
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