Trump: Comfort in Conspiracy

Published in 24 Heures
(Switzerland) on 11 May 2020
by Jean-Cosme Delaloye (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Anindita Jaggi. Edited by Margaret McIntyre.
Donald Trump promised that the coronavirus pandemic would disappear "like a miracle" (Feb. 28). That his government was "prepared" (March 10). That the virus would cause "very few deaths" (March 12). These promises echoed the ultimate promise that the New York billionaire sold to Americans in 2016: He was "the only one" who could "fix" the United States.

With less than six months remaining until the presidential election, the coronavirus pandemic has already killed 80,000 people and caused an unemployment rate of 14.5% in the U.S. Twitter, the mirror in which Trump seeks reassurance every morning, stubbornly refuses to reflect the best president in American history, which he claims to be. This has not prevented him from positioning the mirror of his presidency in such a way that it reflects an alternative image.

Trump also has an ability to bounce back, which the Democrats fear. He can count on the loyalty of the conservative media, on the silence of Republican members of Congress, and on the determination of his supporters to offer him the benefit of the doubt.

Moreover, the American president clings to conspiracy theories against him, hardly bothered by their contradictions. He can thus award himself "excellent marks" for his response to the pandemic, as he did on Sunday despite the heavy toll of the crisis. He can also claim to have known about the pandemic before everyone else (March 17) while announcing two days later that "no one knew there would be a pandemic."

Trump is putting up a smokescreen to attempt the greatest trick of his political career. The self-proclaimed chief repairman is going to ask a broken America to believe that nothing was his fault. And to reelect him.


Trump, le réconfort dans le complot

Donald Trump avait promis que la pandémie de coronavirus disparaîtrait comme «par miracle» (28 février). Que son gouvernement était «préparé» (10 mars). Que le virus ferait «très peu de morts» (12 mars). Des promesses qui faisaient l’écho de la promesse suprême que le milliardaire new-yorkais avait vendue aux Américains en 2016. À savoir qu’il était «le seul» à pouvoir «réparer» les États-Unis.

À moins de six mois de l’élection présidentielle, le coronavirus a déjà fait 80'000 morts et provoqué un taux de chômage de 14,5% outre-Atlantique. Le miroir sur Twitter dans lequel Donald Trump cherche chaque matin son réconfort refuse obstinément de lui projeter le reflet du meilleur président de l’histoire des États-Unis qu’il clame être. Cela ne l’empêche pas d’orienter le miroir de sa présidence de telle manière que celui-ci en renvoie une image alternative.

Donald Trump a d’ailleurs une capacité à rebondir que redoutent les démocrates. Il peut compter sur la fidélité des médias conservateurs, mais aussi sur le silence des parlementaires républicains et sur la détermination de ses supporters à lui donner le bénéfice du doute.

Le président américain se raccroche aussi aux théories du complot contre lui, qui ne s’embarrassent guère de leurs propres contradictions. Il peut ainsi s’octroyer d’«excellentes notes» pour son action face la pandémie comme il l’a fait dimanche malgré le lourd bilan de la crise. Il peut aussi affirmer avoir été au courant de la pandémie avant tout le monde (17 mars) tout en proclamant deux jours plus tard que «personne ne savait qu’il y aurait une pandémie».

Donald Trump brouille les pistes pour tenter le plus grand tour de sa carrière politique. Le réparateur en chef autoproclamé va demander à une Amérique brisée de croire que rien n’était de sa faute. Et de le réélire.
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