Trump, a Tragic Figure
Published in Le Journal de Quebec
(Canada) on 4 October 2020
by Claude Villeneuve (link to
original)
He was a boy whom everyone found annoying, who found a medical excuse for not going off to fight like the other young people his age.
It was with his father’s money that Donald Trump got his start in business: “Fake it until you make it.” A closer look at his tax returns speaks to a financial success with no foundation, built on multiple bankruptcies, badly backed loans, and abuse of employees and business partners.
Finding Love
Trump pined for respect from people in power. Politicians, financiers, he wanted to impress them all. He found consolation by gaining public attention through stardom, keeping models as company and hosting reality TV.
After being humiliated by Barack Obama during a dinner, Trump found his passion by turning his attention to regular people. From them, he gained the esteem and recognition that even those close to him had always denied him.
But Trump doesn’t really like regular people. We've seen him mock a veteran who had just given him one of his medals of bravery, and visit the site of a tragedy and ignore its victims by bringing attention to himself.
To add to the tragedy, Trump became president by getting fewer votes than his opponent, and he incessantly denies it. The truth is most Americans will never like him.
Bedridden and Hidden
Trump made sure to always project strength. He refused to admit any weakness by pretending to have physical and mental capacities worthy of North Korean propaganda while also making fun of the impairments of others.
And then suddenly, a virus. A microscopic particle whose seriousness Trump denied and that he continued to say would go away if we just ignored it. Now we find the president of the world's greatest power in bed, forced into hiding to deny a reality he cannot admit — that the virus he neglected could very well kill him.
And the whole world is watching for any sign of weakness.
The story of Trump really is a sad one.
It was with his father’s money that Donald Trump got his start in business: “Fake it until you make it.” A closer look at his tax returns speaks to a financial success with no foundation, built on multiple bankruptcies, badly backed loans, and abuse of employees and business partners.
Finding Love
Trump pined for respect from people in power. Politicians, financiers, he wanted to impress them all. He found consolation by gaining public attention through stardom, keeping models as company and hosting reality TV.
After being humiliated by Barack Obama during a dinner, Trump found his passion by turning his attention to regular people. From them, he gained the esteem and recognition that even those close to him had always denied him.
But Trump doesn’t really like regular people. We've seen him mock a veteran who had just given him one of his medals of bravery, and visit the site of a tragedy and ignore its victims by bringing attention to himself.
To add to the tragedy, Trump became president by getting fewer votes than his opponent, and he incessantly denies it. The truth is most Americans will never like him.
Bedridden and Hidden
Trump made sure to always project strength. He refused to admit any weakness by pretending to have physical and mental capacities worthy of North Korean propaganda while also making fun of the impairments of others.
And then suddenly, a virus. A microscopic particle whose seriousness Trump denied and that he continued to say would go away if we just ignored it. Now we find the president of the world's greatest power in bed, forced into hiding to deny a reality he cannot admit — that the virus he neglected could very well kill him.
And the whole world is watching for any sign of weakness.
The story of Trump really is a sad one.
Previous article![]( "Inconvenient Truths")
Next article![]( "The China-West Detente: Logic of Engagement")