When Donald Trump presented himself as a candidate for the Republican Party, everyone laughed. Good, that should be fun! Nobody could have believed that one day, he would be an important player. With his orange hairdo, he could be at best the party’s Youppi,* its mascot, distracting, but incapable of gaining points.
He launched his campaign with a bombshell: “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best; they’re not sending you … They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.” That’s all — subtle like a truck! His solution to counter Mexican immigration is to build a wall along the border, with Mexico assuming the cost. Of course, no problemo, Mexico only has to pay for its neighbor’s wall.
All of the billionaire’s inability to rise to the level of a statesman was contained in this declaration, insulting an entire people and proposing a wall of shame. A great plan. Commentators are certain: His campaign is on its last legs. Astonishingly, according to the first polls, his campaign is still very much alive. Really? It could only be a question of time until the next slip-up. His time would come.
Blunders are not lacking. Donald makes one each day, declarations so huge that they put an end to anyone’s political ambitions — anyone, that is, except Donald.
In regard to Hillary Clinton, he tweeted: “Hillary Clinton can’t satisfy her husband, what makes her think she can satisfy America?” With regard to Fox News journalist Megyn Kelly, he said that she had asked him unfair questions because she was on her period: “You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her wherever.”
Compared to Donald Trump, Mike Ward seems like Charles Tisseyre.*
His racist, misogynist remarks and his heinous remarks have not lost him support. On the contrary, the more he is talked about, the more people want to vote for him.
The more Donald Trump says silly things, the more he convinces everyone. And he knows it. Last week he declared, “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.” Freak out! An American presidential candidate who compares himself to a crazy shooter. Imagine if Hillary Clinton had said that. Goodbye, White House, hello, Sun Residences. But with Donald, it’s allowed. Because he has a reason. For the past few months, Trump has been in the middle of 5th Avenue in New York, and he fires insanities without losing a single voter. In fact, he’s gaining.
Why? Because Trump is in his element. He might be a neophyte in politics, but a presidential race is not politics. It’s a popularity contest. And popularity contests are Trump’s life: He is Miss Universe. His opponents don’t have any weight. The more he scandalizes, the more everyone fights over him. Comedians mock him, but they are the first to invite him on their shows. Trump has toured all the talk shows. And yet, he has the last laugh. Saturday Night Live imitates and twists him in derision, but when all is said and done, that is when Saturday Night Live records its best ratings. And we laugh with him.
Therein lies the problem: No one is afraid of Donald Trump. His fans view him as a messiah. Those whom he shocks with his proposals view him as a buffoon.
There’s no one to put him in the hot seat; no one to tear his arguments to pieces; nobody to make people realize the danger he represents. His Republican Party rivals play supporting roles in the “Donald Trump Show.” When they speak, we still look at him. He gesticulates. He sighs. He grimaces. Donald Trump even fascinates those who don’t think like him.
It’s been months since he announced the explosion of his bubble. And the bubble is holding up as well as his toupee. In Loto-Quebec’s new political lottery, Trump has the best odds of becoming the Republican candidate in the presidential elections. Experts can say that it won’t happen, but the money says otherwise.
Donald trump incarnates the political spectacle. He is the Frank Underwood of “House of Cards” come to life.
Eight years ago, Obama made America dream. He promised purity, equality, hope. Eight years later, nothing has changed.
America is immunized against beautiful speeches; these no longer convince anyone. Trump promises power, money and glory — in short, everything that convinces the desperate; everything that convinces those who no longer believe in anything.
One can’t be afraid of anything when one believes that the worst has already arrived.
However, the main characteristic of an empire is to grow worse.
*Editor’s note: Youppi is a Canadian Montreal mascot.
**Editor’s note: Mike Ward is a Canadian stand-up comedian. Charles Tisseyre is a journalist, TV host and science writer.
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