The American election happened three weeks ago and to my relief, Donald Trump was defeated handily by Joe Biden and the Democrats. Some 80 million people voted for Biden —the largest number of voters to vote for one man in any election in American history. Still, for those of us who politically tend to lean left of centre, it was all bittersweet. Americans did not give Trump the repudiation that many of us expected and desired.
Quite the opposite. Trump was defeated but he still received the second highest number of votes in history. Incredibly, some 74 million people voted for him and his policies.
That is not pocket change. How could so many people support someone who is a consummate liar and cheat? Someone who is amoral and absolutely self-centered? Someone who lacks empathy and has little regard for his country and its people?
CONFESSION: all of us who loathe Trump are really bothered by the large number of supporters that he has managed to persuade and even inspire. (even in Canada) Could there be two versions of reality? Are there parallel universes where Biden and Trump are valid presidential candidates, respectively? To be blunt, how could people who voted for the “other candidate” be so stupid and blind?
Recently I was thinking about what it was about Trump that appealed to so many. The list below is not exhaustive but it comprises the main traits that I would agree are positive about the man. Until you get to know him, that is.
First, the man is charming. There is an infectious energy and “can do” attitude about him when you first meet him that is hard to ignore. He appears earnest —even when he lies which is about 95% of the time. His announcements are couched in hyperbole. Everything he does is “the best anyone has ever seen.” His movements are followed by the largest crowds; his ideas result in the biggest successes, etc. There is nothing he does that could be described as average or ordinary. Common obstacles that would impede the average mortal are not for him; everything is possible and attainable. In short he is more a god than a human being.
Second, he is sure of himself like no other. Unobstructed by science, logic or even the opinion of others, he presents his reality as indisputable fact. You want to argue with his facts and interpretations but he is so enthusiastic about his version of things that, in the moment at least, you prefer to doubt yourself. How refreshing to meet someone who is so sure of….everything!
Third, he is neither complicated nor nuanced. He talks like your neighbour and not at all like a starched, two-faced politician. As such he appears accessible and relatable. He speaks without prepared notes. His movements are quick. His tempo is quick. He gets thing done. His sentences are incomplete and his logic is suspect, but you feel as if he just wants to help. He tweets like the guy down the street. He has no time for committees and delays. He has a job to do!
Fourth, there is a child-likeness about him. He always speaks his mind. He does not hide emotional outbursts and is not afraid to utter the thing that everyone else dances around. He is honest and good willed! Even when he says something fantastical, you want to gloss over the inaccuracies and just honour his apparent desire to please and be transparent with you.
Finally he is the perennial underdog that refuses to be coerced by the bullies of Washington society. He is not from Washington. He does not follow silly rules and traditions. It is entertaining and inspiring to watch him thwart and frustrate, delay and reject anyone and everyone who stands in his way. He appears courageous and oh what gall! We can’t look away. Who is this guy? Can he really get away with that? Like watching a class clown toy with a substitute teacher, he is riveting entertainment.
Unfortunately, as time passes it becomes evident that Trump the man is a very flawed human being. His words hurt real people and his actions have real, devastating consequences. What is positive about him is soon discounted by his infinite self-absorption and pathological narcissism; by his lack of empathy and general absence of normal values. He is neither a successful businessman, an honest person nor an example of success in any way.
While it is entertaining to watch someone perform without hindrance or indecision against a myriad of challenges, you would not and could not really live with such a person. Upon a closer look, he is just a shell of a man who has no plan or vision for anything. A charlatan who has managed to fool himself.
While his fellow Americans cope with the Covid virus he decides to go golfing. While his fellow Americans line up for donations of food he focuses on perpetuating the lie that the election was stolen.
It is heart-breaking to see how little about life he has really learned, by age 74. All of us fantasize about having a fraction of his financial wealth but no one would really want to trade places with such a man who is so empty inside. Years ago, in an interview with Oprah, he confessed that he was actually quite “lonely.” Perhaps this is the only time he has told the truth.