Now and again, the torrent of stories serves up a grim little reminder: Possibly Donald Trump wasn’t totally mistaken in his cultural critiques. Not as a result of he’s a prophet — God forbid — however as a result of America has gone thus far off the rails that his perspective begins to make a specific amount of sense.
That’s the temper I’ve been in currently.
And no, I’m not simply speaking in regards to the current spate of tales about Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and what many see as a cover-up. Nor am I speaking about studies that Dems are spending $20 million to attempt to discover ways to (re)join with alienated American males who really feel ignored and see the Democratic Occasion as too weak. These are simply subplots.
I’m speaking about how President Trump — for all his bluster, baggage and baffling syntax — continues to talk to realities that well mannered society has determined are too ugly to debate. Issues like uncontrolled immigration, violent crime and overseas adversaries who giggle at perceived American weak point.
Think about the next, if solely as case research on why Trump’s darkish little worldview continues to resonate.
Exhibit A: Mohammed Sabry Soliman, the Egyptian nationwide accused of lobbing Molotov cocktails throughout an antisemitic assault in Boulder, Colo., had overstayed his visa and filed for asylum. It’s not a great search for our immigration coverage — as if we’re importing our personal pogroms.
Exhibit B: In Virginia, body-cam footage exhibits Jamal Wali — an Afghan who was an interpreter for U.S. forces — opening hearth on police throughout a visitors cease and shouting that he ought to’ve joined the Taliban. Which raises the uncomfortable query: How totally are we vetting the folks we carry into this nation?
Exhibit C: Omer Shem Tov, a not too long ago freed Israeli hostage, informed CNN that his captors out of the blue handled him higher after Trump gained the 2024 election. It wasn’t as a result of they favored Trump, however as a result of they have been terrified of him. Which, oddly sufficient, might have been a facet impact of Trump’s posturing to look powerful.
Individually, these tales could possibly be dismissed as one-offs. Collectively, they sketch a crude, uncomfortable fact: Trump’s instincts — nonetheless vulgar — usually land someplace within the neighborhood of prescient.
For instance, the current wave of assaults on Jewish Individuals comes because the Trump administration is citing campus antisemitism as justification for deportations and cuts to college funding.
On the identical time, Trump has blocked most refugees from coming into America and not too long ago pushed to end protections for Afghan interpreters and other wartime allies.
Whereas many people decry the shortage of compassion and inhumanity inherent in these insurance policies, Trump’s message is caveman-simple: Concern works.
Even terrorists perceive it. That’s the entire level of “peace via energy.” The dangerous guys get it. And, more and more, so do voters.
To the taste-making class, these issues may not matter a lot. However out in the actual world — you recognize, the place folks lock their doorways and pay their taxes — they’re not theoretical. They’re Tuesday.
Now, does this imply Trump’s options are good? Authorized? Morally defensible? No. He governs like a man with a hammer who thinks all the pieces is a nail. However, within the eyes of many Individuals, not less than he’s swinging the rattling factor. In the meantime, Democrats seem like they’re ready for permission to open their very own toolbox.
That is the terrain Trump thrives on. He tasks dominance — or not less than the phantasm of it — whereas his opponents are giving HR-executive vibes.
And right here’s the loopy half: Beneath the layers of narcissism, the carnival barking and the conspiracy-peddling, there are hints of greatness — a blueprint for critical management that addresses lingering, neglected issues.
Sadly, it’s one which Trump himself won’t ever comply with.
Think about a model of him — stripped of the spite, grift and performative rage — who really cared about governing. He’d repair the asylum system. Fund immigration judges to do correct vetting. Appoint competent folks as an alternative of members of the family and sycophants to run our intel and protection departments. Cease attempting to undermine the rule of legislation. Communicate in full sentences.
He may weed out really harmful parts, scare the hell out of our international enemies and nonetheless earn the respect of our buddies and allies.
I may go on.
However that’s fantasy speak. Like attempting to show a bear ballet — you’ll waste your time and doubtless get mauled.
As a result of Trump doesn’t need to govern. He needs to dominate. He needs spectacle. He needs the feud. The person’s not excited about constructing — solely demolishing.
It’s the distinction between being a strongman, a showman and a statesman. Trump is aware of how one can be the primary two. He has no use for the latter.
And that’s the tragic comedy of all of it. Whereas liberals faux the smoke isn’t there, Trump sees the hearth — and as an alternative of reaching for a hose, he grabs a fuel can.
In the meantime, voters who’re exhausted, scared and indignant maintain pondering, “Effectively, not less than he observed the hearth.”
Matt Ok. Lewis is the creator of “Filthy Wealthy Politicians” and “Too Dumb to Fail.”
