There is a lot to unpack here because of the many nuances that Ruth Ben-Ghiat specializes in.
I would characterize Trump as a one trick pony. He does not have that inventive, expansive mind. He is basically a grifter who focuses on exploiting the human condition of greed and self-interest. That's right - Trump thinks that there are enough…
There is a lot to unpack here because of the many nuances that Ruth Ben-Ghiat specializes in.
I would characterize Trump as a one trick pony. He does not have that inventive, expansive mind. He is basically a grifter who focuses on exploiting the human condition of greed and self-interest. That's right - Trump thinks that there are enough people who think just like him, so he uses his limited marketing talent to say, I'm just like you and together we can Make America Great Again. (Wink, wink) I'm your guy because like you I hate blacks and every other ethnicity that is not like us. If we get rid of them, there will be more for us. It is so basic, so seminal.
Of course, the Republican leadership is loving that Trump is shoring up a naturally declining base and is willing to thwart democracy to give the minority Republican Party unearned victories. For Trump, the party is a means to an end - wealth accumulation. In politics there are unlimited way to make a fast buck!
Trump has all the tendencies of a strongman, but his motivation is different. It is not power for the sake of power (which automatically ensures a grand lifestyle), like every other autocrat; it is strictly about wealth accumulation. Trump sees himself as being the richest person in the world. Trump thinks less about power and more about control. People who constantly gauge how much control they have keep score. Scorekeepers naturally are vindictive and petty. Sound familiar?
They could possibly be characterized as a jealous spawned lover who goes berserk, they are that petty. But they also sit at their chess boards each night plotting next moves/ counter moves as distractions to reality. It overtakes their every thought.
There is a lot to unpack here because of the many nuances that Ruth Ben-Ghiat specializes in.
I would characterize Trump as a one trick pony. He does not have that inventive, expansive mind. He is basically a grifter who focuses on exploiting the human condition of greed and self-interest. That's right - Trump thinks that there are enough people who think just like him, so he uses his limited marketing talent to say, I'm just like you and together we can Make America Great Again. (Wink, wink) I'm your guy because like you I hate blacks and every other ethnicity that is not like us. If we get rid of them, there will be more for us. It is so basic, so seminal.
Of course, the Republican leadership is loving that Trump is shoring up a naturally declining base and is willing to thwart democracy to give the minority Republican Party unearned victories. For Trump, the party is a means to an end - wealth accumulation. In politics there are unlimited way to make a fast buck!
Trump has all the tendencies of a strongman, but his motivation is different. It is not power for the sake of power (which automatically ensures a grand lifestyle), like every other autocrat; it is strictly about wealth accumulation. Trump sees himself as being the richest person in the world. Trump thinks less about power and more about control. People who constantly gauge how much control they have keep score. Scorekeepers naturally are vindictive and petty. Sound familiar?
They could possibly be characterized as a jealous spawned lover who goes berserk, they are that petty. But they also sit at their chess boards each night plotting next moves/ counter moves as distractions to reality. It overtakes their every thought.