The Audacity of a Trailblazer
By James Banakis
August 8, 2025
There’s a delightful Irish story about two young boys who come upon a high wall in an orchard, and while they considered ending their journey, one of the boys grabs the other boys’ hat and tosses it over the wall. The hat disappearing ended a debate that ensued.
They were obliged to follow it. Throwing a hat over the wall implies that, in the face of an obstruction standing between you and your goal, the first step is to act rapidly, and courageously. It becomes a promise you make to yourself doing what’s required. Consequently, what was once viewed as impossible becomes possible. President Kennedy used this story to lead the country into the new frontier of space travel.
I’ve always remembered it because it resonates with every kid who has spent a summer day exploring the neighborhood with his buddies. Everything was an adventure new and exciting but scary too.
When you really break down the hat flinging story, it’s how we first convince others to trust and follow us. Conversely, it’s how we first put our trust in someone other than our parents or reject it.
It’s our baptism into the wonderful world of politics. The father of political science was Aristotle. He viewed politics as a natural extension of human survival. He believed that humans were “political animals” by nature. He has always been one of my favorite philosophers because so many of his viewpoints can be applied to business.
Aristotle determined that the role of the leader is to create the environment in which all associates of an organization could fulfill their own potential. I think he would have enjoyed the story of the boy’s predicament at the wall. In any gathering of humans there are the leaders and there are the followers.
The leaders are the risktakers, the hat flingers, and among the followers are the ones telling everyone why a plan is not going to work, usually without offering an alternative. To me this best describes the situation we’re in politically today both domestically and internationally.
As I collect my thoughts on politics this morning, my Alexa machine just told me that it’s 5:07a.m. What’s on my mind this morning? I am thinking about one of the always astute observations from Victor Davis Hanson.
Whenever I discuss President Trump with anybody the reaction is rapid and intense. It ranges from admiration and support to disgust and revulsion. I get it. There is, it seems no middle ground. Thus, it has always been with consequential figures throughout history.
Their presence in the world is so large that they are underestimated, even reviled by their distractors. The Trump enemies will hate to hear this, but he is changing the Presidency and international relations for the better, forever. The entire world is in the midst of a revolution.
The old methods of diplomacy and political subterfuge are being laid on the trash heap of history. Most just don’t realize it yet. Revolutions begin with a spark. It might be someone who has had enough and stands a to speak out at a city council meeting or at the back of a ticket counter line.
The stimulus of revolution is widespread discontent fueled by rudderless, selfish, ineffective, woke leadership, leadership without accountability. Enter Donald Trump who like the Howard Beale character in the 1976 film “Network,” was mad as Hell and was not going to take it anymore. Trump boorishly elbowed out of his way all the opposition.
We all, whether we were entertained or put off, waited for him to burn out and return to “The Apprentice.” After all he wasn’t following the dignified rules of political etiquette. This however was not a time for politeness. The public stood up and took notice.
Discussing his insightful book, “The Soul of Battle,” Victor Davis Hanson compared Donald Trump to General Patton. Patton’s decisive, unconventional, aggressive and blunt strengths were invaluable in war, but were not always suitable once the war was won.
Like Trump, Patton thrived on chaos and confrontation. Hanson likens this type of leadership to a Greek tragedy. Once the protagonist’s role to play in a certain time and place is satisfied, they may no longer have a usefulness in society.
Accordingly, once that type of hero leader is successful, he rides off into the sunset or simply disappears. Which is perfect for President Trump who will be termed out in three years. That gives him enough time at his current pace to fundamentally change the Presidency and the country in a historic manner. The last president to change the very essence of the presidency, was John Kennedy. The way he held a press conference, his beautiful stylish wife, the way he delivered Theodore Sorenson’s crafted speeches on television.
His wit and charm became the template for all who have since run for that office. Most of Kennedy’s changes were more images and less substance. Trump’s changes will be more profound, authentic, and lasting. The old rule book has been demolished. He’s nearly eighty years old and he’s in constant motion.
A few days ago, he was on the roof of the White House taking questions from the press. Like me, you may have noticed that Trump doesn’t give formal Presidential addresses from the Oval Office.
Speeches which in the past have been crafted and agonized over by 5 or 6 speech writers. Trump’s speeches are all like the opening address George C. Scott gives in the Movie, “Patton.” They’re blunt, graphic, full of flattery, mockery, encouragement, and a cry to follow him or get the hell out of the way. The setting usually is at one of his rallies, or at a podium in the East Room surrounded by American flags. Again, like Patton’s address.
Professor Hanson also likens Trump’s determined break-neck pace during his first 6 months to Patton’s 3rd army’s full blast attack from Normandy to the Rhine River. Hanson refers to this leadership style as audacity. Keeping the opposition confused, and in complete disarray. The leader in this case Trump is the tip of the spear. His administration follows to implement his agendas. He demonstrates every day, whether you agree with his policies or not that he was born to lead. The press, because of Trump, is in the process of changing forever. Newspapers and network news are becoming a thing of the past.
Today, most concerned Americans receive their news and analysis from internet sites like you’re doing right now on John Kass News. Presidential press conferences had morphed from presidents taking a few pre-agreed upon questions from friendly reporters to Trump’s 90 minute plus marathon information confrontations. He continues to take all questions until the reporters give up in exhaustion.
At the end of the opening sequence of the movie, “Patton,” Patton looks out over the audience and says, “Ok you son of a bitches, now you know how I feel.” This to me is the same posture that Trump has at the end of his dealing with the press. Good luck to someone like Kamala Harris having to follow that performance.
Lastly, Trump has a lifetime of executive business experience at the highest level. He is a graduate of the Wharton school of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, along with fellow alumnae, Elon Musk and Warren Buffet among other leaders. He’s a builder who has had winners and losers like most successful businesspersons. Anyone who has ever run successful businesses will tell you that occasional failures are part of the evolution of business acumen.
It teaches one to embrace risk and learn how to win. Like Patton in the opening speech pointing out that Americans, love a winner, and hate losing. Again, good luck to anyone running for president who tells us like Obama, that our best days are behind us. Good luck shaming Americans or trying to fundamentally change our national character. Good luck to any candidate who runs having never met a payroll. Trump has made all this a requirement.
Most people don’t like change. They rebel against it unless they can clearly see the benefit it brings. For that reason, when great leaders prepare to act or make changes, they take people through a progression to get them prepared for it. For the past decade Trump has done this, and we are living through it in real time. Usually, I’m entertained but mildly skeptical of Trump’s boastful forecasts. During one of his always engaging rallies President Trump once forewarned the audience.
“We’re going to win. We’re going to win so much. We’re going to win at trade; we’re going to win at the border. We’re going to win so much, you’re going to be so sick and tired of winning, you’re going to come to me and go ‘Please, please, we can’t win anymore.’. You’ll say ‘Please, Mr. President, we beg you sir, we don’t want to win anymore. It’s too much. It’s not fair to everybody else. And I’m going to say, ‘I’m sorry, but we’re going to keep winning, winning, winning, we’re going to make America great again.”
I’ll be damned, if he’s not in the process of making it all happen, just as he said it would. It’s just like the Third Army charging across the Rhine. Does anyone care to guess what type of hat Trump threw over the proverbial wall obliging us to follow? Give Up?
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Jimmy Banakis is a life-long restaurateur. He was an honorary batboy for the White Sox in 1964. He attended Oak Park River Forest High School, Nebraska Wesleyan University, and Chicago-Kent Law School. He claims the kitchen is the room he’s most comfortable in anywhere in the world. He published an extremely limited-edition family cookbook. He’s a father and grandfather, and lives in Downers Grove Il.
Comments 45
When the voters elected Trump, they knew that they were turning the bull loose in the china shop. Compare Trump to Governor Money Bags, who has never built anything in his life and thinks he can buy everything and walk on everyone in the process. Trump hates taxes, Governor Money Bags loves taxes. Trump is out to starve the government; Governor Money Bags wants to stuff it until it is as bloated as he is. Do we really need to know anything more?
Nice work Jimmy.
When I voted in 2016, I voted against hilrod more than for Trump. But since then I like his effort and energy. He gets stuff done.
I hope JD Vance is ready in 28.
One correction, Warren Buffett went to Columbia Business School. But, your points about Trump are correct. He makes mistakes, and doesn’t worry about it. Fix it later. Keep moving. Wharton has had a lot of distinguished graduates over the years…..it’s no Chicago Booth but it’s a good school : )
Thank you Jimmie for your wonderful column in the wee hours of the morning when retirees like me have already been up for a few hours, “My kingdom for eight straight hours sleep.” Like Patton, Trump has broken all the opposition, the Dems, the media, and all the freaks of nature. They all reside, because of Trump, in the dust bin or ashbin of history and are tripping and over themselves like the clown circus have become. We put in our bleak years suffering under the yoke of woke oppression, so let us rejoice and savor the fruits of victory. Enjoy!
A well-written article that may prove to be spot on. Clearly President Trump spent much of his 4 year interlude thinking about and thinking out a second term. The new movement to gerrymander Texas and other red states before 2030 could [along with an economic boom] ensure he keeps the House in 2028. The 2030 census will add 8-12 seats and electoral votes to that.
With the Dems in disarray and no real bench or leadership as yet the GOP could see a run like FDR/Truman from 1933 -1954. Even if it’s only a Reaganesque/Jacksonian 12 year run that could mean a conservative court, a smaller govt run heavily from Tariffs, reindustrialization, an America-First foreign policy consensus, and a MAGA electorate of Zoomers like the FDR Dems that dominated politics until Reagan.
Another twist we could see, a Tariff dedicated to the Social Security Fund. That could end its status as a Ponzi-scheme, make tariffs untouchable, and solve the SS debt problem for a generation. Tariffs dedicated to Debt reduction could do the same. I expect more surprises to come.
Great column Mr Banakis. References from VDH or comparing to General Patton are impeccable choices.
“Trump 101” OR “Trump in a Nutshell.” Whatever you name it, it hits the nail on the head. Great article. Thank you.
Amen, Jimmy. Thank you!
Mr Banakis-
What a great way to start a weekend. The line from Network is one of my all time faves and Patton talking about moving like offal from a goose also apt. Those of us who have made a payroll and those of us who have put in a hard days work to put a meal on the table and a roof over our family’s head were and still are mad as hell. Tired of the apologetic bowing to the Middle East or the corruption down to its toenails (that quote from a Dominican Nun in 1967 to collegians who pulled the fire alarm at 3 am on a cold winter night as a prank) from Biden Inc. Schumer, Schiff, Pelosi as multimillionaires lecturing us who “work for a living” (the Sgt in Good Morning Vietnam). Locally our dear Gov who cannot see his shoelaces lives to preach about democracy but pulled the toilets out of a $$$$ home to avoid property tax and rails on Texas gerrymandering -look at the Illinois map for lessons- to two recent mayoral disasters (whoda thunk we’d long for Lori back on 5?)
As always your columns tell it like it is in the real trenches. That of tax paying citizens. Bravo.
I was thinking that Patton’s greatest victory was not in his glorious offensive victories in battle but allowing Ike to use him as a decoy in England during the invasion of Normandy make the Germans believe that Calais would be the point of invasion. I am sure he wanted to be in the thick of it in the initial invasion. Likewise, Trump can play the lion or the paper tiger, confusing the nitwits on the other side.
Sir:
I always appreciate your writing. I waited till had a fresh cup of coffee in front of me before I started to read. I’m grateful for Trump’s businesses experience.
Jimmy, I think you found your second act. I love your column’s!
Thank you Steve!
Great column,…as always! And I’m a BIG George S. Patton fan too. I right I’m reading the book “TAKING BERLIN”,….by Martin Dugard. Dugard scribes down Patton giving one of his fiery speeches to the untested, green 3rd Army troops. Such as “We are going to twist his balls and kick the living shit out of him (the Germans) all the time.” Good stuff!
My gosh, Trump IS a Patton redux. The President’s courage, real-world toughness and creative risk management make you cheer, and his big mouth occasionally makes you shudder. Quite an insight by the brilliant Hanson and the brilliant restaurateur. Thanks.
Like Patton, Trump is all about RESULTS. It is for historians to debate “style points”
James Banakis is a later-day Plutarch!
My Dad was a replacement in the Patton army. I am alive today because of what his leaders gave along the way. Dad made it home. My thanks go to the men who didn’t but made it safe for my Dad to make it home. Real leadership blesses the next generation.
The citizens had enough of the endless talk. Talk is cheap. As stated, Trump is a man of action. Exactly what this country’s people (at least those in their right mind) needed. Hopefully, he can continue on with as little talk as possible.
Thanks! Nicely done, helping to see the forest through the trees. I’m the only one in my family that doesn’t suffer from TDS, but I am apprehensive that he’s breaking some important stuff, like our scientific research backbone, for example. But as you point out, the bigger picture is likely more important than the incidentals – I think….
Agreed. His RFK jr appointment is an unmitigated disaster, a plaintiff’s attorney wet dream. Talk about our “scientific research backbone.” I think … indeed.
I don’t consider breaking our scientific backbone to be an“incidental”. Our scientific backbone is absolutely crucial to keeping this country moving forward.
It’s as if, with the feds’ at first experimental and then increasingly heavy handed surveillance of my writing and speech because of my predictive TBI and similar effects with schizoaffective lesions, I can’ full-throatedly tell you what I think of Trump. In the back of my head, I know his administration like every one since Bush I is listening. And I know so much government corruption at every level. So I try to be tactful. He’s a sexual predator. He’s a bully. He stiffed his workers, just like the government does to me, so I’m not enamored of his business sense. But I try to be kind when the recorders and cameras come to mind. His family was full of bullies, except Fred Trump Jr, one of the saddest stories you’ll ever hear. Patton may have reinforced the 101st at Bastogne, but he literally thought he was supposed god-man Julius Caesar reincarnated. He’s not doing as horribly temperamentally as he did in 2017, when the massive opposition to his bullying shattered his inferiority complex, and I have doubts about his economic plans—but I live in the corrupt Southwest of the old Chicago Stockyards and the Feds are letting 50 years of corruption be paid in 9 months with Burke, letting Madigan keeps his $3 million and let off the hook Emil Jones Jr. The Chicago Democrats have used and abused me for my perspicacity (you know Aristotle was the first physicist as well) and they turned my late Mom and sister into monsters of the gnashing, masticating Chicago Machine. So I try to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Great column. The Patton movie is classic (I wonder whether George C. Scott had more fun with Patton or as General Buck Turgidson in Dr. Strangelove…).
But regarding your comment on Aristotle, please consider whether The Book of Samuel was actually an earlier precursor to modern politics. I have recently read an interesting book that draws out (in excruciating textual analysis) the subtle political power drama described in the Book of Samuel — which was written well before Aristotle. “The Beginning of Politics: Power in the Biblical Book of Samuel” is a pretty dense book, but I love the way it shows that man has not somehow changed (much less advanced) in the last 3,000 years. It is revealing to see the fundamental human urge to the preservation of political power (including deceit and self-delusion) and very modern political “spin” in that very old book about early Israel. Some of it seems like it could have been written today, about venal and desperate politicians like JB. It is great evidence that the Bible is indeed the owners manual for the human race.
The summer of ’70 dad loaded mom, me and my sister up in the car and we headed to the old Hwy 81 drive in. The feature, was Patton. Dad had been waiting for it to finally make it to our part of the world and made sure that we’d be there for the first night.
Mom freaked at the language used (although I’d already heard all of it and more growing up on a farm where two stubborn Czechs, father and son, argued over pretty much everything) but dad was mesmerized.
He was too young for WWII but I’ve still got his scrapbook from those years as he followed it all and pasted up the articles and ads as he could get them and George S. was top of his list.
Thank you Jimmy for another great piece.
Jimmy,
Great analogy of Patton and Trump. Both are no bulls–t leaders and demand the same from all subordinates. I must admit though, that I’m exhausted trying to follow our president on a daily basis. He’s like the energizer bunny, never sleeps, just keeps on going and going and going. What a dynamo! We are lucky to have this president who is rooting for all of us, and our great country. As we say in Greek – Eis Anotera!!
Thinking that if Trump had two consecutive terms the second one would not have been as effective as his current one. The best (and the worst) thing that Biden’s handlers did was to take the country to its knees and make it clear to the country that it was their work. They made it clear to the voters what the damage was and how it was done. Thankfully, that has given Trump license to do it his way. He is changing the country and the world in the same magnitude as WWII did.
“Aristotle determined that the role of the leader is to create the environment in which all associates of an organization could fulfill their own potential”. Fool proof way to run a business
One avenue I haven’t explored yet is how close Ancient Greeks were/are to American Indians. My Virginia ancestors all were taught Greek classics – core curriculum. I suspect there are pretty substantial parallels.
American Indians were led by both “peace” chiefs, and “war” chiefs. They each had their role. Patton, MacArthur, Lee – were war chiefs. Lee said at the battle of Fredericksburg, that it was a good thing War was so horrible, or we might love it too much. The greatest General the United States ever produced, and its not a fair fight. Certain Victor “the Stanford” Hansen would agree
Trump is BOTH – both peace, and war chief – but in the end he games peace. He is true to himself, true to what he believes in. He is a poor man, because as we all know – its just not about money, never was, never will be. Look at all the gold he surrounds himself with in the Oval office – its a bit much, but that is his appeal to ordinary people.
Trump is unwinding what the United States became – an empire. Mr Banakis hits the bullseye here, as does JK News as par usual. And to prove it, may I quote none other than John Quincy Adams.
“America goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. She will recommend the general cause by the countenance of her voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example”
What he said – what WE said, once upon a time, when our Nation was borne.
Beautifully written James, Thank you
I remember when we lived on the 900 block of Lexington street and my friend Stanley said “let’s take our bikes to 18th street.” His older brother Joe started selling ice cream with a hand cart at the weekend market on Maxwell street and we followed. These guys taught my brothers and I to do things we didn’t know we could and opened up a world of possibilities. And gratefully, we live in America where the possibilities are.
Great article Mr. Banakis. You are so right in your analysis of President Trump and his effect on the USA and the rest of the world. Listening to the liberal news, my wife will often say “I wished he didn’t say that”. Me? I’m laughing and tell her I love what he said. President Trump cuts thru the BS and gets his point across. President Trump is usually far ahead of his opponents in his thought processes. Give em hell, Mr. President and don’t take any prisoners. His political enemies are in fact enemies of almost everything I was thought to believe in.
You ask what kind of Hat Trump had thrown across the wall?! Of course everyone tries to follow his style these days, including educational institutions like Hillsdale College who started selling their dark blue ‘MEGA’ (E for education) hat that I bought a few months ago. And then of course, I have both 2016 and 2020 Red MAGA hats as well.
Once again thanks to Jim Banakis for a thought provoking, well written wonderful column. Now we know why the national news creatures act the way they do now. They always liked the politicians kiss up to them and Trump make them realize what a silly, miserable group they are, by simply ignoring them!
PS: Kennedy won a lot of admirers world wide for standing up to Khrushchev at the Cuban Missile Crisis, the same way Putin is now standing against the Western Alliance, now on the neighboring Ukraine.
Mr. Banakis- Rarely have I read an article anywhere that I so disagreed with. Audacious Trailblazing is a good thing only when it leads in a better direction. That is not the case here.
Would you be willing to discuss in person sometime? Perhaps Bruce Kleinman, who is a frequent commentator on this site, would join us?
What “better direction” do you desire?
Was it “better” to abandon Afghanistan for a political deadline and get 13 Americans killed?
Was it “better” to not give Ukraine the defensive weapons it asked for up front and on top of it let Putin think a “small incursion” might be tolerated?
And then after Putin made his move, was it “better” to deny Ukraine immediately the weapons it needed that could have ended Putin’s incursion before it gained a foothold?
Was it “better” to ram through a misnamed “Inflation Reduction Act” and lie to the American people that the inflation would be only “transitory”?
Was it “better” to throw open our southern border for four years and during same falsely claim the “border was secure”?
Was it “better” to ignore the China threat and allow a spy balloon to fly over the entire continental United States and some of our most sensitive installations?”
Was it “better” for the President of the United States of America to stand on the steps of Independence Hall of all places with a blood red backdrop and using United States Marines as political props to label over half of America as extremists equivalent to Nazis?
Trump 1.0 had this nation’s economy set on a JKF “rising tide lifts all boats” economy hitting on all cylinders until China unleashed the virus to stop him.
Trump 2.0 is reclaiming America’s right to determine her own destiny for the benefit of Americans and not a skewed global world order.
With all due respect Mr. Lee, Mr. Trump IS the better direction.
Bob. There is no doubt that Mr. Trump is a generational leader … for better or for worse. I think Jimmy is correct. He is remaking not only the US but the world order as well. My concern is that as he does this he often skirts the line or crosses the line between constitutional and unconstitutional acts. Above all, I value the US Constitution. Prime example are his tariffs. Under Article I, tariffs are the sole purview of the Congress. Over the years, starting with FDR, then Nixon and now Mr. Trump, Congress has willingly and irresponsibly delegated much of their tariff powers to the executive. Presently Mr. Trump is using a 1977 law (IEEPA) which supposedly grants the President such sweeping powers (such as tariff powers even though not specifically mentioned) during a national emergency. For Mr. Trump that national emergency is the opioid crisis. But realize that the political wheel in the US always turns. Eventually we will have a Democratic POTUS. And what will folks on this site think when President AOC institutes her unilateral executive orders – tariffs or otherwise – and cites as justification to do so, the “climate emergency.” How are the folks on this site going to then think that such actions are somehow within the power of the POTUS? I bet their heads will be exploding. And rightfully so. Fortunately the Supreme Court in 2022 in West Virginia v EPA said that executive agencies can not unilaterally make such momentous decisions (and tariffs are if nothing else momentous) without the specific consent of the Congress (the “Major Questions” doctrine). I am betting (and hoping) this will also apply to the President – as head of all executive agencies – as well … to Mr. Trump … and to any future Democratic successor.
Oh, MY God!!, President AOC? That would be the end of this world!!!
Ha Ha. Never underestimate the absurdity of American politics, nor its unlikely outcomes.
As convincingly and articulately expressed as “The Case For Trump”, by Victor Hanson. “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Jimmy. I agree there is an art and a skill to great leadership. But great leaders require great followers. When the leader of the platoon is down, “next man up”.
I recall as a kid watching Disney’s Davy Crockett Alamo episode. I know it is Disneyesque make believe but one scene struck me as a kid and stuck with me to adulthood. That was when Col. Travis – the leader – drew a line in the sand and asked “whoever is with me, cross over the line.” They all did even though they knew they likely were all going to die in the end. Dramatically so did Jim Bowie – now confined to his bed – cross over the line. His compatriots picked up his bed and put it over the line.
Great leaders are not enough. Great leaders need great followers.
Bruce- Unfortunately Trump has not surrounded himself with great followers. He has publicly stated that his number one criterion for hiring is personal loyalty to himself (number 2 seems to be how good looking they are). That is beyond foolish for any leader and downright dangerous for a U.S. president.
Trump would not surround himself with great followers because he would not let any close advisors, in the first place. People of selfish motives like the New Jersey Gov. Fatso were false and were justifiably kicked out. So there is no inner circle for Trump to trust with from the beginning. Just look at Lindsey Graham: Soon as the POTUS ruled against Roe, the damned fool announced in the National TV that after the mid-term, he is going to make a national law against abortion which ruined the chances of “Red Wave” across the nation. Before Trump took office in 2017, I wrote a 13 point advice letter to Trump that ended with 3Ms- Mexicans, Midea, & Muslims, which never got to his attention or apparently to any insider with only exception that I got an automatic receipt emailed back to me along with my original mail!
Yeah Trump IS an extraordinary man of many contradictions: bold, brave … a fighter no doubt, but remarkably thin skinned. His handling of the data from the BLS, which he did not like – and claimed they were fraudulent – as they reflected poorly upon his policies, are a case in point.
Bruce, I think you are being too kind. His fraud claim about the BLS data is just the continuation of an endless pattern of lies and deception. That is basically how he got re-elected. It is wrong and immoral but it works.
I guess the problem I have is how is Mr. Trump different from the Democrats who perpetrated the greatest presidential healthcare fraud since Woodrow Wilson. It was obvious to me – in August of 2021 – that Mr. Biden was severely cognitively impaired. Yet the Democrats and their water carriers in the legacy press conspired: he was “sharp as a tack” … he was the “best Biden ever”. Yeah, right. And as someone who was on the front lines during Covid, don’t even talk to me about the fraudulent BS the Democrats pulled during the pandemic. An absolute abomination. Yeah, Bob, talk about fraud. So two standards here: Trump fraud, bad. Democrat fraud, good. I got a problem with that.
Bruce- I agree that the Democrats lie also. Unfortunately all politicians lie, at least sometimes. The difference with Mr. Trump is both the frequency and gravity of the lies. His 2020 election denial alone has done enormous damage to our Republic. The bedrock of any democratic form of government is the peaceful transition of power. Trump shit all over that in 2020 – all for his own glory. Somehow, without evidence, he has convinced his followers that U.S. elections can no longer be trusted. His post election behavior in 2020 bordered on treason. Don’t forget that Trump made the same claim that elections are rigged BEFORE the outcome of each of his three presidential campaigns. Of course when he wins the elections are legit again.
Trump thinks he’s the King of America. He’s a Russian mafioso, and he runs this country just as he stiffed his workers and took out fraudulent loans.
“If some small storekeeper somewhere decides he’s not going to pay the money, the Godfather doesn’t let him get away with it. The money doesn’t mean anything to him, but he sends in his goons to beat him to a pulp. You have to establish credibility, otherwise conformity to your orders will tend to erode. International affairs runs in much the same way.”
Noam Chomsky