Surely you remember during the 2016 election season the television commercial showing children in the glow of television screens as Donald Trump mouthed his threats, his love of violence, his racism, his obscenities, and that line, as prescient as it was frightening, because it bespoke the certainty of the Cult of Trump in the making: “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK? It’s like, incredible.”
He was right. He’s always been right. Right in the sense that he changed the rules of right and wrong, truth and lies, morality and immorality. He had always done what he pleased down to reinventing English syntax with as much indifference as he reinvented the rules of legally permissible assaults, whether his victims were black tenants, contractors or women he felt entitled to grab whenever and wherever he pleased. Now he’d get a whole nation to submit, standing in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue.
If he could change all those rules, he could just as easily change what it means to be an American. Not just regarding who is permissibly American, a privilege increasingly suspicious or demeaning of anything not white, but regarding who our enemies ought to be and ought not to be. Suddenly Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Britain, NATO and America’s own intelligence community are all worthy of contempt. But Russia. Russia. Now there’s a nation as heroic in this American president’s eyes as in Pushkin’s. And the same Americans who spent three generations calling Russia every name in the geopolitical book are groveling along with their president at the foot of Vladimir Putin.
There’s bound to be a boomlet in doctoral dissertations about the behavior of the Trump supporter, that admirable capacity not only to believe the president’s torrential lies–he’s up to 3,001 lies and misleading statements as of the end of May–but to abandon the sort of loyalties Americans took for granted going back to the days of King George.
You might remember that after President Obama was re-elected, Republicans were ready to lynch him for suggesting that he would have more “flexibility” in dealing with Putin. Now comes Trump bending over for Putin before a worldwide audience almost as large as that of the World Cup final from Moscow, and the Senate Majority Leader and the House Speaker, sons and lovers of Ronald Reagan, line up to absolve him just as they would if he did shoot someone on Pennsylvania Avenue. We don’t really need to know if the supposed dossier that alleges Trump reveled in Russian whores’ golden shower is true or not: Putin performed the deed live on television. And Trump’s supporters handed him a towel.
Let’s not pretend that what Putin has been doing with American elections is any different than what the United States has been doing to other nations for generations. Whether it’s Eisenhower in Iran, Kennedy in Cuba and Vietnam, Lyndon Johnson in Brazil, Nixon in Chile, Ford in East Timor, Reagan all over Central America, or every president since all over the Middle East and South Asia, interfering with other countries’ regimes by coups, assassinations or invasions has been an American habit that surpasses anything the Russians have managed outside the old sphere of the Iron Curtain, at least until recently. But let’s not diminish the Russian assault either in the name of one more absolving equivalency. There’s a difference between being a ruthless superpower and abetting the enemy.
President Trump wasn’t treasonous in Helsinki. He was a patsy, a doormat, a boob. You can respect a traitor, at least for his guile. It’s hard to respect a toady. Putin personally took charge of the campaign to help get Trump elected in 2016 while undermining the country’s democratic process. That’s the intelligence community’s finding. He hasn’t stopped directing his character assassins to continue the campaign against the United States. “These actions are persistent, they are pervasive and they are meant to undermine America’s democracy,” Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence and Trump’s appointee, said last Friday. That weasle-proof verdict is what the president has been finding 3001 ways to evade while lathering up to Putin.
But even if for sensationalism’s sake you wished to blame him for treason, it’s meaningless, irrelevant. He’s changed the rules about that, too, since he long ago fractured the meaning of American identity and purpose. Just say Clinton email server and everything gets back on track. Anyone who disagrees can be branded with a disease of the president’s own invention: Trump Derangement Syndrome. Kind of like the way your own body’s cells turn on you, growing a cancer.
“Our children are watching,” that 2016 commercial about Trump had said. “What example will we set for them?” The answer from Trump, that child abductor, has been a resounding who cares. It worked for him then. There’s no reason to think it’ll stop working for him now, or for the next six years. Nietzsche killed God. But Trump did him one better. He killed truth.
Pierre Tristam is FlaglerLive’s editor. Reach him by email here or follow him @PierreTristam. A version of this piece aired on WNZF.
Ashley says
Trump is the president. We don’t always get what we want. Time to get over it
combat vet says
Another poor unfortunate victim of Trump Derangement Syndrome!
Lou says
Pierre, you are holding the torch for our democracy.
Ignore comments by the uninformed.
Please try to remember a con
man can con only people who want to be conned!
KEEP IT UP PIERRE!
Veteran says
Good title Pierre. You have a serious case of TDS.
tRUMp(rum, cant we all get along? says
Trump is doing a fantastic job. Hillary would have sucked to have that sleazy lying crooked family in power for a potential 16 years during my lifetime. Notice all the cheap plastic chinese Crap for sale at dollar general and walmart? Thank Clinton, who thought it would be wise in 1992 to invite China to have “fair trade” when they don’t give a shit about pollution and worker well being and look at the millions of 40 foot shipping containers of plastic crap flooding into California Ports, almost nothing going out. Sell our uranium to russia. Give the ayatollah 150 billion to keep on keeping on hating America (They did buy some nice new Boeing Jets right away with our tax payers cash… Trump may stumble here and there as he is not a accomplished politician, but I vastly prefer that unpolished edge to Slick willy as first lady. I hope she runs again, Im comfortable with her history of losing elections now…
Richard says
SMH once again. You never cease to amaze me at the hatred you have for the current POTUS. Maybe one day you will be able to live your life without all of this hatred and anxiety eating away at your core from the inside out. I truly hope that will happen before Trumps finishes his two terms as POTUS.
Steve Robinson says
Putin undoubtedly recognized quite some time ago that Trump is too stupid to be a true asset. After all, what sort of turncoat is dumb enough to actually wear the enemy’s uniform? Putin didn’t have to do anything to Trump other than flatter him, and perhaps steer thieving Russian money his way. The verdict on Trump was in long ago: A willfully ignorant child with no guiding principles or core beliefs other than his own enrichment; a man with no knowledge about the world or the people who inhabit it who basks in the adoration of those he incites with bigotry and fear. We’ve known this about him for a long time, but what are we to make of our fellow Americans–our neighbors–who continue to support him?
Not a Russian Bot. I promise. says
https://nypost.com/2017/08/15/new-report-claims-dnc-hack-was-an-inside-job-not-russia/
The Democrat Libtards have been trying to destroy our country from within for years. But cause they don’t feel like going to jail and admit guilt they shift the blame to a country that America has been taught to hate in the past during the Cold War. Most people are easily brainwashed. Cnn is a Cancer.
Florida Voter says
Again I ask: Is it too early to get my Trump/Putin 2020 stickers?
Now I have an answer: I’ve already seem some for sale. Of course, the Trump/Putin bromance isn’t anything new. See:
“YankeeExPat says:
November 10, 2016 at 12:33 pm
TRUMP/ PUTIN 2020”
https://flaglerlive.com/114110/quack-rumors/#comment-2155361
gmath55 says
There will be more supporting Trump too. Basically, #WalkAway is a hashtag campaign where former Dems post videos explaining why they left the party. Democrats have lost their marbles.
Brandon Cross says
Why is that liberals have the thought process that any one that does not agree with their reasoning is unenlightened or at least “deplorable “?
Pierre… you need to get a grip
Just Sayin
hawkeye says
he doesnt kiss muslims ass like obama did, that is what you dont like ,admit it pierre
SCOTCHWORKS says
Lets not forget Obama using our tax dollars to manipulate the presidential election in ISRAEL
Steve says
We will never get anything meaningful done with all the BiPartisan hoopla. God Bless America.
Makeitso1701 says
I watched the trump/putin “summit and what I saw was a American president acting like a coward. Putin I am sure has the nick name “useful Idiot” for trump.
The other thing that it reminded me of was that scene in the movie “Deliverance” trump playing the part of Ned Beatty being “assaulted” by another man, the other man being putin. What a disgrace of a man. Anybody that still defends this coward is no patriot.
atilla says
If the media would have spent this much time and effort to discredit Trump on Obama they would have found out he isn’t a citizen and didn’t attend Harvard and Yale. He is a fraud with a silver tongue that dazzled the people and was elected. He tried to destroy our country but didn’t get it done in the first term. So stupid liberals voted him back in to continue his efforts. Trump is trying to undo eight years of attempts to destroy the USA.
Bc. says
Lol you talk about lying no one lied more than Obama or Clinton. This country has never been this good in the last ten years. You have TDS for sure you need to get counseling ASAP. TRUMP IN 2020 keep America great 🇺🇸
Brian says
“There’s no reason to think it will stop working for him now, or for the next six years.” Absolutely correct. You can call Trump names from the 5th grade schoolyard, but the fact is that he has the power over Putin due to our now booming economy which he is responsible for. His supporters will love him no matter what, along with Independents, because the Democrats are lost in the wilderness. Hillary running again? Love it! Bernie Sanders, Pocahontas? Gotta love it! Trump is Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack – he penetrated the elite, stuffed-shirt country club and they hate him because they can’t do a thing about it. California and New York will always vote Democratic, but Democrats know nothing or care nothing about the country in between.
mark101 says
Trump, a legend in his own mind, a deranged one at that. We only have 914 days, and Trump will be back to his old job.
Pierre Tristam says
Hawkeye, if you can show me a difference—any difference—between a Muslim ass and, say, a Presbyterian ass, I’ll donate my right ass cheek to your brand of science.
woody says
I’d take Putin over the Obama’s or the Clinton’s any day.
Edith Campins says
So trump supporters keep saying that he is delivering on their promises to them. I am wondering exactly how he is doing that.
1. Mexico isn’t paying for the wall.
2. He has gutted Obamacare but hasn’t provided anything instead, as he promised.
3. North Korea played him like a fiddle.
4. He said he believed Putin about the election interference but 11 national intelligence agencies, a senate panel and the Mueller indictments of the Russians say he is wrong.
5, He said a bunch of bs about NATO but backtracked on all of it and the other members confirmed he didn’t get them to do anything different.
6. Coal hasn’t come back and shows no sign of doing so.
7. He claims good unemploymentt numbers but more businesses are moving overseas. Not to mention that he said during the campaign that the way unemployment numbers were computed was wrong and the numbers shouldn’t be trusted.
8. He left our allies hanging on the Iran treaty but hasn’t come up with anything better.
9. He claimed Hillary won the popular vote because illegals voted but his own commission to investigate the claim, quietly went away without finding anything.
10. He claimed he would pay down the national debt but instead has grown it to huge proportions.
11. He said he would be too busy to play golf but he has cost the taxpayers millions for his golfing.
12. He claims he hires only the best but his administration has been plagued by incompetent, corrupt individuals using tax dollars for their personal benefit.
13. He said he would to a travel ban but the ban doesn’t apply to a SINGLE country that has actually sent terrorists.
14. His new tariffs are already making things more expensive for Americans and killing the farmers. And he’s talking about a $30 billion bailout for the same farmers.
15. He has insulted all our allies while praising Kim and Putin.
16. He criticized Pres. Obama for using Executive Orders but he has issued more than Obama did.
17. The stock market is up and down with his pronouncements but hasn’t made any significant gains.
18. The US is more divided than ever before.
19. There are people in Puerto Rico who still don’t have electricity. And they are American citizens.
20. He hasn’t fixed the VA or done a thing for veterans other than insuting them.
21. His own govt. agency says he understimated the 2019 deficit by $2.3 TRILLION.
Perhaps you can tell me how we are “winning”?
Rob Jr says
What many didn’t see was the trump had specially tailored suit for the meeting with putin.
His pants had knee pads sewn in and the zipper was in the back.
Lou says
Interesting………..the vocal minority vs. silent majority.
What kind of outcome do you expect between a very highly trained KGB officer and a NYC realestate developer turned politician?,
mausborn says
Trump’s Russian accent is hardly noticeable anymore. His own party knows he’s a t r a i t o r but few say it out loud. Anyone who can think rationally based on what they have seen already know that. Only fox News and their brainwashed viewers think otherwise. If loving Vlad is wrong, why does it feel so right? DJT
Traveling Rep says
Democrats new slogan “For The (Illegal) People”.
Sandra Boyer says
Trump is not a politician, thank God. He has done more for this country than any other president in recent history. Just think what we all could accomplish if we all worked together! MAGA!!!
mausborn says
“The president’s failure to defend the United States intelligence community’s unanimous conclusions of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and condemn Russian covert counterinfluence campaigns and his standing idle on the world stage while a Russian dictator spouted lies confused many but should concern all Americans. By playing into Vladimir Putin’s hands, the leader of the free world actively participated in a Russian disinformation campaign that legitimized Russian denial and weakened the credibility of the United States to both our friends and foes abroad.” Texas Republican Rep. Will Hurd
Marlee says
“Parrots from FOX” speak out and say the same thing over and over and over with no details whatsoever.
“We love Trump…. We hate Obama….Jail Clinton…We love Trump…”.
“We love Trump…. We hate Obama….Jail Clinton…We love Trump…”.
By the way, do you know what Trump’s favorite color is? Lie-lac!
hawkeye says
pierre.. presbetyrians wash, muslims dont, thats one differance, and if you wonder how I know, I worked with people from the UAR ,and from Egypt , neither of them was familiar with bathing,so, you can donate your asscheek to hillary clinton
Ron the realist says
I cannot wait to vote for president Trump again. He is doing well in spite of the head winds from the swamp
Sherry says
Excellent article Pierre!
Unfortunately, pointing out the “FACTUAL” evidence of the massive damage trump is doing to our country is completely lost on his vombied, brain washed followers. How tragic that many of our fellow citizens have completely thrown their brains and morals out the window to join a “cult” for a madman.
Vincent A. Liguori says
A Blue Wave loaded with communism-” a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that is the official ideology of the U.S.S.R.” Wake up AMERICA! Go President Trump!
PCer says
I think trump supporters need to go back to high school and relearn the rise of the dictatorships in the 20th century. Trump is doing everything they did to lure in the desperate and turn fear into power. He does not care about you. He only cares about Trump.
BMW says
Honestly, this article is almost laughable. Can’t take it serious as the flip side is to believe Mr. Obama and his band of gangsters were any more believable.
Makeitso1701 says
Obama was not a traitor like the trumpster or a coward. Also Obama didn’t have a bunch of women suing him for sexual harassment, some piece of crap this president trump is.
L H says
Thank You for speaking the TRUTH. Unfortunately, there is still a segment of our population that continues to be conned by this master con man who has been conned or compromised by Putin. I am just hoping that the Mueller investigation will unearth the truth as to why trump protects Putin and attempts to destroy our Allies who have always had our backs. Perhaps trump is counting on Putin to give him the next election, but what he doesn’t realize is if someone comes along and promises Putin even more, Putin will throw trump into the gutter.
marlee says
“The Parrots of FOX TV” repeat the same thing over and over and over…with no details whatsoever:
” I love Trump….I hate Obama….Lock Up Hillary…I love Trump”
“I love Trump….I hate Obama….Lock Up Hillary…I love Trump”
By the way, do you all know what trump’s favorite color is? LIE-LAC.
Joseph Pulitzer says
Democrats, one solution, VOTE!
Linda Johnsen says
Excuse Me! The Next SIX Years?? The Next Presidentialt Election Is 2020!! Why the Assumption that Thunk might actually be Reelected?? DJT has 2&1/2 years left at Most! Highly Doubtful DJT will last that long!
I am grateful for the FEW commenters who seem to Agree!! <(:-(((.
Linda Johnsen says
Excuse Me!! Why The Assumption That Thunk Will Be Reelected? Six Years? Incorrect!! DJT Has 2&1/2 Years left, Max, If He is even Allowed To Finish This Term. The Next Presidential Election Is 2020!! Not Every President Serves 2 Terms. This Odious Guy Will Not!! Sorry to Insult The Term “Guy.”. I cannot find an acceptable word to describe “IT.” <(:-(((…. Dunce!!
Paul says
Trump is not the worst person in government. Ryan, McConnell, Nunez, Pence, and the others that have allowed this national disgrace to continue are the real treasonous ones. Trump is just a spoiled rich kid who didn’t get enough attention from his father, leaving him a broken, ignorant narcissist. The republicans, who are supposed to exercise oversight to protect us from a pathetic, small man like Trump, are terrified of him instead. Cadet Bonespurs probably showed more courage than them when he was dodging the draft.
flagler1 says
I am so glad we have a president with the balls to speak what is on his mind and not give a damn who it pisses off.
combat vet says
Hey Marlee, how about you dems repeating over and over “impeach, Stormy, Russia Russia Russia. How misguided!
Makeitso1701 says
If the trump “had” the balls when he met with putin, we would not be criticizing him for acting like a scared little boy! Putin must have a lot of damaging info on trump, otherwise why would he act like a coward?
Also, the only reason the fake Fox News audience still support him is because he, trump, is a RACIST…..plain and simple.
CG says
Wow. The majority of the comments reflect ignorance and/or brainwashing. For most here, (Trump supporters), if Trump came in your house and shot your child your response would be please give me an address where I can mail you a check. Amazing and very sad.
FlaglerLive says
hawkeye, your history and personal inventions are as reliable as your ideology. Here’s a useful bit from The Independent, from a piece called “How Islamic inventors changed the world“: “Washing and bathing are religious requirements for Muslims, which is perhaps why they perfected the recipe for soap which we still use today. The ancient Egyptians had soap of a kind, as did the Romans who used it more as a pomade. But it was the Arabs who combined vegetable oils with sodium hydroxide and aromatics such as thyme oil. One of the Crusaders’ most striking characteristics, to Arab nostrils, was that they did not wash. Shampoo was introduced to England by a Muslim who opened Mahomed’s Indian Vapour Baths on Brighton seafront in 1759 and was appointed Shampooing Surgeon to Kings George IV and William IV.” It appears my cheek can yet be useful as it cushions the blow of having to waste seven seconds of my life responding to bigots.
Brian says
@CG – You have exhibited a symptom of stage 5 (advanced) TDS – Trump shooting a child. Please seek help immediately. You rank right up there with Kathy Griffin and the severed head, Maxine Waters calling for public harm to Trump staff, Sarah Sanders and her family forcefully kicked out of a restaurant, Peter Fonda calls for the kidnapping of Barron Trump and for him to be caged with pedophiles, Pam Bondi verbally assaulted and spit on, Donny Douche of MSNBC calls Trump Hitler and his supporters Nazis. “Comedian” Michelle Wolf compares ICE to ISIS. Need I go on? Please try to imagine a white restaurant owner kicking out Obama administration officials – we’d be witnessing mass violence, rioting, and anarchy in the streets of every city in America. But I say let the resistance and obstruction stupidity continue – it will be the Democrats political obituary.
Pierre Tristam says
Traveling Rep, factually speaking, not a single “illegal” immigrant has or could damage this country’s fabric, and most enhance it beyond your dinner table’s wildest dreams. But taking Trump’s intelligence chief at his word, Russia is actively working to damage the country’s fabric. Ideological talking points have their salacious attraction, but about as much as a Playboy centerfold does: there’s not much more than boobery and fake measures.
Pierre Tristam says
Brandon, as my uncle once said, “It is the triumph of reason to live well with those who have none.” He too was just sayin.
Beach cat says
Some of you must go back and read comments made by Edith and Marlee. Some of you must go read some US history. The President is unaware of history and doesn’t read. What President doesn’t’ read?!! Thus, he has destroyed our country and relations with our allies. We are no longer the world leader. This President is a baby. I am mailing a kiddie pool to the White House. Anyone want to chip in for a rubber ducky?
Richard says
[The Washington Examiner did not author this. The White House did. Please verify your comments’ sourcing before commenting. We have corrected the link for our readers’ sake.–FL]
Here is a list for your to read Edith brought to you by the Washington Examiner back on June 4th.
Brandon Cross says
Pierre, your uncle is/was a wise man and I couldn’t agree more.
My mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi once said: “ Many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our point of view”.
I think you would appreciate this as well.
Again… Just Sayin
JohnX says
second quarter GDP growth comes out next week and as I have predicted here before, it will be a whopper. Very likely close to 5%. which was unheard of in the 8 year adminstration before Yes, small businesses feel comfortable with this administration, so they open their pocketbooks and go down to the bank and borrow money-for what? To employ people, your children, your neighbors. The Chamber of Commerce hates it because they love that Chinese money buying up our factories and moving them to China. Not happenin on Trump’s watch. We have a lot to be thankful for in this administration-you, me, even Pierre.
CG says
Comrade Brian,
Your viewpoints exhibited here are pathetically laughable. That said it’s heartwarming your hero Trump and Vlad were able to consummate their marriage in Helsinki. Hopefully Trump didn’t get pregnant. Don’t worry though, abortion is still legal in the good old USA.
Lou says
Is there anybody willing to bet against that 99% of the trumpites are old white people.
Offered by an informed, thinking, old white person.
Sherry says
Thank you Edith. . . an excellent “FACTUAL” post! Unfortunately our local rabid trump supporters care nothing for actual “FACTS”. The cult mentality completely destroys all reason.
However, thankfully, the majority of US citizens would find great truth in your analysis. So, your effort has not been completely wasted.
Agkistrodon says
Read the release from Sunday. Read the entire release, what isn’t redacted, if you don’t see the problem, you viewpoint is clouded by a political party. The number 1 source, that OUR FBI used was an uncorroborated, and proven false dossier by a FOREIGN agent. I guess OUR FBI no longer does their own intelligence work.
combat vet says
Brian, Well said!!! Lots of loons in Stage 5
gmath55 says
Trump’s Approval Rating Is Now at Its Highest Ever
http://www.newser.com/story/262328/trumps-approval-among-republicans-is-unusually-high.html?utm_source=part&utm_medium=att&utm_campaign=rss_politics_syn
Brandon Cross says
Steve..
If you haven’t read Trump’s book? Maybe you should before making you assumptions?
Hmmm… Just Sayin
Really says
@ Brandon i wouldn’t waste my time just sayin,,, now if he adds a tell all about his Stormy Daniels affair or how He colluded with the Russians and was paid off maybe thx vut no thx
mausborn says
A prescient warning to Trump supporters from George Orwell:
“The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
— George Orwell, “1984”
Brandon Cross says
@really…
I have read Edith’s list.
Although I consider myself on many issues a conservative, I think of myself as a middlest.
I grow weary of all this, yet If you like, I can show how the majority of Helen’s list is based, not on fact, but in most cases indeniue, subjective opinion and in some cases wrong facts.
Again… getting weary… do you really want me to show you this?
Just Sayin
Brandon Cross says
@mausborn
The major writings of George Orwell have been used by both the Let and the Right to further their ideology.
Based on George Orwell’s comments on his writings, he clearly indicates that he considered himself a democratic socialist.
Having said this, my question to you is, were you cherry picking a quote to further your political beliefs?
Democratic socialism is in vogue currently?
Just Askin
mausborn says
Mueller Trump-Russia probe = 1 year. 5 guilty pleas. 35 indictments. 75 charges. 2 in jail.
Gowdy Benghazi 8 million dollar witch hunt of Hillary = 3 years. 0 indictments. 0 charges.
The Mueller investigation has cost less than Dump’s visits to Mar-a-lago
Come at me trumptards :)”
Brandon Crisd says
Wow!
What a Diatribe!
Why keep digging this hole?
I realize it is difficult to let this hatred go but if you don’t let it go your hatred may just put our current Governor in the White House!
And who will have to blame?
Thrums as always.