FROM OUR PRINTED AUGUST 2024 EDITION
Love In the Age of Trump
by Len Abram
Boston Broadside Columnist
For no American politician has the word love been spoken to and returned more than Donald J. Trump. Along with the shouts at a Trump rally of “USA! USA!” is this unusual, if not unique chant to a politician, “We love you!”
Politicians, an elite class among our citizenry, try to bond with the voters, the common people, whom as Lincoln said, must be the beloved of God, because there are so many of them. President Biden drops into folksy diction: “It’s no joke” and “Corn pop was a bad dude.” Along with licking ice cream on camera, his attempts come off as contrived.
This past April, Trump was surrounded by Atlanta residents, many black, during a visit at a local Chick-fil-A. One woman hugged Trump. “I don’t care what the media tells you, Mr. Trump. We support you.” Trump is a genuine fast-food fan, who ordered burgers, fries, and shakes for guests in the White House. When Trump said that he knew the McDonald’s menu better than the employee delivering the order, the employee agreed.
The phenomena of Donald Trump and his authenticity has shaken the political class with its biased pollsters, media stars, and newspapers. Trump’s so-called flaws, vanity, name on buildings and pride in what he has accomplished, offend those who have achieved much less.
Others criticize Trump as mean because he lashes out on social media at his adversaries. Suburban women, for example, are said to be uncomfortable with a man who prefers to assert himself more than seek approval. Trump has a “Don’t-Tread-on-Me” approach to life, not looking for a fight, but ready to defend. It’s not egotism when Trump so often thanks others and celebrates their accomplishments.
When President Trump dealt with the dictator of North Korea, Trump’s toughness got respect. Only Trump could have threatened Kim Jong Un with the U.S.’s nuclear arsenal, a red button on his desk, and then walk across the line between the two Korea’s to shake Kim’s hand. The two men got along, the correspondence between them Trump called “love letters.” When a DeSantis or a Rubio ceased attacking him, Trump stopped deriding them, and he welcomed back Nikki Haley.
What is the opposite of love? Fear. The Democrats have bet an election on fear of their opponent: Trump as dictator, white supremacist, even a Hitler. Will love be stronger than fear? The people who chant at a Trump rally know the answer. ♦
