What Is Trump’s Point?
Terry H. Schwadron
Oct. 7, 2020
A-plus to Donald Trump for baffling Americans once again and putting himself center-stage: He’s trying to turn his own recklessness, his own spread of coronavirus and his obstinate refusal to follow simple medical rules into some kind of political gold.
Don’t be afraid of coronavirus Don’t let it dominate your life? That is loony. Don’t be afraid if you’ve got a medical staff at home and job security for a few months or so, I guess. Don’t be afraid if you didn’t get to say goodbye to your relative who was being treated by medical professionals forced to wear garbage bags as protective gear or struggle with homework and making the dollar stretch from job loss?
What exactly is the political gain in a corona-contagious Trump removing his facemask to re-enter the White House? Does seeing this guy with his labored breathing and careful mincing steps supposed to make me so proud of Trump’s cultivation of personal image supposed to make me vote for him? What does he think the image of a tinpot dictator-like figure at the bridge of his White House saluting the military as he presumably staggers off to his bed is supposed to convey? The Mussolini references aside, Isn’t this exactly how we recently saw North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un?
All I can hope is that it was the steroids talking, not a leader newly chastened by his own disease even in the face of constant testing. The hubris of taking off a facemask in front of others while still actively contagious should trigger a mental evaluation, not applause. I have taken steroids from time to time, and they leave one with such a good sense of well-being that maybe we should be worried here about the inevitable crash when the drugs wear off.
Hours after his medical team asserted that Trump would remain quarantined and that those around him would be equipped with full protective gear, Trump walked up those stairs, took off the mask and engaged people in the White House.
This is Donald Trump’s idea of leadership? It is reckless behavior, it is uncaring negligence, but it isn’t leadership.
Commanding image?
On the same day, the White House moved to block the Federal Drug Administration’s rules for evaluating vaccines — a bald political attempt to brush away any possible scientific reasons for delaying a corona vaccine before Election Day, before the FDA pushed back.
On the same day, the Centers for Disease Control insisted on publishing its findings over political objections from the same White House that airborne coronavirus droplets can reach beyond six feet.
On the same day, the medical staff again left unanswered questions in its wake about the last negative test for Trump before he spread the disease to unsuspecting donors and staffers.
On the same day, Trump owned backing out of any federal stimulus extension with financial help for those who are losing jobs from workplaces shut or limited by virus.
On the same day. The White House emptied out, since workers were owning up to the fact that their offices are unsecure for personal health, and their boss doesn’t care if they get sick.
And yet, here is Trump in full contagion, nakedly putting staffers at risk. He doesn’t come across as commanding, if that was his intent. He comes across as idiotic. And uncaring. And dangerous.
Even tweeting out that he looks forward to renewing the literal debates with Joe Biden next week in person — and without any change in rules — bolsters the image he is pushing as strongman willing to withstand any pressure . . . in the name of, well, getting rid of health care and setting back civil rights by multiple decades.
Totally ignoring the obvious medical advice and even sympathetic feelings for his bout of virus, Trump has thumbed his nose repeatedly at medical guidelines, even at the cost of endangering others, out of some perception that this makes him sympathetic.
Instead, Trump comes across as heartless for others who do not have immediate access to a big medical team and experimental drugs at the drop of a hat, and brainless for not recognizing that others will see this image-buffing exactly for what it is: The Donald Trump show.
Not Alone
Of course, as usual, it is not just Trump alone. His Republican followers are going along with the gag, now even as they themselves are getting sick from contact with him and the inner circle. “Widespread Republican recalcitrance about federal health guidelines showed few signs of waning,” noted a Washington Post article.“many Republicans continue to dismiss calls for alarm — and for changes to the party’s message on the virus and its operations.”
So much for learning from example. Rather than seeing that Trump may have ducked a more serious case to emerge with respect for something larger than himself, he is taking down the tent with him.
“It is preposterous — cruel, in fact — to imply personal fortitude has any bearing whatsoever on whether a person survives this disease.,” noted Post columnist Marcia Hesse. It is baffling to tell the American public that by refusing to “let it dominate,” they will be fine. And if they’re not fine, they can merely ’copter to the nearest military hospital for some great drugs.”
Bravado aside, what exactly is the win here if Americans simply follow the advice and inure themselves to public contagion. Does Trump want widespread illness or does he just accept it as a cost of doing more business?
There doesn’t seem to be a third option from him.
My alternative is a criminal investigation by a New Jersey prosecutor who wants to speak up for duped donors at Bedminster under laws that say it is illegal to knowingly spread communicable disease.
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