The Trump Campaign: Darker and Sicker

August 30, 2024

In online image banks one can find many photos of Trump looking nasty or deranged. This shocker, however, came from the Trump campaign itself. Headlining a genuine email I received, seeking donations.

Talk about “weird.” This sure does send a message.

Once upon a time, in a distant halcyon past — which this superannuated scribbler can actually remember — candidates would strive for a cheerful, positive vibe. Playing to a basic essence of the American character, attested by observers back to Tocqueville. Conventional political wisdom said the candidate best tapping into this hopeful ethos wins.

Look at Reagan in 1984, the happy warrior against dour Mondale. Reagan carried 49 states! Hard to imagine in today’s divided America, where so many vote for their party’s candidate no matter what — literally.

But what does it say about Trump and his campaign when they actually imagine this dark foreboding imagery helps them? Kind of jarring given their spouting about good against evil. A more evil-looking portrait couldn’t be contrived. Yet they must think they know what they’re doing. And what does this say about our country? Is this malevolent look now somehow appealing?

To half of America, apparently. It’s deeply sick.