The Presidency of Our Discontent
John Steinbeck’s famous novel ‘The Winter of Our Discontent’ serves as a good metaphor defining the Trump presidency. It harkens back to a quote from Shakespeare’s ‘Richard III‘ suggesting disaffection in general. It’s about integrity, debasement, politics, and the cyclic quest for resolution. It’s about rejuvenation.
(This are excerpts from the yet to be published novel of the same title, ‘The Presidency of Our Discontent’, by a yet to be named New York Times bestselling author)
Our President
....President Trump stood by the tall windows in the Oval Office overlooking the Rose Garden, which he renamed Trump Gardens after his acquittal. He was not prepared for the press conference, as was his way. Instead, he was contemplating having to take a leak first, wondering where Melania was, and if he even had enough time to masturbate before the press conference began. It was his way.
The 2020 election shocked the world, except Russia. They were elated. Again. America, after resuscitation, was for the most part in a sour mood. Some were happy, the Trump supporters, ‘cause by now they were having their way. They were the remnants of the old ‘Tea Party‘ gone nuts. Nazis, white supremacists, skinheads, anti-Semites ...you know the type, morons. But they voted in record numbers. The apathetic Americans, true patriots with a lost cause, who didn’t vote, they just gave up, were now a weak minority and, according to some reports, headed to internment camps in North Dakota.
The press conference was comprised of Fox new reporters only. CNN, MSNBC and the others were not in attendance. After Trump dismantled the FCC, they were all headed to North Dakota as well.
With Vice President Manafort at his side, Trump took the the first question. “Is it true, Mr. President, that Michael Cohen’s death affected you deeply, personally, regardless of his disloyalty?” Trump answered, “There was no collusion, I did nothing wrong. Michael was like a son to me, and I know nothing about Vince Foster, ask Hillary about that.”
Next question from Fox news director, Kellyanne Conway. “Mr. President, how are you coping with the untimely deaths of both your sons Eric and Don Jr., and son-in-law, Jared Kushner?” Trump: “There was no collusion. I did nothing wrong. I told Eric and Don Jr. not to get on that plane. They were sons to me. Very, very sad.”
The press conference concluded with the last question from Fox news reporter, Chelsea Clinton, “Mr. Trump, do you plan on a pardon for my mom, Hillary Clinton, and when do you think she will get out of jail?” Trump: “Chelsea, we’ll see what happens. There was no collusion. I did nothing wrong. I had to ‘lock her up‘ because I keep my word to the American people. We’ll see what happens.”
White House spokesman Sarah Huckabee Sanders, now taken to wearing jackboots and epaulets to show absolute authority, thanked the Fox reporters and dispatched them saying that President Trump would not take any further questions as he was preparing for a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Coney Island in the morning. Putin is being considered for a new Trump joint cabinet position, Secretary President of Space Force.
At that, the gaggle of reporters all shouted out questions in unison as they always do ...”Mr. President, what about the wall, when will we see a wall”? ...”Mr. President, is it true Melania went back to Slovenia with Baron to live with her parents?” ...”When will the stock market recover?” ...”What do you know about Vince Foster?!” ...”What’s Tiffany doing?” ...”Who’s on First?” ...”What about Jimmy Hoffa?!?” ...
Trump and Manafort quickly retreated to the oval office to catch the last half hour of ‘The New Apprentice’ hosted by Anthony Scaramucci ...tag line, “You’re Fu**ed!” The new, restructured FCC censor regulations substantially relaxed the language code, in fact, there was no code restriction on language because, if effect, there was no FCC. The only restriction was that you just couldn’t say anything bad about the president, and everyone in America was required to sign a NDA which was now included in your tax forms ...
Space Force
...Trump’s new Space Force initiative became as ludicrous as Mel Brooks‘ ‘Spaceballs’. It just wasn’t working. Just like ‘the wall’ on the U.S. southern border wasn’t working ... interesting, purposeful idea, but not practical in expense or execution. Putin declined the Space Force position. Trump put Kim Jong un in charge who accepted it readily, with Dennis Rodman as his director of operations. Kim loved wearing the oversized Darth Vader helmet ...
The preceding excerpts are from what I call a non-fiction novel, meaning it could happen ...maybe. All in all, the Trump presidency has been a study in lunacy, debauchery, debasement, and deceit. Confusion. Trump has everyone on their heels. It’s funny to watch the various reactions from people, we Americans, foreigners, and world leaders alike. He’s a different kind of president, we’ve not seen this before. Whether you hate him or love him, he’s achieved the office of the presidency of America, no small task.
The split between his oppressive personality and a good executive is in play here, in plain sight. Trump wears everything on his sleeve. The guy seems to be shameless, with no moral code. On the other hand, he’s moving things forward, pushing the envelop. Let’s just hope he’s not pushing us off a cliff. His sleazy contacts define him, the excuse that he did wrong “years ago” further anchors his continued sordid character. People don't change.
The tongue-in-cheek humor above is meant to be just that, funny. Dumb-funny, maybe, critically funny, but isn’t that Trump’s manner? Obama was lithe, intelligent, knowledgeable, and had class. A sense of humor. Trump has none of these things. He is a comically dumb, slovenly bovine figure and the subject of much criticism. He’s given us a good laugh and every comic in America a good living. But to be serious, take a good look and ask yourself just what has he given us besides a good laugh and something to gossip and speculate about? Has he really improved the economy? Is it really the economy, stupid? (I think it’s about character and legacy). Has he improved America’s world standing? Does he embody, as our president, all that America is, was, and hopes to be? Speculate on what will or could happen next in this Trump saga. Will he stay or will he go, and what are the ramifications of either scenario?
Whatever is to come, Donald Trump’s will be the presidency of our discontent ...and discontent, like winter, will pass.
John Kushma is a communication consultant and lives in Logan, Utah.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-george-kushma-379a5762
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