America, You're in Danger Girl

3/16/2024

Donald Trump and I have a history that goes back several years. No, I've never met him, and to be honest with you, I'm pretty happy about that. Growing up in what is known as the Tri-state area (NY, NJ and CT,) Trump was a well-known entity in the 1980s and 90s. His name appeared in the papers on a regular basis, whether it be about his property purchases, bankruptcies, divorces, or just some outlandish comment that he felt the need to spew out to the media, his presence was always hovering around like a poltergeist that never had the presence of mind to walk towards the light. Trump never interested me. Arrogant millionaires who felt like they needed to be the center of attention meant nothing to a young, married woman trying to raise two children. If I had known that this narcissistic but seemingly innocuous man would try to make a run for the highest elected position of government some 30 years later, I probably would have kept my eye on him a little closer. This was something I couldn't imagine. Even after 14 seasons of The Apprentice, a show that had as much interest to me as watching a chess match, I still didn't get the allure. But Trump couldn't help it. His massive ego catapulted him towards the presidency. And amid all the campaign lies, the promises I knew he couldn't keep, the childish name calling and insults, the horrible tweets, the Nazi style rallies, the rhetoric, the Jerry Springer style antics, the misogyny, xenophobia, having every loathsome trait a human can possess, my faith in human decency was destroyed when the United States of America elected him our 45th president. 

To say I was in shock is an understatement. Surely everyone could see right through this man and see that he wasn't presidential material! What did he know about the three branches of government, or how they worked? What could he possibly know about policy? Foreign or domestic? His supporters insisted that he would make a good president because he was a businessman, and he could run our country like a business. Did they really think that what Trump learned from running a business would help him formulate policy? And even if they did believe that Trump filed for bankruptcy six times! There were so many questions I had for the portion of the electorate that voted for this man. It seemed crystal clear that Trump was a con man, a braggadocio, thin skinned, idiot, with no personal convictions who wanted the spotlight and the power that went with the position. He knew nothing about the average American worker struggling to make ends meet. Trump would never know what it feels like to scrape every penny together to buy a gallon of milk or hope the last few drops of gasoline will get you to work before payday. What Trump had was charisma. It wasn't a good charisma, but it was one that resonated with many Americans who were angry, tired and felt unheard. They felt that they weren't getting a break but the "others" sure were. Who were these others? Anyone who didn't look like them. These people were the white. The straight. The Christian. The middle class. The middle America. Trump made sure that they knew that THEY were the real patriots. And with that, MAGA was born.

In the ensuing 3 years, the country was hit with a daily barrage of news stories, tweets, quotes, press briefings, and White House comings and goings. One would have to live off the grid to not get wind of Trump's latest antics. It was surreal. It felt like our country was taken over by a buffoon king and myriad of court jesters willing to perform for their dear leader. There was "sharpie-gate" (trump outlined a weather map to prove he was right about a storm - he wasn't,) a Muslim ban that took effect while people were in flight and left hundreds of people stuck in airports not knowing where to go, a protest with white supremists whom Trump said were fine people, the visit to Puerto Rico after a devastating hurricane where Trump tossed out paper towels like they free t-shirts at a rock concert and who can forget the photo op during the George Floyd protests. Yep, tear gas for everyone protesters! Clear the way for Donald Trump and his trusty bible and an opportunity to make the most hideous display of hypocrisy the likes that have never been seen. But 2020 was just around the corner and the worst was just about to come. 

When 2020 rolled in, it rolled in with a virus. Now, the last time there was a global pandemic was circa 1918 and not only were we not ready but we were scared. After the first few cases were reported, we knew that COVID-19 wasn't going away. Cases were multiplying by the day, some people were surviving, others weren't so lucky. But Trump didn't want us to worry. "By April, when it gets warmer, it'll go away," he declared. "Only 15 cases in the US," was another claim, "it'll be zero in a couple of days." And who could forget, "It's going to disappear. One day, like a miracle, it'll disappear." But disappear, it did not. You see, 2020 was an election year and Trump didn't want something like a pandemic ruining his chances of getting re-elected. The reality was that Trump could have been re-elected if he had pulled the country together in solidarity and made us feel protected. Because that's what leaders do. But he didn't. He contradicted what the doctors said. He touted unproven antidotes like Hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin. Then when the first COVID stimulus package was passed, he held up the physical checks because on the memo line, it needed to have the one and only signature of, "President Donald J Trump." Why? Maybe he felt that those recipients would believe that they received a check that came straight out of his pocket. 

Incumbent presidents that serve the country during a traumatic event and unify the people are usually re-elected. Trump failed to do that. The American people grew weary of him. Except for the MAGA crowd that seemed to grow stronger, we had Trump whip lash. We were exhausted from the stunts, shenanigans, deceptions, and subterfuge. So, in November of 2020. we elected Joe Biden. Of course, Trump tried to overturn the results, we had an insurrection by his supporters, then he finally left the White House, but it wasn't for good.

So here is where we circle back to Project 2025. Trump is now the Republican presidential candidate...again. He's angrier than ever. He's been cozying up to the likes of Viktor Orban and Vladimir Putin, both authoritarians whom he gushes over every chance he can get. He wants that kind of unadulterated power. He's mad at every late-night talk show host who ever made fun of him. He's furious at the DOJ for indicting him over Jan.6. He's livid that the FBI "raided" his home looking for classified documents. He's fuming over every witness who's turning on him in every trial that's coming his way. And he hates Joe Biden for having the audacity of winning an election over him. Trump is desperate to get back in power. The Heritage Foundation is desperate for a dictator type of leader who is so ruthless, he will have no qualms implementing their plan. The laboratory for this dystopian nightmare? The United States of America.