Do you remember the trajectory of the Godfather movies? The first generation was pure mafia, strong men who did what they had to do to ensure that their family had wealth and luxury. The original Godfather was unapologetic about doing what he “had to do” no matter what it was and how it got done. Murder, bullying, extortion from poor people were not off limits. Despite an effort to get out, the second generation Godfather got sucked in and was very talented at the job. In him however was a desire to be accepted, to go legit. The money and luxury was not enough he needed acceptance, for himself and his family. In the end it turned out impossible the effort destroyed him.
Does this sound a bit familiar as these themes play out in the Donald Trump presidential campaign? Fred Trump, by almost all accounts was a bully who did whatever it took to make wealth for his family. Maybe not murder but certainly he operated outside the mainstream; certainly he pushed the laws and the rules. Fred was hated by the New York elite and hated by the insiders of his real-estate game. I don’t think Fred ever belonged and I doubt he cared, he got his.
Donald Trump is a different story, his life seems to have been a constant struggle to attain acceptance by the elite, the insiders. Over and over Trump has tried to sell the story he thinks would get him acceptance, his wealth, he fabulous taste, photo spreads showing gilded chairs in Manhattan penthouses, beautiful wives, and spoiled children. I saw a photo the other day of a huge collection of magazines spread across a table, all with headlines about the wealthy Trump, behind the table a smiling Trump, proud of how he was portrayed in the media. Its not hard to guess that personal satisfaction for Trump is derived on how the media portrays him. The gossip columns are full of stories of Trump trying to get himself invited to weddings of powerful people, certain balls and parties. One story tells of his failed attempts to lure Lady Diana into a romantic relationship. All of this illustrates an insatiable desire to be accepted and thus be seen as legitimate.
Is this the real reason Trump wants to be president? The guy shows almost zero interest in policy, foreign or domestic, he has no underlying moral agenda that he seems to believe will set the nation down a certain path, he has no religious conviction he wishes to see the government follow. Trump appears to have never read the Constitution. Trump is making a play, like in the third (and poorly done) Godfather movie. Can the Trump family struggle their way in to society, can they ever been seen as legitimate? Will Trumps children be welcomed into the New York tea party scene, the American version of royalty, or will the always be seen as wealthy American rubes?
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Does this sound a bit familiar as these themes play out in the Donald Trump presidential campaign? Fred Trump, by almost all accounts was a bully who did whatever it took to make wealth for his family. Maybe not murder but certainly he operated outside the mainstream; certainly he pushed the laws and the rules. Fred was hated by the New York elite and hated by the insiders of his real-estate game. I don’t think Fred ever belonged and I doubt he cared, he got his.
Donald Trump is a different story, his life seems to have been a constant struggle to attain acceptance by the elite, the insiders. Over and over Trump has tried to sell the story he thinks would get him acceptance, his wealth, he fabulous taste, photo spreads showing gilded chairs in Manhattan penthouses, beautiful wives, and spoiled children. I saw a photo the other day of a huge collection of magazines spread across a table, all with headlines about the wealthy Trump, behind the table a smiling Trump, proud of how he was portrayed in the media. Its not hard to guess that personal satisfaction for Trump is derived on how the media portrays him. The gossip columns are full of stories of Trump trying to get himself invited to weddings of powerful people, certain balls and parties. One story tells of his failed attempts to lure Lady Diana into a romantic relationship. All of this illustrates an insatiable desire to be accepted and thus be seen as legitimate.
Is this the real reason Trump wants to be president? The guy shows almost zero interest in policy, foreign or domestic, he has no underlying moral agenda that he seems to believe will set the nation down a certain path, he has no religious conviction he wishes to see the government follow. Trump appears to have never read the Constitution. Trump is making a play, like in the third (and poorly done) Godfather movie. Can the Trump family struggle their way in to society, can they ever been seen as legitimate? Will Trumps children be welcomed into the New York tea party scene, the American version of royalty, or will the always be seen as wealthy American rubes?
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