Why Trump matters- the big picture
David Frum just nailed it, IMO:
The American system depends upon public understanding that law is bigger than politics, that right and wrong exist independent of who screws whom. Trump’s life and career are based on discrediting the distinction between right and wrong, and on convincing himself and others that the only reality is who screws whom. As of right now, he’s winning that messaging debate, regardless of what happens to him personally.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/08/trump-bolton-sending-message/683997/
Trump sounds like a populist, but in practice he doesn't actually serve up much "for the people" other than for those members of the people who want to see real and symbolic suffering and bloodshed. That's the circus, and he just loves how popular it is to throw his enemies to the lions and watch the crowd go wild with glee.
Sure, he promises bread as well, but it's usually crumbs, with the actual grain and a piece of the bakers' fees going back to him and to those who can give him something in return.
Granted, Frum doesn't go far enough, imo, in talking about the consequences of Trump "winning.". He does talk about the aftermath of the Civil War, but I think that Reconstruction and even Jim Crow may pale in terms of the consequences of Trump's war on ethics, morality, natural and political science.
The American system depends upon public understanding that law is bigger than politics, that right and wrong exist independent of who screws whom. Trump’s life and career are based on discrediting the distinction between right and wrong, and on convincing himself and others that the only reality is who screws whom. As of right now, he’s winning that messaging debate, regardless of what happens to him personally.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/08/trump-bolton-sending-message/683997/
Trump sounds like a populist, but in practice he doesn't actually serve up much "for the people" other than for those members of the people who want to see real and symbolic suffering and bloodshed. That's the circus, and he just loves how popular it is to throw his enemies to the lions and watch the crowd go wild with glee.
Sure, he promises bread as well, but it's usually crumbs, with the actual grain and a piece of the bakers' fees going back to him and to those who can give him something in return.
Granted, Frum doesn't go far enough, imo, in talking about the consequences of Trump "winning.". He does talk about the aftermath of the Civil War, but I think that Reconstruction and even Jim Crow may pale in terms of the consequences of Trump's war on ethics, morality, natural and political science.
