Jeff Israely: “Trump bases his power on his ability to stay on screen, every day, without ever being boring”
In a policy that has become a permanent performance, the absence of shame is no longer a drift but a strategy.
QuoteThe current occupant of the White House, for his part, rushes very publicly towards an exit strategy devoid of any strategy, which will almost certainly lead to an unfinished end of war, and a declaration of total victory by Trump. Everyone else having to face the court of history, like George W. Bush after his premature staging of the "mission accomplished," simply does not fit into the calculations of this type of political creature.
That from 10 days ago, and it looks to be how things will work out. Teflon Don slides again.
Israely's Core Thesis:
QuoteTrump is a man without shame. It's not simply that he says up is down, black is white, defeat is victory. Trump knows we know he doesn't believe it. And by repeating it, again and again, he exercises a new form of power that operates in its own truth regime.
Known to me as the way of the bully.
Threaten annihilation --> pivot to talks --> declare victory --> deliver nothing.
The reality TV star defines reality. You have nothing to say about it.