There are good and bad elements to Trump’s presentation of himself as a political figure. Herein we are going to discuss *ahem* some of the good, all of the bad.

good

Be controversial. When Trump called McCain out for being captured in Vietnam, saying it wasn’t heroic to get brought in by the enemy, he was being controversial in a useful way. There was no volatile constituency waiting to get angry at him for that statement. Whereas if he had said, “niggers are stupid,” everyone would have dropped on him like a pile of bricks through their vested interest in the question.

bad

Get bogged down by irrelevancies. Trump never let a slight pass by. He called news reporters “nasty”, sicced his lawyers on TV networks for defamation, and in brief behaved like a hyperactive short man affronted by his height and society’s recognition of it. He should have let a lot of it go, slide like water off his back. It would have been wiser, saving him energy and money — and more importantly, burnishing his image to a fine glow.

good

Be funny. During the 2016 primaries, Trump was making fun of a sweating “Little” Marco Rubio. The good Senator apparently was drenched in his own body liquids. Trump tossed a water bottle’s contents here and there to demonstrate. That was funny. People like funny people. When you say “he’s funny,” you’re really saying “I like him.” It’s an incontrovertible axiom of equivalence.

bad

Insult the weak. Trump was insulted by a handicapped man’s actions. So he mocked him, showing a crippled face and quivering his voice. There’s no percentage in going after those who aren’t strong like yourself, so calm your jets, big guy.

good

Keep your material fresh. Trump threw out newsworthy items on an almost daily basis. During the 2024 runup to the January 20, 2025 transfer of power he mentioned Canada, Greenland, and Panama in random order in assertive ways, mocking them and threatening to take them over or buy them up outright. This was good strategy. Be controversial; be current. Keep the news channel full.

bad

Make the mistake of thinking everything alphas do is loved. Trump was asked if he would give a Mother’s Day greeting to his wife, Melania. Trump replied, “If I have time.” This was the correct alpha response. But the incorrect political one. Show love for your significant other rather than aloofness and you will win the hearts of the inferior female voting bloc. You’ll lose some personal sway, but your presidential authority should make up for this in spades.

As you can see, Trump does a lot right and a lot wrong. His errors in commission and omission didn’t impede him significantly, and he beat 2 women opponents in the electoral college, where it counted.

Trump represents a form of authentic politician that is hard for typical politicians to adjust to and deal with. The greatest fake politician ever was Bill Clinton (“Ah feel your pain.”) He was truly marvelous to behold, a winner, the well-earned holder of the nickname “Slick Willy.” Trump was at the opposite end of the poles. He had a New Yorker’s brash attitude, way with words, and emotional vibrancy that came across as interesting and fresh. He was different. He was loaded with chutzpah and charisma — words born in the fires of Manhattan.

The ultimate politician would be a synthesis of the fake and the authentic. It would be mind-bogglingly hard to achieve, but possibly do-able. You’d have to start with the authentic and then lard on the fake in layers that selectively responded to stimuli from without by reporters, fans, everyone in a cascade of emotional resonance striking inner chords with everyone. *deep breath in RL* Well, let’s hope such a political monster intends only the very best for the innocent men, women, and children of the world. Let us now gather and sing “Kumbaya” by the campfire, children. For it is time to kiss ass and kiss it mightily.