Narcissism Run Amuck

 

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist

Donald Trump, an elderly politician and former reality television personality, has always had a penchant for getting his name on things and being tie center of attention.  He is a man whose narcissism is legendary.

Many past Presidents of the United States have tried to gild their names in the history books through bold programs and initiatives that brought substantive benefits to the people they served (the citizens of the US) and even those of the world - things like peace, prosperity, safety and protection, access to healthcare, a liveable environment, and basic freedoms like those guaranteed in our Bill of Rights.   Those Presidents focused on meeting the needs of others.

Donald Trump is cut from a different cloth.  His primary focus is always on himself.  How does something make him appear?  What's in it for him?  Will he get credit for it?  Will it add some luster to his star or put some cash in his pocket?  The overall public good is not a consideration that enters into Trump's calculations on most - if any - matters.

Trump had his name and even his signature affixed to economic recovery checks during the pandemic.  It was not his money, nor even his idea to distribute the money, but if there was recognition and credit to be had, he wanted it.

The self-promotional, narcissistic behavior was an unsavory aspect of his first term in office, and it is quickly proving to be even more evident in his second.  The tacky Trump merchandise that his family markets,  the exclusive club memberships they sell for personal access to the President, the crypto business that provides a way for people with business before the government to pump money directly into the Trump family - all of it is a flagrant misuse of the presidency that personally profits and illuminates Donald J. Trump and his family.

During his second term in office Trump is again focused on immigration and finding ways of only letting the right sorts of people come to America.  One way to do that is to sell memberships or, in this case, pathways to citizenship, through very exclusive and expensive process.  For a pricey five million dollars foreigners will soon be able to purchase a gold "visa" card that will get them into the United States and on a glide path to citizenship.    Trump sees that as a way to put money in the national treasury while culling out the riffraff who can't afford the golden ticket. Then, as frosting for that particular cake, he is labeling the actual card itself as the "Trump Card" and putting his photo on it.   

But that's just the here and now.  In the future Trump and his minions have grander plans to cement his glory into the public domain.    Trump has a particular fixation on  being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, particularly since Barack Obama received that honor years ago.  Trump, who professes to be opposed to the US being involved in foreigh wars, did relent a few weeks ago and sent three US fighter jets to drop one bunker-buster bomb each on nuclear development sites in Iran.    Most analysts think the bombs did minimal damage, but an angry Trump sees ehe evening foray to Iran as being something akin to the D-Day Invasion of Europe.  

Now Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is kissing up to Trump by telling his that he personally will nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.  Netanyahu, incidentally, is currently under indictment by the International Criminal Court  in The Hague which has issued a warrant for his arrest - so he may not be the most stellar of nominators.

Trump and some of his supporters have also talked in terms of adding his face to Mt. Rushmore, but it is questionable at best as to whether a man with 34 felony convictions really deserves to be honored on the same massive rock with the Father of Our Country and the President who saved the Union.  Maybe Trump, and Nixon, and Warren Gl Harding should go off and find their own rock somewhere else.

During the past few days there have also been some rumors blowing across the internet which indicate that Trump wants to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.  In 2020 he did expand the rules for burial at Arlington allowing Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the US to be buried there,  even if they did not serve in the military.   Trump notoriously did not step up and serve because his multiple draft deferments got in the way of him having the opportunity to charge up San Juan Hill and onto the Beaches of Normandy, or he would have been there for sure!

But Donald Trump does not need Arlington National Cemetery.  He started his own private cemetery on the grounds of his Bedminster Golf Course in New Jersey.  His first wife, Ivana, is buried there under a patch of weeds.

It's not about you, Donbo.  It's about America and meeting the needs of the people.who live and work here - and expanding democracy both here at home and around the globe.   That's what generates things like internatonal peace prizes,  sculptures on mountains, and burials in places of honor.  

Greed and vanity will not buy admiration.