Trump’s lavish lifesyle makes a mockery of his own supporters

Former President Trump really loves to talk about how in touch he is with the plight of the common, working man. Like, really loves it.

In Trump’s personal lore, he is a defender of the people against the elite and corrupt political establishment. He speaks simply, bluntly, eschewing political correctness and elite jargon. He’s just one of the guys! He locker talks. 

There are lots of things about Trump’s rise to power that perplex me, but few more than the intense cognitive dissonance created by the fact  that Trump positions himself as a populist leader while being a walking, talking example of the utter grossness of conspicuous consumerism. 

This goes back decades, past the escalators and the names branded across the tops of cityscape-destroying structures, the gold toilets…

And now he’s selling $100,000 watches, weeks before the presidential election.

Shall we take a look at the Trump Victory Tourbillon? Crafted from 18-karat gold 122 diamonds, weighing approximately 200 grams, it…

well, it’s ridiculous. And ugly. But it’s also very on-brand for Trump.

Who are these for? No, but…WHO? WHY does Trump’s base cheer on a product seemingly created to make a mockery of them? 

The answer, I think, is twofold.
First, Trump does many things poorly, including the English language, tie selection, and fundamental decency, but he does an excellent job of psychologically manipulating his followers. 

He creates a shared identity with them by framing attacks on him as attacks on them, fostering a sense of collective victimhood and loyalty. 

This tactic not only helps his supporters overlook discrepancies but also strengthens their allegiance to him. 

And then the base can more comfortably overlook his over-the-top lifestyle because it speaks to his success, which they think will benefit them in turn. 

The second part of the answer, though, is that…I don’t think people…care.

I think the sexism and racism in this country runs so deep and is so pervasive and so sneaky – popping up in places you wouldn’t anticipate, in people you’d never imagine. 

So he’s a buffoon, so he sells hundred thousand dollar gold watches.

He’s also a bully. And having been to high school, I recall that sometimes it seems easier to be on bully’s side. 

You think maybe, when things start to go down, he’ll protect you. But he didn’t in high school, and he’s not going to now. 

So, to close, here is a spectacular example of Donald Trump’s deep alignment with the needs of the working class.  That is a man of the people, right there.