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Tommy_Carcetti

(43,080 posts)
Thu Apr 27, 2017, 09:49 AM Apr 2017

I think the author of this piece re: Trump "evolving" is missing the far bigger question.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/willing-let-trump-evolve-090022380.html

If you're too short on time to read the entire article, the piece asks the question, "Are we willing to let Trump evolve?", and then points to several items in the past few weeks that could be argued as demonstrating a more moderating, nuanced Trump from what we saw either during the campaign or in the heavily Steve Bannon influenced opening weeks of the presidency. Specifically, the author talks about NATO, NAFTA, the Syrian missile strikes and Chinese trade relations as matters where he's shied away from his bombastic "America First" rhetoric. The author then asks whether we should still stand staunch in opposition to Trump's agenda or be appreciative of what appears on the surface to be a more palatable course of action from him.

But I honestly think the author is missing the far bigger question. The question shouldn't be "Are we willing to let Trump evolve?", but rather, "Is Trump capable of ever evolving?" or "Has Trump really evolved at all?"

Sure, on the surface, the past few weeks have not seemed as perilous as the first. But I would argue that when one strips away all the pretenses, it's still the same old Trump we've always seen. Sure, he claims NATO is relevant again, but only because he alone had a chance to speak with them and ensure that terrorism is the primary concern and not other pesky little matters (**cough cough Putin cough cough**). Whether he actually tears up NAFTA or not or threatens Chinese trade relations is secondary to whether it's all just a show about him "making a deal". The Syrian missile strikes, aimed at an airbase that had been emptied out in advance because we had told Russia ahead of the strikes, were a Kabuki façade meant to create a false narrative that Trump wasn't getting his orders from Russia.

And then we see the stunts and the posturing that seem only to serve Trump's ego and nothing else. Ordering Syrian missile strikes while feeding the Chinese President cake. Busing in the entire US Senate to the White House to deliver a useless presentation on North Korea.

And for all the seeming relief that Trump appeared to have marginalized Steve Bannon, let's not forget that Steve Bannon is still very much a part of the administration. He hasn't been fired. And in the event of a terror strike or national emergency, you could very well see his brand of fascist authoritarianism and ultra-nationalism rise right back up to the top.

I would argue that what we see now is the same old Trump we've seen all along, and the same old Trump we'll continue to see. I don't think he is capable of evolving. He is who he is and who he'll always be: a narcissistic conman. Even in the decades before Trump became overtly political, he was nothing but a self-centered son of a bitch who cared about nothing but himself. He cheated people out of money without a second thought in the world. He let his businesses crash and burn while squirreling away riches for himself. He bragged about harassing women. He picked nasty fights with people because they dared to criticize with him, even civilly so. That's who Donald Trump was and is.

This is not Donald Trump "learning how to be President." This is not Donald Trump "evolving."

He's had 70 years to evolve. He hasn't evolved yet. He won't evolve now.
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I think the author of this piece re: Trump "evolving" is missing the far bigger question. (Original Post) Tommy_Carcetti Apr 2017 OP
He runs everything greymattermom Apr 2017 #1
In the end, he's the only thing that matters. Tommy_Carcetti Apr 2017 #3
only to evolve from a Neanderthal to a homo sapien.... samnsara Apr 2017 #2
I think the "evolving" narrative is really dangerous ecstatic Apr 2017 #4
He is not evolving. He simply wants to maintain the appearance of someone who gets things done. LonePirate Apr 2017 #5

ecstatic

(32,566 posts)
4. I think the "evolving" narrative is really dangerous
Thu Apr 27, 2017, 10:31 AM
Apr 2017

What if Trump really is the next Putin or worse? Then what? If or when trumpco makes it's power play and overthrows our system as we know it, it'll be too late to tell the truth then.

LonePirate

(13,386 posts)
5. He is not evolving. He simply wants to maintain the appearance of someone who gets things done.
Thu Apr 27, 2017, 10:36 AM
Apr 2017

Apart from possibly tax cuts to boost his bottom line, he doesn't give a damn about anything. He will sign ANYTHING that crosses his desk because it shows he is doing something. He could sign a bill or EO today and then sign a polar opposite one the next door. It makes no difference to him so long as he thinks people believe he is doing something. Using the military and giving speeches at rallies also satisfy his criteria for showing the people he gets things done. It's why the Republicans continue pushing these bogus AHCA bills and why his people are so adamant about the wall. If he does not repeal the ACA or build his wall, he breaks his two biggest promises which will destroy his image as a person who gets things done.

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