Based on the speeches he gave the last two days, there are two politicians named Donald Trump. The first of them is an extension of his businessman persona I will call “The Dealmaker;” in spite of his innumerable flaws (ignorance of policy, thin skin, obsession with “winning,” etc.), this one is an orthodox politician who reads from a teleprompter and does his best to get business done and unite the country. The second is a raging demagogue who does nothing but throw red meat to his Reactionary base through tweets and campaign appearances; this one looks more like an angry stand-up comedian than a politician.
Both his supporters and his detractors naturally view the unscripted demagogue as being the more “authentic” version of Trump. I am beginning to think, however, that part of his frustration with the media is their inability to see that the two personas are, in his mind, completely compartmentalized. In other words, only the words and actions of “The Dealmaker” are meant to be taken seriously as policy by the MSM; the tweets and outrageous statements at rallies are just a form of entertainment for his Reactionary base, and for himself.
If I’m right, and I think I am, this approach brings a level of cynicism and dishonesty to the presidency that has never been seen before, and it is no surprise that the rest of the world doesn’t get the joke.