As part of a deliberate strategy to keep adversaries off-balance, the Trump Administration floods the news cycle with wild and controversial policy decisions and public statements, like mass deportations, expelling foreign students, and imposing travel bans—often harsh and cruel. The blizzard of state violence is entertaining. But it also causes widespread stress. These moves will only intensify, making us even crazier. The constant barrage leaves the public grappling with uncertainty, fear, and division, with no relief in sight..and any of us could be next.
Are You Entertained?
Ted Rall
Ted Rall is a syndicated political cartoonist for Andrews McMeel Syndication and WhoWhatWhy.org and Counterpoint. He is a contributor to Centerclip and co-host of "The TMI Show" talk show. He is a graphic novelist and author of many books of art and prose, and an occasional war correspondent. He is, recently, the author of the graphic novel "2024: Revisited."
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Entertained? More like bored.
This routine has played out since Machiavelli at least. Nixon called it the Madman Theory. And it’s stunning to see how easily this shopworn gimmick has allowed Trump and his ilk to run the table and trick the establishment politicians and media. it’s like watching a three-card monte crew clean out a Yale freshman.
It’s the same thing done by every single presidency in my political lifespan. It’s like Hannibal Lecter explains to Clarice Starling, Buffalo Bill’s killing of his victims is incidental to his larger goal. Trump doesn’t care about any of this. It’s incidental. Just like it was to the Clintons, the Reagans, the Bushes, the Cheneys, the Obamas, the Bidens, the Pelosis …
In TV land, they call this a rerun.