Gordon L. Weil
Trying to figure out Donald Trump may be the prime American
indoor sport. His barrage of new
policies has left people trying to figure out their president.
Some see him as a great deal maker. Others see him as
erratic. Still others may believe he is
not completely sane or that he is sliding into senility.
What do we know about him?
His goals are reasonably clear: (1) restoring American
manufacturing by making imports more costly, (2) reducing regulation to improve
corporate profitability and boost the economy, (3) ending “woke” policies, (4)
cutting the size and functions of the federal government and (5) blocking and expelling
illegal immigrants.
Each of these goals has its supporters, creating the
coalition that backs him, but his unpredictable methods have raised concerns
even among those backers. His methods may
do more harm than the good his supporters see in his goals.
Here’s a look at his policies and actions to see who Trump
really is.
He focuses on the immediate, the short term. Raise tariffs, change policies, shut agencies.
Do that now. That can produce surprise
and quick results. It may be the way a newly elected president can best take
advantage of his election victory.
But this almost impetuous style means that he ignores
history’s lessons. He does not understand
why Ukraine won’t simply quit the war Russia started and end the
bloodshed. He has learned that other
presidents favored high tariffs, but seems unaware of the disastrous effect of
those moves.
By acting quickly, he ignores side effects. His tariff policy might boost domestic
production, but that takes time while tariffs take effect immediately. Meanwhile, the economy will slow, prices will
rise and markets will weaken. He suggests
that life will be painful for a while, ignoring the short-term effects on
middle income and elderly people.
Though proud to be considered a great negotiator, he makes concessions
to Russia, while gaining little from it in return. He accepts the demands of the Russian
aggressor and tries to pressure Ukraine, the victim, to surrender.
He uses the economic tools at his disposal to force others
to accept his views. Maine has only two trans students in high school sports,
but he wants to cut off all federal funding to the state unless it outlaws the
policy making that possible.
He is insensitive to intangible values. He seems not to understand that his policy
would strip Ukraine of its sovereignty, to him an abstraction compared to a
ceasefire. Similarly, attacking universities,
he shows no understanding of academic freedom.
In both cases, he ignores the values and history of those he would control.
He reveals human traits.
He bullies those he would control.
He retaliates, using his government powers, against those he sees as
past opponents, from government officials to law firms. He persists in falsehoods that support his
policies, even after being confronted with hard facts. He is heedless of the concerns of others,
even major allies.
He is president of the greatest power in the world, but he still
craves acceptance in the select clubs of the rich and powerful. He likes to associate with fellow
billionaires and with national leaders who can wield dictatorial powers.
At the same time, he continually and immodestly asserts that
what he is doing exceeds the accomplishments of any predecessor and that the
results are historic. He feeds on the
praise of others and lavishes it on himself.
He shows no embarrassment when other national leaders and his own agents
shower him with compliments.
The result is the most personal presidency in American
history. His desire to add Greenland and
Canada and maybe even Panama and Gaza to the U.S. seems to be more about his
desire to find a place in history for himself than the demands of political or
military reality.
Many of Trump’s personal and political characteristics
differ from any previous president. He seems ready to inspire fear as an
instrument of his style of government. Thus far, he is unchecked by other
branches of government, and he intimidates his critics.
His lack of respect for history, cooperation and compromise,
and the concerns of others represents change, which voters said they wanted.
But change under Trump may come at a high price for the country and its
standing in the world.
Experts may opine about the reasons why Donald Trump is the
man and president he is. His business
background, his family, and his lack of relationships with average people have
undoubtedly shaped him.
I leave psychological or medical judgments to others. Donald Trump most reminds me of a kid in fifth grade who is not yet mature enough to understand history or how to relate effectively with others, but is strong enough to bully his classmates.
