Trump stood in front of an audience in West Palm Beach, Florida following his Super Saturday victories justifying his penis size and boasting about what a "winner" he is. When asked a serious policy question on same sex marriage, Trump refused to respond, telling the reporter to "sit down."
This has been the theme of his candidacy. Appealing to the public through "showmanship," Trump has turned the presidential race into the ultimate reality show. Through one liners, insults, and fear mongering Trump has successfully created a smokescreen that has concealed - to some - his own inability to think critically, much less lead a nation. Sadly, those who support "The Donald" haven't figured out that his campaign in based on trumpery defined as deceit, fallacy, and although showy, of little value.
Trump's refusal to respond to questions on policy is not new. Although sometimes rather than flat out refusing, he fumbles through responses like a child who didn't finish his homework but is trying to convince the teacher otherwise.
Thanks to George Takei for demonstrating this so eloquently in his recent Facebook Post.
Donald Trump answers the question: What is 2+2? "I have to say a lot of people have been asking this question. No,...
Posted by George Takei on Sunday, March 6, 2016
When questioned on ISIS, unable to offer a detailed strategy, Trump responded, "I will...quickly and decisively bomb the hell out of ISIS, will rebuild our military and make it so strong no one -- and I mean, no one -- will mess with us."
When asked about his support for torturing and "taking out" the families of terrorists, Trump claimed that soldiers would commit such illegal acts under his orders; "They're not going to refuse me, believe me, If I say do it, they're going to do it."
Personal attacks are a staple in Trump's strategy to deflect questions and regain the attention of the public. He attacked Megyn Kelly for questioning his misogynistic comments by calling Kelly a "bimbo" and suggesting she was being aggressive because she was menstruating.
During the Fox News Michigan debate, when pushed for a response on foreign policy by Marco Rubio, Trump responded by saying that everyone in Florida hates "Little Marco" and he wouldn't be elected as a "dog catcher." Trump never responded to the question on foreign policy.
And it is with these ridiculous responses that Trump has mesmerized a nation lacking the ability to think critically. Refusing to respond while entertaining the masses; it is trumpery in full effect.
This fact is not lost on the Republican Party. Some have called for a third-party option stating they will not vote for Trump. Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney stated that Trump is "a phoney, a fraud...His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University. He's playing members of the American public for suckers." And the GOP national security leaders issued an open letter opposing Trump's candidacy calling him "fundamentally dishonest," condemning his "hateful, anti-Muslim rhetoric," call for increased use of torture, support for trade wars, and esteem for Vladimir Putin.
While Chris Christie jumped on the Trump wagon in hopes of breathing life into his political career, on Super Tuesday his eyes told the world that he realized he made a deal with the devil.
His blatant inability to comment on domestic or foreign policy is alarming and Trump is yet to offer a realistic strategy that would lead to a successful presidency. As David Brooks points out, his campaign is a sham just like Trump University and Trump Mortgage. And a President Trump would be a debacle just like Trump Air, Trump Steaks, and Trump Vodka.
Nonetheless, a large segment of the American public appears hungry for the careless, politically uninformed, objectionable billionaire bully whose bid for the White House is an attempt to achieve the ultimate symbol of power. Through hate speech and stances that undermine actual American values, Trump has created a "new red scare" and many are buying into it hook, line, and sinker. He has successfully played on the fears of many allowing himself to climb in the polls - a similar factor that resulted in the rise of other fascist leaders, including Adolf Hitler.
Disturbingly, some Trump enthusiasts are unable to distinguish between statements by Trump and Hitler. Those who support his candidacy claim that Trump "tells it like it is," is a successful businessman, and funds his own campaign. Perhaps they should review John Oliver's response to these notions.
Trump has no experience and is clueless as to what the job of POTUS entails. Like the root meaning of his name, he is deceitful, showy but useless and has simply become the clown who has taken center stage in the circus built by American politics. With his "trumpfoolery" he has revealed a disturbing temperament in the nation while duping some Americans into believing a Trump presidency will mean a "reclaiming" of America using anti-American values.
If the trumpery of his campaign strategy is evidence of what a Trump presidency would look like, the US should be prepared for deceitful and dangerous commander in chief who will continue the "new red scare" and limit the freedom so many assume he will defend as an American right. As Louis CK said referring to Trump, "Don't vote for your own cancer."