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Jed Clampett, when shocked by Jethro’s behavior or lack of discernment, moaned, “One day I’m going to have a long talk with that boy.” White House aides must be having that same thought after Donald Trump’s “address” to the nation. Instead of talking about the economy or Iran, the President focused on a non-existent election “crisis” which he failed to explain. Instead of making America great again, he turned MAGA into Make America Gripe Again.
No one wanted to hear it. Even Fox was reduced to analyzing highlights rather than covering a speech that they believed was suspect in its information. Why Trump continues to squander the support he has with his base as he continues to push the Festivus line of resentments. To say the least, the address was counterproductive. His recent attacks on Iran because he misunderstood the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding only served to strengthen the radical Revolutionary Council.
Apparently, Trump is more obsessed with appearances than with results. A temporary halt to fighting hardly works against the United States. He is obsessed with “victory” as if it were a sporting event. In diplomacy, you can win by appearing to lose. As John Negroponte quipped about the Christmas bombing of 1972, "We bombed North Vietnam into accepting our concessions.” To continue with a rustic theme, as Kenny Rogers put it in his tune The Gambler, “There is time enough for counting when the dealings done.” Or in planner terms, what’s the rush?
For Republicans, this has placed them in turbulent territory. Trump seems obsessed with his ballroom and the arch, while not being particularly interested in the GOP’s election prospects. Like Alfred E. Newman of MAD magazine fame, it is “What me Worry?” Republicans usually have excused this type of shenanigans, but this is trying their patience. Trump has made the public forget all about Graham Platner. Right now, Trump is the Democratic Party’s greatest asset.
Again, he reminds some of Lyndon Johnson’s antics during 1966. Instead of making hard decisions concerning Vietnam other than military escalation, he ratcheted up the war, all the while ignoring rising inflation and urban riots. During the last days of the campaign, he personally attacked Richard Nixon, who was vigorously campaigning for Republicans. Nixon answered back calmly, and LBJ took a significant political hit. Republicans picked up 47 House seats and elected Ronald Reagan governor of California. As well, he gave Nixon, a failed candidate for governor in the Golden State in 1962, a significant boost for his emerging presidential bid in 1968.
Trump, in his presentation, seemed bored, listless, and unfocused, dredging up falsehoods about 2020. Remarkably, he saw the same election system elect him in 2016 and 2024 and had no complaints. His speech gave credence to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s charge that MAGA really represented “Chaos, Cruelty and Corruption.” This probably gave Shapiro the same boost that LBJ gave Nixon in 1966.
For the GOP, Trump’s obsession with the past and legacies don't add up to a hill of beans if they lose. He sends up second-rater appointments to a Senate already stacked with Republicans angry with the president. As faithful as the GOP usually is, this is a strain. Trump’s personal style may doom his second term as it did his first.