Donald Trump has mastered the art of the performative. Make a big splash, test the waters, and pray for a surge in public opinion. First it was “shock and awe,” then it was “liberation day,” or, for the more romantically inclined, “a golden age.” A lot of “sound and fury, signifying nothing,” to quote from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Now it seems to be going through another iteration.

Instead of trying to fix inflation and “affordability,” he is busily trying to conquer Iran. At first, it appeared simple: the explosions happened earlier, and his poll numbers decreased. His earlier attempts to raise tariffs were interrupted by the Supreme Court. Immigration enforcement a la Kristy Noem proved disastrous and ended with her resignation. But despite failure after failure, he continues with his authoritarian style, depending on executive edicts and blustery Truth Social posts.

Lord knows he has tried everything; if he keeps it up, he might be tempted to lament with Lady Macbeth, “out damned spot,” when he reflects on his record. Doubtful that he would have either the courage or sense to do that. Noem’s firing was a good start, but it is difficult to tell whether it was done for the right reason–apparently, the firing was because Noem insisted that Trump approved her garish videos. Dear leader did not approve.

Trump’s empathy is so lacking that he dismisses his actions with “like I said, some people will die” in Iran and on prices, “if they rise, they rise.” Don’t mention the greed of men such as Howard Lutnick or the Epstein scandal. Add on the remarks of the Christian Zionist Mike Huckabee, who seems to yearn for Armageddon even as he is supposedly the US ambassador to Israel.

Theodore Lessing, a Jewish philosopher later murdered by the Nazis, probably expressed the dilemma of our politics when, in 1925, he referred to Paul von Hindenburg as a “zero.” But upon reflection, he stated, “better a zero than a Nero.” However, he also warned that “behind a zero there will always be a Nero.” It is difficult to determine which describes Trump. Nero had a flair for trying to rebuild Rome; in this, he shows something in common with the President.

Whichever it is describes the problems with performative government. It leaves the impression that a steady hand is not behind the wheel of the ship of state. Trump should realize he needs to explain his actions rather than rely on one-liners or messages. To be charitable, he receives little help from his advisors. They are all either in the “amen” corner or simply self-serving sycophants. Either they tell the President of his precarious situation, or they resign. To leave all defense of his administration to the President alone is irresponsible.

The erratic nature of Trump’s administration resembles that of the final year of Woodrow Wilson’s presidency. Because of a stroke, Wilson was overly dependent on his wife and his advisors, such as the scheming Attorney General, A. Mitchell Palmer. Wilson was feeble and isolated by the time he left office. Fortunately, Trump seems in better condition than Wilson, but he is as ill-served. He could still restore confidence, but time is running out.