The Trump Conundrum: Aberration or American Reflection?

The Puppet Master and His Puppets

George Packer's recent Atlantic piece paints a striking Orwellian portrait of the Trump era, highlighting the comical absurdity of Trump's loyal followers. Like obedient automatons, figures such as Lindsey Graham and Mike Johnson parrot Trump's rhetoric, even when it contradicts their previous stances. They've transformed from Zelenskyy champions to Putin apologists "without missing a beat," embodying the malleable truths of "1984."

A Nostalgic View of the Past

Packer mourns the supposed stability of the pre-Trump world order, attributing the descent into Orwellian deception to Trump's influence. He seems to forget that the "uniquely stable and prosperous" eight decades he references were rife with war, colonial exploitation, and accelerating environmental destruction. This nostalgia for a bygone era overlooks the deep-seated issues that paved the way for Trump's rise.

Trump: Symptom or Disease?

Is Trump a rogue element disrupting a previously benevolent system, or is he a manifestation of America's own values? This question lies at the heart of the divide between liberals and progressives. One side views Trump as an anomaly, the other as a predictable outcome of systemic failure.

Rehabilitating Marco Rubio?

Packer's sympathetic portrayal of Marco Rubio during a meeting with Trump and Zelenskyy raises eyebrows. He interprets Rubio's apparent discomfort as a sign of internal moral conflict. However, Rubio's consistent hardline stances on issues like climate change, gun control, and abortion suggest a different interpretation. His "passionate defense of democracy," as Packer puts it, seems curiously selective, particularly given his unwavering support for figures like Netanyahu.

The Illusion of Moral Crisis

Attributing a moral crisis to Trump's followers risks minimizing the larger problem. American politicians have long been beholden to corporate interests. Trump may be adept at exploiting this moral vacuum, but he didn't create it. The emptiness within figures like Rubio predates Trump by decades.

Beyond Ukraine: A Deeper Reckoning

Packer points to public support for Ukraine as a glimmer of hope, but this overlooks the fundamental question: how did the US become a breeding ground for fascism? The true power brokers, the military-industrial complex and corporate elite, remain unaffected by shifting alliances. Public opinion, easily swayed by media narratives, is a fickle measure of true resistance.

The Call for Revolution

Retreating to the familiar comfort of the pre-Trump era, as Packer suggests, offers no real solutions. As David Graeber observed, revolutionary moments spark imaginative re-creation. True resistance demands more than wistful longing for an idealized past. It requires a radical reimagining of our systems and values. We face a choice: capitulation or revolution. There is no viable middle ground.

Inspired by a piece originally published on Nobody's Voice.