Trump is, simply, perfect

It is time to give Silvio Berlusconi the recognition as he deserves: he was ahead of his time, a modern precursor to a type of leadership that cloaked self-serving economic (and criminal) interests under the guise of patriotic rhetoric. The cunning of the former prime minister of Italy, who skillfully returned to power despite the growing scandals surrounding his business empire, foreshadowed the rise of another figure who has now returned to power in style in the United States — Donald Trump.

Like Berlusconi, Trump is a millionaire, vulgar, a womanizer, a chauvinist, and entangled in various legal battles. He isn’t fooling anyone. However, Trump brings something extra — a torrent of hatred and divisiveness, a contrast to the more charismatic approach of Berlusconi, a man who crooned on cruise ships, and is, after all, Italian. An important factor, indeed.

But here we are. Trump is president again, this time with the popular vote, not just the electoral maneuvering of swing states. And there’s another difference: a newfound atmosphere of respect for his return, something that wouldn’t have existed if Harris had won. After all, as all Trump supporters “know” for a fact, Harris’ victory would only have been possible through fraud.

Trump’s victory, let’s face it, is perfect for many groups. It’s perfect for Putin, who now has the opportunity to expand his grip on Ukraine with North Korean troops sent by Kim Jong-un (whom Trump famously befriended). It’s perfect for Netanyahu, who can continue to reshape the Middle East with no regard for Palestinian lives. It’s perfect for Viktor Orbán, the most anti-democratic and pro-Russian leader in the EU, who celebrated Trump’s victory with vodka instead of the promised champagne. It’s perfect for the European far right, which has uncorked another bottle of xenophobia. It’s perfect for leaders like Madrid premier Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who sees the court investigation into her partner as a persecution, claiming he is merely a victim, despite the fact he has admitted to tax fraud. It’s perfect for men who think women have gained too much power. It’s perfect for millionaires who will see their taxes slashed. It’s perfect for the oil and gas industries, which will continue to thrive despite the deadly impact of global warming. It’s perfect for powerful manipulators like Elon Musk. And it’s perfect for many citizens who live more comfortably in ignorance and falsehoods, rather than seeking truth.

Ultimately, it’s perfect for progressives who will have to face the reality that they failed workers, and that their focus on admirable causes didn’t translate into economic gains for the average person. To teach ourselves a lesson, Trump is, simply, perfect.

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