The Donald Trump era has the feel of tremendous hedonism. Donald Trump always struck me as a Midas-like figure, a man who craved gold. He gave his Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan a golden sheen for gold was clearly his favorite color. Maybe he dislikes the White House because of its pale tones-- so bland and pedestrian. Even his hair has a gold luster.
Then there is fame. Trump lusts after fame even more than gold. And he combined the two. He used his fame, branding the Trump name to get loans to build casinos and hotels create more wealth.Trump built hotels and golf courses, not exactly a Steve Jobs like achievement. His money never resulted from innovation, only from fame and branding. And he brags about his wealth, a sin rarely indulged in by the truly wealthy. What's the point? Rich people know you only create envy in others by reminding them of your superior wealth.
Trump's willingness to talk about his riches convinced me he does not really care that much about money. Attention gets him off, more than wealth. That's why he could handle the bankruptcies and bounce back, still ticking like a Timex watch. He measured the success of his wedding to Melania based mostly on celebrity stats-- pointing out that more than 250 celebrities showed up to the reception. He was eager to have Bill and Hillary Clinton show up for the festivities-- and they did. Trump loves famous people.
Trump cannot get too much attention; he craves more; and we crave more of him. Trump's love of all manner of fame and notoriety reminds me of King Midas, the king who turned everything he touched into gold. The talent seemed wonderful until Midas found his fingers turning his food and drink into the solid yellow metal.
Trump may have overdone it on the fame front. Like gorging on too much food, the news cycle has been gorging on too much Trump. James Comey, the recently fired FBI director tried to join the fame orgy. He clumsily inserted himself into the election news. He couldn't wait to do it again and went back at Hillary a second time. Now, with these Russian hacker accusations, and possible Trump team collusion, things got dicier and Sean Spicier, and Comey found himself on the ropes.
Trump liked Comey's pre-election high jinks, inserting himself into the 2016 election needlessly, and thereby improving Trump's chance at victory. Comey seemed like a high school kid forcing his way on to the prom committee as he strived to impress his Republican friends. Forgot he was in charge of a police agency known at onetime for its discretion in these matters.
Comey got in over his head-- and now his heads been chopped off. Trump couldn't restrain himself.
Nowadays the news seems to arrive too quickly. Mike Flynn hired, shamed and then quickly fired. Comey remained in office, briefly, surviving momentarily despite the election controversy-- but Trump quickly dumped the guy. Comey seemed like a loose cannon. Trump only likes one loose cannon on the scene-- and guess who that is?!
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