TRUMP is an informative guide on Donald Trump presented in a comics format by Ted Rall, published by Seven Stories Press. It is not a satire, nor is it a bombastic attack on Mr. Trump. In fact, if you were only to read a brief passage here or there, you might even warm up a bit to the human being that is Donald J. Trump. Yes, of course, this is a human being we’re talking about. To his credit, Trump has provided quite a reality check to what has usually been a rather rote and bloodless presidential campaign process. Well, the powers that be would much prefer it to work that way. But there’s always room for some sort of change. The last hopeful sign of it was the rise of Barack Obama. This time around, some would have you believe that the winds of change are for Trump. With Ted Rall’s compact and concise guide, you might pick up on a number of facts that have gotten lost in the whirlwind.
When one sings a high note, it is essential to leave room for the climb up. And so it is with Rall’s rendition of events. Rall has had a glorious career in comics leaning hard left or involving highly-charged pieces railing against the status quo. But, through it all, I believe Ted Rall has always had something interesting to say. I’ve had the pleasure to review two of his recent books, also with Seven Stories Press: a bio of Edward Snowden; and a bio on Bernie Sanders. SNOWDEN paved the way for some of Rall’s best work. The format of crisp chapters that hit the main points to each topic leads to greater clarity and seems to foster a well-balanced approach.
Trump, a pacifist? Not so much.
Of course, Rall wouldn’t be Rall without some provocation. In the case of TRUMP, Rall is playing fair where he can. Sure, Trump has proven to be a good guy in regards to his own family. Yes, Trump has made the establishment cringe in much needed ways. Who else but Trump would dare to so pointedly criticize the U.S. invasion of Iraq? Well, no Republican dared to cross the Bush dynasty in the way Trump did. Like it or not, that rebuke of the war in Iraq was nothing less than brilliant. However, Rall, while giving Trump some credit, is also building a case that a Trump administration would be fascist. In fact, Rall brings up a comparison to Hitler a number of times.
What makes Rall’s argument work is that he thoughtfully and logically presents the facts. Ironically, as it were, Rall does agree with Trump that America, overall, has been in decline these last forty years or so. But Trump is only exploiting a vulnerability. He heavily relies on his charisma and empty slogans. He blames races of people for America’s problems. And, while he was against the war in Iraq, he shows no qualms about “bombing the hell out of ISIS.” Rall refers back to, Robert Paxton, a history professor he studied under at Columbia. Paxton wrote the definitive, “The Anatomy of Fascism.” Of Trump, Paxton says, “He’s very spontaneous. He has a genius for sensing the mood of a crowd and I think to some degree Hitler and Mussolini had those qualities also. I do not think he’s learned this from a book.”
When the U.S. government could have saved Main Street, it sided instead with Wall Street.
Or is it possible that much, if not all, of what Trump has said and promised on the campaign trail is a bunch of blustery hooey? Rall’s book came out in time to tap into the recurring theme about Trump supporters: They are willing to overlook his offensive statements and take it with a grain of salt. The overriding goal for them is change. Let Trump be Trump and let him give an upturned middle finger to the political elite. It’s a fairly sophisticated stance coming from what most of the media is willing to dismiss as a steaming pile of racist buffoons.
Trump has been Professor Harold Hill to America’s vulnerable River City. Like that masterful Pied Piper, Trump has ingratiated himself with a larger-than-life persona only to come up woefully short on any of his outrageous promises. Trump has inspired Ted Rall to write this book about him and make a case for him being a fascist! But, alas, Trump may prove to be the most empty suit of them all.
TRUMP is a 192-page trade paperback in full color. For more details, visit Seven Stories Press right here.
I like your (or Rall’s) analysis of Trump, and your giving credit to his followers as provocateurs. This one goes on my list of things to read.
That’s a good distinction to make, Sheena, as to opinions on Trump. Yes, my observations blend with Rall’s. I think Trump’s moment in the debates when he takes a hard stand against the Iraq war and the Bush dynasty was brilliant. It indicates to me an armchair quarterback’s hit or miss commentary making one brilliant move.
Trump is a capable individual and I doubt he believes much, if any, of what he says to his followers. But he’s gone too far for far too long with his crazy unfiltered remarks. My observation is that he is more Professor Harold Hill than anything else. And that’s being generous.
This is a great idea for a comic. I’ve never seen one like it. I’m just afraid that reading it would only make me mad.
Ted Rall provides a compelling narrative. This isn’t exactly Jay Gatsby but it’s quite a story.
hello henry chamberlain its dennis the vizsla dog hay this sownds like kwite an intresting buk!!! perhaps i shud pik it up and reed it so i kan find owt wot not to do now that i am running for prezzident!!! if nuthing else it shud help me owt in the debayts by showing me wot buttons i kan push rite??? ok bye
Dennis, you’ve picked a perfect time to run for president of the United States. It was quite a shock to have you-know-who run, and then become nominated and all that. Who knew? Well, I’m excited that you’re in the race. Yes, read this book, and as many other titles as you can from now until the election! Good luck!