Trump can ONLY process politics as an entertainment product.

[fleur-de-lisa]

Schooleyn @Rschooley

I know it’s a variation on the hacky “reality show President” take, but it’s really striking lately how much Trump can ONLY process politics as an entertainment product. He’s the ultimate manifestation of every fear about cable news turning government into a soap opera. Obviously his obsession with ratings and polls highlights this, but I also get the feeling he thought as showrunner he could just reject a pandemic storyline for this season and that would take care of that. It’s also increasingly clear if he’s not performing the role of President on camera, he doesn’t see the point.

3:05 PM · Jul 7, 2020

Link to tweet

[Mike 03]

1. What we're experiencing reminds me of that scene in Network in which

Max Schumacher (William Holden) finally gets through to Diana Christenson (Faye Dunaway) and tells her, "You're madness, Diana. You're television incarnate."

In a way that is what Trump has become: Media incarnate.

[unblock]

2. it is remarkably, and something to be grateful for, that he really doesn't understand power

all his experience is manipulating the people immediately around him and crafting a media image of self-puffery.

he has no clue that the federal government could change the country in so many ways.

all he knows is image, bigotry, and grifting.

[malaise]

3. Get thee to the greatest page just for this

Obviously his obsession with ratings and polls highlights this, but I also get the feeling he thought as showrunner he could just reject a pandemic storyline for this season and that would take care of that.

100% correct

[2naSalit]

4. Unfortunately...

there are many others who also have this affliction.