Remember this bizarre exchange during Fox News' Republican presidential debate? The clip illustrates breathtaking bravado, contempt, and hubris. Who has the inherent privilege to be this callous?
Bret Baier: You've also donated to several Democratic candidates, Hillary Clinton included, Nancy Pelosi. You explained away those donations saying you did that to get business-related favors. And you said recently, quote, when you give, they do whatever the hell you want them to do.
Donald Trump: You better believe it . . . I will tell you that our system is broken. I gave to many people. Before this, before two months ago, I was a businessman. I give to everybody. When they call, I give. And you know what? When I need something from them, two years later, three years later, I call them. They are there for me. And that's a broken system.
Bret Baier: So what did you get from Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi?
Donald Trump: I'll tell you what. With Hillary Clinton, I said, be at my wedding and she came to my wedding. You know why? She had no choice! Because I gave.
Let's unpack this below.
I watched the debate live and cringed when Donald Trump made the comment. I felt sorry for Hillary Clinton. To be clear, Hillary Clinton is rich. Yet a much richer man with limited intellect and a big ego is lauded by many as he makes her his slave.
I was going to leave the statement alone. However, when a very intelligent woman I respect had the following exchange with me, I knew it needed to be addressed.
Woman: I'll say it to whoever will listen, Trump feels "authentic" where most politicians feel "polished." We as a nation are craving authenticity. Even if it comes from Trump. So how do we get more authenticity in our politicians? The system is set up to exploit any weakness so authenticity is not possible, unless you are rich, famous, and don't need to please anyone.
Me: I guess I've been in the business too long. I see a calculated scheme in his semblance of authenticity. I give you another thought to ponder. Picture the tone of the reports if Oprah Winfrey, another billionaire, went on stage and admitted that she is a crook who buys politicians to have them at her will. I find it appalling how easy it is to call this "authentic" based on who admits to such a pathetic act. Our discourse is not colored by the bad acts, but by who commits them.
Woman: I think this is one big ego trip for him. And I have friends who believe he is running to break the GOP so Hillary can win. But bribery is what everybody believes happens—that's why it "feels authentic."
What I have started doing on the KPFT show, Politics Done Right, is promoting self-worth and individual importance. Too many poor and middle-class Americans are blinded by the fallacy that money makes thugs like Trump smart, intelligent, and altruistic. They get accolades and we forgive their bad deeds, which are often race or gender-based.
Many think it is about money in politics. That is the facade. It is about self-worth. If we can raise the self-worth of the masses, money in politics would be neutralized. You see, the money is used to indoctrinate. We tend to look at the wealthy as worthy of believing and following.
While I still talk about money in politics and try to fight its influence through organizations like Coffee Party USA, I think if we build up individuals and empower them, we will be liberated. We are now all slaves, slaves to factions, slaves to indoctrination, slaves to misinformation.
It is unlikely that any woman, let alone any black woman, could get away with the hubris and crookedness displayed by Donald Trump. Today's narrative makes Trump's admission of crooked behavior an altruistic endeavor as opposed to a moral failure.
Those who feel Donald Trump is authentic make it imperative that we get an important message across: Feelings are fallible, but past deeds, math, and facts are absolute. Let's evaluate and elect politicians based on the latter.