Even though Donald Trump’s new position is President-elect of the United States, he still seems to be playing the role of an entertainment caster. He is finding officials for his administration that not only meet his expectations, but that also have ‘the look.’
Producing reality TV show’s “The Celebrity Apprentice” and making several film cameos, such as in Home Alone 2,The Little Rascals, and 54 , the businessman has never been shy of Hollywood’s spotlight. The expectation is now to end these ties and disconnect from showtime’s limelight, to now put the country’s needs at his forefront. Trump continues however to discriminate, even in his own administration.
As we have seen in the past, Trump has been quick to judge and quick to attack. He claimed that Judge Gonzalo Curiel was an “absolute conflict” due to his “Mexican heritage,” racially insinuating that he is untrustworthy, he mocked and belittled a reporter with disabilities, and has throughout his entire career objectified women through sexist and demeaning comments, and has been charged with several sexual assaults claims.
Trump is unable to focus on his job and transition because he's obsessed with keeping up his powerful image by refuting any negative comments using social media to directly communicate with anyone that speaks against him. At the Golden Globes, Meryl Streep addressed Trump’s poor behavior, pointing out “Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence insights violence. When the powerful use definition to bully others, we all lose.” Streep tried to highlight that the offensive things those in office say and do, are not in a movie, but are reality. The president-elect responded to the world-renowned actress via Twitter calling her “over-rated” and a “Hillary flunky.” His rude and unnecessary response was not only expected, but people have become almost immune to his disrespectful rhetoric. Trump has reached over 19 million followers on Twitter, using the platform as a means to directly communicate and often target individuals. Back in 2015, Trump used Twitter to fight back against a young 18 year-old college student who spoke up against him during a New Hampshire forum, calling the student an “arrogant young woman.” Trump was only able to handle the situation by retaliating using social media. As a result of his inappropriate response, the student continued for over a year to receive harassment and threatening messages online. As president-elect, Trump’s actions are telling Americans it is okay to be disrespectful and is exemplifying Twitter has the best way to make these communications.
Simultaneously the President-elect is too preoccupied on finding the people that not only fit the distinguished ‘Trump’ mold he is trying to construct, but those he consider also need to look right for the job. John Bolton’s mustache disqualified him for secretary of state and Senator Bob Corder’s short height did not lend him to the job either. This is hardly anything new from Trump, but because it is Trump, it has become acceptable. Nobody is questioning Trump’s outrageous and derogatory comments or actions. He is rich and powerful, and now that he going to be taking the position of President, many Republican officials who were not supportive of Trump during his campaign, such as Speaker Ryan and many others have now seemed to have easily dismissed all the wrongs the president-elect has done and continues to do as their way of trying to unite the party.
Trump is not focused on the concerns of the country but rather his image and position. He is unable to tolerate any forms of criticism and instinctively resorts to rebutting in an immature online battle. We need to take what Trump says and does seriously. As president-elect, he will soon be the international representation, the face, of America. If we can not trust what our own president says , who are we expected to trust in office? Accountability will be particularly essential now and in the coming years.
