This Sunday, Trump is hosting a UFC cage fight on the White House lawn.
Some commentators call it harmless fun. Joe Rogan says it’s "so American, so Trump, so crazy." Many liberals have dismissed it as "tacky," and a diversion from important matters.
Here’s my take. This media spectacle is the most high-profile example to date of how Trump’s version of plutocratic populism works – and why he’s kept the support of so many working people. Trump and the GOP can’t give those people higher wages or healthcare.
But he can demonstrate that he sees them and respects them – especially working-class white men, but also men of color. It’s called “cultural recognition.” It’s the same playbook Nixon used in 1972. It’s what Trump does in all of his rally speeches. He does shout-outs to truckers: “We love our truckers, firefighters, coal miners, bikers!” Meanwhile, his actual policies primarily benefit the wealthy.
In this case, he’s putting on an over-the top celebration of violent masculinity in a way that says to men that not only does he value and identify with them. Deep down, he’s even one of ‘em!
This would be comical if it wasn’t so tragic. Trump doesn’t care about the actual material needs of working men! One obvious illustration of the smoke and mirrors nature of this entire event: Rogan himself initially raised concerns about fighter safety in the DC heat before he dropped them. But he helped elect Trump, whose administration has dismantled a range of worker safety regulations across numerous major industries.
I hope men can look beyond the bright lights of the White House spectacle and see through this manipulative BS! And recognize who this president is actually fighting for.
No comments:
Post a Comment