performing trump

usual punditry on trump: he's channeling the anger and fear of many (white) people. he projects strength. these do sound like the rise of a grim fascisty demagogue. but i think this misses what's at the center of his personal appeal: his humor, congeniality, his familiarity to people, how comfortable and informal he is on camera, and how often hilarious. this might make you worry more or less. it makes me worry less. i think you always hear a certain self-consciousness and irony in his bragging, for example: you can see that he's aware of performing it. this is one reason he doesn't usually get in trouble for saying outrageous things: well, would you get pissed off with dave chapelle for saying outrageous things? you shouldn't, anyway. however, of the course, the responsibilities of a president are somewhat different - though they overlap with - the responsibilities of a comedian.