Trump Meets Reality

 “One must not narrate the present as though it has already passed.” Ricardo Piglia

My wife and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary on November 7, the same day it became clear that Joe Biden had won the presidential election. Like millions of Americans in cities across the country, we felt a sense of relief, even joy. In the evening, as we watched Kamala Harris and Biden speak to the nation, I cried a little, and felt redeemed in my heart even though the realist in my head warned against getting too excited. Strange for me, I felt no impulse to write about what I saw and felt as it was happening. After four long nightmarish years, I needed to let it all settle. 

I have no doubt that when he talked about healing the nation and bringing people together in common cause, Biden meant it. For all his baggage, and his role in creating the conditions that made a Trump presidency possible, I think the sentiments Biden expressed in his victory speech were genuine. Whether the people who voted for Trump will give Biden a chance is another story, one we will watch play out in the weeks and months ahead. The obstacles in Biden’s path are formidable, starting with Donald Trump’s refusal to acknowledge reality. This was expected. Trump is a sick man, and the moon will fall from the sky before he acknowledges that he was defeated by Joe Biden. 

A desperate Donald Trump is dangerous. He has the nuclear codes, let’s not forget. 

I’m sure Trump watched Kamala Harris and Joe Biden make their remarks, as I’m sure he saw the spontaneous outpouring of joy right outside the White House. The scenes of jubilation from around the country no doubt singed his fragile ego and fueled his bottomless well of grievance and victimhood. I imagine a fuming, angry, self-pitying Trump. 

For two days I tried to switch my brain off and revel in the fact that Trump will be a one-term president. History will place him next to Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush; history will remind us that Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives and acquitted by the Senate in a sham trial; history will record Trump’s abject failure to confront the Covid-19 pandemic. 

But history will also note that Trump received nearly 71 million votes, and won the white vote by a huge margin. 

Trump has 70 days or so to engage in mischief and mayhem. He’s already doing his best to cast doubt on the legitimacy of Biden’s victory. Trump will use all his remaining energy to wrest back control of the national narrative, reframe Biden Won, Trump Lost, to Widespread Fraud, Trump Wins. It’s clear that Trump believes his bacon will somehow be rescued by the Supreme Court. Thus far, plenty of Republicans seem willing to support Trump on this quixotic mission. I still expect Trump to pack his suitcase with grievance and falsehoods and barnstorm MAGA country, where he will dazzle his followers with tall tales of fraudulent ballots in Philadelphia, Detroit, and Milwaukee. The conspiracy against him will include the Deep State, Hunter Biden, Hillary Clinton, Antifa, Black Lives Matter, and the Democratic Party.

A desperate Donald Trump is dangerous. He has the nuclear codes, let’s not forget. Unthinkable? Don’t bet the rent on it. Trump is hurt, cut, and bleeding, he’s in the corner, but until he leaves the White House, either under his own free will or escorted by law enforcement, he remains dangerous. Trump will never go quietly. Democratic norms and unspoken agreements are for suckers and losers.