The Divider

1. Trump's Presidency: A Culmination of Divisive Tactics

Trump made divisiveness the calling card of his presidency.

A presidency defined by division. From his inaugural address to his post-election rhetoric, Donald Trump consistently pitted Americans against each other, exploited societal fissures, and escalated culture wars. He weaponized differences, creating new ones along the way, and made divisiveness a central strategy for gaining and maintaining power.

Contrast with predecessors. Unlike presidents who at least aspired to unite the country, Trump embraced division as a tool. While figures like George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama called for unity, Trump leveraged differences for his own ends, creating new ones along the way.

The inexorable culmination. Trump's refusal to accept defeat in the 2020 election and the subsequent insurrection at the Capitol were not isolated incidents but the logical outcome of his sustained assault on democratic institutions and traditions. His actions on January 6, 2021, were foreshadowed by every hour of his presidency.

2. Image Obsession: Shaping Reality to Fit Presidential Demands

All presidents are image conscious. But Trump was something different, the first president for whom the shaping of reality to fit his demands became the preoccupation of his presidency.

Image over substance. Trump's presidency was characterized by an intense focus on shaping perceptions and controlling narratives, often at the expense of truth and policy. He prioritized appearances, lighting, and angles, demonstrating a deep understanding of media manipulation.

Examples of image control:

• Combing and twisting his hair into place
• Avoiding artificial lighting to maintain his skin tone
• Demanding flattering camera angles to appear slimmer
• Using "the stare" to project an imposing image

Mythology of the superman. Trump sought to portray himself as an American superman, physically strong, mentally gifted, and immune to human frailties. He surrounded himself with aides who were expected to reinforce this image, even to the point of denying any evidence to the contrary.

3. Washington's Misjudgment: Underestimating Trump's Nature

After his upset victory, many in Washington simply refused to believe that Trump could be as self-absorbed, ignorant, untruthful, and dangerous as he had made himself out to be in the 2016 campaign.

Denial of reality. Many in Washington initially dismissed Trump's campaign rhetoric as mere hyperbole, assuming that the responsibilities of the presidency would moderate his behavior. They underestimated his capacity for self-absorption, ignorance, and disregard for truth.

The accidental president. Trump's election was largely unexpected, even by his own campaign. He came to office without a clear plan or understanding of the federal government, making him arguably the least knowledgeable new president in modern history.

Failure to learn. Despite his lack of experience, Trump showed little inclination to learn on the job. He famously refused to read briefing papers, preferring to get his information from television, and often dismissed the advice of experts in favor of his own instincts.

4. The White House as a Battleground: Factionalism and Chaos

Every White House has its factions, with officials vying for the best titles, the biggest staffs, the most time with the president, and the most prime real estate in the cramped warrens of the West Wing. But none had ever been torn apart by tribal warfare as intense and toxic as Trump’s White House.

Tribal warfare. The Trump White House was characterized by intense factionalism, with officials constantly vying for power and influence. Competing alliances formed and re-formed with remarkable speed, leading to instant chaos.

Divide and conquer. Trump thrived on internal feuds, using them to maintain his own authority and control. He refused to establish a conventional organizational structure, preferring a system where aides competed for his favor.

Insecurity and disloyalty. The constant infighting fostered an environment of insecurity and distrust. Lying, leaking, and secretly recording colleagues became endemic, as aides sought to protect themselves and advance their own agendas.

5. Family Fractures: Rivalries and Power Plays Within Trump's Inner Circle

In many ways, the fractures among his staff hardly compared to the fractures within his family.

Family business. Trump sought to replicate the Trump Organization in the White House, placing his children in positions of power and blurring the lines between personal and national interests. This created a unique set of challenges and conflicts.

Melania vs. Ivanka. The rivalry between Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump was particularly pronounced, as the two women competed for the role of leading lady in the White House. Melania resented Ivanka's intrusion into her domain, while Ivanka sought to exert her influence on policy and personnel.

Jared Kushner's expansive role. Kushner, as Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor, carved out a wide-ranging portfolio that extended into virtually every area of government. He took on missions ranging from Middle East peace to criminal justice reform, earning him the nickname "Secretary of Everything."

6. The Media's Role: From Ally to "Enemy of the People"

The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @CNN, @NBCNews and many more) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American people. SICK!

From tabloid fodder to political weapon. Trump's relationship with the media evolved from mutually beneficial publicity to outright hostility. He demonized the mainstream media as "fake news" and "enemies of the people," while cultivating a close alliance with Fox News and other conservative outlets.

Weaponizing "fake news." Trump appropriated the term "fake news," which was initially used to describe pro-Trump disinformation, and turned it against his critics. He used it to discredit unwelcome reporting and undermine public trust in independent journalism.

The feedback loop of TV and Twitter. Trump's presidency was defined by a constant feedback loop between television and Twitter. He consumed hours of cable news each day, then used his Twitter feed to react to what he saw, often generating multiple news stories with a single tweet.

7. The Rise of Autocrats: Trump's Admiration and Its Consequences

Never did we imagine that two decades later we would be covering the rise of an American leader who venerated Putin and his strongman tactics, who admired the world’s other autocrats in China, Egypt, Turkey, the Philippines, and elsewhere, who “fell in love” with the overseer of North Korea’s Gulags, and who attacked basic principles of constitutional democracy at home.

Veneration of strongmen. Trump admired authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, praising their strength and decisiveness while attacking democratic principles at home. This marked a sharp departure from his predecessors, who generally sought to promote democracy around the world.

Disregard for allies. Trump viewed traditional American allies with suspicion, accusing them of taking advantage of the United States and failing to pay their fair share. He questioned the value of alliances like NATO and sought to renegotiate trade deals like NAFTA.

Embracing the "America First" doctrine. Trump's "America First" policy prioritized national interests above all else, often at the expense of international cooperation and diplomacy. This led to strained relationships with allies and a more isolationist stance on the world stage.

8. A Team of Amateurs: Unpreparedness and Inexperience in Governing

The opening days of Trump’s administration were the most chaotic of any in modern history, which was perhaps no surprise given the team of amateurs Trump had assembled.

Lack of government experience. Trump assembled a White House staff with remarkably little experience in government or policymaking. Many of his top aides were drawn from the business world, conservative media, or his own family, rather than from the ranks of seasoned Washington professionals.

Disdain for expertise. Trump often dismissed the advice of experts, preferring to rely on his own instincts and intuition. This led to policy decisions that were poorly informed, hastily implemented, and often legally questionable.

Consequences of inexperience. The lack of experience and expertise within the Trump administration contributed to a climate of chaos and dysfunction. Executive orders were poorly drafted, policy reviews were rushed, and basic protocols were ignored.

9. The Ghost of Roy Cohn: Ethics and Loyalty in the Trump Era

To Trump, every lawyer was measured against his memory of Cohn, judged by their willingness to wage unrelenting war on his behalf.

The influence of Roy Cohn. Trump's approach to law and justice was heavily influenced by Roy Cohn, the infamous lawyer and fixer who mentored him in New York. Cohn's win-at-all-costs mentality and disregard for ethical boundaries shaped Trump's own legal and political strategies.

Loyalty above all else. Trump valued loyalty above all else, demanding unwavering fealty from his staff and viewing any dissent as a betrayal. This led to a culture of sycophancy and a willingness to bend or break the rules to please the president.

Weaponization of the Justice Department. Trump sought to use the Justice Department as a tool to punish his enemies and protect himself from scrutiny. He pressured his attorneys general to investigate his political opponents and interfered in ongoing investigations, blurring the lines between law enforcement and political vendettas.

10. The Impeachment Saga: A Test of American Democracy

We didn’t win an election to bring the country together. It’s not time to bring the country together. It’s time to take on the elites in this country. Take the torch to them. Hit them with a blowtorch.

Abuse of power. Trump's impeachment stemmed from his efforts to pressure Ukraine into investigating Joe Biden, using military aid as leverage. This was seen as a clear abuse of power and a violation of his oath of office.

Obstruction of Congress. Trump's refusal to cooperate with the House impeachment inquiry, including his blanket denial of subpoenas and document requests, led to a second article of impeachment for obstruction of Congress.

Acquittal and its consequences. Despite the evidence presented against him, Trump was acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate. This emboldened him to continue his divisive tactics and further eroded public trust in democratic institutions.

11. The Pandemic's Impact: Exposing Weaknesses and Deepening Divides

The painful fact is that those who stopped Trump from committing this or that outrage also helped him learn how better to get what he wanted the next time.

Denial and misinformation. Trump's initial response to the coronavirus pandemic was characterized by denial, downplaying, and the spread of misinformation. He resisted calls for social distancing, promoted unproven treatments, and politicized the wearing of masks.

Lack of preparedness. The Trump administration's failure to adequately prepare for the pandemic led to shortages of testing, medical equipment, and hospital capacity. This exacerbated the crisis and contributed to a higher death toll.

Politicization of public health. Trump turned the pandemic into another culture war, pitting those who supported public health measures against those who prioritized individual freedom and economic recovery. This further divided the country and undermined efforts to control the virus.

12. The Aftermath: A Legacy of Division and Unsettled Power

The joke could also serve as commentary on the health of American democracy after four years of President Trump: We’re not there yet but it does not look good.

Refusal to accept defeat. Trump's refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election and his false claims of widespread fraud led to a violent insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. This event shook the foundations of American democracy and left the country deeply divided.

Enduring influence. Despite his defeat, Trump remains a dominant force in the Republican Party. His followers continue to believe his lies about the election, and his influence shapes the party's agenda and its selection of candidates.

A fragile democracy. Trump's presidency exposed vulnerabilities in American democracy and raised questions about its long-term health. The country faces ongoing challenges in overcoming the divisions he exploited and restoring faith in its institutions.

Last updated: March 3, 2025