If you are a Boomer or a Gen Xer (like me) you probably remember Ted Turner’s corporate media empire. It still exists, but it and he have gone underground.
He was really into popular entertainment for a while. The short lived, 90’s animated comedy The Critic (all episodes available for free on Crackle.com) parodied him as Jay Sherman’s short tempered, egotistical boss Duke.
He curated and colorized classic movies—very badly. Like some amateur glopping half dried paint over antiques.
His legacy includes the notorious Captain Planet and the Planeteers. People only recall that dumpster fire to laugh at or cringe.
Something that lasted into this current century though was WWF. World Wrestling Federation.
Two memorable things about Turner’s wrestling matches.
The “fights” were obviously staged between muscle bound actors in fancy costumes with silly stage names. They would shout corny dialogue at each other in a hammy manner. They were hired for physiques more than acting ability. Usually there was a good or likeable guy versus an over-the-top villain. Turner talked about the whole thing during an interview.
There was a sizeable minority of the fan base who refused to believe they were fake. Despite the men hitting each other with folding chairs (actually rubber) and talking like cartoon characters, many people wanted to believe the matches were real.
Ted Turner was a radical abortion zealot who frequently complained and warned about how “overpopulation” would destroy the planet. Just like his bride Hanoi Jane and fellow monopolist Killer Bill Gates. Since he hails from Georgia, I suspect him of erecting the Georgia Guidestones. Especially since a few years later he publicly declared the Ten Commandments to be passe and out-of-date. Maybe Ted Tinter erected his own set of stone tablets as a subtle mockery of God at Mt Sinai.
At any rate, I have been thinking about Trump’s loud, hammy fights with public figures. DJT mystified me from the start.
Why was this womanizing, pro-abortion, secular leftist suddenly taking up Christian causes? Why were we conservatives so smitten with the scoundrel?
Trump also attracted disillusioned Democrats. The hard-working Joe’s I’ve always respected. Union Democrats. The Donald got my vote in 2016 by promising to defund PP of tax dollars.
It disturbed me how horribly the media reviled those who voted for him as “unwashed trumpkins” and “deplorables.” Such hatred and contempt for the meek and lowly. Just because they were blue collar and did manual labor they were reviled and accused of horrible things.
A new kind of class snobbery/hatred the world has never seen before. Not the kind behind the French Revolution or the Bolshevik revolts. The kind that might exist on a manor when the gentry figure out how to replace the aging serfs they despise with machinery and start plotting how to cut costs on paying them retirement. Trump is an arrogant so-and-so, but most of his supporters were from the humble working class who suffered most during lockdown.
The Donald made an excellent lightning rod to turn the half of America still believing the talking heads on TV against the other half who supported him. While most of his infamous statements and tweets were misrepresented or taken out of context by our lying MSM, he was unnecessarily brutal, nasty and coarse. I remember all the face palming. Why did he keep giving them all that fodder? And the inflammatory tweets were out there for all the angry MSNBC and CNN viewers to read too. Not a good plan for uniting Americans.
I noticed something about DJT since he first was nominated for president back in 2016. An unusual amount of coarseness. Loud and rude. Like a bad parody of a conservative, working class redneck. Ivy league, billionaire, lifelong liberal Trump is none of the above.
How real is any of this?
And why all the impeachments and indictments that won’t make a real difference to billionaire President Trump? At the very worst they might keep him from running again. But if the Father of the Trump Shot is the only one who can save America our country is already gone.
The elitists want the US to have a civil war. They need the well-armed red states to start it.
Portraying Trump as “our only hope” that will be taken away is the catalyst they need. People don’t like to admit our country has gone down and already been taken. Even though nearly half openly hate America and what it stands for.
Too many stubbornly cling to the delusion that we can “take it back.” Why? The USA simply no longer exists since we are no longer united. No open secession or civil war needed.
As Glenn Beck says, “Donald Trump is not even a person anymore; he is a symbol.”
vigilantfox.substack.com/p/trump-indictment-spurs-glenn-beck
I disagree that the establishment doesn’t understand. The Don Lemons, Rachel Maddows, and Brian Steltzers probably don’t. Not those working behind the scenes—just like Ted Turner and his crew orchestrating those fictitious wrestling matches between ripped actors.
“And tonight, Donald Trump the Angry Working Man will accept the challenge of Hidin’ Biden the Basement Dweller. After soundly defeating Killery Clinton the Swamp Witch in the last match.”
Fake as it is, our refusal to let go of the Great Orange Hope may lead us into a bloody, costly civil war we could otherwise avert. Playing directly into Mr. Global’s hands for a police state nightmare.
We need to get over Trump. I’m talking to conservatives.
If anything comes of this New York indictment—such as prison time or a significant loss of money—I’ll admit I was wrong about Emmanuel Goldstein Donald Trump.
It's been a clever show, but it's become rather apparent he is most likely a part of 'the machine' and is controlled opposition to keep the people complacent. Keep in mind, politicians are mostly nothing more than professional actors who couldn't or chose not to make it in Hollywood. There's no shame in being fooled by any of them. Even those who appear to be on the side of conservative because people tend to let their guard down.
Brilliant article Rachel. I’ve been telling people for three ears that Trump reminds me of that Orwellian figure, Goldstein, in the way he is used by the elites: “Time for your two minutes hate everyone!” And I agree with you Rachel that Trump won’t spend one hour behind bars and this so-called persecution will only enhance his fortunes, both politically and monetarily.