In America, we are at our best when life feels normal. Social norms help guide our behavior and make us feel safe. The absence of norms provokes anxiety and fear.  This is why, today, many can’t get rid of the painful knot in their stomach. Some have described it as feeling like they’re in the twilight zone.  I was equally naïve to this potential disruption of norms. My standard for national leadership was obviously skewed.  I didn’t think Mr. Trump and his Make America Great Again (MAGA) “show” had a chance.  But, the people of America decided differently and have picked up his show on a four-year agreement.  The “Make America Great Again” show airs today.
I remember it clearly.  One of my first moments of shock was when he stated – during a nationally televised Republican primary debate – that “he may have small hands but had no problems in other areas” implying that he had a big “eh-hem” (male anatomy).  He continued through the debate season insulting his opponents and giving them petty nicknames.  I must admit I was use to his incendiary and callous rhetoric as a business mogul and entertainer on his television show.  As well, as a political outsider, I had witnessed him harass President Obama about his birth certificate for what purposes I still don’t know. I saw all of this as par for the course as that’s what outsiders have the ability to do; agitate, but not necessarily do the work of changing things for the common good.  But, I never knew this behavior, now on a national stage, could transcend into the highest office in the land.  I don’t think he believed so either.  He had no intentions of becoming POTUS and he’s probably regretting being such a convincing political actor and salesman.  I think he saw his time running for office as a little bit of fun to draw attention to what would be his next entertainment or business endeavor.
What I thought most would want out of a world leader obviously didn’t matter to a great number of voters. Just as a refresher, I’ve noted a few of his unethical actions, vitriolic rhetoric, and generally concerning behavior that I thought most would see as inconsistent with national leadership. Not that this really matters but Mr. Trump has had five children by three different wives. Its no need to mention that his current wife, the new FLOTUS, has soft porn pics on the internet … but again I won’t mention that.  His declaration that Mexicans are rapists with an assumption that some are good people.  A consistent condemnation of Muslims even gold star military families.  Encouraging violence at campaign rallies.  Mocking the physically disabled.  Stating that Black people’s lives are so bad they have nothing to lose by voting for him.  Countless lawsuits. Audio footage of him saying women acquiesce to his power and he can just grab them by the “ah-hem” (female anatomy).  Telling the world he’s actually smart for not paying taxes (I really thought this was the campaign killer.  Trump supporters tell me it just highlights his savvy).  His unwillingness to show his tax returns thereby leaving America in the dark on any questionable business dealings.  Attempting to discredit all free press who are critical of him (which is quite frankly my biggest concern).  An immature, narcissistic obsession with twitter and late night whiney responses when people aren’t “nice to him”.  And, most recently, an inability to disavow Vladimir Putin even when seventeen intelligence agencies confirm Russia had involvement in our elections. And these are just a few that I have come up with off the top of my head.
Even with all of this, many in America still believe that Mr. Trump and the MAGA show will be a hit.  In this day and age it must be our obsession with brazen and unconventional behavior that has attracted folks to this show.  Throughout the last two years he has been an entertainer and a salesman, rarely talking about details or policy, yet highlighting at every turn the “huuuuge” number of participants at his campaign rallies.  Nevertheless, Trump and the MAGA pitch spoke to those who felt they were being left behind.  For many, MAGA was the perfect slogan for combatting the “downward” spiral of America.  It symbolized the fear that America has an economy that is still in recession and the notion that foreigners are taking over the country.  He sold the promise to bring jobs back to the country even in the midst of making his own Trump merchandise outside of the country.  The intrigue and impetuous nature of this reality star made it appealing television in contrast to the perceived re-run storylines of the Democratic competitor.
MAGA also spoke deeply to another group.  There are those who, from the perspective of social norms, are still committed to America’s romanticized past of greatness (i.e. whiteness) that others are trying to only see in the rear view mirror.  Make America Great “Again” for this audience referenced a time when minorities were kept in their place and this entertainer spouted rhetoric that tickled their ears.  As the “Law and Order candidate” (another great pitch slogan), he promised to restore the “true” ideals of America after this aberration with multiculturalism and diversity that was pursued by the Obama era.  Trump vowed to prevent us from being perceived as global weaklings and as a strong and courageous leader that could take us back into this era of “Again”.  For many on the edges, KKK folks, Alt Right nationalists, and other societal bigots, he was hailed (literally and figuratively) because there would be no more feeling like a minority in a country where they were once the standard. It was time to turn the channel from Obama’s diverse thinking, racial and gender inclusivity, and get control of this nations demographic shift.
See for those that don’t get how this happened, it’s pretty simple to understand.  Donald Trump represented a normalcy that many believed was disappearing… maybe, even gone. A new normal appeared to be on the horizon and MAGA could turn back the hands of time.  Whats not being considered is that technology, globalization, and demographic shifts are inevitable and quickly changing American social dynamics.  Yet in still, Trump has made folks feel like there is a possibility of bringing back their normal.  They chose not to vote by what they were offended by, but what they’re affected by. Socially, idealizing the norms of “Again”, he emboldened those who are uncomfortable with new ideas and the many races and faces that have come to represent America. “Again” gave life to a desire to get things back to a mainstream, non-minority normal.
The tricky part of this is that the rest of the country doesn’t see Trump as normal.  He is a salesman and an entertainer, not a public servant.  I believe he only has the capacity to commit to himself and many will have buyers remorse when they see how the work of the country gets in the way of his individual interests.  At one time, there was talk that Trump would air a new television channel after he lost in what would have been an obviously “rigged” election.  However, the concept of “again” was so powerful that it surprised Donald Trump, myself, and millions of others.  The people voted for him to share MAGA, this reality show, live, right here and right now.  I personally won’t be in tune with the MAGA show. I don’t watch reality television because its empty and usually short lived due to a lack of substance.  More importantly, I don’t want to give the impression to my children that this celebrity and his reality show should be accepted as our new normal.  As president of the United States, I will pray for him and our country but I will not normalize his behavior.  I believe in ethics, diversity, and I have super high standards for leadership.  Quite frankly, I’m disappointed that my fellow countrymen don’t. Nevertheless, I suggest you keep your eyes on the ratings.  The MAGA show will certainly be entertaining.  Why? Because this is what Mr. Trump knows best.