- Joined
- Jun 18, 2018
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"In President Donald Trump’s longest on-camera appearance of his second term, he soaked up credit from his Cabinet as he moved to assert personal dominance over more and more aspects of American life. ...During a three-hour-and-17-minute televised part of a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump claimed personal credit for what he portrayed as far-reaching changes in the everyday lives of Americans during his seven months in office, as his subordinates stumbled over one another to sing his praises. The unusual session offered a striking display of unity around a president who has seized sweeping power as few U.S. leaders before him — and a chance for Trump to signal to his base that he is personally immersed in every detail of his rule.
...The meeting stood in stark contrast to how previous presidents have managed their Cabinets, rarely convening them at length or on camera. It bore similarities, however, to meetings of ministers in other countries where leaders have sought to exert strong, personal control over large stretches of national life, scholars said, including in Russia and Turkey. It came on a day when Trump sought to expand his authority still further by bringing the Federal Reserve under his sway — another effort with little modern precedent.
Trump ranged from one asserted victory to another, stringing topics together as he declared wins — some real, others not — over high prices for gas and eggs, and over crime in Washington. ...Nearly all presidents receive some flattery from their subordinates. The profuse nature of the praise for Trump, however, bore similarities to other countries where public displays of obedience are prized above all, Kendall-Taylor said.
Trump “is like the great puppet master that’s making all the things dance and therefore work for the country,” she said. “This is just such a clear display that loyalty and fealty is the number one currency.” The unanimity of praise got a boost from the White House’s decision earlier this year to take control of which journalists are allowed into the small pool that covers most events in the White House. White House aides have used that control to ensure outlets favorable to Trump make up a large share of pool on most days."
Link
The personal debasement of those participating in this obsequious behavior is impressive.
...The meeting stood in stark contrast to how previous presidents have managed their Cabinets, rarely convening them at length or on camera. It bore similarities, however, to meetings of ministers in other countries where leaders have sought to exert strong, personal control over large stretches of national life, scholars said, including in Russia and Turkey. It came on a day when Trump sought to expand his authority still further by bringing the Federal Reserve under his sway — another effort with little modern precedent.
Trump ranged from one asserted victory to another, stringing topics together as he declared wins — some real, others not — over high prices for gas and eggs, and over crime in Washington. ...Nearly all presidents receive some flattery from their subordinates. The profuse nature of the praise for Trump, however, bore similarities to other countries where public displays of obedience are prized above all, Kendall-Taylor said.
Trump “is like the great puppet master that’s making all the things dance and therefore work for the country,” she said. “This is just such a clear display that loyalty and fealty is the number one currency.” The unanimity of praise got a boost from the White House’s decision earlier this year to take control of which journalists are allowed into the small pool that covers most events in the White House. White House aides have used that control to ensure outlets favorable to Trump make up a large share of pool on most days."
Link
The personal debasement of those participating in this obsequious behavior is impressive.