Recently, Judge Christopher R. Cooper of the Federal District Court in Washington, D.C. ruled that the letters added to the building of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts be removed. Those letters are “The Donald J. Trump and…”
However, this judgment does not deter Trump from having banners displaying his portrait hung on four federal buildings. The portrait is stern, penetrating, with a hint of judgment appearing to watch people passing by. One is on the Justice Department headquarters with the words, “Make America Safe Again.” One is on the Department of Health and Human Services with the words, “Make America Healthy Again.” One is on the Department of Agriculture with the words, “Growing America Since 1862.” And one is on the Department of Labor with the words, “American Workers First.”
The display of these banners may at first seem frivolous or innocuous. However, similar displays are described in George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984” where the image of “Big Brother is Watching You” is pervasive throughout the novel. Orwell writes, “It was one of those pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow you about when you move.” It’s the everpresent reminder of constant surveillance and absolute power.
This same presence is implied in the huge portrait of Mao Zedong displayed in Beijing, the capital of China. And Stalin distributed his image all over the Soviet Union. It became almost like a religious object in the sense that it was meant to remind you that the leader was always there, always watching. It should be a caution that Trump’s image displayed on government buildings seems very similar to the antics of dictators seeking power and control over their people.
Trump’s name is showing up in more and more places. The Jamaica Hospital Medical Center campus, where Trump was born, has a building labeled the Trump Pavilion for Nursing and Rehabilitation. There is a Donald Trump Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. There is a Trump statue in Rapid City, South Dakota. There are new limited-edition U.S. passports featuring Trump to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Jason Stanley, chair of American Studies at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto, remarks that to just plaster the same thing all over the place has a deep psychological effect, because it can take people away from feeling that they are citizens that they can make decisions about who their leaders are, and put them in a place where they begin to feel overwhelmed by the sense that there is one leader.
Stanley continues, “Trump needs to be the only one, and he wants to humiliate those around him because he is the only leader ever. And so this element of humiliation is very present here. It’s very present in the structure that we’re seeing. The people around him can’t be leaders.” For example, he has affixed partisan plaques to the portraits of all U.S. commanders in chief, himself included, on his Presidential Walk of Fame at the White House, describing Joe Biden as “sleepy,” Barack Obama as “divisive” and Ronald Reagan as a fan of a young Trump.
The portraits and pronouncements are the precursors to acts of humiliation, aggression and innuendo. Consider the President portraying immigrants as inferior to U.S. citizens. Consider the way financial grants are being withdrawn from universities and colleges that seek a diverse, talented, innovative student body. Consider the loyal Republicans who are suddenly experiencing the withdrawal of Trump’s support for their candidacy for political office. Consider the way people’s wallets are being emptied at the gas pump and in the grocery store. Consider how he makes contradictory statements that keep people on edge and confused. Every action is in the name of power and control.
This perception of Trump as an ever-present, all-powerful strong man could be a death knell to democracy. The remedy is to take a cue from the Wizard of Oz and look behind the curtain — behind those banners of a contrived Trump image, to discover a fellow human being with foibles and insecurities, with talents and weaknesses, with hopes and dreams. The President is seen as no more than a citizen who has been elected from among the citizens of the United States to take on the responsibility and perform the tasks of the office of president for four years.
This look behind the curtain will thwart the portrait of an all-present, all-knowing, all-powerful president. It will become obvious that the country has no need for the trappings of a king, an autocrat, a plutocrat or a dictator. Mr. President, we accept you as one of us, elected to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” We require nothing more.
John Buttrick writes from his Vermont Folk Rocker in his Concord home, Minds Crossing. He can be reached at johndbuttrick@gmail.com.