Trumpocracy

  North, Oliver, 182

  North Korea, 91, 147–48

  Nunes, David, 134

  Obama, Barack, and administration

  Birther hoax, 6–7, 38, 104, 240n8

  Democratic convention speech, 211

  and foreign investors in the US, 56

  global trust in, 150–51

  and immigration deal, 4–6

  plan for defeating ISIS, 91

  and Putin, 227–28

  and Russia, 133–34, 171–72, 227–28

  Supreme Court nomination, 8–9

  and top 1 percent, 12

  voter demographics, 2012, 125, 194, 197

  Obama, Michelle, 235

  Obamacare, 9–11, 10, 78–79, 216

  O’Brien, Timothy L., 64

  opioid overdoses, 201

  Orbán, Viktor, 122

  O’Reilly, Bill, 189

  Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting, 191–92

  Ornstein, Norman, 13

  Palmieri, Jennifer, 21–24

  Parker, Ned, 58

  Pearson, Jordan, 118

  Pelosi, Nancy, 11

  Pence, Mike, 23, 73–74, 83, 96, 165

  at US Naval Academy graduation, 182

  Perkins, Tom, 12

  Petraeus, David, 179

  Pew Research Center, 103, 150–51, 231–32

  Philippines, 150

  Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth, 186

  Pirro, Jeanine, 202

  Plane, Dan, 61

  plunder

  Argentina, 58–59

  culture of impunity, 52–53

  government shift to corruption, 51–52, 65–67

  India, 59

  Japan, 59

  by Kushner family, 56–58

  Trump’s personal lifestyle as, 53–55

  Trump trademarks from China, 60–61

  Podesta, John, 19–24, 139

  Poindexter, John, 182

  Poland, 91, 121, 154, 185–86

  Polish Supreme Court, 154

  political correctness

  Trump on, 190–92

  and Trump voters, 192–94

  Politico, 82, 85–86

  Politicon conference 2017, 234–35

  politics in the United States

  conspiracy thinking, 6–7

  debt ceiling as a weapon, 3–4, 98

  deterioration of, xii

  divorce of political from cultural power, 205–6

  guns at political events, 12–13

  identifying a wide range of grievances, 220–21

  incumbents in the 21st century, 11–12

  insulating the law from, 66–67

  intensifying competition, 2–3, 8–9

  Never Trumpers, 209–11

  new spirit of citizen responsibility, 219–20, 230, 233–35

  post-Watergate standards, 51–52

  president’s responsibility, 69

  “speaking like a politician” defined, 108

  Tea Party, 215–16

  Pomona College, 222

  Posobiec, Jack, 117

  post-truth concept, 222–23

  Powell, Colin, 179

  power, 53, 67, 208–9

  pre-existing conditions, 1–3, 12–13

  all-or-nothing politics, 3–4

  Birther hoax, 6–7, 38, 104, 240n8

  discontent of populace, 11–13

  federal judicial nomination battles, 8–9

  Obama’s immigration policy decision, 4–6

  and repeal of Obamacare, 9–11

  presidential election of 2004, 11, 197

  presidential election of 2008, 197, 240n8

  presidential election of 2012

  and Bernie Sanders, 197

  and Latino voters, 4–6

  and repeal of Obamacare, 9–11

  Trump and Birther hoax, 7

  voter demographics, 125, 197

  presidential election of 2016

  Access Hollywood tapes, 16–18, 23

  candidate debates, 20

  Clinton and Podesta emails, 19–24

  post-campaign analysis, xii

  Republican primary debates, 44–47

  Trump’s promises, xiii–xiv

  Trump’s third party, 217–18

  voter demographics, 194, 197, 205–6, 212

  See also gifts of Trump presidency; Trump’s campaign promises; Trump’s supporters

  presidential election of 2020, 54

  presidents, disclosures required of, 63–64

  press. See media

  Price, Tom, 98

  Priebus, Reince, 17–18, 39–40, 77–78, 83, 180

  Puerto Rico, xiii, 79–80, 106

  Putin, Vladimir

  Bannon on, 162–63

  Caldwell on, 163–64

  and elections in Russia, 140

  and Obama, 227–28

  Romney’s warning about, 227–28

  and Trump, 122, 155, 164–66, 264n62

  Trump compared to, 109

  Qatar crisis, 152–54

  race relations in the United States, 81

  Rauhala, Emily, 57

  reconciliation as best justice, 218

  reporters. See media

  Republican Convention, Cleveland, Ohio, 40, 76–77

  Republican National Committee (RNC), 35–36, 42–43, 54

  Republican Party

  ACA repeal-and-replace attempt, 9–11

  agenda in 2017, 94

  analysis of Romney’s loss in 2012, 34–36

  on collusion with Russia, 137–38

  congressional majority in 2010, 3–4

  control of elected government, 92–94

  dead-ended itself in Obama years, 228

  and election of 2018, 206, 233

  elites vs. Trump, 39–40, 41–43, 48

  fear of Democrats, 129

  fear of Trump’s supporters, xv

  on Gianforte’s assault on Guardian reporter, 114

  inability to control Trump, 94–95

  inability to pass legislation, 97–98

  recovery from Trump, 228–29

  submission to Trump, 47–49

  retirement accounts of boomers, 214–15

  Reuters, 58, 62, 154–55, 156

  Rice, Condoleezza, 75–76

  Rich, Seth, Hannity’s story about, 47

  rigged system

  commission on electoral integrity, 130–32

  timeline of collusion with Russians, 138–40

  Trump on Democratic takeover, 127–30

  right-of-center media, 120, 122–23. See also Fox News

  Rivera, Geraldo, 137

  Romania, US military buildup, 91

  Romney, George, 52

  Romney, Mitt, 7, 10–11, 34–36, 39–40, 227–28

  Roosevelt, Theodore, 221

  Rorty, Richard, 226

  Ross, Wilbur, 156

  Rouhani, Hassan, 152

  Royce, Ed, 165

  Rubio, Marco, 39–40, 135–36, 217

  Ruddy, Chris, 180

  rule of law, 1, 181–82. See also democracy

  rulership, study of, xi

  Russia

  aggression under Putin, 227–28

  banks and Kushner family, 58

  and fake news, 114–16, 117

  hackers, 132

  Kushner’s back channel to, 68

  military buildup near Germany and Poland, 185–86

  in New York Times Magazine, 114–15

  Putin and Trump compared, 109

  Scion hotel line financing, 60

  and Seth Rich’s death, 47

  plans to normalize relations with, 171–73

  Trump Tower Moscow, 52

  US sanctions, 58, 135

  See also Putin, Vladimir

  Russia investigation for interference in US election, 132–35

  anti-Macron social media trolls, 117–18

  congressional sabotage of, 96

  FAKE NEWS tweets about, 105

  gravity of collusion, 138

  and H
annity, 47

  Pence on Trump’s campaign, 73–74

  timeline, 138–40

  Trump pushing for cooperation with Moscow, 164–66

  Trump’s lies about, 104

  Trump Tower meeting with Russian espionage attempt, 77

  and WikiLeaks, 17, 19

  Ryan, Paul

  and Access Hollywood tapes, 18, 42

  on Assad, 165

  and repeal of ACA, 95, 177

  Republican Convention speech, 40

  and Russian interference in US election, 134–35

  “tipping point” speech, 128

  on Trump’s inexperience, 97

  Trump’s threat, 93–94

  Salama, Vivian, 164–65

  Salvadoran gangs, 144

  San Antonio, Texas, 142

  Sanders, Bernie, 197, 233

  Sanders, Sarah Huckabee, 28–29, 77–78

  Sanger, David, 139

  Sargent, Greg, 16

  Saudi Arabia, 152, 154

  Scaramucci, Anthony “the Mooch,” 66–67, 89, 210

  Scavino, Dan, 82

  Schiller, Keith, 82

  Schlesinger, James, 183

  Schlichter, Kurt, 48

  Schmidt, Michael, 67

  Scion hotel line, 60

  Scowcroft, Brent, 179

  Secret Service, 53

  Sekulow, Jay, 74–75

  September 11, 2001, terror attacks, x, 104

  Sessions, Jeff, 96

  sexual frustration of young white men, 194–96

  and Pornhub’s popularity, 196

  and pornography, 196

  Shinseki, Eric, 179

  Singer, Paul, 36

  Skocpol, Theda, 215

  Snyder, Timothy, 222

  social media, 114–18. See also fake news

  Social Security, 38

  socialism, fears of, 220–21

  Soros, George, 129–30

  South Africa, 122

  South Korea, 91–92, 148–50

  Spanish Civil War, xv

  Spicer, Sean, 71–72, 111, 166–67

  Steinle, Kathryn, 37

  Stone, Roger, 19

  Straight White Men (play), 194

  Strzelecki, Marek, 153

  Supreme Court, US, 4–6, 9, 127, 182

  Sylvester, Arthur, 109–10

  Syria conflict, 39, 90, 91, 164–66

  tax reform, 177, 207

  tax returns, 52, 63

  Tea Party, 215–16

  “Ten Things I Hate about Jews” (McInnes video upload), 202–3

  Terminal High-Altitude Aerial Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea, Trump’s ignorance about, 148–49

  terrorism victims, Trump’s comments on, 81, 91

  Texas, 126, 142

  Thiel, Peter, 90

  Thrush, Glenn, 71–72, 79

  Thune, John, 18

  Tillerson, Rex, 119, 157, 180–81, 183

  Time magazine, 115–16, 192

  Todd, Chuck, 107, 190

  Toomey, Pat, 217

  top 1 percent. See wealthy elites

  Tostevin, Matthew, 154–55

  totalitarian countries, 52–53

  totalitarianism, rise in the 1930s, 232–33

  Townhall.com, 48

  trade policy, 91–92, 157, 159

  transgender ban in military, 224–27

  Transparency International’s corruption index, 51

  treason, rationalizing, 137–38

  trolls and bots, 114–18. See also fake news

  Trump, Donald

  and Ailes, 189–90

  apology for lewdness, 118

  and Apprentice, 61–62, 121

  Birther hoax, 7, 38, 104, 240n8

  bullying as pushback, 28–30

  business income, 54, 153–54

  campaign funds diverted to business accounts, 40, 52

  and Confederate statues, 143–44

  confession of sexual assault, 16–18

  disengagement, 78

  disregard for diplomacy, 156

  dissatisfaction with non-flatterers, 120–23

  and Duterte, 59–60

  enemies of conservatives equal enemies of Trump, 16, 29–30

  exploiting vulnerabilities, xi, 13, 29–31, 49

  financial disclosure forms, 63–64

  global distrust of, 150–51

  health care issues failure, 176–77

  hypocrisy, lack of, 198–99

  ignorance about South Korea, 148–50

  inauguration, 41–42

  lack of strategy beyond seize more power, 160–62

  and Megyn Kelly, 44–46

  on Mexico and people it “sends,” 36–37, 44

  national security challenges related to, 161, 166–69

  pardon of Joe Arpaio, 48–49

  personality, 72, 79–80, 81–82, 91, 198–99, 201, 226–27, 235

  presidential campaign of 2016, 34

  press as enemies, 108–9

  questioning loyalty of, 185–86

  on Republicans and Democrats, 128–29

  transition-period financial projects, 58–59

  as unlikely candidate, x

  and WikiLeaks, 20, 139

  Trump family, 55

  claims of safeguards against conflicts of interest, 62–63

  financial benefits from Trump’s presidency, 54–56

  Kennedy family contracted to, 49

  US taxpayer costs for travels of, 53–54

  Trump’s administration

  decision to work for, 86–88

  hiring personal loyalists, 66, 99

  individual transition teams, 99

  leaks within, 119, 171–74

  lying as a media strategy, 118–19

  and Middle East involvement, 90–91

  unqualified members of, 99

  Watergate effect, 51–52, 63–64, 136–38, 177, 183

  working environment, 72

  Trump’s campaign promises

  on independence from money, 38–39

  Mexico wall, 92, 104–5

  on Middle East, 39, 90

  no time for vacations, 53

  plan to bomb ISIS, 91

  on Social Security, 38

  on Syria conflict, 39, 90

  to white men, 200–201

  Trump’s immoral actions

  Access Hollywood tapes, 16–18, 23, 42

  appointment of Eric’s wedding planner, 83

  Arpaio pardon, 48–49

  attacking Megyn Kelly, 44–46

  campaign promises vs. actions, 90–92

  disabling inhibitions against corruption, 65–67

  nepotism, 67–69

  personal motive for Qatar crisis, 154

  rejection of united Europe, 158–59

  sharing secret information with Russians, 161, 173–74

  threatening members of Congress, 78–79

  thuggery, 168–69

  Trump’s lies, 104–6, 110

  Cruz on, 42

  on early opposition to the Iraq War, xiv

  effect on global view of the US, 31

  equivocating vs. lying, 108–9

  on Hillary’s associates’ discussions of Catholicism, 24

  “Hillary Thinks African Americans Are Super-Predators” ad campaign, 43

  on illegal voting, 128–30

  inversion of reality, 223

  jobs announcements, 83, 105

  to Megyn Kelly, 44–45

  on Merkel meeting, 105–6

  Muslims cheering after 9/11, 104

  on Obama tapping his phone, 166–67

  posting a fleet in South Korean waters, 149

  on releasing his tax returns, 52, 63

  on tapes of Comey conversations, 111

  Trump’s power, xi–xii, 53, 67, 160–62, 179–80, 208–9^

  Trump’s quotes

  on anarchists, 80

  on Conway’s bravado, 72–73

  criticism of the press, 80–81, 105–6

  on FBI reporting to th
e president, 67

  on Lombardi coaching his players, 208–9

  on North Korea, 147–48

  on political correctness, 190–92

  on press as enemy of the American people, 106

  on Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, 79–80

  on race relations in the US, 81

  retweet of “body slam CNN,” 97

  on Salvadoran gangs, 144–45

  on saying Merry Christmas, 200–201

  on states and voter fraud panel, 131

  on surrogates’ lack of ability, 73

  Trump’s staff

  cabinet meetings, 83–84

  loyalty, 72, 83–84, 90, 97, 100

  power in military hands, 179–80

  processing issues, 98–99

  qualifications, 82–83, 174

  Trump’s influence, 86, 88, 89–90

  Trump’s supporters, xv, 26–27, 30, 168–69, 202–3

  acceptance of bullying, 28–30

  and alternative information system, 110

  characteristics of, 38

  demographics, 212

  effect of lying, 223

  evangelical Christians, 197–98

  and fake news, 116

  and incitements of violence, xi, 72, 111–12

  Jason Chaffetz, 96

  and Left, 27–28

  white men, 193–97, 198–99

  YouGov poll, 103

  See also betrayals; Trump’s campaign promises

  Trump, Donald, Jr., 54, 59, 62–63, 128

  Trump, Eric, 53–54, 58–59, 62–63

  Trump, Ivanka, 58–59, 68–69, 77

  Trump, Lara, 62–63

  Trump, Melania, 197–98

  Trump, Tiffany, 54

  Trump International Hotel, Washington, DC, 54

  Trump Organization, 59, 63, 99

  Trump Tower, New York City, 54

  and US military, 54

  Trump Tower Moscow, 52

  Trumpcare, 9, 10–11

  Trumpocracy

  effects of, xii–xiii

  exit strategy, 218

  truth

  desire for media complicity, 122–23

  in post-Trump GOP, 207–8

  rediscovery, 221–22, 223–24

  single-truth concept, 222

  the Truth, 222

  Turkey, 60, 122, 157

  Turnbull, Malcolm, 150

  Tutu, Desmond, 218

  tweets. See Trump’s quotes

  United Arab Emirates and Qatar, 152–53

  United States

  challenges to democracy, 140–42

  and emerging economies, 160–61

  and Europe, 155–56

  as former champion of liberty, 121

  former presidents, 174–75

  price of Trump’s ineptness, 30–31

  and Transparency International’s corruption index, 51

  USA Today, 53

  US attorneys, 65–66

  US–South Korea Free Trade Agreement, 91–92, 148

  US State Department, 171–73, 175

  utopian politics, 233

  Venezuela, 91

  Vice Media, 118

  video games popularity, 276–77n20