The Potemkin Patriot

Views and beliefs held about Donald Trump on the right are built on right-wing infotainment subterfuge far more than the realities of the man himself, the life he's lived, and his political record.

Donald Trump performatively hugs an American flag. Image used under fair use and uploaded from the Orange County Register.

Lately, I’ve taken to referring to Donald Trump as the Potemkin patriot. The image so many of his supporters have of him is just so completely separated from the realities of the man, his actual beliefs and demeanor, and what his personal priorities actually were while in office and are as a current candidate.

The reality is that the myth of Donald Trump, the conservative savior, is one perpetuated by talk radio, cable news, and right-wing infotainment sites. It's all straight propaganda from pundits, reporters, and talking heads who either want to be close to the throne of power or who have grown rich feeding people confirmation bias.

But what disgusts me the most is that a lot of the people bamboozled by this informational coup are not bad people, but honest and good salt-of-earth, bread-and-butter conservatives who have real concerns that weren't being addressed by anybody. And the lies and misinformation thrown their way by Trump and co. demonstrate dismissiveness and utter contempt for the intelligence of the people they claim to champion.

It's all such a sad and frustrating situation.

-Justin

The Daily Saucer is our place for freelance contributors and editorial staff to offer short takes on the news cycle, quick observations on the issues, and brief thoughts on broader topics. The views offered in this space reflect only the personal views of the authors.

Please Donate to Our Efforts