We all have our guilty pleasures and one of mine is watching political train-wrecks from a distance. Just as I could not look away from the Rob Ford Crack-mayor of Toronto carnage, I am now unable to ignore the Trump administration. So when I heard about Michael Wolff's fly-on-the-wall tell-all book, it was not a question of whether I would read it, but how long I could hold out before I succumb to its temptations. Apparently, not very long at all.
I feel I don't really need to say too much about the specific allegations of the book, since anyone who has not been in a coma for the last month, has probably already heard the most outrageous, salacious accusations in the book. We have all seen Steve Bannon's career crash is the past few weeks, and we have observed (and at times participated in) the endless debate on whether the book proves that Donald Trump is unfit for office. From a personal perspective, judging Trump's fitness for the highest public office in America has never been especially challenging.
Although, the book offers enormous insight into the probable factions and their impact on policy within a highly dysfunctional White House, in many ways it is merely a predictable reflection of the outer chaos that we can all see. That being said, it is worth the cover price just to read about the sudden arrival and equally sudden departure of the "Mooch."
More importantly, the book offers insights into the broader political environment that created Trumpism, the nature of truth and authenticity in politics, and the utter cynicism and moral bankruptcy that has allowed Trump to be elected and for this administration to continue.
The first thing that struck me in the book is the author's assertion that nobody within the Trump campaign expected Trump to win. Speaking of Trump's campaign team, Wolff writes: "The unspoken agreement among them: not only would Donald Trump not be president, he should probably not be. Conveniently, the former conviction meant that nobody had to deal with the latter issue." If they weren't "in it, to win it" then why were they supporting Trump as a candidate. According to Wolff, Trump saw the entire adventure as a branding exercise. He would come out of the campaign more famous than ever. His hanger-ons were no doubt making equally cynical and self-serving calculations, and nobody really felt the need to address what a Trump presidency would do to America, as it could never happen.
Then once Trump was unexpectedly named "leader of the free world," it became surprisingly easy for the Washington establishment to adapt themselves to the new reality. Indeed if there is one lasting impression that this book leaves, it is the image of modern politics as a viper's nest of politicians, party operatives, campaign volunteers ("a range of silly, needy and opportunistic figures"), and "difficult, even sociopathic, rich people pushing the bounds of their own power." Each figure pursues his or her own agenda, driven by desires totally unrelated to the public good. It is both dystopian and (dare I say) farcical.
For those who already find themselves mired in the Boschian world of Trumpian politics, Fire and Fury is required reading. For those who have not yet been dragged into the quagmire, I recommend you find yourself something light and escapist to read instead...perhaps Brave New World or 1984.
Four smileys out of five: 😀😀😀😀 (but only if you really can't stop yourself).
