Triumph and Trauma in TrumpAmerica

I will not attempt to offer some sort of definitive analysis of what has been happening socially, economically, and politically over the past year in the United States of America. Rather, it is as one Christian thinker who was born and raised in the U.S. South, then who by marriage and profession has gained a wider, international experience over the past 40 years, that I dare to suggest a few personal thoughts about U.S. society, the U.S.’s international standing, and the Trump Presidency. No single, simple narrative would suffice, but I will articulate what I believe to be nonpartisan insights for the sake of contributing constructively, prophetically, and compassionately in U.S. society during 2018. An abiding hope in God’s providential rule over all things undergirds all of these comments.

For now at least, it goes without saying that on a national scale conservative political and economic policies are being implemented. Participants in U.S. society will evaluate this reality according to their own values and positions. Moreover, what these matters mean individually and collectively for various ones of us financially, environmentally, regarding health care, and with respect to future generations remain to be seen. One clear implication is that those with excessive wealth are well positioned to increase their wealth and influence economically and politically.
As POTUS, Donald Trump the man has encouraged some U.S. citizens while traumatizing others. Those who want a more militarily powerful and secure United States of America seem generally upbeat. Those favoring more conservative judiciaries regarding abortion, corporate deregulation, and restoration of some sort of traditional Christian America narrative also seem happy. However, many who have suffered in relationships with narcissists, especially those who have been sexually abused, have been deeply traumatized personally by this hyper-narcissistic POTUS. He exhibits to extremes the manipulative, deceptive bullying that many of us have experienced from narcissists, and the steady stream of Trump news is a constant reminder of those genuinely horrific experiences. What his manipulations mean socially - including denigration of minorities and overall tribalization - is also a deep concern.
That manipulative, deceptive, and self-serving bullying extends internationally and worries many of us with respect to U.S. relations with other countries. A catastrophic war with North Korea seems closer than ever. Regular tweets critical of various other countries serve further to lower international perceptions of U.S. leadership and further isolate the U.S. Different U.S.-Americans believe differently about Israel-Palestine matters, but I for one (along with most of the rest of the world) see the U.S. as too uncritically pro-Israel to be an effective catalyst for a just peace. In general, this administration seems void of historical sensibilities as well as nuance in international relations.
Of deep concern on an ongoing basis is how Trump’s constant barrage of misleading half-truths and innuendos are reshaping views of an independent press, as well as how we as U.S. citizens understand a host of public and international matters. As a hyper-narcissist, this POTUS creates an alternative reality and persuasively conveys that reality through his position of influence. The U.S. Congress and media (critical of Trump as most media are) operate in relation and reaction to the POTUS. He praises his supporters and trashes those who oppose or exhibit disloyalty to him. As a narcissist, he unwaveringly believes he is the best thing to ever happen to the U.S. and to the world; hence, his self-messianic posture is only emboldened by apparently improved economic (and other) indicators, for which he takes full credit.
For me, “TrumpAmerica” and “MAGA” constitute an unfolding socio-political tragedy, even though a good number of U.S.-Americans will benefit financially (individually and corporately), at least for the short term. I fear that the poor, women, and minorities will be increasingly marginalized, and that U.S. society as a whole will become more tribalized and balkanized than ever. Moreover, the social fears and personal trauma that many of us carry from having to watch this POTUS operate will simply continue.
Kyrie eleison.