As I have said repeatedly, were I an American citizen I would most definitely have voted for Trump in the last presidential election. My “conservatism” consists mainly of a reverence for the ever evolving Culture of Western Civilization. Trump’s MAGA agenda more or less represents a defense of the values endorsed by that civilization. But at the same time he is clearly a childish, narcissistic jerk given to outbursts which are truly disgusting. His supporters, while no doubt favoring many of his policies, need to abandon their slavish endorsement of his every statement and speak the truth on the obvious moral/intellectual failings to which he is prone. Common sense, that is to say, ought to transcend blind ideological bias.
In response to the recent murder of Rob Reiner and his wife, Trump posted a statement which was no less disgusting than those posted by many on the Left regarding the murder of Charlie Kirk. After expressing token sympathy for Reiner, Trump proceeded to mock what he considers the absurdity of his Trump Derangement Syndrome. Somehow he thought the tragic death of an innocent human being was an apt opportunity to profit politically! Surely many of his supporters were as outraged as was I. Individuals such as Karoline Leavitt, of course, might be immediately dismissed should they express disdain for some of Trump’s ignorant rants. But elected Republican officials as well as the various conservative pundits I admire need to step up and take him to task. I do not think he is the horrid human being portrayed by the Left, yet I find the claim by some conservatives that he may be the greatest president ever, utterly absurd. Ironically, his arrogance renders him fearless in the pursuit of many of his goals. Yet Reason demands we support him in those of his policies which make perfect sense, while calling him out when he displays the maturity of an ignorant 12 year old! While the Left is preeminently responsible for the gulf of hatred separating the two sides of the political spectrum these days, Trump is certainly doing nothing but exacerbate this situation.