The complexities of America’s criminal justice system have long been felt by communities of color, where incarceration and the label of a felon often bear significant, lifelong repercussions. This plight extends beyond those who are incarcerated, affecting their families and friends.
Unlike their white counterparts, people of color don’t enjoy the privilege of being perceived as anomalies within the justice system. This is perhaps because whiteness has its own inherent “wealth” assignment attached to it.
Donald Trump’s recent rhetoric suggests he believes aligning himself with the cradle-to-prison pipeline narrative is a credible way to woo Black support. Observers note his claim— that Black people might find him relatable now that he is a convicted felon— is an insult. It reflects a profound cultural incompetence among his surrogates and congressional constituents, who amplify this claim.
The media’s complicity in carrying Trump’s message adds to the absurdity, as it relies on the misguided assumption that Black people accept this felon-comradery status as inextricable to their identity. Trump, convicted of 34 felonies, is far removed from the realities of the Black community.
Yet, his narrative gains traction.
This can be attributed to Trump’s status as an enabled white man, peddling lies through the cult of celebrity, the culture of whiteness, and the cover of fame and inherited fortune. His tenure as a United States president has not conferred upon him the honesty or honor that the office might imply.
Blackness is not defined or enhanced by conviction or incarceration and Trump’s recent legal troubles do not make him sympathetic to the Black experience. Instead, his actions have historically been detrimental to this community.
Trump’s suggestion that his stained whiteness should elicit sympathy from Black people is not only repugnant but also a clear manipulation of racial dynamics.
Trump’s rhetorical skills, characterized by sleight of hand, often give him the benefit of the doubt among those unwilling to scrutinize his fragmented communications. A review of his stream-of-consciousness transcripts reveals a woeful incoherence that, when parsed, exposes the depth of his manipulation.
To understand the absurdity of Trump’s claims, consider a hypothetical scenario: Imagine a billionaire, accustomed to luxury, claiming to understand the struggles of the working class because he once experienced a minor inconvenience at a five-star hotel. This analogy underscores the disconnect between Trump’s privileged position and the actual experiences of the Black community.
As a twist, imagine anyone supporting Joe Biden’s reelection jumping on board with Convict Trump and all his minions, including those on the Supreme Court who support presidential immunity. This may be the only time Trump has given us a strategy that can save the planet from his childish and criminal petulance.
If the Supreme Court affirms Trump’s presidential immunity, this also means that President Biden can remain president indefinitely. He doesn’t have to go and he doesn’t have to concede to the peaceful transfer of power.
Even better is that he’s in office now and he can already fire everyone who would stand in his way as a guardrail, replacing them with loyal cronies and sycophants.
According to the argument put forward by Trump’s attorneys, Biden could just go ahead and order Seal Team 6 to do his bidding to anyone who opposes him. This would make for a much cheaper election. We could save the country a lot of money. Hell, just go for it.
Biden could also get the entire Congress to look exactly the way he wants and needs them to pass fake legislation to satiate the needs, desires, and whims of only his constituents.
All we need now is for the “liberal” media to do what Newsmax and Fox have already given us a blueprint to do. And we have Trump and leading Republican senators and members of Congress to thank for helping us devise such a brilliant plan.
Now, what makes all this absurd—and I’ve included the link to President Biden’s record since he’s been in office for your reading— is that the only way Trump’s and the Republican strategy works for them— and I mean the only way— is if the rest of the world depends on President Biden’s decency, ethical wisdom, and good faith demeanor.
That’s exactly right. Trump’s distraction only works when we, the vanguards of democracy, fail to show how Biden’s integrity is the most significant safeguard and testament to his strength and fitness for office. This leads to a broader concern— the overwhelming noise and manipulation present in our daily lives, especially on social media.
Why bring this all up? Because there is so much noise out there on TikTok, Instagram, X and all the other social media platforms, which specialize in short, clipped information aimed at exciting emotions and getting adrenaline flowing like a gushing river.
This is exacerbated by our short attention spans, which makes being distracted our daily habit. This makes it easy for people to get one over on us. Add to this the algorithms that ensure we see and hear exactly what drives us to feed our consumer addiction.
Oh, lest we forget, there is concern with the politics of it all, and especially with those who say, “Well, I’m not into politics” or “I don’t get into politics.” And those who also have the impertinence to say, “I’ll just have to choose the lesser of two evils.” In fact, anyone saying that is already a victim of prestidigitation.
The word “prestidigitation” was popularized on the TV crime dramedy Las Vegas, set in a casino. The central characters of the series were surveillance and security personnel.
In one episode, the surveillance and security teams were looking for a card counter that also happened to be a magician. The player was skilled in the art of prestidigitation, meaning “sleight of hand.” A trickster. A person who is a magician or a con artist. Someone who knows how to distract you – to get you to look in one direction while they perform a deception right in front of you.
Why is this relevant to those saying they aren’t political or will choose the lesser of two evils?
Because no one but no one gets out of politics.
Politics is simply the way multiple people negotiate how they will be with each other. So, if you think you’re not into politics, you’re already deceived. You are into politics, even if you are disengaged, because disengagement is a type of relating and negotiating.
If you think your prestidigitator isn’t hoping to get you distracted and disengaged, then that has made you an easy mark.
It’s crucial to understand this concept in the context of Trump’s tactics. Trump’s mastery of prestidigitation, turning deception into political theater, is evident.
He’s made a career out of the sleight of hand, convincing people to look one way while manipulating things behind the scenes. Those who fall for it are not just lazy but victims of a well-oiled con.
Consider this: when Trump says, “Let the voters decide,” remember, it’s not a call to democracy. It’s a last-ditch effort to manipulate the narrative, to keep the public looking at the hat while he pockets their watch.
The voters did decide, and the conmander in chief didn’t like the outcome. His response was not to respect the will of the people but to undermine it with lies and distractions.
In the end, vigilance is imperative. Society must call out the sleight of hand and demand integrity.
The presidency does not bestow honesty or honor. It’s the actions and character of the person in office that do.
Right now, the magician is trying to pull off the greatest trick of all— convincing the public that his crimes make him one of them. Don’t fall for it.
Let’s hold onto the truth, stay alert, and refuse to be distracted by the theatrics. The stakes are too high and democracy is too precious to be left to the devices of a skilled con artist.
The show is over, Mr. Trump. The voters have decided and it’s time for you to exit the stage. If you won’t, then perhaps it’s time to grant Biden the immunity you so desperately covet.
