Columnist George Will Bashes Donald Trump

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright May 27, 2012
All Rights Reserved.                                         

              Calling real estate mogul Donald Trump a “bloviating ignoramus” on ABC’s  “This Week” with George Stephanopolous for raising “birther” questions about President Barack Obama, syndicated columnist George Will scratched his head.  “I do not understand the cost-benefit here,” questioned Will, totally missing Trump’s grandstanding to the growing audience of conspiracy nuts unlikely to vote for the president.  If the election’s as close as everyone expects, driving more crossovers and independents away from Obama makes perfect sense.  Far from ignorant, Trump is a clever propagandist, sticking to his message no matter how untruthful and dishonest.  Con artists like Trump aren’t concerned with “intellectual honesty,” only bending minds for a specific agenda.  Trump raised the “birther” issue last year when he was considering running for president. 

            Considered a conservative icon for years, Will continues the William F. Buckley pseudo-intellectual tradition of throwing around polysyllabic words, despite diverting attention from what really matters.  There’s nothing ignorant about a man that’s built a multimillion-dollar real estate and media empire.  Trump understands better than most politics’ entertainment value, grabbing headlines, the audience and not letting go.  “Donald Trump is redundant evidence that if your net worth is high enough, your IQ can be very low and you can still intrude into American politics,” said Will, asking what possible good can come out of Romney’s connection with Trump.  If Trump raises millions for Romney June 28 in Manhattan, Will’s question will be answered.  “Again, I don’t understand the benefit.  What is Romney seeking,” asked Will, knowing the answer involves money and votes.

            Questions about Obama’s birthplace have swirled on the Internet since he delivered an electrifying keynote speech July 27, 2004 for nominee Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass) in Boston at the Democratic National Convention.  That speech launched Obama as the frontrunner for the Party’s 2008 nomination.  Beating Hillary Rodham Clinton was no small feat, where many of the “birther” rumors originated.  Trump’s continued emphasis on the “birther” issue preaches to the conspiracy choir often heard on FoxNews and right-wing radio where there’s no reality to scurrilous rumors only unchecked “Obama-bashing.”  “Look it’s very simple,” Trump to the Daily Beast.  “He said he was born in Kenya and raised in Indonesia . . . Now they’re saying it was a mistake . . .” Trump said, referring to recent retractions from Barack’s old publicist about his 1995 best-selling book, “Dreams from My Father.”

            Despite providing certified copies of his Hawaii birth certificate and two newspaper birth announcements, the “birther” conspiracists continue their unwholesome work.    “Just like his Kenyan grandmother said he was born in Kenya and she pointed down the road to the hospital and after people started screaming at her she said, ‘Oh, I mean Hawaii.’  Give me a break,” said Trump, insisting on fanning the “birther” controversy.  Trump made quite a splash of FoxNew’s “The O’Reilly Factor” March 31, 2011.  “His mother was a Hippie, his father was a guy from Kenya who split.  What is he?  Baby Jesus?” joked O’Reilly to Trump.  “There was a sophisticated conspiracy to smuggle this baby back into the country,” said O’Reilly, not convinced that Trump, a BA graduate of U of Penn’s Wharton School, really believed his own hype and attempt to grab headlines.

            Trump revealed his true colors back in 2011, while considering a White House run.  “I grew up with Wall Street geniuses,” said Trump.  “What they do in terms of fraud and how they change documents,” hinting that the practices are all too close to home.  In fairness to Trump in 2011, the State of Hawaii refused to release Barack’s birth certificate because of privacy issues.  On April 27, 2011 Hawaii released the official long version copy of Barack’s birth certificate, proving he was born Aug. 4, 1961 in Honolulu’s Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.  Calling the document a forgery says more about Trump than Obama.  “It’s a dangerous game that Mitt Romney is playing here because Donald Trump doesn’t have a lot to lose by keeping this birther conversation alive,” said Fox Business Network anchor Liz Claman, concerned about Trump hurting Romney’s chances.

            Trump’s continued interest in the “birther” question stems less from ignorance than from a systematic attempt to discredit the president.  Whether fact-checked or not, keeping the controversy alive helps Romney by siphoning off potential crossover and independent votes.  Calling Trump a “bloviating ignoramus” fails to see Trumps’ cunning side, demonstrating competent propagandist skills.  Regardless of contradictory information, propagandists stick to their messages at all costs.  When Trump hosts his fundraiser June 28 in Manhattan, Romney won’t complain if the 65-year-old real estate tycoon raises oodles of cash.  One thing’s for sure:  Trump isn’t on Mitt’s VP shortlist.  If George Will really doesn’t get what Romney wants from Trump, he should ask him if he’s got a bridge for sale in Brooklyn.  With Obama raking in record amounts of cash, Romney wants to join the party.

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