Source: Garrison Center
by Thomas L Knapp
As a ‘leader,’ Trump is congenitally incapable of admitting either of two things: Error or weakness. Prior to running for politics, he operated entirely on ‘brand,’ not actual accomplishment. Over decades as a real estate developer, casino operator, etc., he racked up multiple business bankruptcies and built a smaller fortune than he’d have earned from investing his inheritance in an S&P 500-indexed mutual fund and going on permanent vacation. When sequential failures in real business moved him to go full Hollywood with The Apprentice, the focus was on being a ‘boss’ dispensing sage advice to (or yelling ‘you’re fired’ at) future business moguls (most of whom subsequently sank from view). Having failed upward into the presidency, his strategy remains the same: Promote a Trump ‘brand’ built on the pretense that he’s competent and in charge. When both prove false, just change the story to fit the image.” (06/15/25)