Trump’s Sports World
Betting
sports fans who voted in 2016 to “give him a chance” were rewarded with a
spotlight on their passion in the 120th week of Trump’s presidency. The world champions of baseball, the Boston
Red Sox, attended a traditional White House ceremony honoring their
accomplishments. But this event was less
than conventional, with many members, including the manager, declining to
participate. Predictably, all of them
were people of color. They joined other
sports figures who have rejected White House ceremonies. The world of sports, which typically strives
to be apolitical to protect its dollars, shows itself to be as divided and
rancorous as the rest of America.
Also this
week, we read news reports about Trump’s tax returns during the 90s. Our president, while claiming the information
was “fake news,” simultaneously boasted that his huge reported tax losses were
part of the real estate industry’s game of manipulating US tax laws to its
benefit. For developers like him, taking
huge losses and renegotiating with banks was “sport.” Pity the poor Americans who feel that
preparing their tax returns with H&R Block is less sport than inquisition,
and who find their bank to be unfriendly about easing their struggles.
We have
discovered that Trump’s approach to governance is indeed framed as a
sport. Stir up underlying rivalries;
excitement sells tickets (sixty million Twitter followers). Give no quarter to rivals, who are blood
enemies and losers. Put your money on
the royalty franchises with dominating assets.
If you strike out or even lose, blame the umpires and the rules.
In Trump’s
game, there is no traditional handshake with opponents after the
competition—only rancid bitterness to build up for the next confrontation. And a hike in ticket prices.
Publishing history:
Shawangunk
Journal 5/17/19
Daily Freeman 5/11/19
NP
Times 5/16/19
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