Awaiting Presidency Pretender: Trump's Claim to Power

In the realm of politics, Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign can be seen as a pseudo-event in the sense described by Daniel Boorstin in his book The Image. Pseudo-events are planned, staged happenings designed primarily to be reported and consumed by the public, often blurring the line between reality and performance to shape public perception.

Trump's campaign notably constructed an alternative narrative or pseudo-reality by repeatedly promoting claims and promises without firm intent to follow through, using spectacle and media savvy to dominate coverage and public attention. This aligns with Boorstin’s idea that a pseudo-event is not spontaneous but manufactured to create a certain image or perception and performed repeatedly until it becomes accepted as reality.

The 2016 campaign was marked by manufactured spectacles and narratives—over-the-top rallies, provocative statements, and constant media presence—that served more as image construction than substantive political discourse. This approach involved "organized lying" and self-serving narrative construction that created a reality useful to Trump's aims—a hallmark of Boorstin’s pseudo-events, where the purpose is less truth and more influence.

Trump's campaign did not just report facts but created a new framework or pseudo-reality, engaging his supporters in a shared belief system reinforced through continuous media spectacle and repetition. In this context, the 2016 campaign can be seen as a performance designed to foster an image and emotional connection with voters, often relying on spectacle and symbols rather than purely policy or factual discussion.

This style of campaigning has led to various controversies, with Trump offending various groups, including Muslims, Mexicans, women, the pope, peaceful protesters, and the residents of Brussels. His call for the banning of all Muslims from the US led to the removal of his "GlobalScot" ambassador status in Scotland, and his opposition to offshore wind farms caused a dispute with the Scottish government, ending his "GlobalScot" ambassador status in 2015.

Trump's success can be analyzed through the prism of Daniel Boorstin's concept of the pseudo-event, which identifies the rise of celebrity as a key criteria of fame and power. It is speculated that Trump entered the race as a promotional strategy for his corporate interests, and his fame from appearances on The Apprentice, his many marriages, business ventures, and pursuits of famous women have undoubtedly played a role in his popularity.

However, Trump's lack of coherent sentences or a visionary foreign policy, and his failures in many business ventures, have raised concerns among many GOP elders in Washington, D.C., who are ready to endorse Hillary Clinton instead of Trump. The Republican Party lacks credible presidential candidates, allowing Trump to gain popularity despite these shortcomings.

The US is in uncharted electoral territory due to Trump's primary success, making it difficult to predict the outcome of the general election. The world watches US elections with dropped jaws and wide-open mouths due to Trump's unconventional campaign. The Scottish National Party endorsed Trump's business ventures, including the construction of an exclusive golf course and hotel in Scotland, but his attack on Ted Cruz's spouse is a form of dirty fighting that has further tarnished his image.

In conclusion, Trump's 2016 campaign can be seen as a classic pseudo-event—a carefully orchestrated media spectacle that manufactured an alternative reality and image designed to captivate public attention, shape perception, and ultimately secure electoral success by amplifying image over reality.

References: [1] Boorstin, D. J. (1961). The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-events in America. Vintage.