Sorry America: Donald Trump Is Too Funny To Be a Fascist | Opinion
President Trump’s opponents label him a wannabe dictator, but his humor, even when it's accidental, suggests otherwise.
Donald Trump's defining characteristic is his humor, which has allowed him to become president and remain in power. Despite the list of grievances against him, his ability to make people laugh has set him apart. When the most powerful man in the world falls asleep at an Oval Office event and is later electro-shocked awake, people's reaction is laughter, not shock or disgust.
Trump's humor, intentional or not, has normalized the relationship between immense power and laughter. His absurdity is what throws others off-balance and keeps them from understanding his disruption of normalcy. While some call him a fascist or dictator, he lacks the qualities associated with those titles. He is an 80-year-old man who only wants to be president and have some fun along the way.
His ability to make you laugh, despite his life of amorality, is a paradox that should be taken into account. Trump's humor can make people feel uncomfortable, but that's more about journalists' feelings than the quality of the jokes. He is a master of the absurd and cannot control the hearts and minds of Americans, unlike a dictator.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
