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Trump's habitual Al Capone comparison rings different two years later
When Donald Trump first started comparing himself to Al Capone, he was presenting himself as a victim. Now, the underlying message is ... different.
Link to tweet
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/two-years-later-trump-wont-let-go-al-capone-comparison-rcna152130
Two years ago, in an online statement that’s since been deleted, Donald Trump whined about his legal difficulties by complaining, “Never before has this happened to another President, and it is an absolute violation of my civil rights. ... I’ve been investigated by the Democrats more than Billy the Kid, Jesse James, and Al Capone, combined.”....
Two years later, he’s still at it. Business Insider highlighted some of the former president’s rhetoric at his rally in New Jersey over the weekend.
Seven days earlier, he told a Mar-a-Lago audience, “Once I got indicted, I said, ‘Holy s---, I just got indicted.’ Me, I got indicted. ... I got indicted like Alphonse and like all these people,” a reference to the notorious gangster.....
......But in recent months, the message behind the comparison appears to have evolved.
Samuel Earle recently argued in a New York Times opinion piece, “Mr. Trump’s eagerness to invoke Capone reflects an important shift in the image he wants to project to the world. In 2016, Mr. Trump played the reality TV star and businessman who would shake up politics, shock and entertain. In 2020, Mr. Trump was the strongman, desperately trying to hold on to power by whatever means possible. In 2024, Mr. Trump is in his third act: the American gangster, heir to Al Capone — besieged by the authorities, charged with countless egregious felonies but surviving and thriving nonetheless, with an air of macho invincibility.”
Two years later, he’s still at it. Business Insider highlighted some of the former president’s rhetoric at his rally in New Jersey over the weekend.
The former president said he had been indicted “more than the great Alphonse Capone ... on bulls---, too.” It prompted members of the crowd to chant “Bulls---! Bulls---! Bulls---!” in response.
Seven days earlier, he told a Mar-a-Lago audience, “Once I got indicted, I said, ‘Holy s---, I just got indicted.’ Me, I got indicted. ... I got indicted like Alphonse and like all these people,” a reference to the notorious gangster.....
Link to tweet
......But in recent months, the message behind the comparison appears to have evolved.
Samuel Earle recently argued in a New York Times opinion piece, “Mr. Trump’s eagerness to invoke Capone reflects an important shift in the image he wants to project to the world. In 2016, Mr. Trump played the reality TV star and businessman who would shake up politics, shock and entertain. In 2020, Mr. Trump was the strongman, desperately trying to hold on to power by whatever means possible. In 2024, Mr. Trump is in his third act: the American gangster, heir to Al Capone — besieged by the authorities, charged with countless egregious felonies but surviving and thriving nonetheless, with an air of macho invincibility.”
TFG wants to be considered to be a strong man like Hitler and Putin but the best that TFG can do is be proud of being a crook like Capone
2 replies
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