Barbara Ellen - Donald Trump's cartoon machismo
Oh dear. Was President
Trump’s tweet of his head digitally added on to the body of Rocky Balboa/Sylvester Stallone rather too psychologically
revealing? The image seemed to say everything you needed to know about Trump’s
delusional self-image.
see also
India is on a path to decline and that is why China is challenging it. By Sushil Aaron
Eric Baradat/@realDonaldTrump/AFP via Getty Images
Well, I say “needed”. How much does anyone need to know
about any man – world leader or regular Joe – who mistakes male heft and
musculature for true power? Before we begin, a
minor quibble: the tan of Rocky’s body isn’t an exact match for Trump’s face.
The former says “Italian-American”; the latter whispers: “Overzealously applied
mortuary makeup that does little to dispel the question marks over Trump’s
health sparked by his recent unscheduled ‘medical check’.”
But I digress – it’s the
internal monologue that counts. The Trump/Rocky hybrid is saying: “Behold my
might! This is the real Trump – not that old guy, so flaccid and orange he’s
starting to resemble a morally corrupted Winnie the Pooh. NO, A THOUSAND TIMES
NO! This toned boxing-gloved Adonis is the true Trump: buff, invincible and
intriguingly homoerotic.” What is there to make
of any man who makes a bulked-up, ultra-masculine body image his top priority?
Of course, this
Superman/Superego routine has been done before, and better. Who could forget
Vladimir Putin’s winsome topless bareback-riding modelling stints – a worthy Mr
January of any fun presidential charity calendar. (And, as Vlad might snipe, no
Photoshop – showing only what his momma gave him.) Then of course there’s our
own Boris Johnson, who tried – and failed – to get the Hulk power-image going (thankfully, no visuals provided
from Tory HQ). What is one to make of such transparent displays of cartoon
machismo? Away from world leaders, what is there to make of any man who makes a
bulked-up, ultramasculine body image his top priority?...
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/30/donald-trump-is-there-anything-sadder-than-a-chump-who-thinks-hes-a-champsee also
India is on a path to decline and that is why China is challenging it. By Sushil Aaron