Trump the fascist artist: How the MAGA crowd is motivated by aesthetics, not ideas

[marmar]

Trump the fascist artist: How the MAGA crowd is motivated by aesthetics, not ideas
A Marxist philosopher named Walter Benjamin foresaw the rise of Trumpism more than eighty years ago

By MATTHEW ROZSA
DECEMBER 5, 2020 7:00PM


(Salon) More than eighty years ago, a then-obscure German philosopher wrote an essay that foresaw the essential reason behind President Donald Trump's enduring political appeal. His name was Walter Benjamin; born to a Jewish family in Berlin, Benjamin was present for a pivotal moment in history, and watched Hitler rise to power. By the time he wrote his most famous essay, he was an exile living in France amidst financial hardships, having recognized that the Reichstag fire three years earlier signified that the Nazis had achieved total power in Germany.

In 1936 — as Hitler was violating international treaties with impunity and preparing Germany for war (a threat that many Western powers did not take seriously) — Benjamin, a Marxist and a Jew who was thus obviously opposed to the Nazis, postulated that modern fascists succeed when they are entertainers. Not just any entertainer — a circus clown or a juggler-turned-fascist wouldn't do. Specifically, modern fascists were entertainers with a distinct aesthetic, one that appeals to mass grievances by encouraging their supporters to feel like they are personally expressing themselves through their demagogue of choice.

....(snip)....

The key passage from Benjamin's "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction," which was published in 1936, deserves to be quoted in full:

Fascism attempts to organize the newly created proletarian masses without affecting the property structure which the masses strive to eliminate. Fascism sees its salvation in giving these masses not their right, but instead a chance to express themselves. The masses have a right to change property relations; Fascism seeks to give them an expression while preserving property. The logical result of Fascism is the introduction of aesthetics into political life.

....(snip)....

Trump's is an approach that goes beyond mere rhetoric and enters the realm of performance art, a fact that Trump himself unintentionally acknowledged during his first speech at the 2020 Republican National Convention, when he urged his supporters to chant "12 more years" in order to "really drive [liberals] crazy." That moment epitomized precisely how Trump has transformed traditional political rhetoric into performance art: Instead of simply making the case for his candidacy or advocating for certain ideas, Trump focused on creating a moment in which he would entreat his followers to join him in a performance — not for a major political point, but simply to elicit a desired emotional response from their supposed common enemy. It was the type of performance art that Trump has perfected: To act like a troll, and encourage his supporters to act like trolls, and thereby create an act of mass catharsis through creative self-expression that did absolutely nothing to address any legitimate economic or social concerns that his supporters might have. ..............(more)

https://www.salon.com/2020/12/05/trump-the-fascist-artist-how-the-maga-crowd-is-motivated-by-aesthetics-not-ideas/

[dawg day]

1. I watched a couple minutes of his "speech" tonight

I think they resonate just to the sound of his voice. He's all sing-songy and emphasizes and repeats, and the sentences don't seem to matter much. He'll say something about something kind of incomprehensible, and they all cheer because he says it in this preening voice like he expects to be cheered.

He was bragging about how he raised so much money since the election, over and over == "$250 million!" Nothing about what he's going to do with all this money that I guess he can just use however he wants now? Anyway, they cheered like he said, "And the team scored 5 touchdowns!"

But... it sure sounds like he's just winding down, talking about his great victory in 2016 -oh, yeah, he says, "I think" (cough) "I won by even more this time."

Very jolly as he insists he has every right to steal the presidency.
Fortunately he actually has no power. But really, what is the GOP thinking as they watch this-- I mean, the pols, the pros, the hacks, Ted Cruz and Rubio and Ronna not-Romney? They should be thinking, "We should cut this guy off like a tumor, because he's hijacking the party forever and giving it to these yahoos."

But of course, they're too craven.

[keithbvadu2]

2. Rafael Cruz already took action.

I Kissed Trump's ass after he called my wife ugly.

[dawg day]

3. Whenever Cruz tweets something (today he had a pic of him with the buck he killed- macho)

I reply with something about what a wimp he is who won't stick up for his wife and dad.

It accomplishes nothing, but I like to remind everyone what a coward he is. I'd love to use your picture next time!

[keithbvadu2]

4. Feel free. If you get beaten, you get full credit. If you get royalties, I want half.

Feel free.

If you get beaten, you get full credit.

If you get royalties, I want half.

[Solly Mack]

5. K&R

[beastie boy]

6. Politics have always been a mix of ideology and performance art.

Walter Benjamin' s iconic essay puts in sharp focus the conflicts between the two and the consequences of emphasizing one over the other. He concentrates almost exclusively on the esthetical aspect of politics rather than its ideological or philosophical aspect. He drives home the point that is often overlooked: ideology, while it forms the basis for politics, isn't the main force that drives politics. Esthetics (or what Benjamin calls "art" ) is. This is why propaganda, which is essentially an art form, and control of media are so important in dominating political discourse and controlling the narrative.. Has nothing to do with facts or logic. Anyone wondering why so many people worship trump despite the facts, this is it.

[Wicked Blue]

7. I think entertainment is the key here

Benjamin "postulated that modern fascists succeed when they are entertainers. Not just any entertainer — a circus clown or a juggler-turned-fascist wouldn't do. Specifically, modern fascists were entertainers with a distinct aesthetic, one that appeals to mass grievances by encouraging their supporters to feel like they are personally expressing themselves through their demagogue of choice."

The orange traitor is an entertainer. He entertains his followers through his cult rallies. He gives them the circuses they want, but not the bread: not stimulus checks, not affordable healthcare, not protection from the Covid-19 pandemic.

I've noticed for a long time that many wingnuts, when photographed smiling, have angry smiles, as though they enjoy being angry. They obviously enjoy getting together at these rallies and shouting out their grievances and cheering their dear fascist leader. It's really FUN for them to be fascists among fellow fascists, sharing jokes about owning the libs and laughing about how to main and kill them.

If Democrats want to do something to defuse these nutjobs, one effective approach might be to entertain them. Give them fun things to watch on the media that appeal to a sense of patriotism, to national cohesiveness. We could use some national cheerleaders to boost Democratic policies. Spokespeople who can say funny, witty things that capture the imagination.