When I returned from Japan a few days ago, one of my first stops was Books & Co. A self-labelled book junkie, I can be found at the bookstore a few days in a week, sipping a cup of tea, curled up on a comfy sofa with a huge book in my hands.
Imagine my surprise when I walked in the store’s front door to find that Armageddon had been announced in my absence. Well, at least, a book display told me it was so.
Located at the forefront of the store were shelves dedicated to a new bestseller entitled "Armageddon: How Trump Can Beat Hillary", written by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann. I was intrigued by the thought that Armageddon, Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump are all linked. Picking up a copy, I chose a bench nearby and started skimming.
Almost immediately, something in Morris’s "Armageddon" caught my eye. Wondering if I could find this occurrence elsewhere, I went to the biography section, chose a few more books about the rise of Donald Trump, and found that these books and "Armageddon" have a not-so-mysterious similarity.
The books supporting Donald Trump all use what I call “savior language.” The authors portray the upcoming election as Trump against the world, the underdog with the unwavering support of degraded Americans. I was amazed to find that Trump was awarded a nearly Christ-like status.
Maybe “savior language” is something that occurs in all political campaigns; perhaps I’m lighting on a relatively common occurrence. Nevertheless, it’s certainly concerning to find that Trump has become a true American idol, elevated to the status of a patriotic demigod who can commit no wrong.
I’m normally not one to get involved in political conversations, as there seems to be plenty of opinions circulating without me joining the fray. However, this phenomenon of exalting Trump through literature is disturbing enough that I feel compelled to share.
Maybe you’re an ardent Trump supporter, perhaps you care only for Clinton, or perchance you back neither opponent. Whatever your political stance, these quotes from pro-Trump books are definitely worth your read.
1. “The crowds were unbelievable. The enthusiasm was based on pure love and love of what we were doing. The media, the politicians, and the so-called leaders of our country reacted in horror. But I persevered and went directly to the people, because I don’t need anyone’s financial support, nor do I need anyone’s approval of what I say or do” (xi).
This quote is straight from Donald Trump himself, published in his book, "Great Again: How to Fix Our Crippled America."
Trump portrays himself as the American people’s choice. Trump’s choice to “persevere” for the love of the people makes him come across as an independent savior, one whose decisions are free of others’ political agendas. Let’s be honest with ourselves: no politician is free of the expectations and agendas of others. It’s the unfortunate, unethical nature of the job.
2.“Who but Donald Trump has shown the guts and–most important–the ability to successfully withstand the blast furnace of the Left’s politically correct tyranny? This is what makes Trump such a hero to his supporters; and it is why he is such a threat–in a way that no other Republican can match–to the Left” (51).
In this quote, Jeffrey Lord, author of "What America Needs: The Case for Trump," seems to suggest Trump is some sort of political Superman or a mythical, undefeated gladiator.
To many Republicans, Trump appears in the political arena as America’s only hope. It seems there is a general tendency to view Trump as something more than a man, which is, well, a little egotistical.
3. “The ultimate battle to save American lies straight ahead of us: it’s an American Armageddon, the final crusade to defeat Hillary Clinton. Donald Trump is the Republican warrior who will lead the charge . . . He can beat Hillary Clinton. He can triumph at Armageddon and save America” (ix).
You’ve probably already guessed that this is from Morris and McGann’s "Armageddon". The statement leaves no doubt as to how the authors view Trump, that’s for sure.
As a side note, Armageddon is a Biblical concept derived from the Book of Revelation. The event of Armageddon has been interpreted in different ways, but many people consider the event to be the final battle between good and evil, or Christ and Satan. Does this make Trump into Christ, and Hillary into Satan? Ideologically, where does that leave us?
4. “Only someone who brags about his airline’s seatbelt buckles being made of solid gold would have the balls to do what Trump is doing. Being crude is an indispensable requirement. It gives him resistance to the opinion of Manhattan sophisticates” (13).
This is a quote from Ann Coulter’s book, "In Trump We Trust: E Pluribus Awesome!" You might say that the book’s title speaks for itself. Regardless of — or maybe because of — Trump’s wealth, Coulter suggests he has enough money to speak his mind.
The above statement forms a quite irrational equation: wealth + crudity = savior of a nation, unafraid to stand up for what’s right. If I had to choose someone to save me, I’m not sure I would choose someone with these characteristics. In fact, I’m sure I wouldn’t.
5. “I Don’t Care What They Say, I Won’t Stay in a World Without Trump”
Just for good measure, this quote is also from Ann Coulter’s "In Trump We Trust." In fact, it’s the title of Chapter 5.
I may be young, but I know for certain that when my very existence and all of my trust is placed in one, faulty human, I won’t last long.
