The Thinking ‘Kat: Orange Ego Trips
At the weekend, the world of filmmaking was left reeling at the murder of legendary director Rob Reiner, and his wife Michele. They were found dead at their home, and their son, Nick, has been arrested under suspicion of murder.
Mr Reiner directed such films as When Harry met Sally, The Princess Bride and A Few Good Men, marking him as the man who helped to shape and mould some all-time classic, beloved movies. He was also a committed Democrat, known for his activism. Mr Reiner was also an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, and Trump could not resist stroking his own ego when speaking of Mr Reiner’s death. To quote from this BBC News article:
In a post calling their deaths “very sad”, President Donald Trump criticised Reiner, saying that they “reportedly” died “due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction” with “Trump Derangement Syndrome”.
“He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump,” the president wrote.
Despite criticism for these unfounded remarks (at the time of writing this there is no information about motive) from Democrats and Republicans alike, Trump would go on to double-down on his position. In doing so, he shows that Trump Derangement Syndrome is real, if only because he is deranged. The unfathomable arrogance, coupled with the cold and cruel speculation so soon after Mr Reiner’s death, also highlights how enormous, and how fragile, Trump’s ego is.
His remarks are also an accidental tacit admission of something else. Trump has inadvertantly acknowledged that if you speak against Trump, you could put yourself in harm’s way, due to his fanbase being unable to handle criticism of their dear leader. In some respects this is not new news; despite protests to the contrary, it’s the right that is more violent in the US. Nonetheless, for Trump to admit this, even by mistake, is gratifying.
Still, the backdrop is one of pain, loss, and grief, and despite this, Trump cannot pause to show humility. He cannot show grace or respect. He has to make this about him. It’s unbelievably pathetic, and yet it’s also entirely predictable behaviour from Trump. Despite this, you know people will defend and perhaps even cheer his petty rhetoric.
‘Kat Comments