https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/16/trump-culture-democracy
"Bigger than the Super Bowl, claimed Donald Trump, sitting in a big leather
chair beside a big map. Then came an announcement over the public address
system. “Air Force One is currently in international waters,” declared the
flight crew of the US presidential jet, “for the first time in history flying
over the recently renamed Gulf of America.”
As his aides clapped and whooped, Trump gloated: “Isn’t that nice? We’re about
‘Make America Great Again’, right? That’s what we care about.” He proceeded to
sign a proclamation declaring 9 February “Gulf of America Day” as Air Force One
flew over the body of water previously known as the Gulf of Mexico.
It was classic Trumpian showmanship from the highest perch in the world. It was
also the latest salvo by the 47th president and his allies to control language,
influence media narratives and reshape cultural institutions in ways that some
compare with the Soviet Union or other authoritarian regimes from history.
Long a master of branding, Trump is making propaganda a core element of his
strongman presidency. This comes as little surprise to critics who regard it as
an extension of last year’s election campaign in which he sold himself as a
champion of the forgotten people and victim of a weaponised justice department.
Tara Setmayer, a former Republican communications director on Capitol Hill,
said: “Donald Trump’s re-election is the greatest, most successful propaganda
op in history. Propaganda is why Donald Trump is president again and they know
this, which is why they undermined the press, expertise and science.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
