Recently I had a brief exchange of views with a friend who is a Trump supporter.  Our conversation exchange of a few text lines concerned the tale of an old dog that habitually chases vehicles.  The conundrum arises when the dog happens to catch, and somehow latches onto a vehicle.  It immediately realizes that it does not know what to do next.

My friend opined that by his lights “the old dog has begun learning what the car is for.”

I took the opposing viewpoint.

It seems to me that as the months have passed the President is manifestly more confused, conflicted, expressing inner torment with his role as President.  Not so long ago he was simply a wealthy dude, who reaped the benefits of his wealth.  He did what he wanted, as he wanted, protected by an army of lawyers paid to shield him personally.  Now as elected President of the United States, the expectations that he must bear are radically different.  The role of President of the Unites States mandates that he engender the welfare of all citizens, practice sagacious diplomacy in relationship with other nations, etc.  This persona of the Presidency is a signifier that he has never embraced, even as months have passed, affording opportunity for an existential shift in outlook.  He remains that rich old guy, who wheels and deals, tweeting what ever he feels like saying, without expectation of consequence.

I am alarmed that others “behind the curtain” who are under none of the obligations of the Presidency, — are free to inscribe with the force of law predatory environmental exploitation, and racist oppression —upon the nation.

I conclude with these lines from Shakespeare’s Richard II.  Shakespeare depicts King Richard’s hysterical questioning of his own kingship– What is it that makes me a king?

I have no name, no title,
No, not that name was given me at the font,
But ‘tis usurp’d: alack the heavy day,
That I have won so many winters out,
And know not what name to call myself!
O that I were a mockery king of snow,
Standing before the sun of Bolingbroke,
To melt myself away in water-drops!

Thanks to Slavoj Zezek for the insights found in his book, How to Read Lacan