Chauncey Gardiner

[Elixir]

I'm putting this here because I didn't mean to post it as a political statement. I just found it poignant and well written, and thought some people here might appreciate it too. It really shows how clueless and innocent Orangeman is, and why anger at him isn't really appropriate. (The mf bastard!)

Trump, Chauncey Gardiner, And America’s Accidental Presidency

"And so there he was, right here in South Jersey, at the beach in Wildwood, with his long, red tie, ill-fitting suit, spray tan and dyed combover—a corrupt Forrest Gump, smiling and calling out his enemies using schoolyard taunts and grade school grammar.
And they cheered him on, not because he is great, and not because he is wise, and not because he is good, but because he is one of their own."

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

As far as the film goes, I haven't read the novel (I think it was a novel). There is perhaps no comparison between the two. Chauncey Gardiner was a benefactor of how shallow the political system was. He didn't ride any populist wave towards popularity, nor did he seek it. And finally, he didn't belong to anything or anyone. The system adored him because they thought they were supposed to.

 

[steve_bank]

I can appreciate the analogy, but Trump knows what he is doing. At least that is what people have known him for a long time have said.

His campaign appears to have been a publicity stunt. He did stumble into the presidency.

A comedian likened him to a comic who tests material, checks audience response, and modifies for max affect. He is a highly skilled manipulator an con man, but a lousy administrator.

If only Peter Sellers was around to do a parody of Trump on the big screen.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure he played some Trumpesque character. These days, we have Kate McKinnon, and I think Trump is only of the only people she hasn't played. She is very very good.