The Royal Threat Behind Trump’s Petty Pomposity

By Jim Hightower Photos: Jim Hightower\Wikimedia Commons In the 1787 Constitutional Convention, the framers were clear on what they were NOT creating: A monarchy. One delegate expressed the group’s absolute conviction that the founding document must exclude even the “fetus of monarchy.” Yet, 238 years later, watching Trump’s inaugural week, it was both awful and comical to see the royal pretentions of King Donald. There were silly gestures, like him waving around a ceremonial sword (made more ludicrous by the fact he was a cowardly rich-boy draft dodger). Plus, the staged spectacle of him imperiously signing stacks of orders, proclamations, and pardons in a show of “Kingliness.” In the 1787 Constitutional Convention, the framers were clear on what they were NOT creating: A monarchy. One delegate expressed the group’s absolute conviction that the founding document must exclude even the “fetus of monarchy.” Yet, 238 years later, watching Trump’s inaugural week, it was both awful and comical to see the royal pretentions of King Donald. There were silly gestures, like him waving around a ceremonial sword (made more ludicrous by the fact he was a cowardly rich-boy draft dodger). Plus, the staged spectacle of him imperiously signing stacks of orders, proclamations,...