10 things that makes Trump Great

To make your holidays a bit brighter and less conflicting, I have written this blog in hopes of helping those who will be gathering this holiday to focus on the positive aspects of Trump’s presidency as there are enough negative narratives that have been at times crippling. Understanding that his messaging has been despicable and his words have been hurtful, President Donald J Trump has been a symbol of great awakening and the shock that Americans as well as the World needs in 21st century – a time when AI deployment is going to transform the existence of human kind. This ICT era has launched various narratives and erected enough evidence of what makes, consists and shapes this globalized world. The arrival of Donald J Trump as the President of the United States of America has redirected the collective energy of this world as it is the most powerful country on this planet that holds supreme control over the executive and highest office in the Western World. This post of “10 things that makes Trump great” is to demonstrate that perhaps it is the resistance and disdain for the character of a man who defies hypocrisy and affirms under-rooted realities that are leading the populous towards anarchy and chaos. At the end of the day, many have complained about either politicians, globalization including TPP, failing and indebted institutions, the role of the media in manipulating narratives and dissuading the public as it deemed necessary…. So be it the media coercive theory of “if it bleeds, it leads” that has slaughtered many innocent minds and programmed generations’ behavior or the leadership’s profanities constantly projected towards others, understanding the importance of “ Country image, perceived product quality and brand familiarity have been used as pre-determined factors in measuring consumer’s purchase intention” please read on to know why Trump is Great for USA in the 21st century and what are the 10 things that make Trump GREAT.

1. Globalization demands localization

Globalization is indeed a tricky construct and structure of openness with opportunity for competitiveness though it has proven to be unfairly designed. Essentially, it is about country’s gross national well-being. It is all about jobs and the workforce. It is about nationhood, nation building and country brand. Trump’s laments about American sacred jobs as it’s imbalanced and widened gap between the supply of jobs versus the demand for qualified workers has fractured the social contract.

Politics is tricky too as it is the needle sewing this globalized fabric and America has been the country branding king that can surely manage the 21st century structural change. As it may puzzle many people looking up to this mighty country given that “Donald Trump was a master at branding in his business career…”, it should be to no surprise to have a leader tout his central interest being his own country – AMERICA. As exclaimed at the UN, all countries are expected to do the best for their respective countries and protect their countries brand as they please.

So yes, we should all applaud him for heralding that he wants everything Made in USA ( yes even if his products are Made in China ) especially at a time when global competitiveness for expertise and products is increasingly high. It is perfect timing for America to focus inward and to rebuild the dilapidated cities and towns as it is equally vital for American branded products to be exported to build new cities and construct infrastructures in emerging markets. It is evident that globalization requires localization, which means every country has to strategically as well as cost effectively create, produce and promote their brand to engage and retain customers/clients/communities – all in hopes of establishing some sort of brand loyalty.

2. Unraveling the American package

America has been sold to the world as an ideal place where one can be and achieve. Positioned to serve as the moral compass at various instances, America has been the beacon and the guiding light of the world. Because of its greatness, every nation either mimicked America or migrated to be American. Despite the race relations issues that America has tried to bury for over 150 years and the sexes/ gender matters that have remained at the peripheral for almost 100 years, his presidency has brought back those repressed sentiments the American brand has been hiding for centuries. He surely has unraveled the realities of what makes America Great?

Eventhough the divisiveness is intoxicating, he has offered the world a glimpse into American History- African American/Blacks, Women, Immigration, Man-made laws to govern a nation –the Constitution and so much more… . Regardless of the challenges, America’s brand of freedom, self-determination and liberty has also provided the country’s leadership to be labeled as ethical and righteous. Now at it’s helm, a man that professes the reality of America –  reviving individuals hatred and condoning hateful act against other nations, has given Americans and the world a moment into history and an opportunity to address and update the Social Contract. So what happens when a man who has always exclaimed the grotesque realities of the world takes over the most powerful “Westphalian” country? What happens to a country that is known to be a “stable democracy” which provides nation dignity, integrity and might?

President Trump has opened up the coffers of libraries and virtual reading centers for people to indulge in research and fact-finding – all with the aim to learn about What constitutes America? As beautifully written by Mark P. Lagon and Brian P. Mckeon from FP “for years, America has influenced the world not just through the example of its power but also the power of its example. These are not examples we want the world to emulate”.

3. Upgrade America

As expressed by James M. Roberts who is a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, if anything Trump has incited is the need for institutional upgrade- in his case he was referring to the State Department and USAID. From Foreign to domestic policy, indeed America is overdue for an overhaul. Figuring out the payment method for the ambition yet lean goals set by Trump’s presidency will be the greatest difficulties as even USAID head has suggested to look into innovative models of financing its development efforts.

Yes Trump is right if you look at America’s infrastructure and nation building that has been dwindling; adding to this mix the several wars in the last 20 years, America’s country brand has only taken a plunge as published in the Pew studies. Some might even claim that President Obama initiated the Doing Business USA programs though the constant and loud affirmation of President Trump has penetrated and propelled the minds of people across the globe. By proudly continuing to incentivize made in USA products, he has made it his policy to exude an entrepreneur of every American.

Although what we have seen so far is not what would be expected from a brand builder, President Trump has the opportunity to take leadership to new heights by starting the construction of smart cities and promoting localized branding in the USA. Aligned with a real estate mogul and branding expert that he is, he is able to pioneer and gain the platform to brand his presidency as the era when ‘America’s landscapes are transformed into smart-cities and ecosystems inherent to America’s culture’.

4. Consistent he is!

One thing we can’t reproach President Donald J Trump is his consistency about America’s decline and lack of country building. If you look into his history, he has been at the center of politics where the media has gravitated towards his voice and persona. Consistently, Trump has demonstrated his interest in governance often questioning the leadership values and American eminence.

As he navigated the halls of politics, he understood the implications of citizen engagement, civic participation and the electoral process. He is consistent as the core of his brand has been politics in America and his view of the American brand has been based on respect allotted to this mighty country. His figure has been a brand of posture directly linked with dominance. Therefore, America and Donald Trump have been synonymous for over 30 years and the country as well as the rest of the world should not be surprised he has won the supreme seat.

5. Money talks

Well as the saying goes “The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money” and one thing is for sure, despite the numerous bankruptcies that have been publicized, President Trump brand value has only increased. He may not be old money but he surely is from American money. It is worth noting that Trump didn’t come from families like the Rockefeller or Rothschild; he is the member of the “nouveau riche”, a group of underdogs amongst the wealthy and powerful.

6. Family first

One must command him for having all three of his wives, his two daughters and his three sons, all by his side, constantly speaking highly of him and remaining in support of him. Yes there are misconceptions about his adoration and lust for his gorgeous daughter Ivanka (and she is to be adored) and even her, she has remained closely by his side. The first lady Melania, is surely his rock as he has mentioned it a couple of times and his first wife Ivana is the mother of his children with whom he has history and solid relations that was slightly destroyed by the media. The other American mother Marla Maples and daughter Tiffany have kept themselves at bay and in silence. Evidently, he never speaks ill of his parents, always utters the highest regards for his entire family and he has been exemplary to his children. We must credit him for his solid family first stand.

7. Proud man

He is tall, charming and confident. Ok, yes he may use too much tanning cream and perhaps colors his hair golden blonde – nonetheless, he use to be a sophisticated man. He remains a dignified man who has the world in his palm. I was shocked to find out he neither smokes or drinks. It is reported that he loves fast food and gulps a few cans of Coke a day and watches TV about 4 hours a day similarly to the average American who watches TV more than 5 hours a day. As a six-year-old, Trump watched as his mother was swept away by the pageantry of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II as he writes “I realize now that I got some of my sense of showmanship from my mother…She always had a flair for the dramatic and the grand.”

With all the teachings, he has been able to rise and make himself the business and brand mogul that he is, and with all this oddities, he seems to have focused on building his brand of real-estate while interacting with influence as well as leadership. He has walked into his destiny and none can reprise him for it. He is a man who has built relationships through the networks he was able to penetrate and there is nothing wrong with receiving parental guidance in business and mentorship while learning about the intricate language of money. At the end of the day, it is the determined man called Donald J Trump that applied the lessons provided by his father, mentors or others he respects. I am sure many of us wish we had done the same.

8. His name: Donald John Trump

Do you know the meaning of his name? Well you should. I didn’t’ know that until my relative asked me about my knowledge of his name. It got me to google quickly the etymology of Donald John Trump. Here it is: surname from 13c. that can be Scottis/Proto-Celtich Dofnald/Dufenald/Dubno-valos which means “world-mighty, ruler of the world” “ruler” and “deep, hollow”. Some psychologist have reported that “each name has associated characteristics, behaviors, and a look, and as such, it has a meaning and a shared schema within a society”.

So let’s continue with his name. Trump’s middle name is John that is the English derivative of the Hebrew name, Yohanan, which means Graced by God. The irony about this enigmatic man, it is reported that the family may have been rooted from Germany and formally known as Drumpf which is in essence Trumpf and derived from the German word “trumme”, meaning drummer. In psychology, the “Dorian Gray effect” (pdf) named after the character of Oscar Wilde refers to the ways internal factors, such as personality or self-perception influences physicality as our physical traits impacts how other people perceive us, which again affects how we feel and see ourselves- making it a vicious cycle. It is likely that one of Trump’s paternal ancestors was a military drummer that set marching pace and communicated orders.

It is baffling to accept the fact that Donal John Trump rise to power can only be a destined one.

9. Real representation of America

There are many aspects of what constitutes America we have to take into consideration and the different facets of what makes this country great is America’s complex history given that the foundation of this experimental country which counts people from all nations who coexist under ‘man-made’ written laws with one mindset as well as with the intent to preserve a culture of segregation makes it the Wild Wild West. It is a country of guns, sex and entertainment. It is a country with a culture of self-determination and individualism. It is a country which breeds’ individual’s with inflated ego and confidence about America’s greatness and dominance.

Why would we fault the President who is a reflection of the American comportment and only personifies what America is, along with his wife’s sophistication that symbolizes the status of women in the world. Eventhough she is smart and strong, she has been portrayed to be “sugar candy” – beautiful/sexy, support unsparingly your husband and stay silent as much as possible. Unquestionably, like other empires and civilizations, one has to brag and inculcate the pride and riches of the culture.

10. Pragmatic vs hypocrisy

He does not talk shit. Even though he is foul and offensive, he showcases the behavior of many that express those hidden sentiments but often leave it behind closed doors. He tells you as it is and if America is segregated then why pretend its not. Why sell an image that has only been endorsed and driven by the mainstream media? Yes they may be his friends and colleagues though his hatred towards the media didn’t start now; it began in the 1980’s when labeled as a “rogue” who spoke against the powerful media conglomerates. So be it about the political correctness or business, he is about “lets dismantle it”.

Trump pragmatic views about America may seem harsh though deconstructing or refining existing institutions as he orders the elimination of the many restrictions and red tapes that create bottlenecks only signifies the inevitable, that the privatization of human management is manifesting. Hence, his presidency allows the private sector take over within a given timeline. It will be up to the populous to keep the private sector accountable as with the deployment of AI/machine learning and rapid transformation of our environment in addition to the private sector competitiveness, human management and nation building will revert as a secondary thought.

The insignificance of human Beings has been perpetuated throughout the world and in the USA, in spite of President Obama leadership, the Zimmerman case clearly displayed the negligible mark of communities of color in America. The devaluation of multicultural communities became flagrant not with President Trump rather during President Barack H. Obama’s presidency. In the case of Trump, the hypocrisy is only towards white constituents from poor and middle class who believe he is the messiah ordained to save the collective.

Even though in aspiration Trump may be right, the execution of the grand strategy has not been the best as a country like America is ordained to only continue leading as an exemplary peacemaker.

In conclusion…So hopefully these “10 things that make Trump great” will give you some solace during this tumultuous times. It should give you perspective that America’s brand was not tarnished by the 45th president rather it commenced earlier on intensifying in 2000 as reported by Pew Global as well as the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS); and both institutions provide an overview on the Global perceptions of America, which seems to be bleak leaving room for China’s emergence as a global leader with morality and ethics. He is once again right as he affirmed that “we are engaged in a new era of competition.  We accept that vigorous military, economic, and political contests are now playing out all around the world”. The emergence of varying monetary systems counter balancing the status quo has also effected America’s role in the new world order. With Trump at the leadership of the USA and with the unending race for global leadership, these 10 things that make Trump great is a way to view the positive in all that is projected to be destructive and disparaging.

I close with this: America’s brand was also transformed through the resistance of past presidents such as Lincoln and Jefferson, though in 1913, Woodrow Wilson changed the course of American history with the Federal Act reserve as he stated, “I have unwittingly ruined my country. A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system of credit is concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men. We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated Governments in the civilized world no longer a Government by free opinion, no longer a Government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a Government by the opinion and duress of a small group of dominant men”.

So who will be the global moral authority in 21st century as America role is being defined?