Post Modern Political Honesty: Part V--The Rest of the Hacking Denial Story

In my last post, I detailed one of the central reasons why Donald Trump is denying that the Russians hacked the DNC's network during the election. Specifically, he appears to have adopted a neo-post World War II foreign relations approach. However, as is usually the case in seeking to understand the Donald, the explanation is multi-factorial. The other factors are that the President is:

• Apathetic about the potential implications of such a declaration, and 
• Subject to dramatically narcissistic perceptions about the 2016 election and Vladimir Putin

Mr. Trump appears to both believe that no Russian hack of the DNC occurred, and not care about the possible consequences of saying so. Of course he should care, considering what those consequences could be. For instance, in Part IV of this series, I argued that the combination of Putin reading this sort of conciliatory gesture by POTUS-and there have been several-as a green light to expansionism, and Trump's disengagement from NATO, is a recipe for a third world war. But, even taking off the table the calamity of an unbridled Russia starting a global conflagration, we are left with unacceptable sequelae like the spread of communism, the restoration of the Soviet Union, and a bilateral nuclear war. 

The final piece of the explanation of Trump's denial that the DNC hacking was done by the Russians is that he is subject to dramatically narcissistic perceptions about the 2016 election and Vladimir Putin. [For a more general discussion of his public narcissism, see my post on 02/20/16: To be, or not to be (surprised by Trump): Part II--On the Couch.] 

Vis a' vis the elections, were the President to admit that his campaign was helped by the dissemination of the information that came from the hack, he would also be implicitly admitting that his win was not gained by his effort alone. The Donald is just not capable of this; examples are ubiquitous. To him, success is an imperative as well as a zero-sum achievement. He can not share the spotlight with anyone but a subordinate; and even Trump doesn't see Putin as a subordinate. 

Mr. Putin is, however, serving another vital function for POTUS. That is, the Russian President is flattering him. Given that there is nothing more important to Mr. Trump than being successful and admired (see Nine Consistent Things About Donald Trump for more), positive commentary from one of the world's most important heads of state surely carries great weight in this regard. Otherwise put, President Putin's flattery is providing the perpetual adulation that the Donald's requires in order to maintain consistency in his ever-fragmenting self concept. As such, it would be inconceivable to him that Putin's praise was disingenuous. 


It'll be a cold day in hell before Trump ponies up this one.

To be, or not to be: Part IV--The Composite

The composite Trumpster is a man or woman over the age of 45, with a high school degree or less and, to lesser extent, having some college, an associates degree or a bachelor's degree. Most supporters are Independents and some are Republicans. In terms of ideology, they describe themselves as moderates, somewhat conservative and, at times, conservative. Trumpsters tend to be first time voters, or caucus goers, and like The Donald for three reasons. They view him as a political outsider who tells it like it is, and as the candidate most likely to bring change. What supporters want changed is primarily the immigration system, followed closely by the economy and terrorism risk. Trumpsters are angry at the government.

Now we can return to the question of the nature of the dynamic-between Trump and his minions-that results in their acceptance of his perpetually pestilential presentation. The simple answer is that they are being manipulated by a charismatic candidate who connects with voters by being one-of-the-guys, and by waving the Flag.

MUSSOLINI and HITLER (r)

Putting aside the topic of the incalculable risk inherent in being governed by someone who politics with a mixture of charisma, populism and nationalism (consider Adolph Hitler, as an extreme example), this answer needs significant elaboration to be complete.

So, let's look at how Trump's narcissism and an angry electorate interact...