The truth is I never loved you
Asking experts who would know the answers, I sent out these questions:
- Is there evidence of Donald or Elon having ever visited Yosemite?
- Is there evidence of Donald or Elon having ever visited an art museum?
- Is there evidence of Donald or Elon having ever been to the theatre?
Only one contact dared (or deigned) to reply.
The editor of a performing arts publication got back to me quickly.
In response to Question No. 3 and, specifically, Donald’s theatrical tastes, he forwarded to me this 2016 article from “Slate.”
The evidence of Trump having been to the theatre and his favorite Broadway musical?
“Evita.”
Of course.
“Evita” is a musical about a couple who use populism to advance their own careers and relentlessly ransack the state while staying beloved and popular.
In part due to an earlier career in the media, Eva Perón understood how to manipulate gullible, low-information voters who were furious because they felt shut out by the status quo. Yet, Eva never gained social acceptance among the elite because of her tackiness.
Jackpot!
The article’s author, Issac Butler, adds:
Thanks to Che’s lacerating commentary and the often insipid lyrics given to its protagonist, “Evita” is more takedown than hagiography, even in its most sumptuous moments.
Still, it’s not hard to imagine Donald Trump setting aside the show’s irony—for we have seen how little power irony has over him—and succumbing to the allure of Eva and Juan.
In the arts, irony, nuance and satire are distant cousins of empathy. Although they are in the same family tree, irony, nuance and satire have more class than sarcasm, ridicule and contempt.
In this political environment, the arts should weaponize irony, nuance and satire more often.
The gold toilet crowd will never get it.
We ask American artists and creatives of all disciplines to plan an act of art activism on April 19, the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Liberty was an act of creativity.
Restoring American liberty can be, as well.
Follow Abbetuck on these social media platforms as well as on Substack.
No responses yet