Trump, obscenity in power
Writes Frédéric Taddeï, in MarianneThat Donald Trump has not ushered the world into the era of post-truth, but rather into the era of stark truth: "The US president champions brutality as both a method and a legacy. A stark truth that particularly disturbs those who still prefer to believe in diplomatic fables." I couldn't say if that's exactly the case, but what is certain is that Trump wields power obscenely, ruthlessly, without disguise, relying on the law of the strongest, because he is convinced that he is the most powerful man in the world.
I speak, then, of an obscene power, which, moreover, could be what makes him attractive to his followers, fascinated by the exercise of brute force because they consider it more "real" than the incomprehensible Versailles-like games of formal politics. A bit like what's so appealing about Silvia Orriols—even beyond ideology—is that she's understood no matter what she says, unlike the rest of the politicians, who are incomprehensible, no matter what they say. "Being understood" is perceived as "telling the truth"; precisely because it's obscene, it's desired to be laid bare.
From my point of view, the most distinctive element of Trump's governing style, then, is obscenity. We could say that he practices an openly pornographic politics. From sex without love, to power without sublimation, without the secrecy that Norberto Bobbio said should accompany it. It's a naked power, which shows everything, without shame. It exhibits itself, even before having achieved its objective, because this is its purpose: to flaunt itself by provoking, by unsettling the opponent and, of course, by violating their will.
Obscenity is the breaking of the measure that guarantees an ordered and meaningful life. Obscenity transgresses the categories of the shared moral order; in this case, the political order. The obscene person is disrespectful, despises the opponent, and is a bully. This character fits perfectly with the moral disorder we often find on social media, which can be obscene because it is shameless and offends privacy. On social media, even the most despicable—from behind the cloak of anonymity—feels powerful and dares to slander, confusing brazenness with courage, insolence with audacity. The difference with Trump is that he does it openly, because he actually has power.
But since pornography—like all excess—ultimately extinguishes desire, I'm convinced that the allure of Trump's obscenity is numbered—or perhaps only months. Obscenity corrupts, excludes, humiliates, and is vulgar. I don't believe his low-class, streetwise style will define a new era in politics. Like pornography, political obscenity is so transparent that it kills imagination, it kills longing. And, to paraphrase the classic, power needs secrecy to endure, just as seduction demands mystery and elegance. It will, however, mark a period of time that will leave much desolation in its wake. And at the same time, it will have exposed many of the weaknesses of current political morality. It will forever stain those who now fawn over him and all those who have been condescending and complacent. And it will drag many into dishonor and ignominy forever.
Even—and this wouldn't be a good prospect—the post-Trump era could give way to a wave of political and moral puritanism that would seek to cover up—not eliminate—everything that has been exposed. It would be a new current that would want to censor the results of its brutality. I'm referring to a conservative, right-wing puritanism, as reactionary as the current left-wing puritanism.
Trump's obscenity already appeared in the 2016 US elections as a reaction to a pharisaical exercise of power, in the imposture of institutional powers, so well represented then by Hillary Clinton's arrogance. The same imposture that we are now witnessing from many of today's local leaders, who may end up provoking—if they aren't already doing so—the same reactive behavior, often as punishment and retribution, even without considering the consequences.
It is poetic justice that the millions of files released in the Jeffrey Epstein case point not only to Donald Trump but to a long list of the world's most powerful people, all caught up in his abusive, perverse, and obscene sexual practices. An obscenity practiced in private that is now being exposed as politics, in parallel, has also become obscene in an obvious continuity of styles. Jeffrey Epstein could not bear the obscenity of his sex and pornography empire becoming transparent and committed suicide. I don't know what Donald Trump's end will be like, but in any case, I imagine it will also be tragic.