Spectator Sport

The presidency of the United States has been turned into a spectator sport. In the center ring is the self-anointed King, Donald Trump. He is surrounded by an ever-changing cast of characters who are both excited and fearful as they walk on eggshells dreading the king’s wrath. Gone are the days when, if someone asked you to name the president, it would probably take your brain at least a second to think before answering. This would be because you hadn’t heard that name in several days. You certainly wouldn’t have heard it ten or twenty times a day for his entire term.

Always the self-promoter, the president has seen fit to demolish a wing of the White House, repaint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool flag-blue (he wanted turquoise), turn the Oval Office into a gaudy throne room an Arab sheik would envy, open a new car dealership of Tesla’s on the South Lawn of the White House, and now we see an obscene 90-foot-tall, 600-ton structure known as “The Claw,” being erected on that same South Lawn to hold a private for-profit fighting event. This event will celebrate the president’s birthday on June 14th.

The Claw arena was originally built in Germany and Belgium and is designed after similar “Claws” used for things like U-2 concerts. This private for-profit event will have its $60 million construction costs paid by the promoters, but the taxpayers will be on the hook for the estimated $10-$12 million security bill. All profits generated from ticket sales, sponsorships, and pay-per-view broadcasts go entirely to the UFC and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings (the CEO is Dana White who is a personal friend of Donald Trump). The public, up to 85,000, can see the event for free on giant screens at Ellipse Park but reserved South Lawn seating is for VIPs only. Those run $1.5 million each for a “Sponsorship Package.” You can also watch the event on tv but only with a Paramount+ subscription.

Viewing the U.S. presidency as a spectator sport describes a cultural shift where national politics are a passive entertainment event. It is reality television on the world stage. There are elements of The Kardashians, Love Island (Epstein), and Survivor (cabinet). Congress is the Antiques Roadshow. The president’s designer ambitions are a blend of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Pimp My Ride. Does anyone also see the Trump cabinet as an extension of The Apprentice, aka You’re Fired?

Yes, the so-called “Gamification of Politics” has enhanced tribalism to a scale seen often with sports franchise fans. There is a “my team” mentality that emphasizes winning over bipartisan consensus or legislative process. The persona of Donald Trump has taken his television entertainment experience to blend governance with the cult of celebrity. He works on playing to the crowd to score political points. The polls are his Nielson ratings, and right now his Survivor: Straight of Hormuz show, is clogging the toilet.

Civic engagement and interest are now more national than local. State and local politics are of interest only as they influence national politics. Often, state elections involve donations where up to two-thirds come from individuals outside the state. Our reality TV president is the main attraction. Like reality TV, he strives to entertain rather than inform. Keeping Up with the Trumpians is a full-time job.