Rally slurs are not the real Trump threat

Rather than campaign in battleground states on Sunday, Donald Trump held a rally at Madison Square Garden to make a closing statement in his native city.

He lost New York twice before and polls suggest he’ll do so again. But Trump was clearly bent on fighting the “loser” label in New York. Trump’s family helped with the rhetorical comfort food. “New York City made Donald Trump, but Donald Trump also made New York City,” said his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, cochair of the Republican National Committee. And Donald Trump Jr. built this castle in the air: “The king of New York is back to reclaim the city that he built!”

As a finale, Trump basked in the glow as vocalist Christopher Macchio moved close to him and sang, in a live rendition of “New York, New York”: “I wanna wake up in a city that doesn’t sleep — and find I’m king of the hill, top of the heap.”

We know by now that “king of the hill” was always Trump’s goal, not earnest governance. So far, more disturbing than the nasty and vulgar slurs flung by his surrogates at the rally is the question of whom he’d empower in top positions if he wins, as he turns his attention to burnishing his legacy and enjoying the perks of power.

Trump has indicated that if he gets a second term he’d turn to power-driven billionaire Elon Musk. Musk, who has billions in government contracts, said he’d save $2 trillion through a “department of government efficiency.” That’s nearly a third of this year’s federal spending. The cuts would have to come from popular benefits programs, with major, deficit-expanding tax cuts planned.

Trump also told fans that if he returns to the White House he would let Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “go wild” on health, food, and medicine. That’s pretty scary given Kennedy’s long record of erratic behavior, occult conspiracy theories, and evidence-free anti-vaccine activism. “Robert F. Kennedy cares more about human beings and health and the environment than anybody,” Trump said. “Having him is such a great honor.” Only six months ago, before Kennedy quit his campaign that threatened to siphon votes, Trump called Kennedy a “radical left lunatic” who is “far more liberal than anyone running as a Democrat.”

And Trump’s xenophobic immigration adviser Stephen Miller told the audience: “America is for Americans and Americans only,” whatever that means.

Here’s what’s not so American: Trump suggesting he’d jail journalists and use the levers of the federal government to intimidate television and streaming networks to provide him favorable coverage. Not recognizing press freedoms dishonors a cornerstone of our democracy.

Trump’s last administration was turbulent. Extremists like Miller and Steve Bannon were empowered. Trump defamed appointees and fellow Republicans who resisted his whims. The 45th president filled many jobs with sycophants and incompetents. The opening acts at Sunday’s rally made it clear that would happen again.