Donald Trump, arrogant buffoon but the most truthful 2016 Presdential candidate

By Lane Siekman

Donald Trump is an arrogant buffoon but he is also probably the most honest and truthful candidate in the 2016 presidential field at the present time. He is a showman and a promoter and not a politician. He doesn’t buffer his thoughts with poll tested talking points. So much to the delight of the media, he just says what he thinks. He makes stories with his persona because in the end that is exactly what he is selling.

Trump has been like this for years. I once had the opportunity to stand next to him in the restroom during a meeting of the Indiana Gaming Commission in Indianapolis. He was no different in appearance than anyone else with the exception of an expensive suit and his trademark haircut. But everyone whispered and talked about “The Donald”; especially the man himself. He had a personal manner and style that was distinctive.

He was there to get a casino license for one of the new riverboats on Lake Michigan. His arrogance was a culture shock to those in attendance but he was awarded the license for a riverboat in Gary. He later made bold plans for a casino complex in French Lick which hypnotized the small Orange County community but Trump rubbed some gaming officials the wrong way during negotiations and finally, facing bankruptcy, he backed out of the deal in 2004. The Trump Organization sold the Gary casino and hotel to Majestic Star in December 2005 and he left Indiana.

He moved on to bigger and better things. In June 2015, Business Insider published a June 30, 2014, financial statement supplied by Trump. The statement reflects his net worth as $8.7 billion. Of that amount, $3.3 billion is represented by “Real Estate Licensing Deals, Brand and Branded Developments”, described by Business Insider as “basically [implying] that Trump values his character at $3.3 billion”.

Now, Donald Trump says that he wants to be President of the United States. But, really he just wants the limelight that goes along with being on the stage of a national campaign. But, there is a cost associated with this exposure. He already lost some fairly lucrative television and endorsement deals and the value of the Trump brand is suffering but he is not merely seeking the Presidency but a validation of his ego. He is seeking a legacy and wants to put the Trump stamp on America.

Trump doesn’t even have to win to get what he wants in this race, but he is not the only candidate doing that these days. We have all seen the rise of political “grifters” over the past several years in both major parties. Historically, a grifter is a kind of con artist who swindles people through fraud. Political grifters don’t run for office just because they believe in their cause and want to make a difference. They are primarily looking for money and power and, even if they lose, they still remain on the fringes making a living playing on the public’s fears and anger about the dysfunction in politics.

Trump in my opinion isn’t a political grifter but rather a true believer, He just believes in himself. His truth comes from the fact that he is willing to give up his own personal fortune for a place on the public stage where he can spout his personal vision of America. While I do not agree with his positions, I find it somewhat refreshing where a candidate can say what he or she really thinks without consideration of the consequences.