ton. Clinton certainly has a form of charisma, but it is guided by a fake empathy rooted in humanism. If you have power and empathy based in the understanding that all people are created in the image and likeness of God, you have charisma that is as authentic as it is effective. Donald Trump’s empathy is seen clearly in his total rejection of the
based on immutable characteristics. In a sickening game akin to “rock, paper, scissors,” the virtue of one group may beat the virtue of another if they fall into multiple “oppressed” categories. To remain logically consistent, inter- sectionality requires that blame be handed down to groups as well as virtue. As long as the left clings to
to succeed and do better is an echo of Peale’s emphasis that, like Horatio Alger, we can all “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps.” The mystery of Trump’s success is only a secret to those who refuse to listen to what he says and to watch what he does. From the very begin- ning, he has always been upfront about the power of positive think-
To be clear: if you mess with Trump or stand against American values, no one will retaliate more fiercely. Yet, no matter how great the struggle, Trump always points his wrath at individual targets.
identity politics that has completely overtaken the left and is slowly creep- ing into the right as well. Throughout his political career, Donald Trump has rejected the route of attacking entire groups of Americans. He treats his fellow citizens, even his enemies, as individuals. Joe Biden has taken a much different route. When he besmirches “ultra MAGA” Americans as extremists, he is attacking a group. When the left snarls about pro-lifers, they are attacking a group. When social justice warriors shake their fists at “white fragility” or “toxic masculinity,” they are attacking groups. At its core, intersectionality divides all people into the categories of “oppressed” and “oppressor,” often
ing that permeates his thoughts and actions. It all started just down Fifth Avenue at the church where Trump and his sisters would marry, and where both of his parents’ funerals were held. It’s the church where Donald Trump grew up, whose steeple still points to the heavens. Ed Martin Ed Martin is a lawyer who succeeded iconic conservative leader Phyllis Schlafly as president of the Phyllis Schlafly Eagles, the pro-family organization with leaders in every state. He clerked for the federal court of appeals and has served as chief of staff to the governor of Missouri, chairman of the St. Louis Board of Elections, and in 1997, special assistant to Pope John Paul II.
the intersectional worldview, they will always see rights and wrongs as collective actions, not individual ones. Donald Trump refuses to fall into that trap. To be clear: if you mess with Trump or stand against American values, no one will retaliate more fiercely. Yet, no matter how great the struggle, Trump always points his wrath at indi- vidual targets. Norman Vincent Peale may be gone, but his influence lives on in Donald Trump, a man whose devo- tion to positive thinking in the face of adversity cannot be shaken. His powerful charisma is guided by true Christian empathy and a focus on individual rather than collective merit. And Trump’s optimism for all
34 • AMAC Magazine
Powered by FlippingBook