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It’s a tantalizing question: Does Donald Trump truly buy into the fabrications he inundates the world with? His devoted followers certainly seem to swallow his every word hook, line, and sinker — they might even believe he sports an American flag tattoo on his face, akin to his Truth Social profile picture, if he opted out of public appearances.
As fate would have it, on the very day his criminal trial commenced, where he stands accused of manipulating financial records, Trump was at it again, tinkering with numbers on his favored social media platform. In a characteristic display of bravado, the bronzed magnate proclaimed on Truth Social, “When I walk into that courtroom, I know I will have the love of 200 million Americans behind me, and I will be FIGHTING for the FREEDOM of 325 MILLION AMERICANS!”
Curiously, amidst his grand declarations, Trump seemingly overlooked a critical detail — his assertion inadvertently reveals that a staggering 125 million U.S. citizens don’t harbor affection for him, to put it mildly.
But how exactly does he reconcile his purported fight for all Americans while embroiled in a legal battle aimed at safeguarding his own interests? Especially when reports from the courtroom depict a less-than-energetic demeanor, with Trump caught nodding off and requiring prodding to remain alert.
Despite his bombastic rhetoric online, Trump’s enthusiasm appeared notably subdued on the trial’s maiden day. While he claims to have entered the courtroom with purpose, photographic evidence paints a contrasting picture, portraying him less as a determined crusader for freedom and more as a disheartened specter haunting a sack of potatoes.
With his trial expected to endure for weeks, Trump must summon the stamina to endure the long haul. Yet, one wonders if his lackluster performance on day one stemmed from exhaustion incurred from fervently typing in all caps on Truth Social.
Or, in a rare moment of introspection amidst the looming specter of a decade-long prison sentence, did he grapple with the sobering realization that a significant portion of Americans, and countless others globally, hold him in disdain?
But, let’s not hold our breath. It’s improbable that Trump would entertain such notions. More likely, he’s been imbibing his own brand of Kool-Aid for so long that the orange flavor has permeated his every belief and action.