Dem
47
GOP
53
The Trump Administration is clearly getting ready for the World Cup, as this whole Freedom 250 concert has officially turned into a giant self-goal.
At the moment, the lineup has been reduced to Flo Rida, Vanilla Ice and what we would call "Music Factory." We don't say "C + C Music Factory" because one C, David Cole, is dead, and the other C, Robert Clivillés, has said he wants no part of the event. However, Freedom Williams, who has legal control over the band name, has implied he'll probably show up and perform.
Meanwhile, it looks like the most usual of the usual suspects, namely Kid Rock, will not be riding to the rescue. Reportedly, he was actually considered for the original lineup and rejected. The first problem is that he's old and hasn't had a hit in years. The second problem is that his politics do not align with the "rap-rock" fanbase, such that he has trouble filling seats these days. The third problem is that he's been at the center of a couple of scandals, most obviously the unauthorized helicopter visit at the singer's home. On balance, the folks behind Freedom 250 apparently decided Kid Rock was more a liability than an asset.
Of course, there's no problem so embarrassing that Donald Trump can't make it worse. And so, he hopped on his social media platform for the tragically uncool, and unspooled numerous rants this weekend. Here's the most comprehensible among them:
I understand Artists are getting "the yips" having to do with their performance on Wednesday, so I am thinking about bringing the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World, the man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime, and he does so without a guitar, the man who loves our Country more than anyone else, and the man who some say is the Greatest President in History (THE GOAT!), DONALD J. TRUMP, to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate "Artists," and give a major speech, rallying the Country forward like I have done ever since being President! Two years ago, the United States was DEAD. Now we have the "HOTTEST" Country anywhere in the World. I don't want so-called "Artists" that get paid far too much money, who aren't happy. I only want to be surrounded by Happy People, Smart People, Successful People, and People that know how to WIN. So, by copy of this TRUTH, I am ordering my Representatives to look at the feasibility of doing an AMERICA IS BACK Rally on Wednesday, Washington, D.C., same time, same location. Only Great Patriots invited — It will be a Wild and Beautiful Celebration of America! President DONALD J. TRUMP
Because nothing says "hip" like a reference to an artist whose peak was 70 years ago, and who died nearly 50 years ago. Next thing you know, Trump will be telling us that he's a more hep cat than Adolphe Menjou.
We know why Trump is so desperate for acceptance from at least some of the cool kids, even if those kids largely ceased to be cool 20-40 years ago. What we don't fully understand is why he, and in particular those around him, cannot accept that it's just not happening. First of all, by and large, the things that cause someone to be an artist of whatever sort (film, music, painting, poetry, whatever) do not generally align with MAGA. Second, even those artists who are politically neutral, or are MAGA-leaning, just don't want to risk alienating their fanbases. Yes, there's the occasional Kevin Sorbo or James Woods or Lee Greenwood or Kid Rock, but that's about it, and it's been "about it" for 10 years. Isn't there a time when you should stop beating your head against the wall, and should stop embarrassing yourself?
It will be interesting to see if Team Trump actually follows through with this rally/speech idea. We just cannot imagine it will draw, since the rallies have already gotten tiresome, even for MAGA folks, and since Washington, DC, is about the least MAGA city in the country. If Trump can't even fill a hall when he visits red-state voters in their backyards, how is he going to fill a giant, public space in D.C., where the faithful would have to travel, get expensive lodging, etc.? And if he goes forward, then everyone is going to run photos the next day showing how meager the crowd was. We predict an even bigger black eye than the military parade, which is saying something.
Incidentally, it seems like we should do something next month in honor of America's 250th birthday, but we don't know quite what. We're doing "Never Forget" this month (see below), and we definitely will not be inviting Kid Rock or Vanilla Ice as guest contributors next month, but beyond that we are open to suggestions. If you have 'em, please send 'em to us at comments@electoral-vote.com. preferably with subject line "250 Candles." (Z)