[Continued from July 19]

After seeing the assassination attempt on Donald Trump and then seeing him at the                           Republican Party National Convention at Milwaukee on TV, I get the feeling that the 2024 November Presidential Election is going to be Donald Trump’s show. The world TV viewers are sure to spend more time watching America’s greatest show on earth this year than ever before.

It is not that every American Presidential Election draws world attention with great interest. Probably, after President John F. Kennedy’s election  in 1961 and assassination in 1963, no other American President drew as much world attention as he did. He was a charismatic President with a ravishingly beautiful wife, equally popular and famous, Jacqueline Kennedy. The whole world loved him, including Nikita Khrushchev of USSR.

Now after Kennedy, though not charismatic as Kennedy, Donald Trump is drawing world attention with grave concern and among Americans with great amount of uncertainty. If he wins, it would be celebration for the white supremacists.

Yes, at the Convention crowd what I saw was only whites. Non-whites were not visible on the TV screen except for the Vice-President nominee JD Vance’s Indian origin wife Usha. Even among those who spoke eulogising Trump’s leadership qualities and endorsing his nomination whole-heartedly, there was one black-American and Vivek Ramaswamy, an Indian-American who had also tried for the nomination but conceded to Trump the moment the latter announced his entry into the race.

There was also another rival of Trump, Nikki Haley, who took an about-turn and praised Trump as the best choice. “For the sake of our nation we have to go with Donald Trump.” And the nation presumably of white supremacists! Yes, Donald Trump, the wizard of the MAGA  Supremo! In the TV panel discussion, Nikki Haley and others, who challenged Donald Trump in the primaries but spoke at the RNC endorsing Trump’s nomination, were commented upon by a panellist. He wryly remarked that it was like a divorced person going to the ex-spouse’s marriage.

According to reports, Donald Trump’s VC pick JD Vance    was also one of the former critics of Trump, but as in India, ‘family’ influence works. So it was, the choice was initiated by Trump’s son Trump Jr. (Eric) who can be called, to use a phrase famously used in India, a king-maker!

The final day of the Convention, where Donald Trump made his meandering but attention-getting speech of over 90 minutes, was both interesting and entertaining. What with Hulk Hogan, the former professional wrestler, his call for return of Trump mania and theatricals of ripping off his suit jacket and shirt screaming in his raucous voice. Then there was another entertainer, the pop-star or call him rock-star. Kid Rock going ga-ga-ga all over the stage.

At last almighty Donald Trump, the freshly wounded soldier of Make America Great Once Again Campaign, took the stage. He sounded like a good story-teller, telling in detail about the failed assassination attempt to the last drop of blood and the conspicuous white ear bandage.

Then he spoke of America’s shared destiny, affirming that he would be the President for all the Americans, not half. “We rise together or fall apart,” he declared in great style. As I heard him, I remembered my own country which is struggling to rise together despite Modi’s efforts.

“I had God on my side,” Trump said piously, adding that he would “Fight, fight, fight the heinous attack.” He said that he wanted to “Save the country from those who criminalise, demonise our differences. I am only saving democracy for our people.” I again remembered Modi, accused of undermining democracy like Trump is.

Trump continued unabated: “I want to save the country from incompetent leadership to achieve these successes.” I thought our country needed a leader like this and we found one in Modi. Trump mentioned of his priorities: Slashing energy cost and bringing down inflation.

I thought our country too must prioritise these two concerns for economic progress.

As regards people, he spoke of social security and medicare. With this he hoped the middle class will prosper. Hope Modi will hear! He asserted that ‘nobody can harm our people, hit our homeland.’ I thought of J&K, the terror attack. Modi may bear this in mind also. “Keep alive the flame of freedom,” he said “for the hard working, patriotic people of America.”

Finally, he humbly told the full-house crowd of his supporters: I will honour the trust you placed in me. Win, win, win.

Apparently, he seemed to be a strong believer in God. At one point in his long, rambling speech he said: “Every minute we have on earth is a gift from God.” All those who are above 80 years and have survived in the face of life-threatening incidents, may agree with Trump.

After seeing that assassination attempt and the miracle that happened, one is inclined to agree with Trump. After all, he should know.

Sting in the tail: Last Friday’s Abracadabra on Donald Trump had drawn some comments from a couple of readers. One was from a friend who reminded me of what happened in 2021 when Trump lost the election to Biden.

What followed Trump’s defeat was like a civil war, people attacking the Capitol Hill, US Parliament building.

Trump was accused of provoking that protest and he is facing law in this case. And America wants such a person to be the President, asks my friend.

True, but in Democracy, people are the ultimate arbiters. That decision will be taken by the American voters in November 2024 and in the meanwhile Law of the Democratic Land will take its course. Law will surely punish those who tried to undermine Democracy in the Law Courts. In the meanwhile, the voters of America will punish those who tried to undermine Democracy in 2021 post-election.

This is the beauty and glory of Democracy. In America all whites are not white supremacists nor all non-whites are Left-liberals.

It is the personality or charisma of the Presidential candidate and the idea ‘America First’, that will make the voter decide on their future President.

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