More than one Spy reader has accused me of being a “congenital Democrat,” a term that suggests that I am too close minded to contrast Trump’s proposals with those of his opponent. Some accuse me of “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” which, best I can tell, means that I detest Trump so much that I don’t recognize his admirable character and leadership.
I have voted for good Republicans many times, and Donald Trump is not one of them. I have read at least a dozen books about Trump and a few written by him, including The Art of the Deal. I know Trump and see him clearly. He is flawed, delusional, a liar, and lacks empathy. He is not worthy of serious consideration for my vote.
Given who Trump is, I reject him. His character is rotten, or should I say lack of character. And you should reject him too, even if you are troubled by border security, want tax cuts, and believe Trump would do a great job keeping transgender women out of women’s sports.
Why is Trump unworthy of consideration for a second term as president? What are the character flaws that I find so troubling? Here are a few.
According to a New York judge, Trump raped E. Jean Carroll in a department store dressing room.
Trump ridicules people with disabilities. Remember his mimicking a distinguished New York Times reporter with disabilities?
Trump recklessly threatens “retribution” against his enemies including federal prosecutors and judges. Their crime? Indicting him and presiding over his cases.
Trump lies. The Washington Post has suggested the count is well over 30,000. Remember Trump’s first lie as president—that his inauguration crowd was larger than any in American history? It has been downhill since then.
Trump’s first term in office was chaotic. Cabinet level officers should not have to check their Twitter (now X) accounts to see if they were fired overnight.
More than a hundred people who worked in his administration refuse to vote for him again.
Trump disrespects Americans who were killed in wars. His former chief-of-staff, General John Kelly, says he called Americans who died in combat “losers.” Trump also dissed John McCain for being a prisoner of war after his aircraft was shot down over Vietnam. Trump himself skirted military service because of alleged “bone spurs.”
Trump engaged in numerous affairs, including with a Playboy centerfold and a porn star, right after his youngest son was born. Trump’s affairs are his own business, but they reflect on his character. That is why these sordid episodes are relevant.
Trump cheated on his taxes. With the help of his CFO and others, Trump created shell corporations, falsely exaggerated losses, and conducted other accounting frauds to avoid paying taxes.
Trump denies he lost the 2020 election. This bodes poorly for next month. Already Trump is laying groundwork to challenge the 2024 election results. That, by itself, should disqualify him for the presidency.
Trump summoned a mob to attack the Capitol and prevent the certification of Electoral College votes. That interference with the election constitutes a felony.
Trump said, “So what?” after aides told him a mob was closing in on Vice President Pence and threatening to hang him.
Trump evidences severe mental decline. Just watch the entirety of one of his rallies. On Monday night at a Town Hall in Pennsylvania, for example, Trump stopped taking questions for 39 minutes to play nine songs from his play list. During the music, Trump swayed back and forth, his version of dancing. What was going on? Normal, mentally healthy people do not do this sort of thing.
In contrast to Trump, we have Kamala Harris. Had President Biden decided against running for reelection a year earlier, Harris might not have been the Democratic nominee. Today, she is performing well, but not well enough to satisfy all Democrats or to win over all independents. That is troubling because if you reject Harris, you either vote for Trump or do not vote. In either case, you are joining Trump’s anti-democracy club.
If voters take a hard look at Trump’s record and character, they should dismiss him out of hand. The same cannot be said of Harris.
If elected, Harris may not prove to be America’s best president, but it is unlikely she will repeat any of the chaos, lying, treason, and grifting that are the hallmarks of Trump’s first four years in the White House.
This year’s presidential race should be about character, but for too many voters, it is not. That is why the race is still close. It shouldn’t be.
J.E. Dean is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant. He writes on politics, government, and, too infrequently, other subjects.
Sarah Oppenheimer says
If Trump wins this election and it defies historical norms and patterns (as the 2020 election did) will democrats certify it?
James Wilson says
Ahhh, so you are thrusting the gospel of the republicans onto the democrats. Trump lost the election but denies it. Therefore, if Harris loses the election, she will deny it and lie for 4 years, repeating it ad nauseum. Maybe she will even instigate a riot at the capital where people will be killed and she will say “So what” as crazed democrats chant “hang the VP whoever it may be.”
And by the way, you have listened to lies for 4 years and believe that ” it defies historical norms and patterns”. It did not. Nothing was wrong with the election, and over 50 republican lawsuits tried to prove there were problems. The only people convicted so far have been republicans opening voting machines and trying to send fake delegates. Biden won fair and square. He got more votes than trump. Deal with it. But of course you cannot because you have listened to and believe in the iies that republicans have promulgated for 4 years.
I fear for our country with a leader who thinks that when the windmills stop turning that people will not have electricity for their home.
John Dean says
Thank for commenting. I’m not sure what you mean by “defies historical norms and patterns (as the 2020 election did)”. I’d welcome a clarification.
I think if Trump wins the election fairly, the Democrats will certify it. By “fairly,” I mean there is no obvious evidence of fraud, such as fake electors or something that would be indisputably illegal.
Michael Davis says
Why is this a question? VP Harris said she would certify the election, just as every VP in all American history. That’s because it’s the law and a VP does not have a choice.
Only Vance as a VP candidate, indicated he would break the law and not certify an election.
Eric Ploeg says
And if Kamala wins, among her claim of “firsts”, she’d be the first appointed US President.
John Dean says
Thanks for reading the piece. I must disagree with you. If Kamala wins the election, she will be the first woman elected president. She will not have been appointed. The Democrats appropriately nominated her after Biden withdrew. You may disagree with Biden withdrawing when he did and how the party found another nominee, but you cannot say (in my opinion) that she was appointed.
Jess Haberman says
There were several Presidents who were not elected – Andrew Johnson after the death of Lincoln, Lyndon Johnson after the death of death of Kennedy, Roosevelt after the death of McKinley and Fillmore after the death of Taylor. Strictly speaking they weren’t appointed but became President under the laws of succession. To suggest Harris would be appointed not elected is ridiculous- I wonder if the commentator is trying out a new line to deligitimize her if she wins and whether he thought of it himself.
Mickey Terrone says
Hello John. Great article, as usual and so important to force otherwise sensible Republicans to confront their own patriotism and integrity. They aren’t stupid; they know better. The Trump campaign is a bald-faced effort by America’s political minority (Republicans) to seize power by extralegal means through circumventing and/or undermining the electoral process through false claims of voting irregularities, acts by Republican state legislatures/governors, frivilous lawsuits and mob violence.
IMO, most every Republican voter knows what is happening in this election. I’m certain many support this desperate effort to seize political control in America and remove crucial elements of our democratic republic on behalf of this scoundrel who is desperate to avoid criminal convictions in four jurisdictions and is actually out on bail at this moment.
Some Republicans may just be holding their noses to vote for Trump trivializing the underlying long term damage that will be done to our republic. In one current interview in the SPY, an allegedly respectable individual actually ignores all the dangers presented by Trump and says he’ll vote for Trump because of his policy on China. Apparently, he hs tired of Democratic Party’s appproach to international relations. Thus, he’ll ignore all the dangers posed by Trump and all Trump’s horrendous bigotry, divisiveness, business crimes, sex crime(s), and overt threats to democracy because of China? IMHO, that is about as disingenuous as a man can be.
I hope that every American who goes to the poll in this election will examine their conscience and vote to keep America a democratic republic by erasing Trump from the political leadership. In my numerous conversations with Republican friends, they cringe at Trump’s words and actions and wish he’d just go away. Well, there will be no better opportunity than now to vote this 78-year old desperate scoundrel into final retirement by quietly entering their polling place and either vote for Kamala Harris or not vote for anyone for president.
For Mr. Lighthizer, I’d suggest he consider whether Trump would even have the support of his congressional Republican caucus to impose massive tariffs on Chinese goods but are afraid to say anything publicly. No patriot should try to normalize Donald Trump’s radicalism by ignoring all the overt threats he makes and the threat he poses to our republican democracy.
John Dean says
Mickey, thanks for your comment. I have listened only to part of Mr. Lighthizer’s interview but was surprised at his endorsement of Trump’s policies. I fully agree that no patriot (or anyone else) should try to normalize Donald Trump’s radicalism by ignoring Trump’s threats.
HR Worthington says
For what it is worth, I appreciate both the article and the point of view. I am not certain if everything you premise as a reason is accurate, but to the extent you believe it, which you obviously do, your logic holds. Even if you are wrong, Mr. Trump’s history and behavior have created a “brand” that makes such accusations credible, and that in and of itself, in ordinary times would disqualify him as a candidate. Yet here we are, and I suspect if we were honest, we would both agree on the reasons why.
Character indeed matters. However, our politics reflect our culture, and culture reflects our politics. Politicians have rarely been noble, but if our culture doesn’t value character, as evidenced by our politics, there isn’t much that can be done. In daily life the people I meet are courteous, share the same concerns and generally magnanimous sorts. However, I hold a dimmer view of the commanding heights of our culture, and I see the people who comprise it as odious and cynical. Another columnist of this publication recently quoted Edmund Burke. I am reminded of his Reflections on the French Revolution. “Men cannot enjoy the rights of an uncivil and of a civil state together.”
For various reasons, I do not believe that Mr. Trump is the threat to democracy that you say he is. J6 notwithstanding, I have graver concerns over politicians who openly threaten to pack the Supreme Court and federally enshrine changes in voting laws that would all but ensure one party rule. I have no interest in one party rule or a judiciary politically answerable to another branch, my policy preferences be damned. I know where that leads, and democracy isn’t the destination. If the Democrats would simply drop that nonsense they would have my vote, but they won’t. I also cannot trust otherwise intelligent partisans like yourself to speak out against it. So, I will not vote for Ms. Harris even if that means taking my chances with the “devil I know.” Afterall, the people who told us five minutes ago that Mr. Biden was “sharp as a tack” are now forcing a candidate on the electorate whose stated policies seem to vary with her poll numbers. Those are also same people told me to inject myself with an experimental drug formerly known as the “Trump vaccine” which was “98% effective.” I did, and to my regret, it was not as advertised. I’m sorry, but no thanks. I trust them now even less than I do Trump.
I would have preferred better candidates, and least I be labeled as a misogynist by a random small-minded imbecile, I could have voted for Ms. Whitmer or Ms. Klobuchar if given the chance, but alas I was not afforded that. That is one thing that not even the most acute TDS patient can blame on Trump. Indeed, the race should not be this close, but again, here we are. With gratitude, H.R.
John Dean says
Thanks for your comment and your perspective. We are on somewhat different pages, but I understand your concerns about the Democrats and appreciate the civility with which you put forward your argument.
Paul Rybon says
Thanks HR, for the best even handed piece yet. I,too, am flummoxed by what appears to be universal acceptance by the left, of an installed candidate. I also am sad to note the false points from the author of the piece, notably that Trump was convicted of sex crimes. He was not. Nor the conviction on taxes allegedly for criminality. That wasn’t true either. I’m amused by the comment about supporting the cad that you know. I mean we still know nothing about her other than her distain for Donald Trump. Finally, unlike the author, I feel impelled to vote for somebody, anybody rather than abstain.
Tim Furey says
Dean is a brilliant passionate writer. Too bad that his Trump stories are largely fabricated and not completely backed by the facts of Trump’s 1st term success. Trump aint perfect but he will win, the country will be fine, and we will stop the country’s slide toward woke insanity.
Love you JE — your TDS just validates those of us who support 45 to become 47.
John Dean says
I would have praised your comment had you stopped at the end of your first sentence . . .
Willard Tod Engelskirchen says
Trump considers himself to be the all time best expert on just about everything. Consider his economic policies, including his love of tariffs. Most economists, including the folks at Goldman Sacs think that these policies would add to inflation, hurt the economy, and boost the deficit. Just for starters, how does that sound?
What I see in Trump is, among other flaws, a man who is unreasonably self confident and lacks the curiosity to explore opinions which do not agree with his own. Remember the injection of bleach?
His threats to jail or even execute those who disagree with him should disqualify him. We cannot afford to take a chance on DJT again. Once was enough – as a host of Republicans from Liz Chaney to General Kelly have said. These are experts we should listen to.
John Dean says
Thank you for the comment. Well said. I wish more Trump supporters would read economists’ comments about the proposed tariffs, which are, as you say, a terrible idea.
Robin Westre says
It is hard to believe that with what we know about trump from his first term in office is that he really wasn’t cut out to be president. Failed businesses, exaggerations, lies, felony and the middle school habit of name calling, just to name a few of his flaws are proof. I’m sure that considerations for vice presidents were vetted to the nth degree before chosen. Everyone and especially the president and vice president, and members of congress should be able to get a security clearance. trump never would have passed. One of the reasons that a security clearance is given is the possibility of blackmail. So now we have someone who will go down as the worst president in the history of the country who belongs in jail running for the highest office in the country. The prospect of him being briefed on top secret information and his fingers on the nuclear codes is enough to send shivers, or should, up our collective spines. Just listen to his rhetoric at his rallies. Scary and to think that the polls show that he and Kamala Harris are tied. Unbelievable!
John Dean says
Thank you for your comment. I expected Trump to fade from the political scene after January 6 and other disclosures about his first term in office. I remain perplexed that Trump’s long “rap sheet,” consisting of insurrection, sexual assault, and business fraud is not a problem for so many people who still plan on voting for him.
Wilson Dean says
Many individuals who have a lukewarm response to Kamala Harris appear to be shrugging and adopting the attitude that “we survived Trump once before, we can do it again.” Nothing, in my opinion, could be further from the truth.
Trump, in his 2017-2021 term as President failed miserably in pushing his racist and treasonous policies because of two factors. First, his arrogance and inexperience in government yielded policy approaches that were insufficient to meet even the lowest bar of acceptability, a view held by enough of his own party to bog down his proposals. Second, the institutions of government were strong—many of the people in his Administration were people of “country over party,” most of the judiciary placed the law above party affiliation, and the federal civil service continued to provide nonpartisan expertise that showed his proposals to be ridiculous.
Trump in a second term will change all that. The selection of JD Vance as his VP reflects his approach that loyalty rather than competence will serve as the model for all his Executive Branch selections and Supreme Court nominees. After his first 4-year debacle, Trump staffers are now knowledgeable on how to get their policies adopted through our intricate government process based on checks-and-balances. The Republican Congress is now a rubber stamp, with virtually all of those who previously objected to his extremism now picked off in the primaries. He plans to take retribution against anyone who has opposed him in the past, and will forever transform the civil service from one valuing expertise to loyal enforcers of his every whim. Finally, he has packed the Supreme Court with a majority now willing to entertain even his most far-fetched schemes.
I strongly believe that anyone who thinks that our democracy will survive a second Trump term is profoundly underestimating the permanent damage he will inflict on the strong principles by which our country operates, however imperfectly. Trump’s victory will assure the end of what I think has been our country’s nearly 250 year attempt to base a government on the rule of law and the participation of all in the society.
John Dean says
Thank you for an excellent comment–in many ways much more worth reading than the editorial it responds to.
I could not agree more that a second Trump term could end democracy in the United States.
john fischer says
I agree, Mr. Dean. Compared to Mr. Trump, Ms. Harris is the far superior human being.
Nevertheless, I and many Americans will hesitate to cast our ballot for a member of the left wing of a political party hostile to law enforcement, freedom of expression, female athletes, rural citizens and communities, enforcement of immigration law, school choice, religious belief of any design, parental control of children, white men and the Jewish race.
Under normal circumstances, a candidate with this much baggage would not have won a Democratic primary let alone have a chance to win a national election. However, Ms. Harris did not face other more centrist Democrats in a primary and, in the presidential race, is opposed by a man personably objectionable to most of us. Thus, even though her political and social positions are left of much of her own party, independents and many citizens of both parties may swallow deeply and vote for her simply because she appears to be the best of two bad choices.
Whichever candidate wins the presidency, my hope is the opposing party wins at least one House in order that body might moderate the plans and policies of the dangerous man or woman we will have elected.
John Dean says
Thanks for your comment. I disagree that Harris is a “bad choice,” but I appreciate your perspective on the race. Many people on the Eastern Shore and elsewhere agree with you.
And thank you for the civility of your response. Much appreciated.
Bill Weis says
I believe that a major issue is being missed about trump running for President, and no one seems to want to say it out loud, so I will. His hope is that if he wins the election “HE WON’T GO TO JAIL” (the future President will probably show him mercy – that he wouldn’t extent to anyone other the crooks he’s already pardoned).
He’s said on numerous occasions, that he’ll pick an Attorney General who will dismiss all federal charges against him and go after all the bad people that have picked on him. Now doesn’t that sound like the crook that is?
John Dean says
Thanks for your comment. If Trump wins, he will undoubtedly order the DOJ to dismiss the federal charges against him. I believe he will also get the new AG to work on neutralizing the state charges and possibly even the civil judgments.
Cindy Buniski says
The Drones Made Me Do It! Five days ago I knew that I would vote in the upcoming election, but I wasn’t sure if I would “pull the lever for president”. And if I did vote for president, I wasn’t sure which of the two less than stellar candidates I could rally behind to lead our great country.
Like so many women in America, no matter the party affiliation, we find the former President Donald Trump, a hard pill to swallow. (Yes, I know women who are fans, I’m just not one of them.) I have been admonished and delicately battered by friends from both sides of the political machine who want their respective party to garner my vote, but I hadn’t been persuaded as to which way to go by any person or party. In fact, at a recent gathering of friends, three of the four women I was with felt the same way I did, and we were sad and frustrated to be put in this position.
But……..
The drones made me do it. I am voting for Donald Trump for the safety of our country. Over the past three plus years under the current administration, we have had millions of unapproved immigrants enter our country going to God only knows where, we had a foreign hot air balloon cross our country for days documenting important American installations, and now, for 17 days in December 2023, unknown drones were spotted in formation over Virginia military bases and no one seemed to know what to do. (“Pentagon confirms ‘incursions’ of unauthorized drones over Air Force base.”The Hill 10/16/24.)
Really!?! The first responsibility of a president is to keep its citizens safe. So, with a deep sigh and with much sadness I am voting for President Trump in the hopes he will keep our country safe. Blame it on the drones.
John Dean says
Thanks for your comment. As you might imagine, I disagree with your analysis.
I must have missed the drone story—thank you for including the reference to it. I’m surprised that it did not get more national coverage. Nonetheless, I think Trump is unfit to be president, and the drones will not make me reconsider my opposition to him.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Not sure if it’s the drones or the evil side of humanity that convinced you. Your vote is a vote for the Dark Side, literally.
What a waste.
Barbara Denton says
I do not know how many anti-Trump articles Mr. Dean has written but they are beginning to mount up. He says Mr. Trump lies but his whole list of reasons is riddled with lies and quotes lies from people who had it in for Trump. Those ex-White House employees who say they will not vote for Trump were appointed in many cases at the suggestion of anti-Trumpers. As soon as their lack of loyality and support for Trump were found out they were let go.
You can repeat your lies until the cows come home but it will not make them true. To say a Harris administration would not be full of chaos, lying, treason and grifting is the ultimate joke. That is exactly what the Biden/Harris administration has been full of and since Kamala says she supported every decision and action Biden (or was it Obama?) took there would be no reason to think it will not continue. Our nation cannot survive a Harris (Obama fourth term) administration.
Already, many Democrats are saying if Trump wins they will not certify the election. So who in reality is subverting Democracy? I think you need to get your facts straight and stop fear mongering to allow voters to make a reasoned and intelligent decision. Think about a Chinese spy balloon flying across our Country over highly sensitive military installations for a week with no action being taken by the Biden administration. How many millions had Joe Biden already received for that episode? Do you want a continuation of this in the White House? I think not.
Jess Haberman says
I appreciate your comments Ms Denton, they give me insight into what I’m sure many people feel. I would ask you to reconsider though how you feel about Trump cabinet members who are sharply critical of him. First, many if not all of them approved of Trump before they went to work for him and wanted to support his policies. Second, Trump said himself he was only hiring the best people and I’m sure that you are sure he would not let himself be easily manipulated into hiring bad people. Third, many had distinguished careers before coming to work for Trump and some weren’t ever fired by him. Take General Miley, for instance,who was chief of staff of the army and then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before going g to work for him. Or William Barr, a right wing Republican who handled Meuller’s report to do the least damage to Trump, before finally having enough of him on Jan 6. Consider that just maybe these dozens if not hundreds of Republicans who worked closely with Trump day in and day out and saw his character up close maybe might have a better handle on him then you.