Nations divided are stories of misunderstandings and pain. The Ukraine is another example.
Supported by Putin, separatists in the Eastern section have chosen violence to settle their differences and the Russian dictator has been very glad to encourage them.
It fits well with his plan to rebuild the Soviet Union.
But Ukraine should be left for Ukrainians to manage.
The previous Russian leaning president, Viktor Yanukovych, was deposed by popular protests in 2014 and fled to Russia. Now Putin has been amassing troops in the Eastern border and threatens to invade and take over the entire nation. He speaks of common historical bonds between the two countries going back centuries.
That may be so but for one reason or another, the Ukraine constituted itself as a nation and that needs to be respected. Their future should be decided by Ukrainians, not by Russians or Americans.
During the American Civil War there was a huge cost in lives (estimated to have been approximately 1.5 million, a figure that combines casualties from combat and from diseases). Lamentably, there was no effective dialogue between the contending parties to prevent that war.
Does the world need to see another country hemorrhaging its resources? Do we not have enough today with Yemen and Somalia and Syria and Myanmar, Cuba and Venezuela?
Can the world not press hard for a dialogue between feuding Ukrainians, without outside interference from any nation?
How come the Russian people remain in the grip of a man like Putin? Yes, there is a budding internal opposition, but it has yet to gather enough force because the majority are unwilling to openly dissent and choose freedom instead. Today, when it is clear to all the importance of interaction and freedom of thought for individuals to realize their potential, Russians are still choosing to not openly challenge their oppressive government, thus allowing themselves to be misled by a tyrant.
Russians have enormous possibilities as a people, but they have not been willing to claim them. And until they do, they will remain a lesser nation. Regardless of the 4000 nuclear warheads they keep and their capacity to set off a war that would do untold damage to the world.
Russia, with a population of 144 million compared to Germany’s 84 million, falls far below the German economy which has a GDP approximately 2 trillion greater. Even though Russia is far richer in oil and gas. The difference is clearly attributable to the stymying of the people’s opportunities by their political system.
With that history, what kind of example is Russia to Ukraine?
And yet, Putin now wants to invade the nation. He speaks of fearing an attack from the West. But it’s all fiction. The West has no interest in invading Russia. What for?
The talk that he needs to strengthen his borders is talk of a calculating and paranoid man justifying his oppressive hold on his people. He’s been in power since 1999 and a recent referendum makes it possible for him to remain in his post until 2036.
It is up to the Russian people to challenge Putin for he is preventing their full development.
The conquest of Ukraine, his clear intention, counts as another stop in his dream of rebuilding the Soviet Union, an example of economic backwardness.
But the world should say no. Russians should say no.
The world should speak strongly in favor of letting Ukraine’s fate be decided by Ukrainians.
If they are left alone, they may well come to some kind of agreement. Maybe they’ll want to partition the country to avoid bloodshed. Maybe not. But they are entitled to decide their fate without external interference from anyone, Russia or America.
If they choose to partition, this much will be clear with the passing of time. A Ukraine divided into two sections, the Western and the Eastern, will soon enough replicate what happened in Germany at the end of WWII. The Western side will blossom and the Eastern one will atrophy.
Democracy in the West will stir in the people a desire for accomplishment that will be lacking in the East. And soon enough, those in the East, will choose to vote with their feet – as my dear father and namesake used to say – risking their lives to migrate to the West in search of a better life.
Putin, with his grandiosity and deception, has no interest in leaving the fate of Ukraine to their people.
So this is the time for the rest of the world to speak up forcibly.
Oscar Valdes. Oscarvaldes.net. also available in anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts and buzzsprout.
Trump goes in and sits at his desk. He pushes back on his chair and puts his feet up.
Trump – Annoying as it is sometimes, it’s useful to hear that liberal point of view. Not that she doesn’t have some good ideas. What I said about American women giving me a free pass, at least the ones in my base, that’s true. And I got in. Love them.
How did Melania put it?
Something about women feeling suppressed for so long that they could not bring themselves to choose one of their own. Interesting how that view doesn’t get any press… wonder why?
Maybe their less suppressed sisters being nice and tolerant.
He laughs.
Madeline Albright came up with that line that women who didn’t vote for Hillary deserved a place in Hell. Got you, babe.
The women in my base were being pragmatic… that’s what it was… they knew that what I brought to the table was far more important than my peccadilloes.
He pauses, then glances over his shoulder at the portrait of Andrew Jackson.
What say you, Stonewall?
He gets up and goes to stand in front of the portrait.
Trump (speaking to Jackson) – You held back the British in New Orleans and I will hold back immigration. Stonewall they nicknamed you, and surely they’ll come up with something for me, something to immortalize me… because the Wall goes, brother, I promise you that.
Jackson winks back at him.
Chapter 9
Park in Washington DC. Early Evening.
A middle aged man and a woman, walking side by side, approach an empty bench.
They both wear business suits. They sit, both take out their phones, turn them off and place them between them.
Man – You can smell blood, can’t you?
Woman – There’s that scent.
Man – If we win both Houses we’ll have a chance to impeach him.
Woman – Manafort, Cohen, Gates… the dominoes are falling.
Man – Man going down and he can’t stop himself. How many times have we seen it?
Woman – He made his choices… now he’s got to live with them.
Man – We’ve got to win in November.
Woman – Have to pull all the stops. You think he colluded?
Man – I didn’t think so but, since Helsinki I’ve changed my mind.
A Man with a child in a stroller go by.
Man – Russians want him in… so there’s going to be a massive effort to support him.
Woman – What would you do?
Man – My take… go straight to the people sitting on the fence, tell them, ‘this is who your leader is. A vote against Trump is a vote against Russia’s interference, a vote against Trump is a vote for a sovereign America.’
Woman – You’d concede the base…?
Man – Pretty much. Run the video clip of Helsinki… ‘if he can’t stand up to Putin, will he stand up for you? Brand him an appeaser.’
Woman – ‘Hey John Voter, wake up buddy! Trump’s doing a number on you. He’s given you a platform to rant and rave but who’s listening? You’re going nowhere with the hooting and hollering. He’s cranking you up but where are you headed?’
Man – Go check out the Wall.
Woman – Right.
Man – Where are the programs to get you up to speed with the global economy? Where is the education you need?
Woman – Basic stuff.
They look at each other.
Man – The Street loves him.
Woman – Sure, they got their tax cut and deregulations.
Man – The economy is going strong… can’t take that away from him. You and I are worked up about him but people like to hear that jingle in their pocket… and may be willing to look the other way.
Woman – True.
A young couple in love saunters by.
The Man and the Woman glance at each other and smile.
Man – How’d we get here?
Woman – The debates. Not a single one of them stood up to Trump. Not a single one took him to task. Clinton should’ve made mincemeat out of him but she didn’t. And that was it.
Man – Comey put the last shovel full of dirt on her.
Woman – Unbelievable.
Man (singing) – What a difference a day makes… 24 little hours…
Woman – It’s sad.
Man – Well, it’s payback time. There’s a lot of angry women running for office.
Woman – And they should.
An elderly, frail looking woman walks past with the aid of a cane. She limps a little.
Chapter 10
Trump walks into a large room in the Kremlin. In the center, Vladimir Putin is sitting facing a small table with two bottles of water and an extra chair. Putin now rises to greet the advancing Trump. The two men shake hands. Putin signals for Trump to take a seat. He does.
There are no translators.
Trump – Glad you could make it.
Putin – For you, anytime.
Trump – Thanks
Putin – What can I do for you?
Trump – I’ll get straight to the point.
Putin – Please.
Trump – You interfered with our election in 2016.
Putin – I did.
Trump is surprised.
Trump – You have been denying it all this time.
Putin – We were in public. In private it’s a different matter. That’s the beauty of meeting alone.
Putin smiles.
Trump – You can’t do that.
Putin – I did it.
Trump – Why?
Putin – It was wide open. Low lying fruit, as you Americans say. How could I resist? I’m an old KGB hand. You’re not exactly new to intrigue but, next to me, you’re a newbie.
Trump is disconcerted.
Putin – Look at it this way… real wars are bloody and painful. We both have a long history of it. In WWII alone, Mother Russia lost 20 million people. Hard to imagine, isn’t it? Your country has never suffered a loss of that magnitude. Of course, we would do it again if we needed to, but cyberwarfare is so much cleaner. And more effective.
Trump – What are you after?
Putin smiles warmly.
Trump (pressing) – What are you after?
Putin – Don’t you know?
Trump (impatiently) – I am asking.
Putin – The American mind.
Trump stares at Putin.
Trump (emphatically) – You can’t have it!
Putin nods thoughtfully.
Putin – My cyber warriors will see to it… and I can’t be stopped.
Trump – Can’t be stopped?
Putin – Historical forces beyond my control, and yours, have been set in motion. Believe me, we’re mere pawns.
Trump – Pawns?
Putin – There’s two sides to your famous America, one side that wants education and fairness of opportunity… so the motivated and capable can climb up the ladder… and another side, sitting on top, that wants to knock down the ladder… so no one but their favorites will follow. So you fluctuate between being a meritocracy… very honorable… and a nepotocracy.
Trump – Nepotocracy?
Putin – Ring a bell?
Trump – What?
Putin – That’s the side you and I are with.
Trump rises abruptly.
Trump – I’m not listening to this. I’m leaving.
He turns and stalks to the door. But he finds the door locked and he can’t open it.
Trump – Let me out!
He slams his fist on the door but there’s no response.
Putin, unconcerned with Trump’s pleas but affecting a sympathetic air, rises and takes a few steps toward him.
Putin – Please listen. This is the most important part. The two sides of the American mind have tried to dialogue… and sometimes they’ve succeeded… and when they have the American mind has been brilliant… like in battling the Depression during the 1930s… and in WWII… and the Marshall Plan afterwards… but at other times you’ve been a disaster… like in dealing with racism.
Trump advances toward Putin with determined step and the two men come face to face.
Trump – We defeated you in the Cold War. Our economy left you behind!
Putin – Yes, you did. You crushed us. You were the victor. I accept it.
Trump – Thank you.
Putin (a hint of sadness in his eyes) – My dear and beautiful Soviet Union… broken up into pieces. It was very sad and painful to see it happen. And the whole world stood witness.
Putin turns around and returns to his seat. He resumes speaking, now and then glancing up at Trump who remains standing near him.
Putin – That was the American mind at work… the American mind that does science… and art… and the humanities… the mind that is intoxicated with the pursuit of riches… any and all types of riches… the mind that takes on any challenge… the cradle of Intel and IBM and Boeing and Northrop… and the miracles in food production and medicine… and MIT and JPL… and Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Tesla and Hollywood… the insatiable American mind that wants to dominate and transform the world… devour us all… to impose your culture…
Putin is looking Trump in the eye.
Putin – … The insatiable mind that seduces talent from everywhere…. from Russia too… my dear Russia… immigrants flocking to your country lured by your way of life. Believe me, we lament their leaving… and most of all, lament that they don’t return. Your gains, my dear sir… and our losses.
Trump narrows his eyes, warily.
Putin – Who knows what would’ve happened if Sergey hadn’t left…
Trump – Sergey?
Putin – Sergey Brin. The cofounder of Google, born right here in Moscow.
Trump – He got out. He went to Stanford.
Putin (smiling slyly) – It will take time, of course, but we will do it…
Trump – Do what?
Putin – … with great stealth…
Trump – What?
Putin – … my cyberwarriors will work to steadily erode your values… but it’s for the good of the world, you must understand… so that we create a level playing field… because you’re too much out in front… and the cyberwarriors will do so by targeting your culture… accentuating your differences… minimizing your similarities… so your dialogue will be impoverished… degraded… and finally stopped.
Putin pauses.
Trump – Stop our dialogue?
Putin – The pearl that lies at the center of it all… the light that when shining shows you the way. When it goes out, for it will, I will rejoice as I never have.
Trump – I won’t let you.
Putin – In the chaos that will follow, in the darkness… your people will clamor for autocracy… a wonderful system… vastly underrated… a system where the majority rules… and minorities learn to live with it… suck it up… as you’re fond of saying.
Trump (to himself, as if considering the possibility) – A world where the autocrat is the light…
Putin – Yes! Brilliant! Oh, dear man, you’re so much like me… that’s why I like you so… that’s why we’re so fond of each other. Every time you cry out, ‘Fake News!’, my heart leaps with joy.
Trump – It does?
Putin – Yes! Believe me, I’m rooting for you to succeed. You have my full backing.
Putin – Donald, please… I am eager to learn from you, I tape all your rallies.
Trump – You tape my rallies?
Putin – Yes, so I can study them and learn to work a crowd, learn to please it, to excite it, for you are the master, the one and only… oh, how I wish I had your gifts!
Trump (moved) – I am very good.
Putin – An artist.
Trump – Thank you. Did you know I have a star in Hollywood’s Walk of Fame?
Putin – Of course I know. They should add a statue.
Trump frowns, suspicion growing again.
Putin – I owe you more than you owe me.
Trump – I owe you?
Putin – It’s nothing… nothing compared to what you give us, and are giving us…by your example… every day… how you rose from nothing…
Trump – Nothing?
Putin – I mean, from being a distinguished hotelier and shrewd judge of character… Manafort and Gates aside… to beating and smashing the Clinton machine.
Trump – Thank you.
Putin – You’re most welcome. And I’m so sorry, we tried to get you the popular vote, we really did… but it was not possible. I know you wanted it badly. I’m so sorry.
Trump explodes with anger.
Trump – What? How dare you? You did not win me the election! American women did!
Putin – There’s no need to get upset. We will do much better next time, I assure you. We’re already working on it, improving our techniques.
Trump (loudly) – You will not interfere with our elections, do you hear me?
Putin (rising, stepping up to Trump) – Please lower your voice. For your own good, Donald. You’re overweight and out of shape… and I wouldn’t want you to have a heart attack. I’m serious. You’re too valuable an asset.
Trump – Asset?
Fuming, yet controlling his rage, Trump paces off for a stretch, then turns to face Putin again.
Trump – Are we being recorded?
Putin – I record all my conversations.
Trump is incredulous.
Putin – For history’s sake, believe me, because we’re on the right side of history, you and I, don’t you ever doubt it. Would you like a glass of cider, a bit of caviar?
Trump – No!
Putin – Calm down, it will be all right.
Trump stares angrily at Putin.
Putin – We need to be composed when we step out for the press conference,
Trump (panicking) – Press conference?
White House – Bedroom
Abruptly, Trump sits up in his bed, confused and agitated.
Trump (crying out) – Helsinki! Helsinki!
Melania is by his side, holding him.
Melania – You’re here, you’re not in Helsinki! Dee, you’re here with me, in our bedroom!
He gives a shudder and turns to face her.
Trump – What happened?
Melania – It must’ve been a bad dream.
Trump – A dream?
Melania – You’ve been shouting Helsinki! Helsinki!
Trump – A dream… yes… thank god… but it was so real.
Melania – What happened?
Trump – What else did I say?
Melania – Just that.
He falls back down on his bed, immensely relieved, face sweaty with perspiration.
Trump – I didn’t say anything else?
Melania – No, just Helsinki.
She gets up, puts her robe on and crosses to sit at his side. She holds his face in her hands and kisses him.
Melania – I’m so sorry. Why don’t you talk about it?
Trump – I can’t remember anything… did you hear anything else?
Melania – No. Just Helsinki.
He sighs, shakes his head, the expression still strained. He looks at her and takes her hands in his and kisses them.
Trump – Wow. I felt so alone.
Melania – Talk about what you remember, maybe the whole dream will come back.
Trump – I can’t remember anything. What time is it?
Melania – 5 A.M.
Trump – Might as well get up, then.
He does and walks to the table adjacent where he takes a seat, his worries weighing on him.
Melania – What a coincidence…
Trump – What?
Melania – Helsinki is 7 hours ahead… the dream happened about the same time you held that news conference on July 16th.
Trump looks at her, baffled.
Oscar Valdes. Oscarvaldes.net.
also available in anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts and buzzsprout.
Trump and Melania having dinner. They sit next to each other. No one else is in the room.
Melania – You have good ideas.
Trump – What? Did I hear you correctly?
She smiles
Melania – You do. I’ve been following the trade issue. China has been cheating us. Not only stealing our technology through forced transfers but also by heavily subsidizing industries that dump their cheap products onto our markets. You have brought attention to that. That’s good.
Trump – Thank you, Melania, thank you very much.
Melania – But the urgent need is to unite the nation… to help us reach our collective, higher self… which is where our greater riches lie.
Trump nods thoughtfully, then raises his glass of cider for a toast.
Trump – Here’s to my winning the trade war.
Melania (not raising her glass) – Not in favor.
Trump (smiling) – Can’t you just indulge your husband?
Melania – I have my political views.
He drinks
Melania – You’re also combative and feisty, and that has mobilized something deep in the American psyche.
Trump – Thank you.
Melania – The nation was due for a good, internal fight, and we’re having it now. I think that’s why so many people voted for you.
Trump – That’s two compliments in one evening. I’m marking this day in my calendar.
She smiles
Melania – People identified with you because you represent something raw. A will to make money, to push ahead, even if it means you rough up some folks along the way.
Trump – That I’ve done.
Melania – Even your lack of refinement has an appeal.
Trump (taken aback) – I’m not refined?
Melania – Of course not. But that’s part of your charm.
Trump (a dash of regret) – I always wanted to be refined.
Melania – Let it be. It’s not you. Obama, on the other hand, is refined.
Trump (irritated) – What?
Melania – He is. Look at his manner, his intellect, his gift for nuance and oratory.
Trump (stubbornly) – I am smart in my own way.
Melania – Of course you are. And it’s okay not to be on the same level as Obama.
Trump – You’re really coming after me, aren’t you?
Melania – Not at all. I love you. You’re just different.
Trump – Different?
Melania – Yes.
They pause, look at each other.
Melania – Go ahead, say it.
Trump – Say what?
Melania – That you’re different.
Trump – I’m not going to say it.
Melania – It’ll be good for you.
Trump – I’m not saying it.
Melania – Please.
He rubs his face, then smiles devilishly.
Trump – I’m different.
Melania – Good. A lot of people love you just as you are. Raw. Unrefined. And it’s okay. Being who you are touches their hearts. Americans elected Obama twice, because they wanted to be like the man.
Trump – White people wanted to be like him?
Melania – He couldn’t have got elected without White people.
Trump – True.
Melania – White people with prejudices, looked at Obama and said, ‘now, that’s a fellow I want to be like, even if he’s dark.’ And the thought astonished them because they saw how the power of the mind overcame the racial barrier. And why had they not done it before? Why had they overlooked the possibilities of education? Like during Reconstruction after the Civil War?
Trump – Blacks wanted too much… too soon…
Melania – What’s too soon about wanting the White man’s boot off your throat?
Trump – Change takes time.
Melania – Social courage is what went missing. But to my point. It’s hard to be like Obama. Certainly not in just 8 years. It’s going to take a lot longer and some heavy spending on education. It didn’t help that Republicans in both houses, filled with envy, decided to obstruct everything the man wanted to do during his term, as if they had said, ‘how dare the upstart address our structural problems?’
Trump – They did obstruct him, I admit.
Melania – Republicans were dead set against spending because it would raise the deficit and how immoral it would be to burden our children with debt. Spending which, by the way, would have benefitted your base also. Then you come along, cut taxes, the deficit goes through the roof and everyone is cheering, right?
He smiles with satisfaction.
Trump – Very soon, our coffers will be brimming.
Melania – it could go the other way.
Trump – It won’t.
Melania – Let’s hope. The nation was not ready for more Obama and Hillary came close to that.
Trump – Wait a second… Hillary is more refined than me?
Melania – Yes
Trump (slapping the table in exasperation) – No, she’s not!
Melania – In the eyes of the nation, electing a woman was a further refinement in our collective thinking. But it was too much. The psyche of the White American voter had found it difficult, having been governed for 8 years by a refined African American, the mere sight of whom was a reminder that White supremacy is an absurdity, to have him then be followed by a woman. No. Unacceptable. The psyche of the average White American voter needed time to readjust… and in the absence of a visionary candidate… chose to regress.
Trump – Regress?
Melania – Yes.
Trump – So I’m a regression?
Melania – A symbol of it.
Trump – That’s insulting.
Melania – Sadly, it came with a price… the targeting of minorities, the sanctioning of crude behavior against women, the further breakdown in the national dialogue.
Trump – You’re wrong, Melania… very wrong… yes, we needed a good fight… but we did because we were growing weak… and seeing that – which was my great insight – I reached down into our collective unconscious and stirred up the spirit of the frontier… I alone stirred up the feistiness, the greed and the combativeness that had made us great.
They look at each other for a moment.
Melania – But the world has changed, my dear, these are not the days of the frontier and that is not lost on White Americans. They know they have to change also. They know that in a few decades’ time, they will be a minority in this country.
Trump – We cannot have that.
She smiles.
Melania – It’s beyond you, you know that. White Americans know, that for the nation to remain an engine of growth and a dominant world economy, we need the strong backs of foreigners, be they Mexicans, Latin Americans, Arabs, Africans or Asian. White American women are simply not willing to devote their lives to popping out enough White children to take their places, and they’re not because they’ve discovered the pleasures and challenges of the mind.
He puts his elbows on the table, joining his hands. Staring off, he nods slightly.
Trump – So I’m a transitional figure, so to speak.
Melania – That’s a good way to put it. White America was essential to bringing the country to where it is now… and that achievement is their glory – leaving out the century of slavery and the century of Jim Crow – but they know that to continue to move forward, we need the world. Change is at our core. And part of the genius of the American mind has been to recognize the virtue of being inclusive.
He rises and walks off a few paces.
Melania – China is on our heels… and now, more than ever, we need openness… the belief in the nation’s transformative powers… the powers that nurture us… and which take the immigrant and makes them our brothers and sisters.
He turns around to face Melania who’s still seated at the table.
Trump – Let’s see how China survives the tariffs.
Melania – They stole technology from us but their talents knew how to take it and add value to it. And if they ever need the strong backs of other nations, they will invite them in. They know what isolation is. They paid dearly for it in the past.
He nods thoughtfully.
Trump – You think I’ll get reelected?
Melania – Doubt it.
Trump – How come?
Melania – We’re getting tired of your antics and want to get back to the business of nation building.
Trump – If I build the wall I’ll have a better chance.
Melania stares at him
Trump – Mind you, I know we don’t need a wall… but I’ll give them a wall anyway… a huge and expensive one… the more the better… so that my people can flock over and admire it, touch it, kiss it, climb on it, take selfies with it in the background… and Mexicans will build the wall… our Mexicans… because we need their labor… and at night their cousins and friends will find a way to climb up on top of it and drop down onto our soil… and we’ll catch them and send them back… only so they climb back up once more and do it all over again… because so long as our economy is stronger than theirs, the flow will not cease. I know that. My people know that, too.
Melania – But still you will build it…
Trump (smugly) – I keep my promises.
Melania – Billions of dollars that could go to training programs, for education…
Trump – And they will reelect me.
Melania – Why not give them the money instead?
Trump – They’re all good people, but they’ve been neglected for too long.
Melania – Neglected you say… by whom may I ask?
Trump – Why, by the political class…
Melania -… and the affluent, both of whom happen to be mostly White… so is it fair to point the finger at immigrants and minorities?
He gives her a long look.
Trump – Whoever said life was fair?
Melania – Understood. So maybe you should say that at your rallies, too.
He laughs.
Trump – You know… the democrats have an up and coming socialist wing… you might be interested in joining.
She rises.
Melania – Let’s go for a walk.
They exit and a moment later they’re walking in the White House garden, side by side.
Trump – How do you think Helsinki is playing in the White American psyche?
Melania – Remember Charlottesville?
Trump – August 12th, 2017, how could I forget?
Melania – You equivocated then also.
Trump – Equivocated?
Melania – Both sides were at fault, you said then. Couldn’t commit. Same as in Helsinki.
Trump – So?
Melania – So the White American psyche is wondering… what’s with the waffling?
He stops and so does she. They face each other.
Trump – You have said you believe me when I say I didn’t collude…
Melania – I stand by that.
Trump – But do you think… even if it cannot be proven… that Russia’s interference in the election threw it my way?
Melania – I do.
He grimaces as he studies her expression… then takes a step back.
Trump – I know you’re unhappy, so why are you sticking around?
Melania – Because I still think you can be a good president.
Trump – Melania… I don’t think it’s in me to be a cheerleader for Mueller and his probe… I don’t think it’s in me to be a builder of dialogue between Right and Left… I appreciate your good intentions but that’s not going to happen. I’d rather lose the next election than compromise on what I believe. And I don’t think I’m committing political suicide.
I think we will win and keep control of both Houses… and victory will mean more deregulation and more defense spending… more tax cuts and less welfare, less foreign aid and more restrictive immigration… and that’s what I want to do… and if I go after one term, so be it… but I’m not going out… so I’ll have another term to choose even more supreme court justices, so my legacy will be enduring. I happen to like a bit of chaos in my life, and that’s who I am.
And I happen to think that most Americans want what I want, chaos included. And if down the line, reality tell us that we have to change course, then we’ll do so… but for now we’re doing just fine… breaking down boundaries… pushing the limits.
He pauses.
Trump – Am I being too blunt?
Melania – Not at all. It’s best to know where I stand.
Trump – This is not an act I’m putting on, this is who I am, and the great White American psyche seems to like me. Regression or not. Refinement or not.
She looks at the ground for a moment.
Trump – As far as inequality is concerned, I’m all for it. Some people have more drive than others and more brains than others and more imagination than others… and those people need plenty of rewards so they can keep creating wealth for everybody else… not that we don’t need the less gifted ones, sure we do, and the more educated they are the more they’ll learn to tame their resentments… the more they’ll learn to put up with their unsolved grievances. But most Americans want to be rich… rich like me… not do gooders… even it if means stepping on others as they climb up the ladder. The really smart figure it out, they always have, they get on with it and don’t complain. So It has been for ever and ever, and so it will be, for ever and ever.
She looks him in the eye.
Trump – The trade war is just the beginning… and I will make alliances with the wealthy and creative all over the world… and my people will love me for that… because deep in their hearts and minds, that’s how they see themselves.
Melania – Even if the majority will never get there.
Trump – You die trying.
Melania – I suppose, then, that you have no intention of making a public apology to American women, like you once said you would?
Trump – I’ve gone back and forth on that but I don’t think so.
Melania – Why not?
Trump – Because powerful men have privileges…
Melania – The privilege to harass…?
Trump – If you let me get away with it. And if women don’t like it, then go ahead and bitch, and march and complain and unite and form a political party if you want… and let’s fight it out. I have no idea where that will end… maybe it will end in some kind of new sexual equality… but you have to fight for it. And to be frank, why shouldn’t you win that fight? You’re a greater number that men in this country.
He pauses.
Trump – But something holds you back. Why did Hillary lose? It wasn’t Russian interference… it was because women let themselves down. But nobody’s talking about that. I do not hear women criticizing themselves, lamenting that they didn’t seize the opportunity.
Melania – Excuse me, I was the one that made that point about women.
Trump – You did, and a good one it was, too. Hillary wasn’t perfect, we all know that, but she was a seasoned politician… a woman who had been through some tough fights in her life… and her own kind just blew her off. Instead of saying, ‘Okay, Hillary has some flaws, but she’s a woman’s woman for crying out loud, so let’s go with her’. Instead of doing that, you waffled… and I got in.
He smiles with satisfaction.
Trump – So I owe much to waffling.
Melania – It’s coming back to haunt you.
He walks off a few paces, then turns around to face her again.
Trump – What happened to your Women’s Party, a while back you talked about getting one going?
Melania – I did talk about it… and you asked me not to do it.
Trump – Well, you need to do what you think is right.
Melania – Yes.
She walks over to the window, crossing her arms as she looks out, pensively.
Trump – Go for it. See if women can really unite… not just talk about it and complain about what men do and don’t do.
She pulls open the drapes a bit more. She doesn’t look at him as she speaks.
Melania – Women have never stopped fighting. Nature put the fight in us… not only to struggle to be all we can be but also to take pause at some point during our lifetime… to create human beings and to nurture them… and it is a noble fight indeed… so, no, we’re no stranger to the good fight. We raise and nurture you and all men alike… only to see you then turn around and devalue us… do violence to us, as if you were afraid of your origins. Man’s story is the story of denying us opportunity… denying us access to education, access to the vote, denying us equal pay, denying us control over our bodies… we’ve had to fight for every single one of those gains… and it has gone on and on to this day…
Now turning to him.
… so don’t you dare sing the praises of inequality when you have known nothing but privilege… and know nothing about the treasures hidden in those who have been deemed less gifted. It’s painful to see you stand there and carry on with your drivel… for it speaks loudly of your disconnect with history. And then you justify your crude behavior toward women, and have the audacity to ask us to fight some more… speaking as if you were exempt from examining yourself and finding fault with your own behavior.
There is a profound rift in the nation… and you intend to address it by telling us that putting more money in our pockets is the solution.
She holds her face in her hands and then slowly brushes back her hair.
He walks over to stand by her side.
Trump – I didn’t mean to offend you.
Melania – You did. You paint yourself as the great fighter… but tell me… was that you fighting Putin in Helsinki?
Trump – Putin is part of the elite of this world… like it or not. He’s sitting on top of a lot of gas and oil and a pile of nuclear weapons… and like him or not… he’s managed to convince a lot of Russians to cheer him on. And he has growing fans in other nations as well. That’s reality.
Melania – So you give him a pass?
Trump – He’s got nothing on me. Even if he’s lying and did know of the interference in our election… or directed it… I got in on my own… and I couldn’t have done it without American women.
She nods slowly.
Trump – I you ever get it together on the idea of the Women’s Party… that should be up there on the agenda to discuss.
Melania – Feeling pretty confident, aren’t you?
Trump – Why shouldn’t I? GDP went over 4 percent, bull market is going strong… NATO members are paying up on defense… I’m renegotiating NAFTA… we’ll give it another name… unemployment is low… and people have more money in their pockets. America is finding itself again.
He goes to her, gives her a kiss on the forehead.
Trump – I’ll be at the office for a while.
And he exits.
Oscar Valdes. Oscarvaldes.net. Podcasts in Anchor.fm, apple, google and buzzsprout.
This play was published as a book in 2018. It is available on Amazon.
Putin’s walking in the woods outside his home. Wearing a T shirt and jeans, he’s accompanied by his dog and a Woman dressed in a grey pant suit.
Putin stops, picks up a stick from the ground, rears back and calling to his dog, ‘Fetch, boy, fetch!’, hurls the stick a good distance off. The dog races after the stick.
Putin – How deep do you think the Mueller investigation will go?
Woman – He’s stubborn. Diligent. He won’t give up and won’t be intimidated.
Putin – You think there’s a chance they’ll uncover the full extent?
Woman – There is.
Putin – We have to protect Trump, at whatever cost.
Woman – Of course.
Putin – The more divided Americans are, the better for us. Their focus as a nation will be less clear.
Woman – He’s good at dividing.
Putin – Excellent.
Woman – There are some fringe white supremacy groups that could use financial support. We would make it look like it’s coming from some obscure wealthy southerner. All online.
Putin – Let’s stay away from that.
Woman – We can increase the conversation in support of Republican candidates… we don’t want Republicans to lose the House or the Senate.
Putin – I wish they could come together to put an end to the probe. By whatever means. They know it’s best for them. We’re still looking at Mueller’s background, see what we can use against him?
Woman – He’s clean.
Putin – Keep looking.
Woman – Of course.
The dog returns with the stick in his mouth. Putin pats him on the head, takes the stick and hurls it off again. This time it lands in the water of a nearby lake. The dog races after it.
Putin – The more Trump feels he won the election on his own, the less cooperative he’s likely to be. Which brings me to the reason I called for you.
Woman – Please.
Putin – I need his tax returns.
Woman – Tax returns?
Putin – I’d like to take a look.
Woman – They’re probably in a tightly guarded vault.
Putin – So?
The Woman smiles.
Putin – Melania would like a look, too.
The Woman laughs.
Woman – You’d like Trump to know we got them?
Putin – No… but I may want to release them to the public through a third party, at the right time.
Woman – We’ll get to it right away.
Putin – Thank you. That is all.
Woman (bowing) – It’s been a pleasure. Have a good day.
The Woman turns and leaves.
Putin walks toward the lake where the dog is still struggling to retrieve the stick.
Putin – Washington! Come boy, come! Washington!
Chapter 5
White House. Bedroom Suite. Midday.
Melania is standing by the window.
Melania – It wasn’t just once. I’ve been willing to forgive… to see his affairs as indiscretions… but if it were me having the affair, it would be a far different matter. I would be called every name under the sun… and the howls would be unceasing. The disparagement would come not only from men but from women, too. Holy women.
She reaches to the drape and pulls it more open.
Melania – How do you get rid of temptation? Impossible. So it takes intelligence, more so than morality, to see the greater good of maintaining a relationship. But there have to be limits. Without limits then it’s an open marriage and that is no marriage at all. We need limits so we learn to hold our pain. Hold our pain so we can examine it. Examine it so we can process it. If we set limits, we have a chance. A chance to explore who we are… value what we find… and commit to fulfilling our potential. And if we dare to act as catalysts for each other, then we can rightly claim that the partnership is fruitful. Marriage as a partnership to help deliver ourselves onto the world. Affairs and indiscretions will happen because we’re flawed. But without the willingness to examine the source of the affair, then the deceit is compounded and the relationship no longer has validity.
She turns, walks back into the room and sits at the table.
Melania – The theory is clear in my mind… the practice, though, is murky.
She holds her face in her hands for a moment, then, looking forward…
Melania – I am not happy. His affairs have been wounding… far deeper than I have acknowledged.
She sits back and holds her hands on her lap.
Melania – A while back he said he was going to publicly apologize for his behavior toward women… he even drew up a statement that I thought was quite good… but he hasn’t done it. He cannot find the strength in himself. His base forgives his behavior… or looks the other way… and I have, too… but I can’t anymore.
His behavior toward women was unacceptable and the nation deserves an apology. But there’s no apology and instead it continues… the other day he called a lady and a former aide, a dog.
What is that? Where does that come from?
He has no respect for the office he holds. No concern for the role model he needs to be.
She rises and walks off a few paces.
Melania – I’ve talked myself into thinking I can have an impact on him but it’s amounted to nothing. And yet I try… because I have a responsibility to the nation… to this country who took me in as an immigrant. I have a responsibility to act within my powers… to persuade him to come to his senses.
Tears have come to her eyes. She dabs them dry.
Melania – I’ve loved him… but I don’t think he loves me… not anymore… if he did he would pay more attention… though sometimes he has… but he could be doing so much more.
She crosses to sit on the edge of the bed, arms on her knees.
Melania – Soon enough his base will tire of him… soon enough they’ll see through him… they’ll see that to deliver what they truly need he has to have the consent of the entire nation… because it’s going to take a long term investment to empower them… and he doesn’t know how to do that. He knows how to whip up a rage against immigrants… but doesn’t know how to constructively channel those energies. He can build hotels… but he doesn’t know how to nurture people.
He knows how to use them… and yet… I love him.
She shakes her head slowly.
Melania – One day, though… I may choose to not be at his side.
Chapter 6
Washington DC. Park. Evening.
A man in a suit (1st) sits at a bench. He checks his cell phone. A moment later, a second man (2nd), also in a suit, approaches and sits next to the first one. They both turn off their cell phones and lay them side to side between them.
1st – Pleasant evening.
2nd – Indeed.
1st – The investigation keeps going deeper.
2nd – Like it or not.
1st – They may yet stumble into something big.
2nd – Any day now.
1st – The democrats are salivating.
2nd – Drooling.
1st – Think Cohen will make a dent?
2nd – I think we’ve seen all he’s got… but he may yet have an ace up his sleeve.
1st – Something is about to break.
2nd – How do you think T will react?
1st – He’ll go bonkers.
They look at each other.
1st – We’ll have to ease him out. In the interest of the nation.
2nd – Like it or not.
1st – Call in a forensic team… certify him unfit for office.
2nd – There’s a way to do it.
1st – I heard about it.
2nd – Pence should slide right in.
1st – We can work with him.
2nd – For a while.
1st – Mitch is whom I’d like to see as Prez.
They both chuckle.
1st – Hard to drain the swamp, ain’t it?
2nd – Damn hard.
Two joggers pass by.
1st – You still jog?
2nd – Three times a week.
1st – I need to get back to it.
2nd – Good for your brain.
1st – What about Manafort?
2nd – Hard fall from grace.
1st – What a lousy vetting job, getting him for campaign manager.
2nd – You’re not kidding. Where was the Party?
1st – La La land.
2nd – Bet you he didn’t jog.
1st – Manafort?
2nd (smiling) – Didn’t get enough oxygen up there.
A squirrel scampers across.
1st – Think he’ll get a pardon?
2nd – He just might.
1st – If he doesn’t, it’s going to be some years in uniform.
2nd – What a come down.
1st – I’m sure he saw himself slipping…
2nd – And he couldn’t stop.
1st – Tragic character… when you can’t stop yourself.
2nd – Playing out as we speak.
1st – Was it John Acton who said ‘power tends to corrupt…’ or was it Clausewitz?
2nd – John Acton, ‘Absolute power corrupts absolutely’.
1st – Easy to forget, when you’re counting the money.
2nd – Let’s make sure it doesn’t happen to us.
1st – Yep.
2nd – Will you call me aside if you see me slipping… if I ever do?
1st – I promise.
2nd – I’ll do the same for you.
1st – Thanks.
Pause.
1st – I was about to say it won’t ever happen to me… but that’s a bad sign right there.
They both laugh.
2nd – Yep.
1st – Keep it real.
2nd – Amen.
Oscar Valdes. Oscarvaldes.net. Also available in anchor.fm, apple and google podcasts and buzzsprout.
This play was published in 2018 and is available on Amazon.
Trump is finishing addressing a huge rally, standing room only. A multitude of American flags are waving in the crowd. The noise dies down just so…
Trump (into the mike) – You know… I am here because of you… because you love me…and together… you and me… will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
The crowd explodes in thunderous cries of USA! USA! Long live Trump! Long live the king! Streams of multicolored confetti shoot out into the arena below from contraptions set up high above and rousing music blares out from the loudspeakers.
He raises his arms and waves back, beaming with satisfaction, exulting in the crowd’s adoration. Then the room goes completely dark and the music stops.
Trump finds himself alone in a barely lit, rectangular room. There are no windows. He’s seated in a chair at one end of the room. He looks around warily but it’s very dark. He’s not sure where he is or what he’s doing there. He feels something on his head, so he reaches up and removes it. He pulls it close to his eyes so he can examine it.
He smiles.
Trump – A crown… ah… finally…
Just then a tall, slender and shadowy figure appears at the other end of the room. The Man is dressed in a black suit with a hood over his head. Trump is puzzled because he didn’t see the Man enter. The Man glances at him. With a wave of his hand the Man creates a chair for himself and sits facing Trump. In the darkness, Trump cannot discern the Man’s features. The Man calmly crosses his legs.
Man – You and me… working together… will make America great again.
The Man speaks with a deep voice. Trump listens attentively.
Man – So, if your supporters had had a greater role in the conduct of the nation’s affairs… the country would not have slipped from greatness?
Trump eyes the Man suspiciously.
The Man – But how is that possible… that such a vital section of the nation allowed itself to be pushed aside… and by whom?
Trump – The immigrants, the undocumented, the illegals.
The Man (shakes his head slowly) – They have all that much political power?
Trump (chuckles) – Who are you?
Man – You’re running a scam in broad daylight, aren’t you…?
Trump (laughs) – Who are you?
Man – … transferring blame to an important, productive and enterprising segment of the nation… to exonerate… excuse your base.
Trump – Watch your words, buddy. You’d get lynched if you said something like that at one of my rallies.
Man – I say exonerate and excuse because it’s not the immigrants and minorities that’s pushing your base down… and you know it… no… instead, it’s been your base’s affluent and politically powerful brothers and sisters… white also… who did not reach out to them and said… ‘come, rise and walk with me’.
Trump – They needed a leader.
Man – You?
Trump – Yes, me… to lead them out of the wilderness and to the promised land. And if I have to blame some groups to stir them up, so be it.
Man – So you picked the easier target… rather than the class that has been deaf to their cries…
Trump, his anger smoldering, stares at the Man.
Man – … the class to which you belong.
Trump (impatiently) – Look, I’d love to chat but I’m a busy guy, I’ve got a country to run.
Man – So your base shares blame for not examining themselves… and waiting too long.
Trump – They’ve been waiting for me.
Man – Dear man … you’re a choice of desperation… and not a good one.
Trump – I’ve had enough of this.
He tries to get up but can’t.
Trump – What the hell?
There are no visible ties to bind him but he cannot get out of the chair. He struggles frantically but cannot free himself.
Man – The crowds at your rallies… do you promise them anything?
Trump – Why, yeah… sure, I tell them they can have… we can have… anything we want if we stick together.
Man – I see the salesman in you.
Trump – As a matter of fact, I am. New York City salesman. Ever been to New York City? Ever heard of Trump Tower… I mean, where have you been? You’ve never heard of me?
The Man says nothing.
Trump – Look buddy, I don’t know what game you’re playing but you can’t just hold me down like this… I’m the president of the United States.
Man – I’m not holding you down.
Trump (still trying in vain to free himself) – You’ve no idea who you’re messing with.
(bursting in anger)
Goddammit, are you deaf? I command you to let me the hell out of here!
The Man is unmoved.
Trump bows his head, gathering his strengths. Again, he thrusts forward trying to pull out of the chair but cannot.
Trump – Let me out!
The Man stares at Trump. Frustrated, Trump tries another tack.
Trump – Say, friend… I didn’t mean to get ornery… what’s your name?
The Man rises slowly, starts to leave but then stops, all the while looking at Trump.
Trump – Who are you? (exasperated) What do you want from me?
The Man turns and vanishes.
Trump – Hey, you!
Trump wakes up with a startle, sitting up in bed, restless. Melania is asleep next to him.
He then rises, puts on his robe and crosses to the window. He pulls up a chair and sits, looking out into the night.
Oscar Valdes. Oscarvaldes.net. Also available in anchor.fm, apple podcasts, Google podcasts and buzzsprout.
Talk of using the upcoming Winter Olympics to protest against China’s mistreatment of the Uyghur population in Xinjiang province has been gathering momentum.
A boycott of the games by diplomats only, has been mentioned, while others have proposed it should include the athletes themselves, corporate sponsors and even US spectators.
I do not think it is fair to the athletes.
They have been working very hard to have a chance to display their talents, invested enormously in polishing their abilities, to now have this one moment before the entire world.
The competition is fierce and only the very gifted and hard working get a chance to compete or earn a medal.
To now deprive them of their chance to shine seems absurd.
Politics should not be imposed on them.
Our government has a variety of means to make their case against China’s violations and their authoritarian rule.
But for the athletes, this is their one moment before a world audience. And it should not be blocked.
I propose we offer the athletes an option to join in solidarity with Uyghurs. A hand sign they could flash at any time, entirely at their discretion, under no compulsion whatsoever: during the opening and closing ceremonies, after a performance or whenever they saw fit.
If they want to do it, fine, if not, that’s okay. It is their moment, and it is up to them.
At a time when they are flush with the unique excitement of participating in such privileged spectacle, to show support for other human beings who are being trampled by Chinese authorities may appeal to many athletes.
But it should be entirely up to each individual, to share a moment of their triumph on behalf of those who will never have such chances because their government impedes it.
The sign I propose would be the letter U for Uyghur, made by holding up both hands, side by side, palms facing front, the ends of the thumbs apposed to form the base of the letter, with the adjoining index fingers upright to complete the U, and the rest of the fingers curled in both hands.
To urge an authoritarian country to cease the mistreatment of part of their population should not involve an act where other human beings are deprived, by governmental decree, of their own chance at displaying excellence.
The last American boycott took place in 1980 to protest the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. Jimmy Carter was president. Did it make any difference? Not on the Soviets or the Afghans. But it did deprive American athletes of a special moment in their lives. Let that one boycott be the last.
Oscar Valdes. Oscarvaldes.net. Available in achor.fm, apple podcasts and buzzsprout.
A few days ago, Mr Gosar, a Republican representative from Arizona, tweeted an anime video of himself ‘attacking a character with the face of Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and swinging a sword at a character with President Biden’s face,’ as reported by the WSJ.
This last Wednesday, the democratic majority in congress voted to censure Mr Gosar and remove him from his two committee assignments.
In his defense, Mr Gosar stated that the video ‘was not intended to depict any harm or violence against anyone portrayed in the anime. The video is truly a symbolic portrayal of a fight over immigration policy.’
The WSJ goes on to say that the congressman deserved ridicule more than censure, since the video was ‘a stupid cartoon, not an actual incitement to violence,’ and that censure ‘should be reserved for serious offenses.’
This is minimizing the transgression and shows to what extent the quality of the political dialogue in our nation has deteriorated. The Journal, along with the entirety of our national media, have played a role in the lowering of standards.
Just where do we think this is going to end if we don’t halt this civic decline? Punching each other out? Is that where we want to go? Does any one side really believe they can out shout the other?
The better integrated people on either side, will eventually sense the limits of aggressive discourse, but the less integrated will not, and it is these people who will end up inflicting physical harm on others. It would be easy then to blame them for not knowing their limits but that won’t do. It should not absolve us from our role in egging them on.
The unrestrained media bashing of each other has consequences. Words and pictures harm. They injure, and those injuries leave scars.
There are many people in our nation who lack the capacity to process psychological discomfort or pain and, feeling threatened, will believe they must lash out at perceived injustices. These same people look to others, who are better integrated, to find guidance. And that is a responsibility that the educated must not shirk.
It is a fundamental responsibility in a free society. And more so in a free society that as of now, has not dealt fairly with the problems of inequality, racism and immigration.
To remain free requires a continued effort to educate, to develop our intellects and emotional temperance, and so better judge the impact of our words and actions.
At a time when our system is being challenged by China, it is of the greatest importance that we adhere to high standards in how we treat others. Or else we will waste precious time needed to renew ourselves and grow stronger as a nation.
This should be a land where everyone has a chance to be the best they can be. We are not there yet. And if we want to lead the world that is where we must go. Or else we will end up being led by others.
Mr Gosar needs to apologize to both Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and to Mr Biden. He needs to do so publicly. He does not need to agree on anything with either person and he could state so. But the issuing of an apology for his video will be a mark of maturity, of decency, and of taking responsibility for the potential harm that words and graphics may lead to.
Oscar Valdes. Oscarvaldes.net. Also available in anchor.fm, apple podcasts and buzzsprout.
Trump and Melania are sitting in their White House suite. At the table.
Melania – What happened?
Trump – Nothing. The press, as usual, is making much too much of it.
Melania – I was watching. I felt like I had been punched in the stomach.
Trump – Why?
Melania – Because in front of Putin, of all people, you devalue our intelligence services.
Trump – Didn’t I come right back and correct myself?
Melania – ‘I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be Russia. Sort of a double negative,’ you add casually. Sorry, that won’t do. And then you go right back into your old rant that there was no collusion.
Trump – Rant?
Melania – What else am I supposed to call it?
He gets up and walks over to the window.
Trump – It was a bad moment, I’ll agree.
Melania – it is the beginning of the end.
He crosses his arms as he looks out into the evening light.
Melania – That video clip will haunt you for the rest of your life.
Trump – Right. And you see me shaking in my boots, don’t you?
Melania – All the worse.
She rises and steps over to join him.
Trump – I thought you believed me when I said there was no collusion.
Melania – Still do, but your contempt for the Mueller investigation undermines your case. And you’ve been stuck in that position.
Trump – It’s all politics. They’re after my head and I won’t hand it over.
Melania – If you’re innocent, what is there to fear?
Trump – You’re being naïve. They have a way of setting up traps.
They look at each other.
Melania – Putin, who annexed the Crimea and invaded the Ukraine, Putin, whose people shot down the Malaysian airliner…
Trump – It didn’t happen on my watch.
Melania – You think he’s holding back because of you?
Trump – He hasn’t annexed more territory.
Melania – Not yet.
She shakes her head disapprovingly.
Melania – As president, you stand for something far larger than yourself…
Trump – It’ll blow over, like everything else.
Melania – Not this. In Helsinki, you failed.
He crosses his arms.
Trump – You really think this is all that damaging?
Melania – It is the beginning of the end.
Trump – Well, then, my lady, it will bring me great pleasure to prove you wrong.
Melania – Do you really not believe that Russian hackers interfered with the election?
Trump – They set up some fake accounts but their impact didn’t affect the outcome.
Melania – The electoral votes of three states where you won by less than 80 thousand votes made the difference.
Trump – You cannot prove that those fake accounts changed their minds.
Melania – You cannot disprove it, either.
Trump – The point is then moot.
Melania – How could that large scale operation go on in Russia without Putin’s consent?
Trump – There’s always rogue operators.
Melania – Rogue operators?
Trump – Yes, of course. Look, I don’t know everything that goes on in this country.
She looks at him, incredulous.
Melania – You don’t think Putin is a dictator, with complete control of his country?
Trump – There are different kinds of dictators, some likeable and some not. Russians like Putin. For the most part.
Melania – And you do, too.
Trump – Do I like Putin? Personally? Yes. I do. What’s wrong with that?
Melania – What’s wrong with that is that when you were elected president you became the moral beacon of the nation, and when you like Putin you’re letting him off the hook.
Trump – I said I like him personally, that does not mean I approve of his actions.
Melania – But you believe his denials. That’s where the liking comes in.
Trump – It’s tactical. My greater aim is to negotiate with him, to keep world peace. And to do that I need to have a common bond.
Melania – You’re giving him a free pass.
Trump (angrily) – I’m not giving him a free pass!
Melania – That’s not what the clip showed. It showed you fooling yourself, and because you’re our president, you’re fooling us too.
He turns and takes a few steps into the room.
Trump – Where does it say that when I became president, I became the moral beacon of the nation?
Melania – It’s implicit.
Trump – I’m a deal maker. I was elected to solve problems and that’s what I’m doing. I was elected to put more money in people’s pockets, to cut back on regulations, to cut back taxes. I was elected to raise tariffs so I can protect the wellbeing of my fellow Americans. I was elected to stanch the flow of immigrants into this country because we have enough already and they’re taking advantage of us. I was elected to make America great again. To do that, I have to deal with a lot of folks. And it helps if you like them. It’s easier to do business and you get more done. Anyway, the voters must’ve been fed up with moral beacons that they chose me.
Melania – They are already regretting it.
Trump – Really? Well, here’s my answer to you. I’m going to get reelected in 2020. I know that. I already have a lot of money coming in in political contributions and there’s no one – no one – who will come even close to matching my campaign treasure. Money talks.
Melania – Put another way, Money Trumps Morality.
Trump (chuckling) – I live in the real world, Melania, not in a purity bubble. I may not have been moral, according to you, but I have been successful.
Melania – Will Vladimir be in the stands cheering you on when you get reelected?
Trump – I hadn’t thought of that but now that you mention it, I just might invite him.
He returns to the window and stands next to her.
Melania – Does viewing the video clip of Helsinki not make you sick?
Trump – It does not. I’m not squeamish.
Melania – Then there’s something wrong with you. Deeply wrong.
Trump – Have you not known that for a while?
She looks at him.
Melania – I have.
Trump – And still you stayed.
Melania – Yes.
Trump – You’ve enjoyed the accommodations?
Melania – I suppose.
Trump – Having my child?
Melania (testily) – Our child.
Trump – Enjoyed being in the limelight?
Melania – Nothing of what you’re saying discredits me.
Trump – If you think I’m morally corrupt, then you are too.
Melania – You’re in such a rush to put me down, aren’t you? But you overlook that I’ve been willing to work with you. You, who unlike me does not view marriage as a commitment to improve each other, no matter what the circumstances, known and unknown.
She walks off a few paces then turns to face him again.
Melania – Have I enjoyed the trappings of power? I have. But I am not cheering you on, am I? No, I am taking you to task as I should. As usual, though, you have trouble sorting out your personal discomfort.
He lowers his head as he joins his hands in front of him.
Trump – We’re cut from the same cloth, dear, and we might as well have fun with it.
She smiles wryly at him.
Melania – There’s a difference.
Trump – What would that be?
Melania – I’m going to do something about it.
He looks at her distrustfully.
Melania – That video clip that did not make you sick but did me and millions of Americans, showed you desperately wanting to be liked by Putin, and that goes well beyond allowing oneself to like someone because it might help transact business. What the clip showed was that, for some reason, you need to be liked by Putin.
Trump (irritated) – I don’t need to be liked by Putin!
Melania – Go back and watch the clip.
He closes his eyes and quiet follows.
Trump – You are wrong. Very wrong.
He goes back into the room at sits at the table. He leans forward, rubbing his face, then sits back.
Trump – I would never betray my country.
Melania – I know you wouldn’t. But Neville Chamberlain, in 1938, didn’t set out to betray England when he let Hitler talk him into trading part of Czechoslovakia for a promise of peace.
She returns to the table to join him. She takes a seat.
Trump – Why has there not been more of an uproar about what the clip showed?
Melania – There has been an uproar, you’re just growing deaf to public outcries. You prefer to listen to Fox News and talk to their commentators who tell you what you want to hear. And so, slowly, you’ve been slipping into a cocoon that others are too eager to provide.
You want a glass of cider?
He nods.
She goes into the closet and gets a bottle of cider and some low calorie crackers. She opens the bottle and serves the crackers. He pours the cider.
Trump – You want to have sex?
Melania – No.
Trump – Why not?
Melania – It would be a distraction.
He sips from his glass.
Trump – Did you want to talk about Stormy Daniels?
Melania – We’ll get to that. We need to talk about your legitimacy as president.
Trump – My legitimacy?
Melania – Yes. We have reason to question it.
Trump – There’s no way of proving that the interference made a difference. It’s a witch hunt.
She picks up her glass and holds it up high.
Melania – ‘Please, carry on folks, as fast as you can, let’s clear the air. Do make haste, for the sake of the country, for there are many other things that need our attention and are being neglected.’
(then turning to Trump)
Will you ever be able to say that about the Mueller probe?
He shrugs dismissively.
Trump – We should talk about Stormy.
Melania – Stormy can wait. And Karen and whoever else.
Trump – Melania… I’m a flawed man and you’ve known it all along. And dammit, I’m innocent! I did not collude with Putin!
Melania – Then start acting like it!
They say nothing for a moment.
Melania – Openly criticizing staunch allies like Theresa May and Angela Merkel is harmful… and so is starting a needless trade war.
Trump – I need my war.
Melania -Sure you do. And you do to distract us from addressing your legitimacy. Bluster and blarney.
He rises and walk off a few paces.
Trump – Mueller will try and set me up.
Melania – You just don’t trust our institutions, do you?
Trump – Maybe I don’t.
Melania – And you do not trust yourself with Putin.
He turns around.
Melania – If you had trusted yourself, when the reporter asked the pointed question about Russian interference, you would’ve calmly turned to Putin, looked him in the eye, and said, ‘my intelligence services have established that there was interference from your nation in our elections, and it is them whom I believe.’
He shakes his head in disagreement.
Melania – And when the reporter pressed you for an answer to his second question, demanding you publicly warn Putin never to do it again, you could simply have replied, ‘the time and place for that is my prerogative. I make my choices. Thank you. Next question?’ And you could’ve done so with dignity because with your first answer you had taken the reins.
He turns and heads back to stand by the window, looking out.
Melania – But who knows what you said to him when you met in private, with only the translators.
They say nothing for a moment.
Melania – It’s a problem Dee… a big problem. If you don’t trust yourself, they why should we trust you?
He crosses to the foot of the bed where his jacket lies, picks it up and walks toward the door.
Trump – I’m going for a walk. Need to clear my head.
He exits.
Oscar Valdes. Oscarvaldes.net. Available in anchor.fm – apple podcasts and buzzsprout
This play was written and published in 2018, soon after Trump and Putin’s conference in Helsinki. I will make it public in consecutive blogs and also in podcasts, anchor.fm, apple podcasts, buzzsprout etc.
Dear Mr Trump,
There is still time, dear sir,
For you to spark the dialogue
That will unleash the creativity
Now locked in bitter acrimony.
Still time, dear sir,
Not too late,
For you to govern from the center
And marshal the forces of the nation.
Nature loves diversity,
It experiments ceaselessly with difference,
Giving to each something unique,
And challenging us with each gift
To join forces in pursuit of a common,
Higher,
And transcendent good.
7/16/2018
Helsinki, Finland
Early in the day
Trump tweets – Our relationship with Russia has NEVER been worse, thanks to many years of US foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!
(the ‘rigged witch hunt’ is the president’s term for the Mueller probe – a US dept of Justice investigation assigned with the task of finding evidence of Russia’s interference with the 2016 election and if any obstruction by the Trump administration. It has been in progress since May 2017)
At the press conference following Trump and Putin’s meeting:
Reporter – (to president Trump) – … Do you hold Russia at all accountable for anything in particular? And if so, what would you, what would you consider them, that they are responsible for?
Trump – Yes, I do. I hold both countries responsible. I think that the United States has been foolish. We should’ve had this dialogue a long time ago, a long time, frankly, before I got to office. And I think we’re all to blame. I think that the United States now has stepped forward along with Russia, and we’re getting together and we have a chance to do some great things, whether it’s nuclear proliferation in terms of stopping – you have to do it, ultimately that’s probably the most important thing that we could be working on. But I do feel that we have both made some mistakes. I think that the… probe is a disaster for our country. I think it’s kept us apart, it’s kept us separated. There was no collusion at all….
Moments later, in response to a separate question, Vladimir Putin denies having anything to do with the election interference of 2016.
Reporter Jonathan Lemire then asks President Trump – Every US Intelligence has concluded that Russia did interfere. Who do you believe? Would you now, with the whole world watching, tell president Putin, would you denounce what happened in 2016 and would you warn him to never do it again.
Trump -… my people came to me, Dan Coats came to me and others, they said they think it’s Russia… I have president Putin… he just said it’s not Russia. I will say this… I don’t see any reason why it would be… I have confidence in both parties… I have great confidence in my intelligence people… but I will tell you that president Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today.
Questions and answers above as reported by the New York Times and The Washington Post.
The next day. The White House.
In response to criticism that he went easy on Putin, Trump says, “The sentence should have been, ‘I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be Russia’, sort of a double negative. So you can put that in and that probably clarifies things pretty good.’
There are forces that affect us every day of our lives. One is Admiration.
Notice how much effort goes into stressing the differences between us. ‘Look at my Tesla. My Mercedes. Look at how I dress. Check out my handbag – designed by such and such. I live over there, yes, on the hill, above the hoi polloi. I went to Harvard. To Stanford. I dine there – ugh, never will get caught dining at that other place. I can do this, I can do that, and you can’t.’
How we relish the opportunity to show off. To parade our perceived superiority. It’s that narcissism in us, isn’t it? And what a force it is.
But it comes with risks. One such risk is that with the affirmation of what we have or have earned, if not careful, we may open the door for the slow erosion of empathy.
The more we may feel admired, the more we may believe we are special and unique.
And, indeed, we may be, but so are those who’re doing the admiring. They, too, are unique, in their own way. They, too, have their own power, even if not expressed fully for lack of effort or other circumstances.
The person who’s being admired has made an assertion of their power and yet, in between the layers of such assertion, another statement may have been made, ‘I am better than you,’ which leads to the slow erosion of empathy.
Such erosion is insidious, barely perceptible at first, but if not checked may quickly become pronounced.
Where I live, I go for walks in a business district adjacent. There is one beggar I’ve come across often as he sits cross legged on the sidewalk, a cup for donations in front. Now and then I dropped money in his cup but never said anything.
Did I think of myself as better than him?
Yes. And I asked, why does this man keep doing the same thing, again and again?
Not long ago I noticed he had started talking to himself and wondered whether he was mentally ill.
More days passed and then I saw him talking loudly at passing cars as he stood by the side of the street.
I went up to him.
‘Hi… I’ve never seen you talking loudly at passing cars… you seem to be getting worse… did you go off your medication?’
It was the first time I had addressed him and he was surprised. He could have told me off, to mind my own business, but he didn’t.
I then added, ‘I used to work in the field so I know something about it.’
Nothing else was said but days later he had stopped talking loudly at the passing cars.
Maybe that was the problem, I reflected.
Weeks went by. Now and then we would cross paths as we both walked about, sometimes exchanging a nod.
And, yes, I felt my empathy eroding. Is he really trying to improve his lot?
A part of me wanted to give up on him, assigning him to the group of people who have stopped trying, who don’t put an effort to improve their lives. Another part of me cautioned restraint, to wait and see.
Then one day, as he again sat squatting on the sidewalk, I put money in his cup and said, ‘there is help, you know… you could go to vocational rehabilitation. There are things they could do for you so you can give up this lifestyle.’
He looked back, the eyes wide, the skin sun burnt and, yes, a hint of a smile, but said nothing.
I reminded myself not to judge, tempted as I was, for I knew nothing of his story.
More days passed and then I tried again.
I walked right up. ‘Have you looked into what is available?’
He met my gaze, and I thought I saw a sense of satisfaction in his expression. ‘I’ve made an appointment with a psychiatrist and a therapist,’ he said.
I was pleased to hear it and told him so. Will he keep his appointments? Time will tell.
All the while I had been on the edge of giving up on him. To simply avoid him. Stop putting money in his cup.
But I also reminded myself to keep up the dialogue. To not let it die.
Yes, the precious dialogue. The life giving dialogue.
The one with myself, which reminds me that as I have my powers the man must have his, even if not fully expressed.
And the one with him, so as to challenge my prejudices and my tendency to judge.
Oscar Valdes 