None of this is important to Trump’s abilities as president. We have had excellent presidents who were infirm and bad presidents who were in excellent physical health.
It’s not the physicality that’s interesting. It’s the psychology.
Because the false assertion of physical dominance by leaders is always less about vanity and more about authoritarian power dynamics.
Whether it’s Putin’s judo or Mussolini popping Hormovin in order to prove his virility or Jair Bolsonaro bragging that he couldn’t possibly be harmed by the coronavirus because he is “an athlete.”
The point isn’t to actually convince us that these men really are physically strong. It’s to remind us that no matter how ridiculous their lie is—the Greek urns were just sitting there; he’s the healthiest president ever; the ramp was slippery—they will get away with it.
Because they are powerful. And we are weak.
Until Election Day.
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