The Criminal Degenerate/Bloviating Bigot Who Would Be King
A Modern Parable of Power, Hubris, and Collapse and Trump's Ultimate Demise: Part 1
Part 2: “Trump’s House of Misfits: A Recipe for Collapse”
Part 3: “The Resistance Strikes Back: Ending Trump and Trumpism”
Introduction
This is the first article in a three-part series exploring Donald Trump's chaotic, scandal-laden world and drawing parallels to Rudyard Kipling’s The Man Who Would Be King.
In this series, we’ll analyze Trump’s rise and the rogues' gallery of enablers surrounding him, uncovering how this band of misfits could lead to his eventual downfall.
Finally, we’ll explore how resistance movements can actively dismantle the MAGA apparatus.
Let’s begin by looking at the uncanny similarities between Kipling’s tragic tale and Trump’s political trajectory. Both stories revolve around overreaching ambition, deception, and the inevitable consequences of hubris.
The Story of The Man Who Would Be King
Kipling’s The Man Who Would Be King is a cautionary tale about two British adventurers, Daniel Dravot and Peachey Carnehan, who conspire to establish themselves as kings of Kafiristan, a remote and divided region in Afghanistan.
Their plan begins as a calculated scheme: they exploit local tribes, present themselves as gods, and bask in the wealth and power of their deception. However, their hubris becomes their undoing.
Dravot, emboldened by his godlike status, demands a bride from the locals—breaking a taboo that gods do not marry mortals. This unravels their carefully constructed myth, leading to Dravot’s execution and Carnehan’s brutal punishment.
Kipling’s tale highlights how unchecked ambition and hubris inevitably lead to ruin.
Trump: The Modern Dravot
Donald Trump embodies the archetype of the overreaching, delusional leader who views himself as larger than life. Like Dravot, Trump has built his empire on charisma, manipulation, and lies.
Where Dravot exploited tribal divisions, Trump has done the same with political and cultural fault lines in America.
Trump’s rise to power was fueled by his ability to sell himself to his followers as a messianic figure. He styled himself as a political outsider, a “savior” of America’s forgotten people, and a godlike figure immune to accountability.
Whether branding himself as the only one who could “fix” the country or falsely claiming a “landslide victory” in the 2020 election, Trump’s inflated self-image mirrors Dravot’s delusions of grandeur.
However, as Kipling’s tale shows, such illusions cannot last forever.
Subscribe for free or get a 20% discount on paid subscriptions through Monday, 11-17-2024.
The Carnival Barker’s Band of Opportunists
Dravot didn’t attempt his con alone, and neither has Trump. Like Carnehan, Trump’s inner circle comprises opportunists and enablers willing to help perpetuate the myth of their leader in exchange for personal gain.
From convicted felons like Paul Manafort and Roger Stone to sycophantic appointees like Matt Gaetz, Trump’s empire is propped up by individuals who prioritize their ambitions over ethics.
Yet, just as Dravot’s allies failed to save him when the truth was exposed, these same opportunists could play a role in Trump’s downfall.
Scandals, legal troubles, and infighting within Trump’s circle continue to erode the foundation of his movement, threatening to topple the entire MAGA mythos.
Will Trump Face Dravot’s Fate?
Dravot’s hubris led to his literal execution, a fate that Trump likely won’t share in the literal sense. However, his political career could face a metaphorical execution, resulting in irrelevance and disgrace.
Legal challenges, mounting scandals, and the departure of key allies are eroding his grip on power.
Trump’s fall could mirror Dravot’s in several ways:
Overreaching Ambition: Trump’s insistence on claiming absolute power within the GOP has alienated moderates and cost him key elections.
Self-Sabotage: From his reckless post-election behavior in 2020 to his continued embrace of extremists, Trump’s decisions increasingly isolate him from broader public support.
Disillusioned Followers: Just as Dravot’s followers turned on him, cracks are forming in Trump’s base as more Republicans question his competency to lead.
The key question is whether his allies will abandon him when his myth crumbles—or, worse, if they’ll hasten his downfall through their own incompetence and scandals.
Conclusion
As Kipling’s story shows, a kingdom built on lies cannot last forever. Trump’s rise may resemble Dravot’s, but so might his fall.
In the next article, we’ll delve deeper into the “Band of Pedos, Misfits, and Opportunists” who make up Trump’s orbit, exposing how their scandals and failures could accelerate his collapse.
Stay tuned for Part Two of The Criminal Degenerate/Bloviating Bigot Who Would Be King. The Carnival Barker’s reign is far from over, but neither is the reckoning.
🌟 Subscribe for Free Now! 🌟
Paid members get access to our special in-depth weekly eBooks and guides, expanding topics!
I’m offering a 20% discount on new paid subscriptions through Monday, 11-17/2024!