In 1985 I wrote a college paper on the theater of politics by examining the 1980 televised presidential debate between Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. As a Political Science Major who was also studying acting, I wanted to understand how our political system was becoming increasingly performative with television as the medium. Many of us at the time were horrified that a B-movie actor could harness the power of television as well as Mr. Reagan. Given the power that television had in 1980, it should come as no surprise that a reality TV show and social media celebrity has become President. Unfortunately, this all feels eerily familiar.
Serge Seiden — Photo: Todd Franson/File photo
But Reagan was old-school. His use of TV was all about acting — about projecting a warm, trustworthy personality through the cameras to our screens. He was just good at that role. You have turned the election — and now our entire public life — into a reality TV show. No acting necessary.
During the primaries any candidate who played by the traditional rules was eliminated from the show, and we ate it up with a spoon. As President-elect you’ve had to introduce the latest round of contestants — “cabinet appointments,” each one clearly cast for the entertainment value of their confirmation hearings. As a theater director, I’ve marveled at your ability to control the focus and keep us entertained. Like a good reality TV show, we’re disgusted, but we just can’t stop watching.
But how long can you as the ringmaster keep this circus going? And what happens at the end? What’s the season finale you’re planning? And meanwhile, what damage will you inflict on real people while we’re all distracted by the high-wire act?
For me, and many of my peers, Reagan’s warm, trustworthy TV persona was vile mask that refused to address a deadly epidemic, broke unions, gave tax cuts to the rich, and spent billions on the military. Our TV addiction had real and deadly consequences.
As a theater practitioner, I’m always telling myself that the reason live theater never dies out completely is something to do with community. As isolated and screen-addicted as we are, we still need community. We will always enjoy being together in a dark room as actors tell a story. It goes back to our human origins. I’ve got 11 people staying at my house for the Women’s March coming from all over. This weekend we’ll be renewing real community bonds — in protest — that will eventually overtake the Reality TV nation we’ve temporarily become.
Sadly, I can’t blame you, Mr. Trump. You’re just a bit of casting genius. You’re the flavor of the month. We’ll soon tire of you. And our real bonds of community will remain. But again, what damage will you inflict as the wheel of fortune turns on you?
The opinions expressed in these letters are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organizations and this magazine, its staff and contributors.
The Queer calendar promises us that come late May/early June 2025, World Pride will fill Washington, D.C.'s streets with affirming, magical mirth. This year, the Capital Pride Alliance gave us a great trial run. While a jubilee in its own right, this year's festivities illustrated that World Pride 2025 should be safe, secure, and glorious.
It may, however, also be a righteously angry occasion, as 2025 Washington could be the epicenter of a new, awful age. Barring any seismic shenanigans, either President Joe Biden will hold the White House, or Donald Trump and his bully boys and goon girls will move in. If Hillary Clinton's loss to The Don taught us anything, it is that we live in absurdly uncertain times. (And that the Electoral College should be abolished.)
The official X account of the Teamsters Union clapped back at its president Sean O'Brien in a now-deleted post that criticized him for endorsing an article that took a swipe at the transgender community.
O'Brien made history -- and headlines -- by speaking during the first night of the Republican National Convention on July 15, marking the first time a Teamsters Union President had ever done so.
While that move attracted criticism, O'Brien sought to take advantage of the Republican Party's recent shift towards more populist policies toward the Republican Party.
The president of the Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank behind the development of the right-wing Project 2025 initiative, is being slammed for implying that this year's U.S. elections may devolve into violence.
Kevin Roberts made the comment last Tuesday on Steve Bannon's "War Room" podcast, which was hosted by former U.S. Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.).
Roberts was commenting on the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that presidents enjoy presumptive immunity for any actions performed in their official capacity -- a decision handing former President Donald Trump a potential victory as he fights indictments over his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
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