How Donald Trump is the modern day George Lazenby
Donald Trump woke up on November 8, 2016 to discover he had become George Lazenby. Not literally of course, but Trump had done something that no other non-government person had done in over 200 years. He became President. Lazenby had similar success in the late 1960’s when he, a non-thespian, was given the most coveted masculine role in all of acting, that of 007.
In a recent Hulu documentary entitled Becoming Bond, a happy-go-lucky Lazenby recounts his life as the most infamous actor ever to play Ian Fleming’s perpetual superman, James Bond. The piece is well worth watching, a revealing story about an Aussie who came from nothing and suddenly had everything. Lazenby sails across oceans from the land down under, to England, a land of cultural revolution and free love, teeming with lotus eaters, booze, lust, and hedonism. Faking his way through interviews, even stealing Sean Connery’s suit from a tailor, Lazenby navigates his way into becoming the next Bond; completing ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE. Lazenby ultimately rejects his newfound stardom and the promise of being Bond for a subsequent decade or two, going on to be reviled by the very Motion Picture establishment that created him.
Ironically, Donald Trump finds himself in similar, albeit slightly different position. Regardless of one’s impression of Mr. Trump’s ego, actions and archaic misogyny, he has defied the odds and surpassed the ambitions of life long politicians. He is now in possession of America’s most coveted leadership position. Mr. Trump really does want to make America a better place, even at the revulsion of the political establishment. As a D.C. neophyte, Trump finds himself at odds not with ideas, but with jaded personalities and demagogues that think they are worthier of the position than he. In fact, Trump finds himself better received in foreign countries than by the media of his own.
Becoming Bond could not have been released at more poignant moment, as Hollywood struggles with Box Office bombs. Too often Tinseltown relies on a big acting name to carry the profit margin instead of a great story. Recalling his life in its entirety, Lazenby begins with his childhood affliction which left him with half a kidney, and the prognosis of not making it past his twelfth birthday. Similarly, Trump faces the left side of the aisle and some on the right (along with the Media Class) screaming that he won’t make it to the end of his 4 year term. Lazenby is still with us. Will Trump surprise as well and carry the torch for another term? Soothsayers are rarely called to the carpet when they’re wrong, but are often memorialized when they’re right; Just ask Julius Caesar.
Lazenby and Trump share a common trait, conviction. Unlike Lazenby, Trump faces the unrequited jealousy from political icons who took stabs at the Presidency but fell short, such as John McCain and Lindsay Graham. There are also those with their hat in hand awaiting a shot in 2020 ala Chuck Shulmer. Each of these maligned and caustic elements are working in unison to conjure up non-sense accusations in an effort to derail the implementation of policy and tax cuts, things that might in fact grow the nation and defend its way of life. The message? Trump cannot be successful. It’s not just a repudiation of Trump, it’s actually a signal to the American people that “they the people,” can no longer have any input as to the nation’s destiny.
If there were any merit to the Russian allegations, and the justice department really cared about speaking to the Russians, then both Obama and Clinton would be languishing in prison somewhere. Does anyone recall the hot mic when Obama told Medvedev in Europe that after he was re-elected he’d have more latitude when it came to secrets regarding U.S. missiles in Europe? Or perhaps the sale of Uranium One, endorsed by Hilary Clinton? This was a company managing 20% of the U.S. Uranium supply sold to Rostatom. Uranium One’s Chairman siphoned 4 separate donations to the Clinton Foundation totaling over $2 million, via his own family foundation. Our Media may have short memories but we don’t. Why do Democrats have a bipolar reaction when it comes to Russia? Does anyone recall Ted Kennedy's outreach to them to derail another Republican presidency? Aren't they really saying "hey that's OUR friend! You can't have them too!"
Here’s the rub, if Trump is successful, then other “non-politicians” will also have a shot at being elected. If you take the perspective of the politician, Trump simply cannot succeed, for if he does then the idea of outsiders becomes more palatable. Why spend years clerking for a congressman, becoming a congressman, and doing your time to become a Senator if some successful businessman is going to come along and be elected over you? The issue here is that Politicians think that being “a politician” is a career. It was never intended to be such. In crafting our system in the manner they did, our founding fathers made it possible for the common man to hold a position of power much in the same way one serves in the military. One serves their years and then returns home to resume ones business, farm or other vocation.
The Establishment politicians fail to come to grips with the reality that Americans are tired of being ripped off by those who make being a politician a career. Voters are solicited with ideas that parallel their wants and needs, and send a message each November by selecting those most in line with these goals. The mission statements of the representatives ultimately elected are abandoned, almost as soon as the moving vans pull up to the Cannon Building in D.C.
If populism has reached the oval office, how soon will it be before Governors and senators fall to the same fate? The frivolous accusations against Trump illustrate to the American People that our current Congressional representation is more interested in hunting witches than doing the bidding of the people that elected them. Mark my words, more Populism will follow.
Just as Hollywood focuses too much on the same celebrities, so does Washington on the same political elites. People are growing tired with names and bored of the angry faces. Network TV news has become an endless stream of grimaces on a living Political Instagram account. Damn it! Get something done! Hard work advances our society, but increasingly we are held hostage to Tammany Hall whimsy and Corporate graft. Now with voices at fever pitch, Government must face the reality that Antitrust laws serve a purpose, and when too few entities control too much, bad decisions are made for the rest of us. This posits an entirely different question as to whether Corporations fear the Independent business man, but that's another article.
Lazenby’s honeymoon as James Bond turned nightmarish when he turned down a one million dollar signing bonus and a contract for 6 more pictures after On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. No longer the darling of Hollywood, he returned home, married a beautiful wife and had children. Trump already has a beautiful wife, and adult children. His business is accomplished. What lesson can Trump learn from Lazenby? Humility. Now that you’ve made it to the top, express not only your gratitude but work tirelessly for those that have entrusted their future in your hands.
By the way George, Roger thanks you.
