The recent Democratic National Convention was a masterclass in how to handle Donald Trump—a man who, despite his loud and brash persona, is increasingly revealing himself to be an unserious figure, a washed-up clown of a candidate who’s more spectacle than substance.
In recent weeks, there’s been a notable shift in the Democratic strategy. With Kamala Harris stepping into the spotlight as the presumptive presidential nominee, the party seems to have finally wised up. Gone is the old, fear-riddled approach to Trump’s so-called invincibility. Instead, Harris and her team are taking a refreshingly straightforward stance: Trump is not a formidable adversary but a senile has-been whose claim to power is as threadbare as his policies.
Trump’s advanced age and mounting legal troubles—including a staggering 34 felony charges—have made him a walking emblem of decline and dysfunction. At 78, he’s less a potent political force and more a cautionary tale of a once-powerful man whose cruelty has become tiresome and his antics downright embarrassing. The Democrats have wisely chosen to frame him not as a formidable threat but as an irrelevant, washed-up clown whose bluster no longer commands respect.
This recalibration was on full display at the DNC. Harris, alongside other speakers, portrayed Trump not as a towering menace but as a mere relic of a bygone era. His presence was invoked primarily to highlight his disturbing actions—like his role in the January 6 insurrection and his continuous denial of election results—alongside the absurdity of his statements and behavior. Trump was reduced to a footnote in a larger discussion about serious governance and policy.
Indeed, Trump’s own reactions during Harris’ nomination acceptance speech were revealing. As he raged on social media, with incoherent posts demanding to know where Hunter Biden was or if Harris was talking about him, it became clear that Trump is floundering. His attempts to regain relevance by attacking his opponents or making bizarre statements only underscore his unseriousness.
Adding to Trump’s woes is his desperate attempt to stay out of prison. With a myriad of legal battles and the looming threat of serious prison time, Trump’s focus seems increasingly consumed by his legal entanglements rather than any coherent political strategy. His public appearances and social media rants often revolve around his legal challenges, accusing the Biden administration of “law-fare” against him. This desperation only further diminishes his stature, highlighting how far he has fallen from his previous position of political power.
The Democrats’ strategy is both smart and effective. By dismissing Trump’s provocations rather than engaging with them, they’re neutralizing one of his key tactics—his ability to provoke and distract. Trump thrives on creating chaos and then watching as his opponents scramble. By treating him as a joke rather than a serious contender, Harris and her team are taking away his primary weapon.
Moreover, this approach highlights a critical contrast. While Trump attempts to rewrite his image with outlandish claims—like his recent assertion that his administration will support reproductive rights—he remains fundamentally unchanged. The media’s willingness to treat such statements with undue seriousness is indicative of a broader problem. Trump’s assertions are often fabrications, yet they are reported as if they are credible. Harris and her team are right to reject this farce and insist on a more equitable playing field.
Harris’ approach is not about evading scrutiny but about recalibrating the terms of engagement. The media’s tendency to sanitize Trump’s rhetoric while demanding endless specifics from his opponents is a double standard that Harris and her campaign are confronting head-on. Instead of playing by outdated rules, Harris is redefining the narrative and focusing on delivering a clear, actionable message.
In essence, the DNC has shown that Trump is not the formidable adversary he’s been made out to be. By portraying him as the unserious, outdated figure he truly is, the Democrats are not just playing smart politics; they’re highlighting the absurdity of treating him as a serious contender. The message is clear: Trump may have once been a force to be reckoned with, but now he’s just a washed-up clown—one whose antics should be met with mockery rather than fear.
