During the primary campaign for the 2016 presidential election, I was pleased that Donald Trump was polling well in several states, believing naively that this reality show huckster couldn’t possibly beat Hillary Clinton in the general election. I was wrong. Shame on me. He managed to win the electoral vote if not the popular vote. Shame on the every-vote-doesn’t count electoral college system. And he got a big assist from Russian interference, the full extent of which is yet to be told. Shame on anyone who calls the Mueller investigation a “witch hunt.”

Some people were swayed by Trump’s “Make America Great Again” line. They reasoned that he had been a “successful businessman,” ignoring his penchant for declaring bankruptcies, stiffing contractors and bullying anyone who wouldn’t bow at his feet. Others said they had merely voted for the “lesser of two evils,” a lame and unjustifiable excuse. White Christian evangelicals ignored Trump’s decidedly unChristian behavior because of his promise to elect “conservative” (read antiabortion/ anti-same sex marriage) justices. People convinced that the system was broken loved Trump’s “drain the swamp” mantra. And millions of America stayed home, not even voting. Shame on the whole lot.

So here we are, more than a year since Trump assumed the presidency. Millions of Americans — including most Republicans — still support Trump, despite his snarky tweets, constant lies, chaotic “leadership” and revolving door administration. Tribal loyalty runs deep. Undaunted, Trump defenders say, “At least Trump is doing what he said he would do.”

Oh really? Trump promised to “drain the swamp” and then passed a tax cut that overwhelmingly favors the wealthy (and his own family and friends). He promised to surround himself with the “very best people,” and then assembled a clown car that includes a Secretary of Education who doesn’t believe in public education; an Environmental Protection Agency head who doesn’t believe in protecting the environment; and a Secretary of Housing and Urban Development with zero experience in housing or urban development.

Trump promised that he would “build a wall” to protect our borders and that Mexico would pay for it. Then, about face, he berated Congress for not fully funding the wall. He promised to release his tax returns after the election and then, in true Trumpian fashion, reneged on the promise.

Trump chided Obama for playing so much golf and asserted that he, Trump, would be working so hard as President that he wouldn’t have time for vacations. Well, er, not quite. Trump’s weekly trips to Mar-a-Lago cost taxpayers over $6 million in airfare alone (not counting extra security) in 2017, and he’s continued the scam this year. Then again, he’s not troubled by the exorbitant taxpayer-be-damned travel expenses racked up by EPA Chief Scott Pruitt. The swam has gotten swampier.

In fairness, Trump has maintained some consistency. He still bashes the media as he did in the campaign, while praising his sycophantic communications arms: Fox News and the National Inquirer. And, as he did in business and the campaign, he still threatens lawsuits against anyone who calls him out, including the many women who have accused him of sexual harassment or assault. He still maintains personal grudges against his perceived “enemies.” He blasted Amazon, for example, for “ripping off ” the Post Office when the real story was his resentment of Jeff Bezos who owns the Washington Post, a Trump nemesis. Trump’s defenders never seem troubled by what their man says or does, proving that Trump was right when he declared, “I could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and my supporters wouldn’t care.”

“Bloviating” means, “to talk at length in an inflated or empty way.” Trump’s words and views mean nothing, shifting day to day, even hour to hour. “Bankruptcy” often refers to financial ruin, and Trump’s tax cuts may lead to such a situation, despite Trump’s promise to balance the budget “fairly quickly.” (The Congressional Budget Office projects that public debt will soar to $28 trillion by 2028). The term moral bankruptcy suggests a complete lack of morals or values. No ethical person can defend Trump’s “morals” and “values” over the years. So the title, “Bloviating Towards Bankruptcy” seemed right, sad to say. Cross your fingers, fasten your seat belts and pray for America.

David Treadwell, a Brunswick writer, welcomes commentary or suggestions for future “Just a Little Old” columns. Contact him at [email protected].