NPR, National Public Radio, often distrusted by supporters of President Donald Trump, began a long series of Tweets that seemed designed to offend those same supporters. It went like this:

“He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers,” came one Tweet from NPR.

Another NPR tweet appeared, “A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people,”.

Still another of many NPR tweets appeared, “it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,”.

Over 100 Tweets from NPR included this assembled from multiple Tweets, “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government,”.

Trump supporters could only barely believe NPR would so boldly attack this President and responded:

“Propaganda is that all you know how? Try supporting a man who wants to do something about the Injustice in this country.”

“So, NPR is calling for revolution.

Interesting way to condone the violence while trying to sound “patriotic”.

Your implications are clear.”

“This is spam…”

“This is why you’re going to get defunded.”

“…no one is going to read 5000 tweets about this trash.”

“Please stop. This is not the right place.”

After 113 consecutive Tweets NPR did finally stop Tweeting the Declaration of Independence, a consequential document of the founding of this nation that NPR has presented on

Independence Day for nearly 30 years now.

The Declaration of Independence was written during difficult days in an America that was greatly divided, much like today. But it is disconcerting that Americans might take the words of freedom and find them objectionable. It is troubling that the criticisms of British King George III might be seen as criticisms of Donald Trump.

But, given how this President has repeatedly attacked our courts, our media, and our allies, perhaps it is not surprising that his supporters, embracing their leader, have found all the institutions that protect our republic questionable or dishonest, while finding Trump the source of trust and truth.

A free press is one of the single greatest protectors of freedom, and attacks designed to betray that crucial function undermine the nation. Likewise, America has been built as a nation of law, where our courts are the arbiters and violence is unacceptable. Attacks upon justice diminish the nation and also undermine our core principals. President Trump poses a threat to the nation with his repeated undermining of these institutions, and his follower’s loyalty to Trump over our core values increase the threat.

One of two arguments is true. Either our courts, our media, our government, our public servants, our educators, our scientists, and all who advance facts and knowledge are the core of what makes America work, or Donald Trump is the only believable figure in America today.

Reading the Twitter quotes above it becomes apparent that even the Declaration of Independence can come under attack by the followers of this President.
Are we observing the Cult of Trump?

 

Jim Crawford is a retired educator and political enthusiast living here in the Tri-State.