By Krystal Ball
Opinion Contributor
If you hang around political talkers or strategists much, you’re likely to hear a lot about authenticity. This is supposed to be the golden currency which we all look for in our leaders. But lately, I’m questioning this trueism.
Because if you think about it, no one is more authentic than Trump. When he attacked American hero, John McCain, for having been captured, he was being his authentic self. When he bashed McCain repeatedly at campaign rallies even as McCain lay at home battling for his life with brain cancer, Trump was just being authentic. When the president praised every member of Congress under the sun at a recent defense bill signing, but pettily avoided saying the name of John McCain, the man for whom the bill was named, he was being authentic. And now, when the president scuttled a White House statement honoring the life of a true patriot and then quickly returned the White House flags to full-mast. Right now, he is being authentic. Authentically awful.
Personally, I really wouldn’t mind if the president was a little less authentically himself. Maybe he could feel just a little bit of shame at his petty grievances and the incredible smallness he brings to the office of the presidency. It might be nice if every once in a while he tried putting on the part of president, even if such a dignified office doesn’t really come close to matching his authentically-base self. Maybe just this once, when a real man, with a family, who has spent his life putting country first has passed, he could pretend to be a little less of a loathsome, vindictive narcissist.
Perhaps the right to authenticity and the reverence of authenticity should be reserved for people like John McCain. John McCain who at his most authentic chose to stay and face years of torture rather than leave before his brothers. Who bucked his own party to be a voice of moral clarity on torture. And who, when given the chance to destroy the legacy of his former rival Barack Obama, decided instead to stand with the people, and preserve Obamacare.
In John McCain’s authenticity, we saw his integrity. In Trump’s we see venality. Authenticity without integrity is poison and unchecked it will tear this country apart.
Krystal Ball is the co-host of “Rising,” Hill.TV’s morning news show.
The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill.
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