Not sure where to put this. It doesn’t belong in the BBQ Pit, so this probably the right place.
I’m finishing up Michael Wallis bio David Crockett: The Lion of the West, and I’m struck by the similarities between Crockett and Donald J. Trump. Not, of course morally, or in terms of honesty. And I don’t think (in fact, I fervently hope) that no one makes up a catchy tune about Trump (“Don…ald! Donald JTrump! King of the Wild Grifters!”)
But there are significant similarities between them. Both were media phenomena, and the fictionalized media images were mistaken for their actual characters and personalities. Both were politically naive, not heavily educated*, but immensely charismatic personalities. Both co-authored autobiographies with admitted help (although I suspect Crockett contributed more to his) that became best-sellers and which bolstered their careers. Both were encouraged to run for President of the US. Both were handicapped in being literally uncompromising (which might make you admired by your followers, but makes it impossible to actually accomplish things). Both were looked down on as grandstanders and bumpkins by their opponents. Both gave nontraditional political speeches that relied more on anecdotes than on rhetoric or reasoned explanations. Both have been compared the Andrew Jackson (who Crockett knew and, originally supported), and both had problems with and low opinions of military officers.
Crockett, though, actually had more political experience, holding local and state offices, and was a Congressman. Crockett also never became rich, although not for lack of trying or extreme effort. Crockett willingly served in the military in wartime (and there earned his dislike of military officers, who didn’t heed the warnings he gave as a scout.) Crockett appears to have been extremely honest in his business dealings, famously repaying a $1 debt to the giver’s widow many years later. A grifter he wasn’t.
*Trump might have had a lot more formal schooling, but his highest degree, in an era of much higher education, is a bachelor’s. Neither was known as readers, although Trump reportedly had a book of Hitler’s speeches, while Crockett had a translation of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Both books, it’s been suggested, contributed to the reader’s speech-making.