Donald Trump apparently is living on Fantasy Island, refusing to accept that he's been repudiated by a majority of American voters, and now reportedly is looking for a way out without admitting that he's a loser.
Which is what those court cases are all about.
It was fitting that Trump's once respected, but now just pitiful, personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani stood in front of sad looking campaign banner taped over the garage door of a landscaping company located near a crematorium and an adult book store called "Fantasy Island," to claim that the Philadelphia vote count was rigged.
Today, that store is advertising "DILDO MADNESS ON SALE NOW AT FANTASY ISLAND," and it posted this notice on Facebook:
Giuliani. A class act, all the way.
By the way, The Four Seasons Landscaping Company, where the event was staged sits at the side of State Road, which leads to a prison, the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. How appropriate was that! Four Seasons' new slogan is "Make America Rake Again," and you can buy a sticker that says that. Lots of prisons make inmates rake leaves, so that works.
But, Seriously
All of these lawsuits filed by Trump and the GOP are really not intended to overturn the election, according to this report by the Associated Press. Rather, the goal is to keep Trump's base loyal by showing that he's still fighting even while down. Fighting against adversity. Superman. All this is so he can count on their support even after he's gone from the White House.
As his newfound bestie Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) urged Trump today: "Do not concede, Mr. President. Fight hard."
"The strategy to battle against the votes tallied for Biden through litigation in Pennsylvania and other places is more to provide Trump with an off-ramp for a loss he can’t quite grasp and less about changing the outcome — and a platform to plot his future, while keeping his base loyal to his cause," said the AP in an email newsletter this morning.
Let's look at that from a couple of different standpoints.
First, "an off ramp for a loss he can't quite grasp." This man's ego is so massive, and his psyche so fragile, that the nation must be put through the drama of challenges and lawsuits just so he doesn't feel bad?
What does that say about the man who was elected to safeguard our nation, with the nuclear button within reach?
Second, his future. What will that be? Certainly Trump will not slither quietly away, and with his obsession with the media, a good bet is that he'll attempt to become a major media force, perhaps even launching his own TV network to compete with Fox News. He certainly will maximize his ability to gain exposure.
So what will be Trump's long game, if he avoids prison, something that terrifies him?
Already some in the GOP suggest Trump should seek the presidency again in 2024.
Iin a Fox News Radio interview today, Graham suggested this.
"Grover Cleveland came back," Graham said, pointing out that the 19th-century politician returned to the White House after a four-year gap during Benjamin Harris' presidency. Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president, and the only one in U.S. history to serve two non-consecutive terms in office.
"I would encourage President Trump if, after all this, he does fall short...We just can't quite get there, to not let this movement die, to consider running again, to create an organization, platforms over the next four years," Graham said. "To keep this movement alive, growing the Republican representation in minority communities."
Sounds like Graham has joined Trump on Fantasy Island.
After all Trump has done to stoke racial discord in this country, Graham actually thinks he could increase Republican representation in minority communities?
President-elect Joe Biden was the winner because of overwhelming support from Black voters, whom he recognized. According to the AP VoteCast survey, Biden received 90 percent of votes cast by Blacks, compared to 8 percent for Trump.
"You've always had my back and I'll have yours," Biden said in acknowledging their strong support.
Of course many treacherous waters must be navigated before the next presidential election four years from now.
If Republicans maintain control of the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell can be expected to throw every conceivable roadblock in Biden's path. He did that with President Obama and there is no reason to believe that will change. Such a posture would affect virtually every legislative initiative pushed by Biden, from health care, to tax policy, to climate change, ad infinitum.
Meanwhile, though, Joe Biden will be president of the United States and Donald Trump will be president of Fantasy Island, somewhere off in la la land. Maybe he'll take advantage of that dildo sale at the now famous store in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, which helped turn the tide for Biden. Maybe Graham will get one, too.