Donald Trump is done, like dinner

It is hard to ignore what happened in the United States this past week.

On Tuesday night, during CNN’s coverage of the Georgia’s deferred election for two Senate seats, Wolf Blitzer, host of the telecast, sanctimoniously observed that this was another example of American democracy.

Listening to Americans pontificate about their elections, one might think the

United States was the only democratic country in the world. They clearly believe they have the best system.

What is indisputable is the American system is the most expensive one to participate in. Both of this week’s elections in Georgia set records for being the most expensive elections ever.

The Centre for Responsive Politics, a non-profit organization that routinely tracks elections, said spending by both the Republican and Democratic candidates cost a total of US$830 million. That’s close to a billion dollars, just to elect two people. Wolf Blitzer didn’t comment on that. (Electing an Islander to Parliament costs between $50,000 and $100,000.)

Then came Wednesday. On Capitol Hill, as a ceremonial joint-session of American Senate and House of Representative got underway, to formally recognize the November vote, President Trump was a few blocks away inciting thousands of his supporters to march on Congress and demand that it not certify those election results.

And march they did. But, when the mob got to Capitol Hill they weren’t content to just shout their protests. Instead, they overran the police barricades, smashed windows and broke open doors, disrupted the proceedings, chased the senators and congressmen from the chamber, and ransacked some of their congressional offices. It was a riot that got completely out of control.

Initially, the president did nothing to stop it. After most of the damage had been done and the National Guard restored a semblance of order, Donald Trump eventually asked his people to go home.

It was not democracy in action.

In less than two weeks, Joe Biden will become president. After four turbulent years in office, Donald Trump has finally blotted his copy book to the extent that a lot of people, both Democrats and Republicans, think he should be thrown out of office. But, at this stage that is very unlikely.

What might upset Donald Trump more than anything the politicians did, or could do, is the fact that Twitter closed his account for 12 hours, and Facebook has banned him until his term as president is over.

Senior staff and cabinet ministers are quitting. While others say they are staying just to ensure he doesn’t do anything rash. But, Donald Trump is still in the White House and who knows what will happen before he’s gone.

However, inciting Wednesday’s riot ensured his political influence is over. He blew himself up. He’s done, like dinner. All he can do now is wipe the plate.