Many people interpret Trump’s political style as chaotic, but there is a method. Think of him as the producer of a movie. In this role, Trump casts certain characters to expose “the bad guys.”

Enter J.D. Vance, who has no particicular affiliation toward anyone. His role is to flush out the Jew haters, even as it has created so much ill-will that his presidential ambitions are effectively tanked.

Traditional Washington is diplomatic. It seeks to contain conflict quickly, preserve appearances, and keep instability out of public view.

Trump works according to a different model. Under pressure, and with latitude, people expose themselves through their words, associations, and actions.

• During the CHAZ/CHOP episode in Seattle, local authorities were given room to demonstrate what their preferred model of governance looked like. America watched the city burn.
• During COVID, responsibility shifted heavily to governors and states. Leaders could no longer hide behind a single federal decision-maker. They overstepped and made a huge mess.
• On immigration, border dysfunction ceased being an abstract debate once its effects reached major American cities. We saw the criminals invade.

Every movie centers on a problem. Trump highlights the problem, adds rhetoric, gives latitude, and films the rats as they scurry.

Iran is a problem. They made a non-deal deal. Vance loudly attacked Israel—the victim!

Donald Trump, personally, professionally, and as President, has a long public record of standing with the Jewish people—recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, supporting the Abraham Accords, confronting antisemitism, and taking a hard line against the Iranian regime.

So why publicly denigrate and humiliate Israel and the Jews?

Why did Trump say “without me Israel wouldn’t exist?”

By temporarily seeming to stand with the bad guys during a time of crisis, Trump and Vance are emboldening them.

They are exposing who hates Israel and Jews.

People disclose their assumptions, alliances, and priorities when they believe the usual guardrails are gone.

Networks become visible.

Influence pathways become visible.

Hidden sympathies become visible.

Over the past several years, in particular since October 7, we have watched many people and organizations alike pull back the curtain on their Jew-hate, which correlates directly to their tolerance of (or even support for) the Iranian regime.

Vance’s shocking rhetoric shows us who comes forward to take a bow when they think the U.S. president is behind them.

The Internet is forever, and they won’t be able to hide down the road when the carpet gets pulled from underneath.

Lights, cameras, action!

Related essay on Substack:

Jewish Fears, the Appearance of Trump, and the Logic of Exposure:
https://open.substack.com/pub/dannielleblumenthal/p/jewish-fears-the-appearance-of-trump?r=219m92&utm_medium=ios

AI image.