At some point in her life, every woman will attempt to talk another woman out of a bad relationship. We want other women to be treated with dignity and respect, but we know that some women project their hopes and dreams onto jerks and deadbeats. It’s painful to watch, and any decent woman will do her best to grab her friend by the shoulders, sit her down, and attempt to tell her the truth before it’s too late.
To judge by Politico’s thoroughly depressing piece about the women who have fallen in love with Donald Trump, a lot of women could use the political equivalent of this kind of intervention. Just try to listen to the women the article quotes without feeling sorry for them.
Sue Lynch, former president of the National Federation of Republican Women: You say, “I have known politicians for over 35 years and I have never had a more kindhearted one look me straight in the eye and talk to me about the United States of America.” Sue, Sue, Sue. You’re adorable. Have you never met a con man before? That’s his whole game: Getting you to trust him, to like him, to go along. He could be selling America or a timeshare in the Caymans or a place in his “university”—it doesn’t matter. His goal is to take you for everything you’re worth. One look, and he can tell you’re an easy mark.
Former governor Jan Brewer: You were the governor of the great state of Arizona. And the thing that really impressed you about The Donald? He was a ” ‘gentleman’ who went out of his way to fetch her a Diet Coke during a meeting on one of his private planes.” Really, Jan? Remind yourself that you were once the governor of Arizona and say that again with conviction. If only Obama had known you could be bought off with a Diet Coke on the tarmac a few years back, it could have saved him a tricky news cycle. And then you say, “The best thing is that he’s such a great listener. He’s a great listener. He doesn’t scoff at anybody’s comments or ideas.” Trump literally made a career of scoffing at other people’s comments and ideas. And that “listening” you’re so impressed with? It’s just silence.
Lori Klein, former Arizona state senator, alternate Trump delegate to the Republican National Convention: You argue that Trump’s marriages to three “strong and intelligent” women are a sign of his respect for women generally. If only he had married six such women! Then he would have proven himself twice as respectful. You add: “He may be a little rough, but he’s a New Yorker . . . If you go to New York, you expect to be abused.” If those words can come out of your mouth without making you rethink anything, you might be the perfect Trump surrogate.
Tania Vojvodic, founder of Team Trump 2016: Your story is sadly revealing. Politico reports that as a teenager you hung a poster of Donald Trump on your bedroom wall. “He’s a sharp-dressed man; he’s successful; he’s handsome.” You describe him as “the kind of man I want to marry,” and as “a distant father figure” and role model. You even decided that you should become “Trump, in a woman’s body.”
“I love Mr. Trump,” you said. “I love him deeply.” Tania, this man does not and cannot love you back. He is a classic narcissist. What you need is professional help.
And what all of these women need is some self-respect. Donald Trump thinks you’re an idiot, a pawn who is easily manipulated; “a beautiful piece of a—” if you’re lucky.
Don’t tell yourself that you can change him: that he’ll stop being so rough, that he’ll alter his tone, that he’ll pivot. He won’t change. He turns 70 this month. He thinks he is just great. And people like you are enabling him.
Ladies, we’re better than this. To those of you who think you may have fallen for The Donald, please take a sober look at the facts and break up. I’m not saying you should never fall in love again; I’m just saying maybe you should be single for a while.
April Ponnuru is a senior advisor to the Conservative Reform Network and a former advisor to Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign.
