General Discussion

Displays of absolutely vulgar displays of vanity (OK, actually insecurity and seriously damaged self-esteem) like this have been pretty rare in recent US history. Shrub's "mission accomplished" total embarrassment comes to mind. I'm certain we could come up with some examples from that petty former California actor/governor, vain as he was. Nixon was a great one for posing with a peace or victory sign and certainly fulfilled the insecurity criterion.

But the total vulgarity of this convicted criminal does not really comport with even the limited democratic principles still in play here. None of these folks went to this length of braggadocio.

That has been the hallmark of desperate authoritarians running against the tide of governance of people created equal. Hitler. Stalin. Likely a Caesar or two. And of course there are several mass-murdering thugs in recent history. Putin, for one. Kim Jong Un, for another. Pretty remarkable company he chooses to ally himself with.