Trump suffers no mental constipation
U.S. President Donald Trump holds a copy of The Washington Post at the White House. AP-Yonhap
By Oh Young-jin
What was U.S. President Donald Trump thinking when he heaped criticism on Korean director Bong Joon-ho's movie “The Parasite” that won big at the recent Academy Awards?
It has little to do with Bong or the movie's plot ― a satire on class struggle with modern twists ― or even Bong's native nation, South Korea, which Trump openly took a jab at during his anti-“Parasite” tirade. Rather, what triggered his paroxysm of anger was the presenters of the four awards. One giveaway is that Trump's unexpected attack on the Korean film is part of ― what else ― his re-election campaign.
Jane Fonda, who gave Bong the Best Picture Oscar, is a legend in actor activism, being huge in the anti-Vietnam War campaign and very influential in social issues. She is not exactly Trump's cup of tea.
The populist and egocentric leader would not stand the sight of her and, more importantly, what she represents. Then, she is an intellectual type, the opposite of Trump's misogynistic views and his carnal inclination. In all likelihood, it is not necessary to ask the two whether they have the slightest hint of fondness for each other because the answer is a foregone conclusion.
South Korean film director Bong Joon-ho accepts the award for Best Director for "Parasite" from U.S. director Spike Lee during the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on Feb.9. AP-Yonhap
From his record, there is little doubt that Trump doesn't care for Penelope Cruz, the Spanish actress who presented Bong with the best International Feature Film Oscar. It is public knowledge that the U.S. president has no love for foreigners ― dubbing Mexicans wetbacks who are rapists and poking fun at those from immigrant families.
Remember that Trump told four progressive congresswomen to go back to their “broken and crime-infested countries” when he didn't like what they said. The four are Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib. Omar was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, and later became a U.S. citizen. The others were born and raised in the U.S.
Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves present the award for Best Original Screenplay to Bong Joon-ho for "Parasite" at the Oscars on Feb. 9. AP-Yonhap
Director Spike Lee, of “Do the Right Thing” fame, presented the Best Director award to Bong. He is an African-American who has grown up poking fun at the fallacies of White America, which is represented by Trump. There is no need to talk about Trump's main support group being a disgruntled segment of Caucasians, which is losing its grip on power with its portion of the American demographic diminishing while other racial segments are increasing.
Finally, Keanu Reeves is a Canadian born in Beirut, Lebanon, who starred in “The Matrix” franchise. In “Parabellum,” Reeves plays John Wick, a Dirty Harry-style, make-my-day, macho role. But it is hard to imagine him backing Trump. Reeves presented Bong with the Best Original Screenplay award.
Jane Fonda embraces director Bong after presenting him with the Oscar for Best Picture. EPA/Yonhap
Combine these presenters with what Hollywood represents by and large ― at least actors and actresses as well as directors. They are liberal-minded, open-hearted and sophisticated, the concepts that are an anathema to the Trump world that is inward-looking, narrow-minded and uncouth.
Of course, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Oscar giver, has been under fire for being racially bigoted and recently tried to improve its image by getting more inclusive. The “Parasite” triumph may be part of it but still the academy is listening to what people have to say. And Trump has gone after its willingness to listen.
“How bad were the Academy Awards this year?” Trump said during a reelection campaign rally in Colorado Springs, Colorado. "We got enough problems with South Korea, with trade. On top of it, they give them the best movie of the year.”
Still, this is vintage Trump, who appealed to his support group who chanted “Make America great again” after the president. Citing a foreign country in his theatric jab, as in his talk about imbalanced trade, is an effective psychological tactic to make a common enemy out of a third party and appeal to supporters. Call it populist or nationalist, it will work more often than not.
For any doubters about Trump's stance on Hollywood and actors, his remark about Brad Pitt, winner of Best Supporting Actor, says it all. Trump mocked him as “a little wise guy” for showing disappointment over John Bolton ― the national security adviser Trump fired ― not being summoned to testify at Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate.
Director Bong Joon-ho accepts the Best International Feature Film award for "Parasite" from Spanish actress Penelope Cruz. AFP-Yonhap
In Las Vegas, Trump did it again for good measure.
“This year we had a movie, they said best movie,” he told supporters. “And they announced a movie from South Korea. I said, what's that all about? The movie was made in South Korea. They used to call it best foreign movie. But now we do it that way. I don't get it. But that's what it used to be.” Again, he hit the American vs. foreign theme.
All said, Trump's anti-“Parasite” remarks are not a symptom of mental constipation but rather a campaign tactic to corral his supporters firmly and lure the fence-sitters. You can call Trump anything ― liar, chauvinist, bipolar, Twitter addict, charlatan, cheat, etc ― but, bear in mind, he is no loser. I think he will prove it come November.
Oh Young-jin (foolsdie@gmail.com, foolsdie5@gmail.com
) is the director of content at The Korea Times.