That Hat
A symbol of party and person, not of country.
So, I have never been a fan of the MAGA hat from an aesthetic point of view. I have no problem with ball caps, but don’t like ones that have gigantic domes (they remind me of those foam trucker ones from the 70s, an era I do not associate with a fashion sense). Further, they just look cheap to me, if not downright goofy (especially when worn with a suit and tie). Beyond that, of course, as any reader of this site knows, I am not a fan of the MAGA movement in terms of politics.
Still, I will doff my cap to whoever thought up and marketed those hats. They are one of the most effective campaign/political symbols that I can think of in my lifetime of observing politics. Indeed, it may be the most effective with the Obama Hope symbols coming in second. Perhaps my memory is failing me, but I can think of no significant symbology from Carter, Reagan, either Bush, nor Biden. Indeed, “I Like Ike” buttons are the only other such example I can conjure.
However, none of that is the point.
The point is that Trump and Musk keep wearing the hats while engaging in official White House business (as per the photo at the top).
Here’s a variation from his trip to Californian to survey wildfire damage.
Here’s Musk in that infamous Oval Office press conference.
I find this noteworthy because the President of the United States, who is not only head of government but ceremonial head of state, is running around not wearing symbols of his office, or of the country, but is wearing his own personal brand. It is a partisan symbol. It is like if Biden had run around with a Democratic Party hat all the time. Or, really, if Obama had had the Hope poster on his head. It is a not-so-subtle assertion of party and person over country and office.
And for Musk to run around with that hat all over the place is symbolic of his allegiance to Trump, not to the Constitution/US government (which is what we should expect from federal functionaries, including advisors to the president).
Side note: where were all the scolds in the GOP, who used to perpetuate the myth that Reagan wouldn’t even take off his jacket in the Oval Office? Surely Musk’s get-up, not to mention his unwillingness to remove his hat indoors? Do I have to mention Obama’s tan suit?
On one level, this topic is the least of it at the moment. But I still think it is worth noting, because it is just another subversion of the presidency and a clear example of personalistic politics.
And look! Bonus hats.
That darn hat!
RFK Jr wasn’t in the moment. He was contemplating that possum roadkill he noticed while rushing to the event.
Well, I’ve come to accept that low-value-Red Hat for what it is, an in-your-face reminder of who is in power, who is in charge of breaking all the china now.
It is also very useful when it comes to knowing who in your community supports the carnage.
We don’t have to wonder who and where these people are.
It annoys the hell out of me seeing Trump wearing the stupid cap indoors. But what about Trump doesn’t annoy the hell out of me?
P.S. And it looks even stupider paired with a suit.
The only successful business Trump has ever run is selling red hats to morons.
@KeepItComing:
So I guess you have one of those cheap, ugly, made-in-china hats do you?
Know-noting bots. There was plenty of criticism here by James, Steven, and the commentariat in general abut the rapist during his first term.
Feels like a Hatch Act violation, not that breaking the law matters to this crew.
@KeepItComing:
It’s not the hat, you dolt. It’s that the hat symbolizes allegiance to party over country.
But you knew that already (it is explicitly spelled out in the OP, after all).
Even so, you just had be to make a point based on a stupid lie, didn’t you?. Just like the good little MAGA toady that you are.
Christ, you all are a bunch of tedious fucks.
@Jen:
Although the President and VP are exempt from the Hatch Act, other federal employees including RFKjr would be in violation if they wear or display MAGA merch on the job, as it is partisan political material. But we know from his first term that the administration will not enforce it.
@KeepItComing: In case it is not clear, you can change your name all you like, when your comments are all variations on the same theme over and over and over again, it’s not hard to know that the new name is just an old troll.
Please find another bridge to live under.
Tangentially related…
Point of clarification:
They’re not “MAGA,” they’re Republicans, and they’re the same as they always have been.
If you ever for one minute thought otherwise, you’ve imbibed propaganda.
It is lame. Reminds me of the one of the brothers who sits behind home plate at Nats games, wearing a dumb MAGA hat during non election years to his teams games…wear a Nats hat you moron. It makes me think they are insecure people who grew up thinking everyone questioned their intelligence. Then along came Trump who flaunts his ignorance and it’s like their messiah. Term should now be, better to buy the hat and be thought a fool, or wear the hat and remove all doubt.
@Gavin:
Is this comment meant to be parody???
Reagan was a Republican. The term, Conservative, was mis-used but at least it meant something. He labeled Russia the Evil Empire and played a role in ending the Cold War.
Today’s crew are MAGAt’s. They are radical extremists. Their almost every action is Anti-American. And they have given their allegiance to the Evil Empire.
Sounds like a good opportunity for the Dems to start taking back they use of the American Flag as a patriotic symbol.
@HelloWorld!:..American Flag…
As far as I can tell the American flag has always been a patriotic symbol of the Democratic Party.
I like the hats. It lets me know right up front that this is not someone I am going to want to talk about politics with. Especially if they are wearing the hat with a suit. Because the people who wear the hats sure seem to like to talk.
@HelloWorld!: @Mister Bluster: Damn straight. I’ve flown the flag outside my house since 1981. If people make erroneous assumptions of my views, it gives me an opportunity to provide my views and why I have them.
@Scott: I’ve been flying a flag for a year or so. I have partially contradictory reasons. Yes, Dems should visibly claim patriotic symbols. Liberals, who tend more toward rationalist, don’t find such symbols important, but they may help convert a few marginal conservatives. But the flag is also protective coloration in my red neighborhood.
I have the stars and stripes on a wall in my beat up old trailer house. It actually helps keep the heat inside in the winter.
I was talking to a guy at a coffee shop recently. Don’t remember how it came up in conversation but he said “I’m going to wear my American Flag lapel pin. I don’t care what anyone says!”
“That’s a great thing about this country.” I said, “Nobody is telling you that you can’t wear it and no one is saying that you have to!”
Not sure how to describe the look I got from him.
Flummoxed might do it.
@Pete S: “Especially if they are wearing the hat with a suit. Because the people who wear the hats sure seem to like to talk.”
It can be difficult to distinguish them without the hat… until they open their mouth.