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The Useful Idiot: How Donald Trump Killed the Republican Party with Racism and the Rest of Us with Coronavirus
A fully updated edition of this work -- The Useful How Donald Trump Killed the Republican Party with Racism, the Rest of Us with Coronavirus, And Why We Aren’t Done With Him Yet -- is now available.
A pandemic never occurred to them.
The idea that Donald Trump would ever be required to sit still, pay attention and make rational decisions that would determine whether hundreds of thousands of Americans would live or die not once crossed the minds of those who put him into the Oval Office.
For whatever reason, even as they watched the noise and chaos and nonsense generated by candidate Donald Trump for a full year and a half, the consequences of a real crisis requiring real leadership actually happening on the watch of a President Donald Trump never really dawned on them.
Three and a half years later, here we are. Approaching 200,000 dead Americans and counting, with a president who grew bored of the crisis months ago. This after the racial and ethnic divisions Trump has inflamed, the endless, wearying lying about things great and small, the pointless chaos, the open abuse of his office to funnel millions into his own pockets and to extort a foreign leader into helping his reelection.
If Trump is given another four years, what might his behavior be like, completely unburdened of the need to face the voters ever again? And do Americans really want to find out?
A pandemic never occurred to them.
The idea that Donald Trump would ever be required to sit still, pay attention and make rational decisions that would determine whether hundreds of thousands of Americans would live or die not once crossed the minds of those who put him into the Oval Office.
For whatever reason, even as they watched the noise and chaos and nonsense generated by candidate Donald Trump for a full year and a half, the consequences of a real crisis requiring real leadership actually happening on the watch of a President Donald Trump never really dawned on them.
Three and a half years later, here we are. Approaching 200,000 dead Americans and counting, with a president who grew bored of the crisis months ago. This after the racial and ethnic divisions Trump has inflamed, the endless, wearying lying about things great and small, the pointless chaos, the open abuse of his office to funnel millions into his own pockets and to extort a foreign leader into helping his reelection.
If Trump is given another four years, what might his behavior be like, completely unburdened of the need to face the voters ever again? And do Americans really want to find out?
242 pages, Paperback
Published September 4, 2020
522 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 10, 2020
This book, unlike other books I’ve read about Trump (Fear, Rage, Too Much and Never Enough) does a fantastic job of focusing on the Republican Party. It exposes, in great detail, the multiple failures of party leadership to reign Trump in, or to kill his candidacy in its infancy. Dáte also delves into how little Trump has had to do with most of the major “accomplishments” of his first term he so often takes credit for, detailing how most of those efforts were undertaken and completed in a way that would keep him uninvolved for fear of him ruining the efforts. This book exposes the Republican plan to become a more inclusive party, based upon the failures of McCain and Romney with many minority segments of voters. That plan, was of course, scrapped when Trump hijacked the party and pandered to white supremacists and openly embraced racism. All of this has saddled the Republican Party with a difficult image it will be burdened with going forward. A bed of their own making. Finally, as implied by the title, Dáte recounts the numerous failures of the Trump administration to effectively prepare our country for Covid-19, all in service of not spooking stock markets and aiding his re-election campaign, and the devastating consequences of those failures that our country is forced to live through currently and for months or years to come. The message is clear: Republicans found their useful idiot, leveraged unique circumstances (Comey’s re-opening of the investigation into Clinton’s emails, Putin’s interference, etc.) to put him in the White House, and now our country and the Republican Party have to deal with the various consequences for the foreseeable future.
Don’t make the same mistake again. Vote. For. Democracy. Vote against racism, ineptitude, callous lack of empathy or care for human life, narcissism, and outright stupidity. We cannot (and some will not) survive another 4 years of Donald Trump.
Don’t make the same mistake again. Vote. For. Democracy. Vote against racism, ineptitude, callous lack of empathy or care for human life, narcissism, and outright stupidity. We cannot (and some will not) survive another 4 years of Donald Trump.
June 17, 2021
A plain language narrative of the Trump Whitehouse up to the lost election
A plain language narrative of the Trump Whitehouse lunacy and larceny up to the primaries of Nov. 3rd 2020 presidential elections. A pity the athor couldn't have covered the election drama and subsequent attempted violent insurrection in January. Trump as a character is not much explored or examined, a major lapse of reportage. Feels ike coitus interruptous, missing the big loss and subsqequent storming of Congress in 2021.
This quick and easy read is for those who don't follow political ways and means and political philosophy. The book's copy editors made me scream and tear my hair out at some awful slips of grammar and consistently awkward semantical arrangements.
But considering the importance of getting the Truth about proto- fascist Trumpism out to all citizens, how much do a few spelling errors and awkward phrases matter?
The point is the thuggish insult to democracy that was bad from beginning to ( incomplete) end so far.
A plain language narrative of the Trump Whitehouse lunacy and larceny up to the primaries of Nov. 3rd 2020 presidential elections. A pity the athor couldn't have covered the election drama and subsequent attempted violent insurrection in January. Trump as a character is not much explored or examined, a major lapse of reportage. Feels ike coitus interruptous, missing the big loss and subsqequent storming of Congress in 2021.
This quick and easy read is for those who don't follow political ways and means and political philosophy. The book's copy editors made me scream and tear my hair out at some awful slips of grammar and consistently awkward semantical arrangements.
But considering the importance of getting the Truth about proto- fascist Trumpism out to all citizens, how much do a few spelling errors and awkward phrases matter?
The point is the thuggish insult to democracy that was bad from beginning to ( incomplete) end so far.
June 26, 2021
Trump the Con Man
This is must read for every American voter and future voter. It not only details Donald J Trump actions as POTUS but shows the reader the true character of the man himself. In the end the author shows the reader the real problem is not solely with Trump, we the voters, the RNC, and both political parties must bear the burden of allowing this idiocy to happen. Good job Mr Date!
This is must read for every American voter and future voter. It not only details Donald J Trump actions as POTUS but shows the reader the true character of the man himself. In the end the author shows the reader the real problem is not solely with Trump, we the voters, the RNC, and both political parties must bear the burden of allowing this idiocy to happen. Good job Mr Date!
August 1, 2021
A Must Read for History
A readable tale. This book is an overview of a disastrous human and how easy his failings were tolerated, then accepted and then used by new “warriors” and scoundrels. Not just a cautionary tale but a detailed account of how one weak, vain and immoral human can bend the arc of history, at least temporarily.
A readable tale. This book is an overview of a disastrous human and how easy his failings were tolerated, then accepted and then used by new “warriors” and scoundrels. Not just a cautionary tale but a detailed account of how one weak, vain and immoral human can bend the arc of history, at least temporarily.
March 11, 2022
The Useful Idiot is the correct title.
This author has really described Donald Trump correctly. He also helps people understand more accurately, what is the matter with the Republican party. I recommend reading this book to get a clearer picture and accurate description of this man who nearly collapsed our democracy. Very detailed and well written.
This author has really described Donald Trump correctly. He also helps people understand more accurately, what is the matter with the Republican party. I recommend reading this book to get a clearer picture and accurate description of this man who nearly collapsed our democracy. Very detailed and well written.
January 15, 2023
It was the truth of a wannabe dictator. He is the devil who cares only about himself and no one else. The worst president in the history of the United States. I have read many books about Trump and they all basically say the say. An evil and ignorant poor excuse for a man
He is an evil man and nothing will change that. He is only interested in himself and no one else
He is an evil man and nothing will change that. He is only interested in himself and no one else
March 3, 2022
worse than I knew but suspected
Written well and troubling. I hope he is right. There is no golem of the Donald out there and the orange one cannot make a comeback. Has the basket of deplorable s shrunk?
Written well and troubling. I hope he is right. There is no golem of the Donald out there and the orange one cannot make a comeback. Has the basket of deplorable s shrunk?
May 21, 2021
One of the best Trump theories
I have read dozens of Trump histories, but this was one of the best. Great coverage of how America's race problem made a racist leader happen.
I have read dozens of Trump histories, but this was one of the best. Great coverage of how America's race problem made a racist leader happen.
Read
July 8, 2022True,
This read wants me to ask the big question, how did he get elected, that is scary.
After this book he still has millions supporting him.
This read wants me to ask the big question, how did he get elected, that is scary.
After this book he still has millions supporting him.
August 31, 2021
The Useful Idiot: How Donald Trump Killed the Republican Party with Racism, the Rest of Us with Coronavirus, And Why We Aren’t Done With Him Yet Kindle Edition
by S.V. Date (Author)
I borrowed this book via the Kindle Unlimited program. I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
It should be made clear that this book will not change any minds. Clearly written for an audience that skews to the Left (of whom, I am one), the author lays out both a complete accounting of the various crises that appeared on a near daily basis and an exploration of why it happened.
In part a memoir seeking to explain why S. V. Date and so many others did not see the outcome of the 2016 election or the regime that followed, Useful Idiot gives us a roadmap to prevent this happening again.
While interesting, it is not the best or most interesting dissection of the Trump phenomenon. A good read.
3 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Useful-Idiot-D...
by S.V. Date (Author)
I borrowed this book via the Kindle Unlimited program. I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
It should be made clear that this book will not change any minds. Clearly written for an audience that skews to the Left (of whom, I am one), the author lays out both a complete accounting of the various crises that appeared on a near daily basis and an exploration of why it happened.
In part a memoir seeking to explain why S. V. Date and so many others did not see the outcome of the 2016 election or the regime that followed, Useful Idiot gives us a roadmap to prevent this happening again.
While interesting, it is not the best or most interesting dissection of the Trump phenomenon. A good read.
3 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Useful-Idiot-D...
November 5, 2025
"What can I get away with?"..."Do Unto others before they do unto you."
This book written about the first term of President Trump, which was revised after the end of the first term should have served as a warning of what a further term as president for DJT would have looked like. Clearly not enough people read the book. Personally, I was surprised how similar Trump's actions were in the first term were to what we see in the second term.
The question to ask is do Trump's actions benefit the USA or are they aimed at benefiting himself. The answer lies in evaluating the first term based on outcomes and not the endless stream of 'bluster' issued to the media.
This book written about the first term of President Trump, which was revised after the end of the first term should have served as a warning of what a further term as president for DJT would have looked like. Clearly not enough people read the book. Personally, I was surprised how similar Trump's actions were in the first term were to what we see in the second term.
The question to ask is do Trump's actions benefit the USA or are they aimed at benefiting himself. The answer lies in evaluating the first term based on outcomes and not the endless stream of 'bluster' issued to the media.
November 19, 2023
Very informative
Made me understand how parties can make problems worse. Overall, an interesting book. Politics have always confused me. Not so much any more.
Made me understand how parties can make problems worse. Overall, an interesting book. Politics have always confused me. Not so much any more.
September 26, 2024
Nothing New Here
The book didn't contain anything I didn't already know. I did like the comparison to Captain Queeg. Hadn't thought of that before.
The book didn't contain anything I didn't already know. I did like the comparison to Captain Queeg. Hadn't thought of that before.
May 18, 2022
Puts the Effects of the Trump Choice in Perspective
Here, unlike in many recent books about Trump, the reader won’t find shocking information that sources have withheld until their books are published. What they will find is a poignant and reasoned analysis of the Trump experience. The author, a journalist who covered Trump’s candidacy and his presidency, doesn’t mince words. Undoubtedly it probably will not help to leave a copy of The Useful Idiot on your MAGA uncle’s coffee table—the author likely is preaching to the choir—but it provides the potential to organize the unbroken list of overwhelming events into a congruous—and disconcerting—picture of what has threatened the future of the Republican Party and the country.
Here, unlike in many recent books about Trump, the reader won’t find shocking information that sources have withheld until their books are published. What they will find is a poignant and reasoned analysis of the Trump experience. The author, a journalist who covered Trump’s candidacy and his presidency, doesn’t mince words. Undoubtedly it probably will not help to leave a copy of The Useful Idiot on your MAGA uncle’s coffee table—the author likely is preaching to the choir—but it provides the potential to organize the unbroken list of overwhelming events into a congruous—and disconcerting—picture of what has threatened the future of the Republican Party and the country.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews