By Tom Allon
For those “Never Trumpers” still around, here is an even more dystopian vision than a two-term Donald presidency: a Trump political dynasty that dominates the 21st century.
The big story of the recent Republican convention in Cleveland (aside from “Melaniagate”) is the next generation of Trump children and how impressive they all appeared.
There’s nothing that humanizes someone more than well-raised children, proof that you are good at the most important role in life: parent.
On night two, we saw two of Donald’s five progeny: Junior and Tiffany (which sounds like a new reality series).
Donald Jr. certainly got the confidence gene from his dad and with his poise and booming voice he transfixed the GOP audience and helped paint a positive picture of growing up Trump: going with dad to construction sites, pouring concrete, hanging out with the lunch-bucket crowd — stiffing contractors (Whoops! I couldn’t help myself there).
Daughter Tiffany, who’s being called the overlooked Jan Brady of the clan, offered more telling anecdotes about Pa Trump—the encouraging notes on report cards starting in kindergarten not for her grades but for her winning attitude. That was a beautiful personal flourish. Keep her speech writer and ditch Melania’s.
Then we heard from Eric, the youngest child from the Ivana bloodline, a kinder, gentler Trump male. His speech further embellished the 2016 version of “Father Knows Best.”
The final night of the convention, we heard from Donald’s secret weapon: Ivanka, his beautiful, polished and ever-adoring older daughter. She’s the apple of Daddy’s eye and the best surrogate he has in his uphill battle of winning over independent or Democratic women voters.
Besides the Trumps, probably the happiest man at the convention was New York State GOP Chairman Ed Cox—he now has a farm team of young Republican talent to work with.
Donald Jr.? He can take on a wounded DeBlasio for mayor in 2017. Ivanka? How about she vanquishes Kirsten Gillibrand in the next Senate election. Eric? He can challenge Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2018.
Okay, so maybe this is just a far-fetched fantasy dancing around in Cox’s imagination, but after years without a statewide Republican in office a state chairman can dream, can’t he?
We know, of course, what happens with American political dynasties. For the Kennedys, it only led to tragedy. For the Bushes, well, it led to low-competence George Jr. and then low-energy Jeb.
But for the Trumps, a family that just had a very-high-profile four-day coming out party, the future appears gold paved, at least for now.
But if during the next four months the patriarch continues to alienate Latinos, Muslims, women, disabled people, establishment Republicans and who knows who else, then this could be a very short-lived political dynasty.
Once the memories of the upcoming scorched-earth campaign fade in a decade or so, there may still be one great Trump hope: 10-year-old Barron, the youngest member of the clan.
Bet he’ll write his own speeches.
Tom Allon, president of City & State NY, was a Republican and Liberal Party-backed mayoral candidate in 2013 before he left to return to the private sector. Reach him at tallo
