Trump's appointment of controversial figures like Brett Ratner is deliberate trolling behavior
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/emmabrockes. "What to make of Brett Ratner’s diplomatic visit to China? Trump is trolling us all | Emma Brockes | The Guardian." May 14, 2026. www.theguardian.com
The Gist
Emma Brockes argues that Trump deliberately chooses controversial, disgraced figures like Brett Ratner for important roles because he enjoys trolling and provoking people who care about proper qualifications and behavior. She sees this as part of a clear pattern where having a bad reputation actually helps you get picked by Trump.
Conclusion
Trump's inclusion of Brett Ratner on his diplomatic trip to China is part of a deliberate pattern of trolling behavior designed to provoke and offend his critics
Premises
- Trump has a pattern of rehabilitating men who were previously cancelled or disgraced
- Many of Trump's appointees have sketchy pasts that appear to be qualifications rather than disqualifications
- Ratner's inclusion serves no obvious diplomatic purpose - he's just scouting movie locations
- This follows Trump's established pattern of making appointments that are flagrantly unsuitable for their roles
- The choice of Ratner specifically fits Trump's trolling nature because it's a 'middle finger' to people who value propriety
- Similar provocative appointments include Linda McMahon as education secretary and Charles Kushner as ambassador to France
Assumptions
- Trump's appointments are intentional choices rather than oversights or accidents
- Trump derives satisfaction from provoking his critics through controversial appointments
- There is a meaningful distinction between suitable and unsuitable diplomatic companions
- Trump's behavior follows consistent patterns that can be analyzed and predicted