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For Italians, Donald Trump’s Act Is Familiar For Italians, Donald Trump’s Act Is Familiar
(about 20 hours later)
PORTOFERRAIO, Italy — He’s a prominent billionaire politician with a reputation for provocative comments, vulgar insults and sexual innuendo, to say nothing of a hairstyle that can’t be ignored.PORTOFERRAIO, Italy — He’s a prominent billionaire politician with a reputation for provocative comments, vulgar insults and sexual innuendo, to say nothing of a hairstyle that can’t be ignored.
Donald J. Trump, the Republican nominee for president? Yes, but Italians could be forgiven if they had someone else in mind. The description could easily be applied to their former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.Donald J. Trump, the Republican nominee for president? Yes, but Italians could be forgiven if they had someone else in mind. The description could easily be applied to their former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.
“Tocca a voi” is a comment Italians often make to Americans these days, which translates as “It is your turn.”“Tocca a voi” is a comment Italians often make to Americans these days, which translates as “It is your turn.”
Europeans have been fascinated by Mr. Trump’s high-voltage campaign, but they are also concerned about it. An international poll taken last spring and published in June by the Pew Research Center found that 85 percent of those polled in 10 European countries had no confidence in Mr. Trump’s ability to do the right thing on the world stage.Europeans have been fascinated by Mr. Trump’s high-voltage campaign, but they are also concerned about it. An international poll taken last spring and published in June by the Pew Research Center found that 85 percent of those polled in 10 European countries had no confidence in Mr. Trump’s ability to do the right thing on the world stage.
Just last week, President François Hollande of France said the Republican candidate’s “excesses” make people “want to retch.”Just last week, President François Hollande of France said the Republican candidate’s “excesses” make people “want to retch.”
And yet, at least in relative terms, Italians were at least slightly more willing to express confidence in Mr. Trump when it came to world affairs than people elsewhere in Europe — 21 percent in Italy, compared with 9 percent in France and 6 percent in Germany, according to the poll.And yet, at least in relative terms, Italians were at least slightly more willing to express confidence in Mr. Trump when it came to world affairs than people elsewhere in Europe — 21 percent in Italy, compared with 9 percent in France and 6 percent in Germany, according to the poll.
Much has been made in Italy of the similarities between Mr. Trump and Mr. Berlusconi: Both glorify their success in business, both dominate the media landscape (Mr. Berlusconi had the advantage of owning much of it in his country), both boast about their sexual prowess, and both seem to enjoy insulting people and other nations.Much has been made in Italy of the similarities between Mr. Trump and Mr. Berlusconi: Both glorify their success in business, both dominate the media landscape (Mr. Berlusconi had the advantage of owning much of it in his country), both boast about their sexual prowess, and both seem to enjoy insulting people and other nations.
Mr. Berlusconi’s vulgarity was an embarrassment for many Italians, just as Mr. Trump’s is for many Americans — mostly Democrats, but also some Republicans. Yet there is an argument to be made that their boorishness is a key to their popularity.Mr. Berlusconi’s vulgarity was an embarrassment for many Italians, just as Mr. Trump’s is for many Americans — mostly Democrats, but also some Republicans. Yet there is an argument to be made that their boorishness is a key to their popularity.
“Both are deliberately transgressive, breaking through the tedium of politics-as-usual by using vulgar language, insulting and shouting down opponents, adopting simple catchy slogans and making off-color jokes and misogynistic remarks,” wrote Alexander Stille, a journalist and author of books on Italy, in The Intercept.“Both are deliberately transgressive, breaking through the tedium of politics-as-usual by using vulgar language, insulting and shouting down opponents, adopting simple catchy slogans and making off-color jokes and misogynistic remarks,” wrote Alexander Stille, a journalist and author of books on Italy, in The Intercept.
Mr. Trump has insulted Mexicans, Muslims and women. Mr. Berlusconi congratulated President Barack Obama on his “tan” and accused the Germans of not recognizing the existence of Nazi death camps. Mr. Trump has insulted Mexicans, Muslims and women. Mr. Berlusconi congratulated President Obama on his “tan” and accused the Germans of not recognizing the existence of Nazi death camps.
Call it politically incorrect, or call it barroom macho talk. Either way, it seems to work with domestic audiences fed up with what they see as the ineffectual platitudes offered by mainstream politicians.Call it politically incorrect, or call it barroom macho talk. Either way, it seems to work with domestic audiences fed up with what they see as the ineffectual platitudes offered by mainstream politicians.
Mr. Berlusconi’s escapades clearly resonated with Italian voters, who kept him office longer than any other leader since World War II. As a former Italian president, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, once told the German magazine Der Spiegel, Italians preferred to laugh at Mr. Berlusconi’s bawdy behavior than discuss the budget deficit. Mr. Berlusconi’s escapades clearly resonated with Italian voters, who kept him in office longer than any other leader since World War II. As a former Italian president, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, once told the German magazine Der Spiegel, Italians preferred to laugh at Mr. Berlusconi’s bawdy behavior than discuss the budget deficit.
In the United States, some commentators have suggested that Mr. Trump’s tough talk appeals to older white men — his core voting bloc — because it speaks to their frustration with a changing world that has robbed them of their ascendancy.In the United States, some commentators have suggested that Mr. Trump’s tough talk appeals to older white men — his core voting bloc — because it speaks to their frustration with a changing world that has robbed them of their ascendancy.
Mr. Trump and Mr. Berlusconi are also united in their admiration for another man: President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, also known to resort to crude language, as when he invited a French reporter to undergo a circumcision.Mr. Trump and Mr. Berlusconi are also united in their admiration for another man: President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, also known to resort to crude language, as when he invited a French reporter to undergo a circumcision.
Given his consistent popularity at home, Russians don’t seem bothered by Mr. Putin’s rough manners, which are in keeping with his combative challenge to the West. Many see his aggressive behavior as appropriate payback for the humiliation they felt after the collapse of the Soviet Union.Given his consistent popularity at home, Russians don’t seem bothered by Mr. Putin’s rough manners, which are in keeping with his combative challenge to the West. Many see his aggressive behavior as appropriate payback for the humiliation they felt after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
According to the Pew poll, these three leaders all share a degree of popularity in Italy. Not only were Mr. Trump’s most favorable ratings in Italy found among former Berlusconi supporters, but they also corresponded with positive views of Mr. Putin.According to the Pew poll, these three leaders all share a degree of popularity in Italy. Not only were Mr. Trump’s most favorable ratings in Italy found among former Berlusconi supporters, but they also corresponded with positive views of Mr. Putin.
“Among those in Italy who have confidence in Putin to handle world affairs, 44 percent express confidence in Donald Trump,” the survey concluded.“Among those in Italy who have confidence in Putin to handle world affairs, 44 percent express confidence in Donald Trump,” the survey concluded.
Crude behavior and insulting language are not the only reasons Mr. Trump, Mr. Putin and Mr. Berlusconi have enjoyed popular support, but they certainly haven’t hurt.Crude behavior and insulting language are not the only reasons Mr. Trump, Mr. Putin and Mr. Berlusconi have enjoyed popular support, but they certainly haven’t hurt.