Trump keeps talking about Al Capone. He mentioned him again today. And maybe there’s a reason.
Dennis wrote the following post last summer… — digby
They can always get him on tax evasion
by Dennis Hartley
I’ve been trying to process President Trump’s insane “impromptu” press conference yesterday, in which the leader of the free world obstinately stood his ground in tacit support of the odious ideology that fueled the tragedy in Charlottesville. I have never witnessed any presidential press conference quite like this one in my lifetime:
You know who he’s really beginning to remind me of? I know what you’re thinking…but Hitler and Mussolini are too easy; I’m thinking in terms of form, over content. I think he’s modelling himself (consciously or subconsciously) after underworld kingpin Al Capone.
Think about it. Trump, like fellow native New Yorker Capone was wont to do, revels in public attention, and the more outrageous and/or egregious his misdeeds, the more unapologetic his public stance. Granted, Trump hasn’t murdered anyone (that we know of), but shares a gangster’s intuition for opportunistic profiteering.
That’s why Trump’s base loves him. He’s a natural-born outlaw:
As the historian notes in the clip, regarding Capone’s bluster:
“…he’s not going to deny that he’s a bootlegger; he’s not ashamed of being a criminal.”
And as “Capone” himself confides to the viewer:
“Those twits kept trying to nail me, and came up with squat. Of course, they didn’t have enough evidence to bring me to trial.”
Remind you of anyone else who calls impromptu press conferences, ostensibly to strut about and tout their ill-gained prestige, amazing accomplishments, and gloat over the inability of the law to nail ’em?
General Kelly? Sir, we feel you. We really do.
