There are plenty of things that President Donald Trump isn't good at: deep thinking, strategy, understanding the workings of U.S. government that he leads. While coming up short in these areas somehow didn't keep him out of the White House, what had a lot to do with getting him in was his 6th sense for setting the media agenda, a talent he's been honing since the 1980s. From taking out full-page ads in the New York Times to spinning a conspiracy birther theory about a sitting president; from raucous political rallies to rambling, off the cuff press conferences; then, of course, there are the tweets, relentless tweets that turn CNN into a stuttering, head-exploding mess; he is catnip for the press because most of the world is utterly incapable of looking away.
But lately, he seems to be losing hismojo. The term 'mojo' doesn't translate all that well from English to Spanish but it means to lose ones magical charm or special power. Trump's is putting himself at the center of attention at all times and often humiliating other politicians—both Democrats and Republicans in the process.
Let's start with the photo opportunity that turned into an impromptu press conference ahead of a meeting with Representative Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer in December. Mike Pence was there as well but kept his mouth firmly shut. Trump clearly thought he was being clever by sucking Pelosi and Schumer into a conversation in front of journalists instead of waiting for them to leave to start the meeting. This backfired as Pelosi calmly and quietly schooled him on live television about how Congress works. Of course, Trump tried to belittle this woman who was making his life difficult saying that she was “in a situation where it’s not easy for her to talk right now.” Indeed, at that moment, Pelosi was consolidating the Democrats behind her in order to return to the speakership. But she was all but assured the job and this moment is what cemented it. She shot back “Mr. President, please don’t characterize the strength that I bring to this meeting as the leader of the House Democrats, who just won a big victory.”
More importantly, Pelosi cleverly made reference to a “Trump Shutdown” (remember, this was on December 11th, 11 days before the shutdown started) and Trump took the bait, declaring that he would be “proud to shut down the government for border security.” Pelosi strode out of the White House in her now meme-ified red coat and big sunglasses and later declared victory before the Democrats in a closed door meeting. She explaining that the wall debate is “a manhood thing for him” and added “I was trying to be the mom.” Ouch.
Getting humiliated by a 78-year old grandmother at his own name and insult game must have been demoralizing for Trump. So, 18 days into the shutdown, Trump took the advice of aids and took to the greatest bully pulpit of all: the live prime-time address from the Oval Office. Now, these addresses aren't every day occurrences, U.S. presidents use them sparingly because it means asking the major television networks to interrupt their programming. This was the first one of Trump's presidency. Typically, they are only used for making the most important and grave announcements such as going to war, but in this case, Trump used it to appeal to public opinion in the battle he was having with congressional Democrats. He used it to plea for the wall.
Trump himself said beforehand that “It’s not going to change a damn thing, but I’m still doing it.” Considering he famously doesn't listen to his advisors, especially on communication matters, it seemed like an odd time for Trump to start. But in doing so, he made the wrong move. To begin, the topic all wrong and sorely lacking in veracity for the solemnity of the setting. More significantly, Trump was flat and boring, or what he himself might have labeled 'low energy.' To be fair, Pelosi and Schumer were also awkward in the rebuttal that they gave standing side by side behind a podium. Then again, neither of them have the flame-throwing showman reputation that Trump has built for himself. This has been the key to his power; to keep us all transfixed and waiting to find out what he might do next. What happens if he loses this power? What if he gets outdone by other politicians or the public and the media just get bored?
But that's politics, a game that depends on making headlines and staying in the spotlight. Trump's schtick is like a car accident (you know, you shouldn't look but you just can't help it) and it is finally getting dull. And after two years of that, the media has a lot of shiny new objects to go after, starting with Pelosi, who's not so new, but back in power and wielding it with gusto. Then, there are all the Democrats who are beginning to vie for the 2020 nomination. One by one, they will get their share of the spotlight, leaving less for the Donald. And of course, there's the newest, shiniest object of them all: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Ocasio-Cortez is also beating Trump in his very favorite arena, Twitter. While Trump continues his daily barrage of insults and all-capital-letter rage, his text-only use of social media is starting to look like tired and old-fashioned compared to Ocasio-Cortez' agile use of videos, humor and a peak into her real life. She famously live chats with her followers while making dinner or responds to attacks by dancing outside her new congressional office.
Most recently, Pelosi has threatened to take away another big presidential platform, the annual State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress. She argues that it shouldn't happen as long as the government is shut down and besides, there is not enough security staff to deal with it. Trump, promptly grounded a military plane that was about to take Pelosi and other members of congress to Afghanistan to visit troops. Oh, this fight is on and won't stop until 2020.
There is beautiful irony and justice in that a woman, really two and there will be more, is able to leave Trump flustered and floundering and wondering where his mojo has gone.
*This is the English version of an article that was translated to Spanish published in El Español.