For Trump, it's *always* about the grift

One of the keys to understanding a) why Donald Trump got into politics and b) why he will never willingly leave politics is this: It’s all about the grift.

In the mid 2010s, Trump’s brand was fading. “The Apprentice” franchise had mostly run its course. He needed a new act to stay relevant — and to continue to make money off of his brand (which is always how he has, really, made his money).

And that act was to run for president. Of course, Trump never thought he would win (no matter what he says now). But what he DID think was that he could get back on TV. Be taken at least somewhat seriously. And burnish the brand.

Remember this from March 2016?

And this?

So, yeah. Trump likes to say how much money being president cost him but the reality is that his relevance in popular and political culture has helped keep him financially prosperous. (Memberships to Mar-a-Lago are now $700,000.)

And the grift continues! The top of this Washington Post story, which ran over the weekend, is truly incredible:

With less than 10 weeks before the presidential election, Donald Trump had a message for voters in late August: He would be selling more digital trading cards for $99 each.

“Fifty all new stunning digital trading cards — it’s really something,” Trump says in the ad. “These cards show me dancing and even holding some bitcoins.”

Buy 15 or more of the digital cards, he said, and he would mail a single physical trading card. Those came with a special perk: “An authentic piece of my suit that I wore for the presidential debate.” Five of the suit pieces would even be autographed, he promised. Those willing to buy 75 of the cards — at a total cost of $7,425 — were invited to attend a gala dinner at his country club in Florida, he said. “Let’s have fun together,” he said.

“Let’s have fun together!”

Understanding that at least part of this whole [waves arms wildly around] Trump thing is purely a way to keep making him money is critical to grasping why he isn’t going away — even if he loses in November.

I made a whole video about it. Check it out below — and make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel!