Jeopardy! Contestants 11/4/2016

The final clue’s answer in last night’s Jeopardy! category, “A Spanish Inquisition,” caused the audience to explode into laughter.  Us, too!  And probably millions of others.  The clues were basic questions such as What is your name? and What time is it? written in Spanish  and requiring the contestants to translate into English.  It was the final question, though – “¿Quién paga por el muro?” – that caused  the spontaneous eruption:  “Who pays for the wall?” Even host Alec Trebek, usually so formal and dignified, had to laugh.

Trump Statue in Seattle, August 2016

The night before last, the PBS News Hour had done a piece called, “Has the election season hurt the Trump brand?” – for decades associated with glitz, glamour, and luxury.  The answer to their question seemed to be “Yes,” but last night’s Jeopardy! question made me think that perhaps it’s just a matter of changing focus.  In my opinion, Trump’s brand has segued into the realm of Pop Culture and the ridiculous.  Perhaps he needs to change his marketing strategy.  (Or, perhaps he has and this is all yet another merchandising strategy… Yikes!)

Take the statues that were unveiled around the country last summer!  Surely, no one could have taken them seriously.  Not like the Greek and Roman statues of yore.  (Even though there is now evidence that those statues were brightly colored once upon a time.  It’s time that has caused them to pale – or is that peel? – down to bare, white marble.) But surely the statue placement is branding of yet another sort?

Time Magazine Covers, 2016

And how about the two Dali-esque Time magazine covers by Edel Rodriguez?  In a way, they were beyond humorous.  To me they were clear evidence that Mr. Trump had entered the realm of Pop Culture.  Right up there with Sarah Palin.

It’s all a sad commentary on whatever someone might make of the “Presidential Brand” in the United States – if there is one.  As my sainted mother used to say, “It’s better to laugh about it than to cry.”  Only a few days now until we see whether laugh lines or tearstains will mark the next four years.