When I read “The Art of the Deal” by Donald Trump back in 1987, my main takeaway was: “Believe you don’t need it. Believe you can live without it, and you just might get it.” I liked the idea, because it suggested nothing can ever have total power over you — even if it’s something you wish to have. I believe this is part of Trump’s secret, and also why so many hate him. The people who hate him sense the fact that he does not need them — he really doesn’t. Washington DC, Hollywood and the media are built on sycophants. These are people with no independent self, no sense of reality beyond a never ending desire to be at the cool kids’ table. The irony is that nobody at the cool kids’ table has a clue about anything.

Trump is authentic in his projection of someone who actually does not care about the rule or attitudes of sycophants. Even if he’s not always right, he always goes on his own judgment fueled by determination. Many of the leftists hate the man more than his policies. Many of the so-called conservatives agreed with all of his policies until Trump came along; they actually prefer Iran and Communism now, even if they once cheered for Reagan. Why? Because they cannot stand the fact he does not need them, never has, and never will. And this is precisely why millions of us voted for him three times — and would gladly do so again.

Michael J. Hurd, Daily Dose of Reason