Imagine this: a government where leaders don91裸聊视频檛 just pocket a bit here or there but make a full-time career of it. Picture an assembly of well-dressed thieves who tell you they91裸聊视频檙e doing everything for your benefit while they91裸聊视频檙e stuffing gold bars into their suit pockets. That, my friend, is kleptocracy. It91裸聊视频檚 the kind of system where politics stops being a mission and starts being a buffet91裸聊视频攁nd everyone91裸聊视频檚 invited, as long as they know the secret handshake and can quote their Swiss bank account number by heart.

Now, cue Donald Trump. If ever a character stepped into American politics with the flashiness of a Vegas magician and the nonchalance of a man who's never read a rulebook, it was Donald Trump. Here91裸聊视频檚 a fellow who, after making a career out of putting his name on everything short of the moon, found himself in the highest office in the land. A golden opportunity, if you ask a kleptocrat91裸聊视频攅xcept in this case, he didn91裸聊视频檛 have to sneak into the treasure room; he had the keys.

As the president, Trump rode in on promises to 91裸聊视频渄rain the swamp,91裸聊视频� a phrase as mythical as the Loch Ness Monster and just as elusive. Instead, critics argued, he turned it into a luxury hot tub with all the best people invited. His businesses became stops for foreign dignitaries and government officials. They91裸聊视频檇 sip champagne and book rooms in his hotels, and Trump91裸聊视频檚 family business coffers would see a little uptick. Coincidence? Maybe, like the way it91裸聊视频檚 a 91裸聊视频渃oincidence91裸聊视频� when your friend just happens to 91裸聊视频渇orget91裸聊视频� to pay you back for that cab.

Of course, Trump wasn91裸聊视频檛 alone. His cabinet was a veritable circus of colourful characters, some accused of dubious behaviour with a flair usually reserved for capers in heist movies. One had a penchant for private jets, another for designer office furniture, and a third one seemed to think his entire job description was "self-promotion." It was a real kleptocratic reality show, a showcase of how public service could be twisted into a showbiz act, complete with all the trimmings of wealth and whispers.

The trouble with kleptocracy is that it91裸聊视频檚 not as obvious as an old-fashioned bank heist. It91裸聊视频檚 less 91裸聊视频渟mash and grab91裸聊视频� and more 91裸聊视频渨ink and nod.91裸聊视频� Trump91裸聊视频檚 time in office blurred the lines between public duty and private gain. He91裸聊视频檇 fire up Twitter like a DJ on a late-night radio show, keeping fans guessing and spinning tales. Public institutions became props in a drama starring himself, while opponents whispered about kleptocratic vibes that91裸聊视频檇 make even the richest CEO blush.

Supporters, however, cheered him on. They saw a businessman finally doing what he did best91裸聊视频攑laying the system for 91裸聊视频渢he people.91裸聊视频� They claimed he was bucking the establishment, though sometimes the 91裸聊视频渂ucking91裸聊视频� involved government money landing back in his enterprises. Critics and fans were left wondering: was this reality television-level entertainment or an artful dodge?

Trump91裸聊视频檚 kleptocratic leanings91裸聊视频攐r allegations thereof91裸聊视频攈ighlight an odd twist in American governance. A president who lived in a gold-plated penthouse, rode around in jets, and talked like he was king of his own galaxy reminded us all: that politics can be a serious business, but it can also be an absurd comedic identity drama.  And in this strange tragic comedy of American kleptocracy, we may never know the punchline. After all, we don91裸聊视频檛 know the secret handshake or have Swiss bank accounts. 

~ Douglas Zhivago