Cabinet cultists croon on cue to Dear Leader

Half a century ago, when China was “Red China,” little children wore red scarfs to ritually honor Dear Leader and wildly sing his praises:

From China comes Mao Zedong.He strives for the people’s happiness,Hurrah, he is the people’s great savior!Chairman Mao loves the people,He is our guideto building a new ChinaHurrah, lead us forward!

Whoever imagined we’d hear lyrics in that spirit – recited by alleged adults no less – in a Cabinet meeting in the White House? It happened there yesterday, as all in attendance bowed in obeisance to Dear Leader – at his express invitation to “go around” the table.

Never before has anything like this been choreographed at any previous Cabinet meeting, ever.

Trump’s popularity has sagged to 34 percent out in the country, and special prosecutor Robert Mueller has barely begun to breathe down his neck, but he need not fear, because he has 150 percent approval among the instant cultists in the Cabinet. He sat there yesterday happy as well-fed baby with a binky, lapping up the 11-minute flatterfest. Make America grovel again.

Mike Pence: “It’s the great privilege of my life to serve as vice president to a president who is… assembling a team that’s bringing real change, real prosperity.”

Louis Acosta, Labor secretary: “Mr. President, it’s my privilege to be here, deeply honored, and I want to thank you for keeping your commitment to American workers.”

Tom Price, Health secretary: “Mr. President, what an incredible honor it is to lead (HHS) under your leadership. I can’t thank you enough for the privilege that you’ve given me and leadership that you’ve shown.”

Ben Carson, HUD: “It’s been a great honor to work with you.”

Sonny Perdue, Agriculture secretary: “I want to thank you for the men and women you have placed around this table.”

Steve Mnuchin, Treasury: “It was a great honor traveling with you around the country and an even greater honor serving here in your Cabinet.”

Jeff Sessions, attorney general : “It’s an honor to be here.”

Rick Perry, Energy secretary: “My hat is off to you.”

Ryan Zinke, Interior secretary: “It’s an honor to be your steward.”

Elaine Chiao, Transportation secretary: “I want to thank you for getting this country moving again.”

Reince Priebus, chief of staff: “We thank you for the opportunity and blessing that you’ve given us.”

When budget director Mick Mulvaney sang Trump’s praises, Trump said “Thank you, Mick.” When EPA chief Pruitt extolled Trump’s wisdom, Trump said, “Good job.” When national intelligence director Dan Coats played the lapdog, Trump said, “Very good, Daniel.”

But in the competition to flatter Dear Leader, nobody can top Dear Leader. Before soliciting praise, he praised his own “record-setting pace” of accomplishment, his belief that “never before has there been a president…with few exceptions…who has passed more legislation, done more things.” (He and the Republican Congress have passed zero legislation of any consquence, and his travel ban lost in federal court yesterday, yet again.) He also self-hailed his “single biggest tax cut in American history” (he hasn’t even offered a plan), and all the jobs that have been created on his watch (job creation is softer than it was for most of 2016).

That was to be expected. As the political theorist Hannah Arendt wrote long ago of the totalitarian mindset, “it never stops to think of the world as it really is and never compares the lies to reality. Its most cherished virtue, correspondingly, is loyalty to the Leader who, like a talisman, assures the ultimate victory of lies and fiction over truth and reality.”

But if Trump’s Cabineteers wish to remain in good standing, with their loyalty creds intact, they will surely need to crank up the kudos next time. Red scarves would add a cultish sartorial touch. Hurrah to the savior!

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