Steve Forbes Explains Trump's Appeal

Steve Forbes isn't fooled by the tough-talking billionaire. So why is he endorsing him?

1x 1.1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 3x

:15 :15

Download

Steve Forbes Explains Trump's Appeal

HD Video Download

Steve Forbes isn't naive about Donald Trump. The pages of Forbes' eponymous magazine have doubted almost every aspect of Trump's economic plan, deflated the billionaire's exaggerated claims about his net worth, and denounced his hard-line stance on immigration.

So why is he endorsing Trump's candidacy?

Beyond partisan loyalty, it's not easy to say. Pundits have labored to explain Trump's appeal as a phenomenon of wealth inequality. The billionaire's tough-talking protectionism and anti-élitist message resonates with a working class that, for decades, has felt excluded from national conversations about politics.

None of which should have much appeal to Steve Forbes. The wealthy scion, with estimated net worth of of $430 million, is the editor-in-chief of a magazine that has promoted free trade for nearly a century, since his grandfather, B.C. Forbes founded Forbes magazine in 1917.

Forbes says he was impressed with Trump's ability to persuade a cynical electorate. Trump's sixteen competitors for the Republican nomination lacked a compelling vision for the future. While the other candidates – all seasoned politicians – struggled to find their voices, the lone businessman hogged the media spotlight and hammered away at a few simple themes. It was a winning strategy. And to Forbes, that focus is central to his appeal and his image as a winner.

Incidentally, Forbes notes that Trump's success is also a lesson for Libertarian Party candidates Gary Johnson and William Weld. "They've been accustomed to playing double-A ball," notes Forbes. "They're now going to the major leagues. And they don't have the luxury of having months, as a normal candidate would do, to try things, get themes going, get your act together. Like a boxer getting ready for a match, you don't just enter the ring."

Runs 15:19.

Produced by Todd Krainin. Interview by Nick Gillespie. Cameras by Meredith Bragg and Jim Epstein. Thumbnail photo by Gage Skidmore.

Scroll down for downloadable versions and subscribe to ReasonTV's YouTube Channel to receive notification when new material goes live.

Comments

[Chipper Morning Wood]

Who cares what Forbes thinks? When has this guy ever been relevant?

[MikeP2]

He was relevant enough to run for President not too long ago. That alone makes him more relevant that 98% of the hacks that are quoted in these hallowed pages.

[End Child Unemployment]

I did not agree with everything he said, but Forbes definitely sounds like an intelligent and thoughtful person to me. And I also find that Forbes magazine is far less awful than most media these days.

[Careless]

If you can see it

[Brandybuck]

He's the guy that wants to fix the tax form on a postcard... and keep it readable. That's relevant.

[Sanjuro Tsubaki]

Who cares what Nick Gillespie thinks? Difference is that Teve Torbes is smarter than NIck Gillespie.

[Radioactive]

sooo getting $$$ from your father makes you smart?

[Craig Smith]

When it's from your grandfather originally it does. Doesn't everybody know that?

[Freedomist]

Most Reason readers DO care what Nick Gillespie thinks. And Forbes is NOT smarter than Gillespie. Are you new to Reason? If you are not, you'd understand why.

[Radioactive]

so a man with no appeal explains someone who has appeal...this is appalling!

[Glide]

He's endorsing him because of the letter beside his name. Full stop.

[MSimon]

I'm endorsing him because of the book beside his name. Door stop.

[Uncle Jay]

RE: Steve Forbes Explains Trump's Appeal
Steve Forbes isn't fooled by the tough-talking billionaire. So why is he endorsing him?

The real reason Forbes is endorsing Trump?
Because small minds think alike.

[Radioactive]

minds? no such thing in politics it's just unbridled lust for power

[american socialist]

"So why is he endorsing him?"

GOTEAM!!!

[mariebarnes]

I've made 64,000usd so far this year w0rking online and I'm a full time student. I'm using an online business opportunity I heard about my friend JGw and I've made such great money. It's really user friendly and I'm just so happy that I found out about it.
Here's what I've been doing?
http://www.Highpay90.com

[XM]

Conservatives and libertarians will tell voters that they want to limit the size of government and reduce spending, Repealing Obamacare and non interventionism (to varying degrees) are popular items in the menu. The democrats play their usual identity politics, focusing their entire agenda on ending discrimination and spreading empowerment agendas.

Trump simply tells depressed voters that "I'm on your side and I'll protect you" and angrily lashes out at anything that threatens them. That's it. He doesn't care whether he's a "true conservative" or REALLY interested in slashing the size of the government. He doesn't tailor his message to satisfy the hardcore elements of the base.

Most Americans (even conservatives) don't want the welfare checks to end, and they don't care whether Hollywood is "too white" and ethnic food was insulted because Americans put mayo on it. There was bound to be a group of people tired of watching two sides fight the same ideological battles over and over again while their situation was being ignored. These people are obviously not enough to deliver the white house to Trump, but they made their voices heard.

[CE]

Forbes? A failed candidate offering advice to Gary Johnson?

[Peter Verkooijen]

Forbes has lost any credibility he may have had. He will go down with the Trump sinking ship.

[RodgerMitchell]

So despite the fact that Trump is a lying bigot, lacking compassion, common sense, or knowledge and experience in world diplomacy or even domestic politics, Steve Forbes will vote for him because, "Forbes says he was impressed with Trump's ability to persuade a cynical electorate."

In short, Forbes will vote for Trump because Trump is a good salesman.

How shall I put this gently? Forbes and Trump have proved that money and brains don't always go together.

[Dilligaf]

Right. So Hillary then? Because... she is the opposite of all that?

[Radioactive]

we are so fucked...

[MikeP2]

Well. you are. I'm voting for Kodos, so I'll be just fine.

[AD-RtR/OS!]

Why?
Have you even looked at the alternative - and Johnson-Weld ain't it?

[MSimon]

There are very few in this world who want a welded Johnson.

[Radioactive]

I prefer a super glued dick

[Grant]

Trump may turn out to be a breath of fresh air. . . . He ain't no slick Willie or Teflon Hillary. He's a fumbling, inarticulate, bumbleblutz. But . . .
We've had 8 years of smooth salesmanship from a classic BS'er who could sell air-conditioners to Eskimo's. Trump's a long shot - but, right now, he's the only shot.

[gah87]

Ever google Eskimo? It's kind of funny in a PC-ironic sort of way.
https://www.google.com/search?q=eskimo&oq=eskimo

[blondrealist]

Forbes should be less critical of the Fed and more critical of Congress. The Fed can only do so much with monetary policy, the rest is up to fiscal policy - and the Fed knows that truth. Congress is failing to meet its responsibility - and that's not the Fed's fault.

[HeyKerry]

Forbes recently told me at Freedomfest that his dream for this election is for Donald Trump to come out and announce, "I support Gary Johnson."

[gah87]

Given that Trump is a Clinton shill, it'll never happen.

[Peter Verkooijen]

Why doesn't he come out and support Gary Johnson himself?

[Arizona_Guy]

I liked him better as "Teve Torbes"

[Als? als? wik]

There's a perfectly rational reason to vote for Trump despite knowing he's a clown - he'll be constrained in the damage he can do. Whereas Hillary will not. And the MSM, congressional Dems, and the federal bureaucracy have no one to blame but themselves.

If Trump tries to make a mockery of the law by, say, starting a war in Libya w/o congressional approval, enacting a treaty w/ Iran but not calling it a "treaty", spending money on a healthcare law that was not appropriated by congress, or unilaterally writing his own immigration law via "prosecutorial discretion", then all three checks on power would go apeshit. Importantly, congressional Repubs would serve as a roadblock too.

But if a Dem does that then the press will ignore or obfuscate, the congressional Dems will acquiesce, and the entrenched bureaucracy will dutifully comply.

[Hayeksplosives]

This is exactly my feeling--and probably the way I will vote (unless my state is definitely going for Hillary, in which case I will vote Johnson).

Hillary is proven to be abysmally corrupt and has recently been reassured by direct demonstration that she can get away with ANYTHING. Anything at all. This means not only State Dept will be trading favors for donations, but every damned cabinet level agency, all appointed by Hillary, will be doing the same. And "enemies" (hers, not the nation's) will be punished with every tool at her disposal.

[Radioactive]

yeah, all that, but you'd still jump her pant suited bones if you had the chance...am I right?

[The Pessimistic Shrink]

If a Democrat intends to vote for Hillary regardless of her bad decisions, flawed character, un-pretty personality and past and possible future conviction-morphing, it would be understandable: They are Democrats. The same logic would apply to dyed-in-the-wool Republicans. But this does not explain people's unwavering zeal for Trump. He is not a programmatic or ideological Republican. Their zeal, therefore, must be more tied to Trump's character, style and prejudices than to his political convictions. His lovers "resonate" with his lack of class, lack of empathy, ugliness of expression and vengeance-based soul. This is his constituency.

[jackrose]

nice post thanks admin