Trump’s administration is marshaling vast public resources and more than $1 billion worth of taxpayer money to flatter the president

Pam Bondi seemed a little nervous during Donald Trump’s Cabinet meeting on April 30, the week the administration celebrated his first 100 days in office. Vice President J.D. Vance was seated directly across from the president, and she was seated immediately to Vance’s left — meaning Trump would practically be looking right at her as she delivered her report on the state of the Justice Department.

Bondi, the nation’s attorney general, is one of more than two dozen billionaires, conspiracy theorists, television hosts, and otherwise die-hard MAGA personalities that Republicans allowed Trump to install in the most important positions in government. As such, they were provided a seat at this Cabinet meeting, which featured “Gulf of America” hats set up in alternating colors around the table. Trump did not choose them to oversee America’s federal agencies because of their qualifications, of which most of them possess very little (though Bondi was a state attorney general). They were selected for their ability to flatter Trump, of which all of them possess a great deal. These televised Cabinet meetings are a prime way for them to showcase their fealty and devotion.

Trump sat with his arms under the table, calling on his deputies one by one. They thanked him effusively. They touted his leadership and fearlessness. They laughed along as he joked about the federal judges blocking his administration’s agenda, including his efforts to send immigrants to foreign jails without due process. Bondi was ready to perform after Vance calmly explained to the assembled media that they should be reporting on Trump’s historic accomplishments rather than “fake BS.” Bondi wasn’t so calm. She cleared her throat.

“Mr. President, your first 100 days has far exceeded that of any other presidency in this country ever … ever,” she said, awkwardly emphatic. “Never seen anything like it. Thank you. Your directive to me was very simple: Make America safe. And, despite that, we’ve still been defending over 200 civil lawsuits filed against you.”

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/donald-trump-dear-leader-bondi-noem-republican-propaganda-1235356187/