Is that not the paragon of virtue? This on the surface (Trump's idea of the surface, anyway) seems to be a great (huuge) example of an upholder of the chivalrous virtues. Though, really all it is an example of is not-so-modestly raising an issue that he said he wouldn't raise - as if Chelsea Clinton doesn't watch CNN and won't be one of the first to hear of his mention of it now.
Trump wants to be seen as Sir Donald, the white knight who with great restraint or fortitude rushes in and saves the maiden from the dragon - himself, as Trump, really. What are we to make of this great bravado and hero? The magnanimous hero he is not.
With excessive pride he brings up the issue he prides himself for not bringing up. "I'm really happy I was able to hold back on the indiscretions in respect to Bill Clinton." According to him, this makes him Presidential and praiseworthy. However, bringing it up mere moments after the debate is over, rather contradicts this, doesn't it? Some say the idea of chivalry or honour is choosing to do the right thing, even when no one is watching and then having the fortitude to not tell everyone about it. Well, the eyes of the world were on him and he was 'happy' to tell everyone he did the right thing, while doing the wrong thing. Irony knows no bounds with this man.
Neither does hypocrisy - from a man who cheated on and left his first wife for his second, and is now on his third, as well as bragged about trying to have sex with other married women, and has in the past been accused of marital rape by his first wife. But, in Trump's eyes, to attack a woman over her husband's infidelities is boorish behaviour - which he says he will probably do in the next debate.
His campaign manager even called his restraint, 'presidential virtue'. His son, Eric, talked about it as if it were a moral triumph of his father's to always be remembered. This is basically subsuming our ideas of chivalry to Trump's character.
It was a reminder of one of Trump’s worst habits: he wants credit for doing the things he’s supposed to do anyway. In July, for example, the GOP nominee bragged about complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act in the construction of his buildings – failing to note that he didn’t have a choice. It’s as if Trump effectively likes to tell voters, “Look at me! I routinely do what laws and basic human decency require of me!”
In addition to this there was his so polite first comment addressed to Clinton: "Now, in all fairness to Secretary Clinton -- yes, is that OK? Good. I want you to be very happy. It's very important to me." This condescending question and statement in reference to his deferential use of her title of Secretary.
These statements from the first debate are only a small part of the totality of a pattern of behaviour that many have called sociopathic. The leaked hot mic recording on October 7, which can be considered nothing less than lewd and offensive comments towards women is just the shining example from the following list of condemnable behaviour. From the statements made towards broadcaster Meghan Kelly during the Primaries, to the famously repeated offensive and demeaning comments regarding Rosie O'Donnell, the Miss Universe comments that he made 18 years ago and unapologetically repeated after the debates, to the allegations by former contestants and staffers on The Apprentice, and especially the current Civil rape case against him all signal that this is not a man who has changed and reformed as some have claimed on October 8. The hot mic recording displays behaviour of a 'typical male', if that typical male was an immature teenager. This is not the behaviour of a typical man in his 60s or 70s. This is deplorable behaviour that only someone who has been isolated from society and normal human affection, raised in a lifestyle of privilege and believing he is outside the normal rules of society would exhibit. Some would say his immediate apology solved everything and shows that he is not that same person anymore. The evidence stated above shows that all he has is people that tell him to either apologize or drop out of the Presidential race.
I have not said anything new here. What I hopefully have done is shown how this relates to his image of himself as a chivalrous gentlemen to what he really is, or rather, what he truly is not. This is not a white knight who saves the virtue of an innocent Chelsea Clinton during the debate and is concerned about the comfort of Hillary Clinton, showing his courtesy. This person is a mockery of chivalry and all of its virtues. Trump has used the modern conception of chivalry, distorted it, and as a result appeared to be nothing more than condescending towards his female opponent, debasing himself and those who support him.
Contrast that with this:
This is conjecture, but Sinatra would challenge Trump to a duel and Frank would easily win, except that Trump would be too afraid to show up.
