Who Wins a Trump/Benedict Arnold Seditious Treason Contest?
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Whenever you think of the word “Treason”, Benedict Arnold’s name automatically comes up, but he may soon be overtaken by Donald J. Trump. At stake in this contest is a chance to live immortally in the minds of all Americans, just not the kind of immortality for which most would wish!
Going in, the two candidates are neck and neck. Arnold, the champion, is being seriously threatened by Trump, the challenger. Trump goes in at 6’-3” and 250 lbs, while Arnold the champ is at 5’-8”, 170. Quite a reach advantage for Trump, but Arnold hasn’t stayed the Treasonous Champ of America for over 200 years for nothing. Here are more side-by-side comparisons of these two contenders:
BACKGROUND: Benedict Arnold was an early war hero during the Revolution, but fell in with some British spies in Philadelphia while courting his second wife. Over the years, he has soundly defeated all challengers, including Aaron Burr, Jefferson Davis of the seceding South, Tokyo Rose, Senator Joe McCarthy, Julius and Ethyl Rosenberg, and John Anthony Walker. Former President-cum-Putin-lover-cum-election-denier Donald Trump is the new challenger, having been on a roll while recently defeating the likes of Steve Bannon, Rudy Giuliani, Paul Manafort, and Jane Fonda. Both are threatening the legacy of the greatest traitor of all time, Judas Iscariot.
WAR RECORD: People forget that Benedict Arnold had a great war record before becoming bitter over a lack of promotion, and falling in with the British. He was a businessman from Connecticut that joined the early War effort in 1775, by participation in the successful assault on Fort Ticonderoga. Later, he was a key participant in the Battle of Ridgefield and the Siege at Fort Stanwix. After being promoted to Major General, he was one of the deciding factors in the pivotal Battles of Saratoga in 1777, which may have turned the tide in the war by bringing in French assistance. Arnold was known to display an almost reckless bravery, which rallied his troops in important battles. He was reprimanded (despite this valor) by a possibly jealous and incompetent Commanding General Horatio Gates at Saratoga, which led to his embitterment. Gates himself is considered a kind of traitor for possibly seeking to replace George Washington as Commander-in-Chief. Arnold was subsequently handed the command of West Point by Washington (a supporter), but then tried to hand it over to the British (a plot which was discovered and foiled). He escaped to the British side, became one of their Generals, and was never tried for sedition or treason. He died in London in 1801.
Donald Trump had “bone spurs” and never served his Country. He once said “I don’t know why anyone would want to die for their Country”. Trump loves military parades, but looks down upon soldiers. If Trump had been in Arnold’s position he would not have handed West Point to the British, he would have handed it to the Russians or the Proud Boys.
Seditious/Treasonous Subversive War Record Advantage: Donald Trump
MAGNITUDE OF SEDITION/TREASON: Benedict Arnold apparently let his demotion at the hands of an egotistical and vindictive General Horatio Gates get the better of him. General George Washington admired Arnold’s fighting spirit, and urged Congress to restore Arnold’s commission in 1780, although Arnold believed the restoration to be half-hearted given his service (Arnold was also seriously wounded in action twice while Gates stayed safely behind the action). While recuperating from his wounds, Arnold was given the job as Commander of the City of Philadelphia by Washington. There he met and married Peggy Shippen, who turned out to be connected with British spies. In addition, Arnold was more suited to battlefield conditions and not the largely administrative role of protecting a City. Arnold was soon introduced to British Major John Andre, and by 1779, the two were providing intelligence to the British. In 1779, Arnold was brought up for court-martial on the basis of improper expenditures (Arnold was largely financing his own war operations, then seeking reimbursement). These proceedings were delayed, and Washington gave Arnold the command of West Point in 1780 (which he planned to turn over to the British). The plot was foiled when General Andre was arrested with plans for this betrayal, and executed. Impact of Arnold’s Sedition/Treason on a Scale of 1 to 10: 9 The only reason this isn’t a 10 is that Arnold put the Colonials in such a good position in the first place. However, if West Point had been surrendered, this would’ve been quite devastating to the Colonies. If Arnold hadn’t been caught, who knows how much the British would’ve been helped and even if our Nation would ever have been created?
Donald Trump was a famous businessman prior to being elected President. There is much evidence to believe that he colluded with Russian President Vladimir Putin to win the 2016 election (possibly in exchange for relaxing sanctions or supporting intrusions into Ukraine), but the Mueller Investigation looking into this first possible sedition/impeachment was inconclusive. Though Trump calls this “The Russian Hoax” and “Fake News”, reputable sources claim he had frequent contact with Russian Intelligence in 2016, and the supporting Steel Dossier has never been disproven. Shortly after being defeated in the 2020 Election, Trump began a series of seditious moves, including 1) Promoting a baseless “Stop the Steal” subterfuge, 2) Trying to get Georgia officials to “find 11,000 votes”, 3) Running off with over 200 classified government documents containing sensitive intelligence (which he may have later tried to sell or use for undo influence). In contrast to other politicians who had far fewer documents and cooperated by returning them, Trump has been characteristically defiant while accusing the DOJ and FBI of being part of a “deep state”, while obliquely encouraging his supporters to retaliate violently. This was also after having tried to withhold weapons bought by the Ukraine in exchange for dirt on his political challenger, Joe Biden (for which he survived his 1st Impeachment). Impact of Trump’s Sedition/Treason on a Scale of 1 to 10: 10. Trump edges out Arnold since as President, his actions set precedents for future Presidents, not to mention his flaunting of the rule of law, intent to start a Civil War, and abetting of an enemy (Russia). His actions not only threatened the safety of our Country but the whole world.
Seditious/Treasonous Selling out America Advantage: Donald Trump
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE AND WHAT PROBABLY WILL BE DONE: A big difference between the two men is their backgrounds, Trump a rich kid and Arnold a middle class climber. Even bad Generals during the Revolution had money and political clout, which allowed them to lord over brave/competent middle-class Generals like Arnold. Thus, Congress at the time of the Revolution BARELY supported Arnold’s heroism during Saratoga over Gates’ bullshit glory-hog version (in which he even tried to blame Arnold and take all the credit). This may have been the trigger for Arnold’s dissatisfaction, bitterness, and subsequent betrayal. Some Historians believe that Arnold may have had a self-aggrandizing personality going in, which may have led to betrayal anyway. There is no excuse for what Arnold did to his Country, but he fought at a time when the Colonies were divided over rebellious and loyalist sentiments, and he should get some credit for being a brave war hero that turned the tide of a critical battle. Arnold himself stated later that he’d have been better off if he’d died of his wounds at Saratoga, in some apparent state of repentance. Arnold escaped justice in our Country, but will forever be known as the face of Sedition and Treason. Donald Trump on the other hand, is not only a rich brat and draft-dodger, but questions ones who are willing to die for their Country. If Arnold was a minor egotistical megalomaniac, Trump should be branded as a major one, whose loyalties almost blatantly favor Russia, our major enemy and threat. Above all, while Arnold was a shrewd commander, Trump (behind all the bluster) is incompetent. While he was styling over “Make America Great Again”, Trump did little to boost America’s Military-Industrial machinery (an obvious move), instead giving over-lavish tax breaks and checks to rich and poor Americans (to shore up his base), while screwing middle class Americans (who largely make the Country work). Trump should surely take Arnold’s place as the ultimate American scoundrel, along with his other crown of being the world’s textbook Sociopath. Trump is more or less the American Caesar, who has crossed the Rubicon by holding his cult of popularity over the good of the Country (except Caesar was a capable military commander while Trump is a cowardly moron). Trump may well escape justice in some fashion (or get pardoned), as he has many drooling friends in Congress to protect him (they are afraid of his crazy/violent base). Look for some armed insurrection in the future to ”free Trump” (which Trump is probably staging as we speak). Trump makes other alleged political criminals (Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden) look like Pollyannas by comparison. Heck, he almost makes Benedict Arnold look like the precocious brat in “Naughty Johnny” jokes. In other times, Donald Trump would have been hanged (like General John Andre), but in today’s world he’s a protected Presidential candidate who is able to stall the justice system. Trump has even left Senator Joe McCarthy in the dust, and my vote is for Trump to overtake Arnold as the all-time American poster-boy for seditious treason.
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