Trump is a man of cunning media intelligence, the fruit of a lifetime of obsession and immersion. That he knows little else is disappointing, but after the 2016 campaign should not come as a surprise.

He is at the same time a master of the greatest Nazi, Soviet, and Russian propaganda techniques, and a highly skillful and engaging TV performer.

He is indeed a world historical figure, with incredible power to shape national values, the ability of Americans to appreciate the truth, and their capacity to adopt policies based on science and ascertainable facts. With his successful defiance of the Constitution and Congressional oversight, he has acquired unprecedented power, in the U.S. at least, to affect the course of both domestic and world events.