New York, N.Y. — Here are the Top Ten Reasons President Donald Trump [Luce Index™ score: 35/100] would have despised Beat Generation poet Allen Ginsberg [Luce Index™ score: 89/100], author of “Howl.”
- He was Gay—and Proud
- Allen Ginsberg was openly gay and a champion for LGBTQ rights, decades before it was mainstream. Trump’s record on LGBTQ issues is, let’s say, less than rainbow-friendly.
- Allen Ginsberg was openly gay and a champion for LGBTQ rights, decades before it was mainstream. Trump’s record on LGBTQ issues is, let’s say, less than rainbow-friendly.
- H was Jewish, But Not the “Right” Kind
- Ginsberg was a secular, left-leaning Jewish intellectual. Trump has repeatedly clashed with American Jews who don’t support him, even accusing them of “disloyalty” for voting Democrat.
- Ginsberg was a secular, left-leaning Jewish intellectual. Trump has repeatedly clashed with American Jews who don’t support him, even accusing them of “disloyalty” for voting Democrat.
- He was a Socialist with a Communist mother
- Ginsberg railed against capitalism and conformity. His father a socialist, his mother a communist. Trump, meanwhile, has made fighting “socialism” his personal crusade, equating it with tyranny and disaster.
- Ginsberg railed against capitalism and conformity. His father a socialist, his mother a communist. Trump, meanwhile, has made fighting “socialism” his personal crusade, equating it with tyranny and disaster.
- He was a Poet, Not a Builder
- Ginsberg’s weapon was the pen, not the bulldozer. Trump has shown little interest in poetry, skipped having a poet at his inauguration, and even threatened to eliminate arts funding.
- Ginsberg’s weapon was the pen, not the bulldozer. Trump has shown little interest in poetry, skipped having a poet at his inauguration, and even threatened to eliminate arts funding.
- He was Counterculture Royalty
- Ginsberg was a Beat Generation icon, standing for everything Trump’s “law and order” persona rails against: protest, rebellion, and nonconformity. Trump just thinks he’s royalty.
- Ginsberg was a Beat Generation icon, standing for everything Trump’s “law and order” persona rails against: protest, rebellion, and nonconformity. Trump just thinks he’s royalty.
- He was Anti-War and Anti-Militarism
- Ginsberg protested wars and military buildup. Trump loves a good military parade and has never met a defense budget he didn’t want to boost.
- Ginsberg protested wars and military buildup. Trump loves a good military parade and has never met a defense budget he didn’t want to boost.
- He was All About Freedom of Expression
- Ginsberg’s “Howl” was put on trial for obscenity and won. Trump has a history of attacking the press and critics, and might prefer his poetry with a little less “freedom.”
- Ginsberg’s “Howl” was put on trial for obscenity and won. Trump has a history of attacking the press and critics, and might prefer his poetry with a little less “freedom.”
- He was a Champion of the Marginalized
- Ginsberg fought for the rights of the oppressed—LGBTQ, minorities, the poor. Trump’s policies have often targeted these very groups.
- Ginsberg fought for the rights of the oppressed—LGBTQ, minorities, the poor. Trump’s policies have often targeted these very groups.
- He was a Spiritual Explorer, Not a Golf Club Regular
- Ginsberg embraced Buddhism, Eastern philosophy, and mind expansion. Trump’s spiritual journey seems to begin and end with photo ops and prosperity gospel preachers.
- Ginsberg embraced Buddhism, Eastern philosophy, and mind expansion. Trump’s spiritual journey seems to begin and end with photo ops and prosperity gospel preachers.
- He was Not Afraid to Get Weird
- Ginsberg was unapologetically eccentric, experimental, and provocative. With the possible exception of hookers in Moscow who drink too much water, Trump likes his art like his steaks: well-done, with no surprises.
In short: If Allen Ginsberg were alive today, Trump would probably call him a “loser”—and Ginsberg would write a poem about it.
Summary
Allen Ginsberg, the iconic Beat poet, would clash with Donald Trump on every level—politically, culturally, and personally. Ginsberg’s identity as a gay, Jewish, socialist poet and his rebellious spirit stand in stark contrast to Trump’s values. From championing free expression and marginalized voices to rejecting conformity and embracing eccentricity, Ginsberg represents everything Trump resists. This humorous top 10 list explores why these two American figures would never see eye to eye.
