theguardian.com
Presidents and the Mob: Dezenhall's "Wiseguys and the White House
Eric Dezenhall's "Wiseguys and the White House" examines the connections between U.S. presidents and organized crime, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Joe Biden, highlighting Donald Trump's unique and openly acknowledged ties to mob figures as a key focus.
- What makes Donald Trump's relationship with organized crime stand out compared to other presidents, and what are the direct implications of his approach?
- Eric Dezenhall's new book, "Wiseguys and the White House," explores the connections between U.S. presidents and organized crime. The book reveals that Donald Trump's openness about his dealings with mob figures is unprecedented among presidents. Trump's actions, far from harming his political career, have even contributed to his electoral success.
- What are the long-term systemic implications of the ambiguous connections between U.S. presidents and organized crime, and what are the ethical considerations involved?
- Dezenhall's analysis suggests that the interaction between presidents and organized crime is a recurring theme in American history, showing how the need for political expediency or access to crucial resources can lead to these types of relationships. The book raises questions about the ethics of such relationships and their potential impact on governance and policy-making.
- How have presidents throughout history navigated the complex relationship between politics and organized crime, demonstrating the diverse ways in which these connections have manifested?
- Dezenhall highlights the complex relationship between politics and organized crime, demonstrating how presidents, despite sometimes cracking down on the mob, have also maintained ambiguous relationships with mob figures due to the intertwined nature of power structures. The book illustrates how these connections often stemmed from the need for political support, access to resources, or labor peace, rather than blatant criminal collusion.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames Trump's relationship with organized crime as a central and defining aspect of his career and presidency. The headline and introduction immediately establish this as the main focus. By highlighting anecdotes that suggest connections between Trump and known mob figures, the article implicitly reinforces a negative perception of Trump and his business practices. While it mentions other presidents' dealings with organized crime, the focus and depth of analysis are overwhelmingly directed towards Trump, shaping the reader's overall understanding.
Language Bias
The article uses strong, evocative language to describe Trump's alleged connections to organized crime, using words and phrases such as "shady places," "murkier parts of politics," "mob adjacency," and "extortion and violence." This loaded language influences the reader's perception of Trump. While providing quotes directly from Dezenhall, the article doesn't always clearly differentiate between allegations and proven facts. Neutral alternatives would include using more measured language and clearly distinguishing between accusations and confirmed events.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Trump's alleged ties to organized crime, providing numerous anecdotes and quotes to support this narrative. However, it omits potential counterarguments or alternative interpretations of these events. While acknowledging the difficulty of proving definitive links between Trump and the mob after such a long time, the article largely presents the allegations as facts, without fully exploring the lack of concrete evidence in many cases. The article also doesn't discuss the prevalence of organized crime's influence in NYC real estate development generally, potentially minimizing the extent to which Trump's actions were commonplace within the industry.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by implying that either Trump is exceptionally close to organized crime or he is completely innocent. The nuances of business dealings in a city like New York, where organized crime has historically had a presence, are not fully explored. The piece doesn't consider the possibility of incidental or indirect connections without necessarily implying complicity or intentional wrongdoing.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article details connections between various US presidents and organized crime, highlighting how these ties undermined democratic processes and institutions. The involvement of mobsters in political machines, influencing elections (as with Frank Sheeran's actions in Biden's campaign), and the use of mobsters by government agencies (like the Roosevelt administration using them to watch the docks) demonstrate a failure of strong institutions to prevent criminal influence in politics. The normalization of such relationships, as seen with Trump's public acknowledgment of his ties to the mob, further weakens the integrity of political systems.