There’s a certain hilarity in politics these days, particularly when one examines the kaleidoscope of characters gracing the national stage. Take, for example, the continuing saga of Donald Trump. He’s a figure so colorful and unpredictable, yet folks seem to either love him or, well, not quite get the joke. Interestingly enough, our former commander-in-chief has been likened to a stand-up comedian, with his deadpan delivery and penchant for saying things that send fact-checkers into a tizzy.

Now, Trump’s approach is a bit like watching a magician who daringly reveals his tricks in plain sight. He has his way of announcing, tongue firmly in cheek, that he once flew planes or drove trucks or hailed from the heart of Minnesota. This, of course, sends the literalists into a frenzy, picking apart his words as if they were gospel truths, rather than the punchlines they often are. This misunderstanding is almost comical in itself, like watching a Shakespearean tragedy where everyone misses the point but carries on with the drama anyway.

Back in his days as a television star, Trump had a knack for outrageous humor, delivered with a straight face. His cameo on Saturday Night Live was a masterclass in self-parody. The media loves to latch onto his quips as though they’re scandalous admissions, rather than the gags they are. It’s the comedic equivocation that you’re watching someone play chess while you’re only equipped to play checkers.

But here’s the kicker — Trump’s humor is so baffling to his critics because he rarely gives an exuberant laugh. It’s as if he’s letting the audience in on a secret, without ever confirming it’s a jest. Some would argue that he might just be the funniest president since Abraham Lincoln. Of course, Lincoln’s humor was more folksy, whereas Trump’s is more akin to a sledgehammer, heavy and capable of causing a ridiculous amount of ruckus.

In a political landscape where outrage is manufactured at the drop of a hat, Trump’s irreverence remains his calling card. His critics may cry foul, missing the underlying satire of his antics, but even the most ardent skeptics can’t deny the man has a knack for drawing attention. Whether he’s your cup of tea or not, Trump continues to blur the lines between politics and performance art, leaving us with the sobering realization that sometimes, the joke’s on us. So, as the curtain rises on another electoral season, brace yourselves for more unexpected punchlines in this grand comedic opera we call democracy.