Film director Brett Ratner, known for the Rush Hour franchise and subject of multiple sexual misconduct allegations, has reemerged on the global stage by accompanying President Donald Trump on Air Force One to China for a summit with Xi Jinping. This move, while puzzling to many, fits a pattern of Trump elevating figures with tarnished reputations, a tactic that seems designed to provoke and unsettle critics.
Trump's Trolling Nature
The invitation is consistent with Trump's penchant for trolling. Having Ratner, a director of one of Trump's favorite movie franchises, on a high-stakes diplomatic trip is a deliberate gesture. Ratner is reportedly scouting locations for Rush Hour 4, using Air Force One as a rideshare, which underscores the absurdity of the situation. This echoes past Trump antics, such as sending Dennis Rodman to North Korea or appointing Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive, as secretary of education.
Ratner's Controversial Past
Ratner was dropped by Warner Bros in 2017 after multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, which he denies. An LA Times investigation detailed allegations from actress Olivia Munn, who claimed Ratner masturbated in front of her on set. Despite this, Ratner has been making a comeback, including directing the documentary Melania, for which Amazon paid $40 million.
A Broader Pattern
Trump's inner circle includes many figures who were on the brink of cancellation before being brought back into the fold. Examples include Pete Hegseth and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as well as Charles Kushner, a convicted felon appointed ambassador to France. This pattern suggests that a sketchy past is not a liability but a qualification for Trump.
The Kennedy Center Appointments
Trump's additions to the Kennedy Center board of trustees included Susie Wiles, his chief of staff, and her mother, Cheri Summerall, highlighting the bizarre nature of his appointments. These moves are seen as deliberate provocations to those who value decorum and propriety.
A Cautionary Tale
While Trump rehabilitates controversial figures, some have been ruined by their association with him. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, once a national hero, received last rites in intensive care after a long descent into ignominy tied to his Trump alliance. This serves as a warning to others eager to align with the president.
Ratner's presence on Air Force One is a reminder of Trump's ability to troll the establishment, but it also raises questions about the normalization of figures with troubling pasts. As the world watches this diplomatic trip, the focus shifts from policy to the spectacle of a cancelled director riding along.
