From the Mirriam-Webster dictionary:
trumperya: worthless nonsense
b: trivial or useless articles : JUNK
All the Trumpery coming from the White House is a threat to our democracy.
by Old Man On The Mountain May 13, 2017
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If the current turbulence – even in already choppy waters – teaches us anything, it’s that Donald Trump’s base is resolutely immovable. Those who love Trump, love Trump, and nothing that their figurehead says or does is going to change that. While many of us struggle to fathom such arguably blind and bottomless loyalty, a historical dictionary will tell us that it is far from new, and that there is consequently a richness of words to describe it.
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Sequacity is a good place to start. In the 17th century, this described readiness to follow someone no matter what, without any independence of thought or judgement. Founded upon the Latin sequi, to follow, it is a sibling of “obsequious”, which immediately introduces the notion that many followers of a cause or individual are simply fawning flatterers, who may eventually look the other way should it suit them.
b: trivial or useless articles : JUNK
Trumpery Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
Here's the origin - and a graph which shows we're using it much more these days:
trumpery | Etymology, origin and meaning of trumpery by etymonline
And from the Urban dictionary:
Trumpery (noun): the use of outright lies, political smeers, bait and switch tactics, demagoguery, deflection, namecalling, political shell games, blameshifting, threats, fearmongering and any side show-con man methods to try to shield oneself from prosecution as a traitor, criminal, liar, fool, madman, and/or imbecile.All the Trumpery coming from the White House is a threat to our democracy.
by Old Man On The Mountain May 13, 2017
And so the words 'trumpery' and 'Trump' have come together:
Overcoming Trumpery | Brookings
Lexicographer Susie Dent looks at the language a little further:
Struggling to find the word to describe Donald Trump this week? The historical dictionary can help
In 1888 ‘trumpery’ was already well understood as a byword for something that may be extremely showy, but is also pretty worthless
May 12, 2023
In a glossary of words local to the West Country, “trumpery” is defined as “rubbish of any kind; weeds or any undesirable growth”. Lest we assume the word takes its inspiration from a certain US ex-President, who this week was found liable for sexual assault and defamation, the glossary was compiled in 1888, when “trumpery” was already well understood as a byword for something that may be extremely showy, but is also pretty worthless. It is a useful description perhaps for the state of a man who faces yet more legal troubles down the road but who continues to strut the political stage to the sound of ecstatic applause from supporters who are doubling down rather than backing away..
If the current turbulence – even in already choppy waters – teaches us anything, it’s that Donald Trump’s base is resolutely immovable. Those who love Trump, love Trump, and nothing that their figurehead says or does is going to change that. While many of us struggle to fathom such arguably blind and bottomless loyalty, a historical dictionary will tell us that it is far from new, and that there is consequently a richness of words to describe it.
.
Sequacity is a good place to start. In the 17th century, this described readiness to follow someone no matter what, without any independence of thought or judgement. Founded upon the Latin sequi, to follow, it is a sibling of “obsequious”, which immediately introduces the notion that many followers of a cause or individual are simply fawning flatterers, who may eventually look the other way should it suit them.
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