The American people have finally turned on Trump

November 8, 2026 — 12:58pm

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This is the time of year, as the leaves turn yellow and red, when I always promise to myself one thing: I am not going to watch It’s a Wonderful Life this Christmas.

It is, as Frank Capra’s critics used to say, pure “Capra-corn.” The film is Capra’s sentimental ode to America after WWII. Like Capra’s other classic starring Jimmy Stewart, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, it’s about idealism and quiet heroism among ordinary Americans beset by swooping evil forces.

Reading Sam Wasson’s fascinating new biography, Frank Capra: A Life, I came across Capra’s own take on why audiences responded to his movies: “They’ll cheer for their fellow human being, cheer for the good guy, for the guy who’s got compassion, forgiveness in his heart. Cheer for that good Samaritan.”

But what a perfect moment to be corny about America. We saved ourselves and our democracy, in a stunning rejection of greed and corruption and meanness.

So now I have to watch the movie again because its depiction of American heaven and hell – the light and dark in the country and inside all of us – is spot-on.

When our hero, George Bailey, is sabotaged by the town villain, the avaricious banker Mr. Potter, he contemplates throwing himself off a bridge. But his quirky guardian angel shows him that without him, cozy, warm Bedford Falls would fall prey to Mr. Potter and deteriorate into the gaudy, corrupt, vice-ridden, heartless slum of Pottersville.

Under Donald Trump’s gaudy, corrupt, vice-ridden, heartless rule, we have been living in Trumpsville. The demonic Trump conjured an American........

© Brisbane Times