Proposed deposits for the new “Trumpbrary” include a wealth of iconic artifacts evoking the dedicatee and his administration.
By Roger Porter and Howard Wolf
As Head Librarian of the New York State Penal System, I was pleased to learn I would be an advisor recommending items to place in the forthcoming Trumpbrary, now in its early planning stages. My first suggestion, however, was its location. I advised a Louisiana bayou or the Everglades, to avoid creating a swamp at tax-payers’ expense.
Given how few books the building might contain, my proposed deposits include a wealth of iconic artifacts evoking the dedicatee and his administration.
- Adolescent library card. The Queens Public Library in Jamaica, N.Y. issued in 1956, unused.
- Thirty Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary. Pages uncut.
- Manuscript of The Art of the Deal. In Tony Schwartz’ hand.
- Manuscript for proposed book entitled The Art of the Steal. In Sidney Powell’s hand.
- Jeffrey Epstein’s “Little Black Book.” A presentation copy signed “To my dear friend–use it well.”
- Powerful Men Bundle: BDSM Domination and Submission, Domestic Discipline by Women, Explicit Erotica with Pleasure and Sweet Pain, Kinky Age Gap Play, with Cuckquean Humiliated Spanking. Well-thumbed pages, many dog-eared.
- Banning the Croissant as a Sign of Islam: A Guide to Conservative Bakery Practices. Endorsed by Marie Le Pen.
- Mein Kampf. “Right on” frequently scribbled in margins.
- Run, Don, Run. See Don Run. First grade primer for Alabama primary schools.
- Pardonnez-moi, by Roger Stone. Title page contains photograph of author’s thigh adorned with a tattoo of his new idol’s face.
- How to Lie with Maps. Pristine copy, except for multiple black sharpie underlinings.
- Critical Race Theory: How Usain Bolt Thought About his Important Sprints. So that’s what it means?
- Transcript from The Wharton School. Redacted version.
- Maintaining the Ozone Layer: A Comprehensive Plan to Stop Aliens from Penetrating Our Atmosphere. At last, a no-expense wall.
- X-ray of bone chip, with comment by Dr. Bornstein: “This should do the trick.”
- Collected Tweets. One of which will be flashed in neon every hour on the hour.
- Solid spun gold yarmulkes. Worn at Jared and Ivanka’s sons’ brises.
- A whip. Initials MKT on the handle. Use conjectural.
- Facsimile of 2020 Nobel Peace Prize medallion. Accompanied by photoshopped image of embrace with Mother Teresa.
- Folder labeled “Complete IRS tax forms.” These appear to be only from 1964 to 1970.
- Video of woman on Moscow hotel bed. Unspecified amber arc in upper left quadrant.
- American flag with stars removed for each state that voted for Biden in 2020. Note stitched on the obverse: “Where is my Betsy Ross?”
- Glass cabinet containing tiki torches. Note pasted on the side: “Light up the sky!”
- Prosthetic knee replacement. Rusted, dented, and marked “For Kaepernick.”
- Barack Obama’s birth certificate. With seal purportedly from “The Government of Nambia.”
- Cross-dressing clothing. Mislabeled as belonging to Ivanka.
- Leg shackles. Label attached: “Will these fit Sessions’ ankles?”
- Trump National Doral scorecard. Total of 69, with most holes’ scores written over erasings.
- Photographic album of selfies. All appear to be practicing grimaces, marked “Mussolini,” “Franco,” and “Duterte.”
- Children’s chemistry set. With note: “Covid cure here?? Worth a try.”
- Hallmark Valentine card from “Stormy.” With inscription: “It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.”
- Model of windmill with dead bird taped to one blade. Affixed note: “Time to tilt.”
- Taxidermized bat. Gift from President Xi Jinping of China.
- Copy of note from DJT left in the resolute desk: “Well, pal, it’s yours ’til August.” This should help raise funds.
In the event we are honored by the presence of a former head of state as our latest permanent resident, my own institution will acquire as many of the texts and objects I have recommended as possible. I will also suggest naming the library at our corrections facility “Trumpbrary,” after its new occupant.
Emeritus Professor of English at SUNY-Buffalo
Howard R. Wolf is Emeritus Professor of English and Senior Fellow at SUNY-Buffalo and the author of three memoirs, a novel (Broadway Serenade), personal essays, and many short stories.A Fulbright Scholar in Turkey and South Africa,he is now putting together a collection ofstories, EXILES BY STARLIGHT, and a play, HOME AT THE END OF THEDAY. Mr. Wolf is a graduate of Horace Mann School, Amherst College(BA), Columbia (MA), and The University of Michigan (PH.D) where he won a Hopwood for fiction. Howard lives in Amherst, New York where he writes and cultivates a small garden.
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