Left Republic: The Anti-christ, Donald Trump, & The Media

Any American who was raised in a Christian home and spent time around St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City has surely taken note of a peculiar building that sits in stark contrast to the island's most famous Catholic church. The building doesn't raise eyebrows due to interesting architecture or novel features; it is in fact a rather unimpressive, cold, Manhattan skyscraper that is dwarfed by taller marvels around it. What causes the casual observer to do a double-take when walking by the 60-year-old structure—and possibly say a quick Hail Mary while picking up their pace!—all boils down to one seemingly trivial flaw: it's address.

666 Fifth Avenue was built in 1957. The building managed to stay off the media's radar for the most part despite being featured in several movies, including (appropriately) 1977's horror film Exorcist II: The Heretic.

It wasn't until the unremarkable edifice was purchased in 2006 for $1.8 billion dollars—the highest sum ever paid for a Manhattan building at the time—that it made national news. Reporters glossed over the address, no doubt rolling their eyes with a collective groan over the symbolism associated with 666. The big question for journalists, and really the only question they had at the time, revolved around why anyone would spend so much money on such an unimpressive building. In the end it was chalked up to the short skyscraper's close proximity to Rockefeller Center and the case was laid to rest.

I've seen the building up close before, as have millions of others. The only reason it sticks out in my memory is because of its address. Well that and the fact my walking comedy of a mother hurled freshly blessed holy water from St. Patrick's at it. She wanted to see if the building would react. (It's really best if you don't ask. Trust me.) But I'm digressing...

I hadn't given what my mom refers to as "Beelzebub's Building" any thought until she phoned me tonight to remind me of it. "You'll never believe who bought it back in 2006," she said under her breath. My mind immediately flew to Donald Trump. "Not him," my mom explained, "but it was bought by Kushner Companies." My jaw dropped.

Jared Kushner

Kushner Companies is a real estate investment firm owned and operated by the father/son team of Charles and Jared Kushner. Jared Kushner—husband to Ivanka Trump—has been and is expected to remain one of Donald's closest #notmypresidential advisors. In fact, the word through the grapevine is that Jared, not Ivanka, is likely the only person on planet earth who wields more influence over Donald than white nationalist Steve Bannon. Is that a good thing? It depends on whether or not you are of the mindset that the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.

Jared's father and business partner, Charles, won't be nominated for any "Stand Up Guy of the Year" awards. Having been fined half a million dollars for violating federal laws regarding excessive campaign contributions, having been disbarred from practicing law in three states, and having served time in federal prison for 18 various felonies including witness tampering, the elder Kushner, famously prosecuted by Chris Christie, has a rap sheet longer than the list of reformations Martin Luther hammered to the Wittenburg door. Any one of those facts, much less all of them, begs one question: during an election season wherein the media gave us minute by minute coverage of boring emails and unproven allegations against Hillary Clinton, why the hell did they neglect proven truths about Trump's camp?

Charles Kushner

Some will say Charles Kushner is an irrelevant story—the same people, of course, who say Gennifer Flowers was a relevant issue—but such a quick dismissal doesn't hold up under scrutiny. Charles and Donald reputedly have a close relationship, the former having recently thrown a lavish party at his seaside mansion to honor the latter. Charles is undeniably close in affection and business to his son—a man whose marriage to Ivanka Trump has given him years to earn the #notmypresident-elect's trust and confidence. And then there's that creepy Manhattan building Charles and Jared own...

666 Fifth Avenue. Why did the Kushners really buy it? Why would anyone pay so much money for such a trite (by Manhattan standards) structure? Maybe it really was because of its adjacency to Rockefeller Center. Before closing the case entirely, those given to conspiracy theories and apocalyptic prophecies might find one more piece of information interesting.

Donald Trump's father and mentor, Fred Trump, might have died in 1999, but if the frequency with which daddy dearest's name comes up is any indication then Fred Trump's beliefs, ideology, and person are still very much ruling from the grave.

Frederick Christ Trump never lived up to his middle name. Nor will he ever be mistaken as the poster boy for morality, good citizenry, and ethical business dealings. In 1927, Fred was arrested after participating in and failing to disperse from a Klan riot in Queens. He was also investigated by a senate committee in 1954 for profiteering from public contracts and investigated yet again by the U.S. Justice Department in 1973 for civil rights violations against African-Americans.

By any reasonable standard, Fred Christ Trump wasn't a good man. Whether or not his legacy is worrisome depends upon how deeply Donald Trump's character, morals, and ideologies were affected by his father. After announcing his intention to keep Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway (known affiliates of white nationalists) in his post-election service, I doubt many would wager their last dollar that Fred Trump, the antithesis of his middle-namesake, failed to mold his son into his own immoral image.

But hey, don't take my word for it. Contemplate it the next time you're walking by 666 Fifth Avenue and wondering why anyone would pay $1.8 billion for the least impressive building on the block.

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The Anti-Christ & Trump: All Our Research (In Chronological Order)