In politics, image and perception are everything, so when you’re a Donald Trump that not everyone takes seriously, you hire a seasoned consultant who can stage a makeover.
That person is Paul Manafort Jr, a 67-year-old political consultant who has made a name for himself by lobbying on behalf of strongmen and reputed human rights abusers — like Zaire’s Mobutu Sese Seko and our very own Ferdinand Marcos.
It is believed that Manafort accepted almost a million dollars yearly to lobby for the former Philippine dictator until he cancelled his contract “two hours before [US President Ronald] Regan withdrew his support,” according to The New York Times.
The Daily Beast reports that “Marcos enlisted Manafort’s team as part of an effort to appear more democratic.” Time reported that “he paid the firm $900,000 yearly, and that they said they were trying to make Americans have more faith in the country’s democratic process.”
This just goes to show that democracy — or what people hope could pass for it — always comes at a price.
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