Donald Trump vs. Jerry Seinfeld: What's the Deal With Demagoguery in Public Discourse?

Jerry Seinfeld has ended up in Donald Trump's doghouse after pulling out of a performance for the Donald's son's charity foundation. Yahoo reports that Seinfeld cited Trump's persistent attacks on Obama's citizenship as the reason he backed out of the fundraiser that was to benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospital. (He did make a donation to both the hospital and The Eric Trump Foundation despite the pull-out.) Seinfeld said he "feels this kind of demagoguery has no place in public discourse." Trump struck back harder than the residents of Del Boca Vista after finding out their Wizard tip calculators were phony. WARNING: Seinfeld references ahead.

Trump's response goes after the comedian like the rooster going after Kramer in the cockfighting ring when he tried to rescue Little Jerry:

"I just learned you canceled a show for my son's charity, The Eric Trump Foundation, which benefits the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (children with cancer) because of the fact that you think I am being very aggressive with respect to President Obama, who is doing an absolutely terrible job as our leader - just look at Libya, our economy, gas, food, and clothing prices and maybe you will understand what is going on!"

Seinfeld should know about the high cost of clothing and food, especially after Kenny Bania gave him a free Armani suit in exchange for a meal.

Trump even got personal, insulting Seinfeld's reality show, The Marriage Ref:

"What I do feel badly [sic] about is that I agreed to do, and did, your failed show, 'The Marriage Ref,' even though I thought it was absolutely terrible."

To which Seinfeld wishes he replied, "Hey Donald, the jerk store called, they're out of you!"

Unfortunately, what this comes down to is two obscenely wealthy men bickering about politics with the subhead being a children's cancer fund. (Hey, you can donate here!). Let's not get carried away.

But I don't want to be a pirate!

Donald Trump's Latest Feud Is with Jerry Seinfeld [Yahoo!]

[ngreene@villagevoice.com / @nickgreene]