Mike Huckabee’s pro-Trump children’s book is very weird. May not be suitable for kids | Opinion
“Get Congress to approve death penalty for drug smugglers and human traffickers.”
That’s from a children’s book?
If you have a hard time believing that, then you obviously haven’t been targeted for ads for “the KiDS GUiDE to President Trump.” (The random capitalization is theirs, not mine.)
When I first saw the ad, my immediate reaction was that it was some Facebook troll from the American left having a spot of fun at the expense of our former president.
But after doing more research it turns out — astonishing though it may be — that this is actually for real.
And the co-founder of the enterprise is none other than former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Huckabee, a Trinity Broadcast Network political pundit, is well known and liked by certain segments around these parts.
In 2008, he won the Kansas Republican caucus for president by a more than 2-1 margin over his closest rival, the eventual GOP nominee Sen. John McCain.
In a message flacking for his kids guide to Trump, Huckabee enthuses: “The Best Way to Fight for America and Her Future is to Educate Your Children on Trump and the Fight to Save America. Do it Today!” (Again, the capitalization is theirs, not mine.)
I’m sure little kids across America can’t wait for their bedtime story about executing some drug smugglers and human traffickers, assuming they have any idea what either of those things are.
That, or seeing a picture of Trump shaking hands with Kim Jong Un, the bloody-handed dictator of North Korea who’s renowned around the world for his innovative executions, including blowing his defense minister to bits with an anti-aircraft gun for “disrespectful behavior” such as napping at a parade.
Or the kids will love this, on a lighter note: “Illegal immigration is when people come to take money and jobs, without paying taxes, sneak in to sell drugs, commit other crimes and, in the worst case, commit acts of terrorism.”
Bear in mind, I’m drawing these examples from the text of “the KiDS GUiDE” by magnifying pages featured in the online ad.
No way I’m giving these guys my credit card — not even my company card — to order a copy.
The book is advertised as “free,” but with a $1 charge for shipping and handling — which according to the ad “is a small price to share the truth with your kids!”
Later in the fine print they set the hook: “As part of this special offer, we’ll send your family two new Kids Guides every three to four weeks, covering hot topics kids need to learn, for only $14.98 each with free shipping!”
The Florida company running this venture is called Espired, LLC. Its accreditation with the Better Business Bureau is currently “suspended.”
Some excerpts from customer reviews:
▪ “This is a SCAM! Their advertisement says I would get the Kids Ultimate Guide to the Election Process but it was never delivered. I’ve now got a charge on my credit card for $23.22 for a recurring service I never received!”
▪ “I was supposed to receive a free book. Once I read the very fine print, it stated a monthly charge of $21.95 and $8.95. I immediately canceled. I canceled within 1 hour of creating the account. I was just charged again today.”
▪ “I was slicked into them taking $150 in 5 months for a publication that I thought was going to be about 9 per month, charged at random times so you can’t keep up with the whirlwinds of charges — no set monthly date — they literally just take what they want when they want — no set price.”
The true irony here (and I am a big fan of irony), is that Huckabee’s daughter — and former Trump press secretary — Sarah Huckabee Sanders, is the current governor of Arkansas.
Since taking office last year, she’s been all-in on a book ban law and an executive order to “prohibit indoctrination” of children.
She should have started with her dad.
