It is helpful, sometimes, when metaphors are not hard-won. Of course, it can be rewarding to wrestle with a difficult text and finally, finally grok its allegory. But other times, it’s appreciated when metaphor screams right in our faces, loud and clear as a jet engine, saying “I represent blank” at an unignorable volume. Take, for example, the story of the visit that Sarah Palin, Ted Nugent, and Kid Rock recently paid to the White House, a four-hour tour that involved dinner and broad access to various hallowed chambers of that slave-built manor.

Like, that’s an easy metaphor, isn’t it? What better emblem of Donald Trump’s reign as president is there? The New York Times has a good rundown of this historic event, complete with quotes from Nugent, the rock musician who has expressed some colorful statements about Democratic politicians. (“Colorful” meaning: he has intimated and threatened violence—fun!) There are many fascinating details in the story, all serving as allegory for the broader narrative of the Trump administration.

For example: Palin, former governor of Alaska and walking reminder to John McCain that he never should have wished on that monkey’s paw, was the one first invited, as a thanks for supporting Trump’s campaign, and brought Nugent and Rock along with her. Which naturally brings to mind Trump himself opening the doors for all his various Nugents and Rocks to tear around the White House. Isn’t Stephen Miller just 40 years and several lightning strikes away from being Ted Nugent?

It’s just so familiar. Some dope getting entree into the most important building in America and then letting a bunch of other dopes in behind them. Palin dressed like an extra on season 3 of Real Housewives of Orange County, Rock and Nugent in their silly hats, groping at all the White House furniture and taking mocking photos in front of a portrait of Hillary Clinton. It’s such an apt representation of the insidious clown show that’s taken over the Oval Office. Of course that was Trump’s big celebrity visit, these three fools looking like they won a radio contest. This is who won, America. This is who won.

Nugent told the Times that many things were discussed during the visit: “[H]ealth, fitness, food, rock ’n’ roll, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, secure borders, the history of the United States, guns, bullets, bows and arrows, North Korea, Russia." Which stirs up so many questions. Sure it’s absolutely terrifying to imagine what, possibly, Donald Trump could have said about North Korea to Hell’s version of Peter, Paul, and Mary. But I also really want to know what, exactly, was said about “bows and arrows.” Also, “fitness.” What does Donald Trump know about those things, and what does he have to say about them?

I’d also love to hear what these four horsemen said about “the history of the United States.” What does their version of the last few hundred years sound like? Probably some feverish account full of religious ecstasy, peppered with cowboy mythology and Ronald Reagan kissing Lady Liberty under a harvest moon. “And that’s when Betsy Ross said ‘Not in my bathroom, sir,” Palin says, Trump nodding vigorously, saying “It happened, it happened, that’s how it happened.” What a dream to sit with this quartet of great thinkers and hear their wisdoms.

Just as it’s been great to hear Jeff Sessions malign an entire state because he—the Attorney General of the United States—doesn’t like a court decision. Just as it’s been great to witness Sean Spicer ritualistically embarrass himself and the nation every day after blundering day. In many ways, this White House visit was the most American thing that could have happened right now, a perfect summation of all that’s gone haywire in the last horrifying six months. Could there be any other story? Is there any better metaphor in an otherwise artless time?