There was a great word I heard used on the radio to describe Trump's campaign at the end of last year. It was at least three syllables, a highly unusual word, possibly Grecian in origin. It meant, roughly, 'marked by circus or clown-like performance'. The person who used the word was being quoted by the radio, and had called on Trump to halt his entire X campaign.
I want this word in my vocabulary! All my attempts to remember it and rediscover it have failed...
I found "circensian," which Merriam-Webster has as: "of or relating to the Circus in ancient Rome." That was suggested on this Writers Stack Exchange thread.
I also think "buffoonish" might work, which is the adjective form of "buffoon":
1. a person who amuses others by tricks, jokes, odd gestures and postures, etc.
2. a person given to coarse or undignified joking.
It's not a three syllable word, so likely not what you are seeking, but perhaps madcap [OED] is a good fit?
Amusingly eccentric
Also check out Merriam-Webster's definition:
marked by capriciousness, recklessness, or foolishness
Although it's meaning is not specifically clown-like or circus-like, a similar word I enjoy hearing is shambolic.
Chaotic, disorganized, or mismanaged
Example: Beware Boris Johnson: The Power of a Cunning Clown
Boris Johnson may appear shambolic. He is anything but.
Mark Block: ringleader of Herman Cain's shambolic clown show
Perhaps razzmatazz?
a lot of noisy exciting activity that is intended to attract people’s attention
The documentary focuses on the razzmatazz of an American political campaign.
3.(informal) Something presenting itself in a fanciful and showy, often unrealistic manner, especially when intended to impress and confuse.
Is he really the next big thing, or is all the media attention just a bunch of razzmatazz?
These particular examples would likely be used in a political context, which is why you might have found the word listening to the Trump media.
This word is derived from razzle-dazzle
- Elaborate action or maneuvers designed to deceive an opponent, as in a sports contest.
- Extravagant or showy display, as of technique: a lecture that was more razzle-dazzle than substance.
These words seem like exactly the type to be used to describe circus performances, as shown in this definition:
Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary
1 : noisy and exciting activity meant to attract attention
The kids enjoyed the razzle-dazzle of the circus.
Perhaps pantomime, as this fits your requirement of three syllables and has Greek origins:
verb: [WITH OBJECT]
Express or represent (something) by extravagant and exaggerated mime
the clown candidates pantomimed different emotions
noun: 1.1 An absurdly exaggerated piece of behavior
Donald Trump and the Republican Pantomime of 2016
The Pantomime Villain Leading The World Toward Armageddon
Donald Trump's crude pantomime villainy will make it harder to fight Islamic terror
MISTER UNIVERSE: DONALD TRUMP AND HIS GAUDY PANTOMIME
Giving his best pantomime performance, Trump goads supporters to boo Barack Obama
Perhaps a less likely option: ballyhoo, which comes from circus slang.
"publicity, hype," 1908, from circus slang, "a short sample of a sideshow" (1901), which is of unknown origin.
To sensationalise or make grand claims.
1933 — Franklin D. Roosevelt, Fireside Chat (7 May):
Industry has picked up, railroads are carrying more freight, farm prices are better, but I am not going to indulge in issuing proclamations of over-enthusiastic assurance. We cannot ballyhoo ourselves back to prosperity.
The word I was looking for was bloviating. It was from the headline Trump should pull the plug on his bloviating sideshow. It was my fault for not posing the question properly, because in my memory, I remembered something about this sideshow, which reminded me of a circus! Well, I finally remembered the word. Here's the link.
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