It is difficult to be sure of Donald Trump's motivations but objectively he does behave, as Jane Goodall has pointed out,like a posturing male chimpanzee.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/14/donald-trump-alpha-male-chimpanzee-behavior
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-chimpanzee-jane-goodall-dominance-ritual-a7959246.html
21
Much debate here about Trump's particular motives. I think the one thing it is safe to say is that there is not a gram of good (decent, thoughtful, compassionate, visionary, caring . . .) motivation in anything this man does. So it seems to have always been, but now magnified to colossal dimension by his occupation of the White House. For an even more pungent survey of Trump's motives and drives than presented here by Paul, there's https://www.mintpressnews.com/trump-doesnt-condone-saudi-state-sponsored-murder-he-hugs-it/252161/ -- which concludes:
"All he can process are numbers — 54 and 82 — especially if they have $s in front of them to catch his attention. The world is indeed a very dangerous place, and selfish, greedy, vain, compassionless, amoral, power-thirsting, cruel, careless, small, bloated men like Donald Trump make it immeasurably more so."
23
Manhood, McConnell, Moola and Meanness. Just doggone meanness. What else can explain everything he’s done?
19
Paul, and let's not forget Trump is the masturbator of lies.
7
How 'bout a fourth "M": Mueller. As in anything to distract from . . .
12
Paul, I agree that tariffs are a stupid tactic and I also think Trump's vilification of our allies is...suspicious BUT I think that the West in general needs to step back from "engagement" with China, especially the economic variety.
Trade is akin to "deals" in Trump's mind, and Trump's ghost writer convinced him that he was a-heck-of-a-deal-maker, so he goes for it. It has to do with money, so at least is is vaguely familiar sounding, unlike everything else in governing.
To a man with a hammer, everything appears to be a nail.
10
As an Arizona resident, I can honestly say that Trump's wall is quite possibly the stupidest idea our illustrious President has proposed. Mexico is one of Arizona's major trading partners on both a wholesale and retail level. The crossing at Nogales is one of the busiest along the U.S./Mexico border, and trade passes both ways in equal measure. A border wall would likely kill much of that, if for no other reason than the animosity it would create on both sides.
In addition, the Sonoran Desert is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world, and incompasses much of Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. It's also home to a lot of migratory animals, including deer, antelope and elk. Animals don't pay attention to a border--but they can't pass a wall. The environmental impact of a wall would be catastrophic, though I'm sure Trump would consider that a trivial consideration.
Tucson is one of the most open, and open-minded, communities along the border, but Trump's wall is a non-starter for the vast majority of people here, and in southern Arizona in general.
Trump has spent his life building massive tributes to his ego, but we'd much rather he took this boondoggle somewhere else.
34
Paul! You are too much! This op-ed is one of your best--and I've only read half of it so far.
9
As it is close to Mexico I imagine that much of the labor for the wall would be Mexican. Of course we could look at recent past border wall & security projects.
2
The Wall! Trump brags about keeping campaign promises but he also promised to get Mexico to pay for it.
So far the wall is NOT a promise accomplished!!
9
While Krugman has hit the nail on the head, there's one characteristic about Trump that is repeatedly missed by nearly everyone: his utter weakness. This is a man known for his moniker "You're fired!", yet, he appears to not have actually said that face-to-face to any of the many that he's let go. He uses Twitter or makes public announcements but lacks the guts to have a one-on-one termination. This is a man who admires strongmen and dictators simply because they have the One Thing he does not posess: like it or not, they are tough. Donald Trump wants all of us to see him as a strong leader, a "tough guy", but as his behaviors evidence, he is nothing but a weak, spongey, spineless individual. If anyone can possibly forget the Helsinki accord, where he said "I don't see why it would've been Russia to hack our election", which changed to "I don't see why it woudn't have been Russia"......let's get serious here. This is a weak man who's only goal in life is to profit, to impress, to dazzle: to mislead. The problem is, there's not even a magician behind the curtain. Just a deluded, dishonest, sniveling 74-year-old man.
21
So true. So true. So depressing.
6
I disagree about the wall. Immigration is a big issue for the base - it's why they vote for Trump. The Republicans have persuaded the American people that they really care about immigration and are working to stop it. Hence the wall - it's big and simple and people who aren't into the complexities of border enforcement can clearly grasp it - yeah, build that wall, that will stop it.
Of course it won't. And Trump does not do any of the things that might be truly effective. Because neither he nor any other Republicans really care about immigration. That's why they haven't done anything to address the issue for decades. But now what they have done successfully is persuade a lot of Americans who do care about the issue that Republican s are working to stop it, while Democrats are for "open borders". The same game has been played by the Brexiters in the UK. They bought the Brexit vote with the issue of stopping immigration, but that isn't the goal of the Tory elite. They don't care about immigration. They care about power and acquiring the power from the EU to remake the UK as a marketplace that serves the interests of the elite.
10
This scene from North by Northwest gave me the idea of hiring a crop duster to lay down a carpet of sensors along the border - kind of like a carpet instead of a wall. Should be cheap, but what would MAGA America say? Plus it is doable as opposed to Trump's wall which isn't.
Huh, you say? Trump never intended to build a wall?
Maybe he was dusting crops where there are no crops like this guy in North by Northwest.
https://youtu.be/EK1o6ixoe_I
1
Is Trump's attitude toward trade an attempt to assert his manhood? Actually the Times itself has a piece:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/12/12/business/economy/tariff-man-origin-story.html
showing how this attitude developed over time long before the 2016 campaign, for some real reasons. Obviously some East Asian nations have made trade with the US a main objective and have pursued much more aggressive policy than the US. What Trump seems to have missed, and what Krugman usually downplays, is how much the advantage of less-developed nations is due to their much lower wages and how US corporations and capitalists take advantage of this to increase profits at the expense of US workers. Correcting this would be more complicated than just applying tariffs, which in the short run fall as much on US consumers as on foreign trade. Trump shows no signs of having a rational plan to prevent US wages from being forced down to world levels, but then few US economists, or major media outlets, seem to be thinking about such plans either - they simply defend the current trade patterns.
74
@skeptonomist
FYI: the TTP was such a plan, remember?
18
@skeptonomist: Trump's real estate career includes many examples of degrading the neighborhood to force people to sell. He did it to buy Mar a Lago.
27
It's not that complicated. The motivation for everything Trump does is greed.
10
Trade wars are also a good stage-setting for moola. It would not be surprising if some of the exemptions and carve-outs were motivated by deals with Trump's business interests.
3
"What’s remarkable about this prospect is that the wall is an utterly stupid idea."
The wall is obviously "an utterly stupid idea" to those who put the interest of their country ahead of their own self interest. That, however, does not include Mr. Trump.
Undoubtedly, once it is built, the wall will be called by everyone "The Trump's Wall." That will give Mr. Trump's name the type of global recognition that can be enormously helpful in promoting his branding business. He will be able to improve Trump's Organization's finances by licensing his name to appear on many more prestigious buildings and luxury products across the world.
Another Mr. Trump's motivation to build the wall stems from his narcissism and megalomania. Surely he would see a wall that carry his name for centuries to come, and can be seen from space, to be a legacy that befits him. In particular, it would be music to his hears when his wall is compared to the "Great Wall of China" and he is regarded as pivotal to the US history as Qin Shi Huang to the Chinese history (Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, built the major part of the Great Wall early in 200 BC).
6
Except the trump wall will probably be torn down within 20 years, at additional expense.
Do not be surprised if Trump somehow makes money from the construction contracts.
8
Trump will be either a half-term president or dictator for life.
5
Apparently TrumpPence has been short all the time for TrumpPencePelosi, because in the end she seems the one who benefits from all the rich TrumpPence comeuppance.
Soon we will speak of the Pelosidency formerly known as Trump's?
1
It's really just about the Moola, always been the case w/ one note Donny. The rest of it is the distraction while he picks your pocket. The guys a gangster plain and simple.
14
There have been millions of words written about Trump.
The bottom line is this: we have an ignorant, vile human being as President of the United States.
23
"So major affairs of state are being decided not by the national interest, nor even by the interests of major groups within the nation, but by the financial interests and/or ego of the man in the White House. Is America amazing, or what?"
YES! -So amazing that the putative hero and choice of it's
delusional downtrodden old white xenophobes and status/esteem deprived deplorables:
Is being instrumental to their inexorable march into economic and political irrelevence. (along with the GOP)
Irony worthy of The Bard!
3
Candle burns brightest right before it burns out. There will be more fireworks and sheer stupidity from trump before his presidency is extinguished.
8
Paul, you should include "buffoonery" in the mix.
9
Quagmire Man
3
I am wondering if Trump’s ego and arrogance blinded him to the obvious fact that running for (and then being elected to) the office of the Presidency would bring public scrutiny......scrutiny so intense that all his dirty ignorant habits are now public knowledge. Did he not foresee that his loose relationship with legal issues might be his undoing? I do not care any more what motivates him.......I am looking forward to the indictments.
7
Manhood, Moola, McConnell and OBAMA. Anything Obama did - anything - needs to be reversed in Trumpism. It's like Stranger Things' The Upside Down. It's Dark, it's Dirty, it's Horrific and it's totally the anti-Obama. Trump is the Demogorgon. Which Dem will be 11?
5
We'll need shorthand way of describing the new tariff regime and I would propose NAFTA 2.0
1
As a physician, I interpret these manifestations differently. The assertions by Trump of both: 1)completely illogical rationales in multiple far reaching fields and 2) eternally contradictory ideas are a consequence of frontal lobe impairment. Trump has frontal lobe dementia. Attempts by Pelosi and Krugman to paint a logically derived manifestation of personality characteristics are flawed and not helpful. These attempts are gestures of very bright people outside their area of expertise: armchair psychologists or Monday morning quarterbacks proffering shallow explanations. These explanations are a natural phenomenon, but not helpful. The diagnosis is easy when one does three things: 1)compares a 33 year old Trump on video, who is thoughtful and rational with the present, 2)considers the confabulations that Trump's brain both invents and believes in and 3)listens critically to Trump's speech patterns which reflect his brain dysfunction. The elephant in the room is a severely impaired president.
21
Putting the words 'Trump' and 'policy' in the same sentence may be the ultimate example of an oxymoronic statement. Just sayin'.
6
Really! Only now Paul realises Trump only acts for Trump.
1
He has known.
5
Don't lose sight of another factor in American culture: racism. Trump's attempts to cast Barack Obama as 'not a real American' and his bizarre characterizations of Latin Americans and Africans are evidence of our traditional, despicable, enduring racial prejudices. And isn't manhood, real manhood, about being honest with other people, protecting the weak and innocent, and working hard to promote liberty and justice for all?
12
@MK
Trump is no man.
8
It's quite simple, a creative instance for illustrating our old dogs' political cynicism. When in 1983 Reagan invaded Grenada, we cynically called it a distraction. When Nixon was wandering around talking to portraits of ex-Presidents in the White House, we worried that "he will start a war" to distract us. Colson was holding a candlelight vigil.
Trump may eat KFC with a knife and fork, but you have to give him credit. He started his distracting war, and he didn't have to use the military. He has tensions escalating with China over cheap Dollar Store kitsch, and has engineered tensions between Canada and China, by asking Canada to kidnap a Huawei executive. Trudeau didn't suspect a thing, and neither have we.
It's not about manhood. It's about putting on a hillbilly show for us, while his Mafia lieutenants steal the country. Trump may be famous for liking sex, but money is his ultimate floozy. If you ask me, we all need to be down at McConnell's favorite café, screaming at him about stealing our Social Security. Cohen and Trudeau can wait.
5
@Charles Coughlin
Mr. Trudeau had only one option in this case: to follow the existing US-Canada security treaty. For one to fully appreciate this point, one needs to have a good understanding of Canada's political system and walls separating different branches of government.
3
Inside the mind of Donald Trump, a place you only want to go if you are wearing protective clothing. Manhood: Trump has visions. In the back of his mind he doesn't just see a beautiful wall. He sees a wall the first SpaceX passengers can view from space. A lasting tribute to his gloriousness. 2) Moola: He'll take money and he'll take somebody else's money. 3) The GOP) Two Supreme Court seats and a budget busting tax cut after two years of controlling all the levers of power. Throw in some nasty dealings on the environment, finance, trade and foreign policy and then pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
Think of the damage done to this country and the world in order to satisfy one man's ego and pushing a tired old agenda. Was it worth it Mitch. I hope this is the last gasp of a party that is aging out and dumbing down.
5
At least as far as the second 'M', McConnell, is concerned, Donnie may have made another calculation. Assume for a moment that trump may actually want to do those help-the-little-guy things that will cause his base - and those in the middle - to like him more, since ego and adulation are his ultimate goals, and he has shown over the years that as far as policy goes, he is all over the map. But perhaps he realizes that in doing so he will lose his 'useful idiot' status with congressional republicans, and more importantly, their donors.
Because at this point, those two important power centers are literally the only thing standing between him (and his family) and the doors of a federal penitentiary. After all, they have the equally compliant mr. pence standing in the wings, who will also sign any bill put in front of him.
It's very possible that Putin / Russian oligarchs have trump over a barrel, but it's almost certain now that top republicans and their puppet masters definitely do.
2
One more of the infinite number of articles and comments that rightly rehearse what a disaster for America the Trump presidency has been and will continue to be.
I would feel more comfortable if occasionally a column or few would observe that the Trump presidency can be traced directly to the Hillary Clinton candidacy, along with resolution that another Clinton run must never happen. Anyone who is thinking that she won't try is ignoring reality.
1
@C. Richard: I think we owe this contemptible farce to the phony-angelic CIA director who assassinated Hillary Clinton with Anthony Weiner's sexually-charged computer the week before the election. When they claim a "higher calling", I run for cover.
3
@C. Richard
That's absurd.
The reason why so many people voted for Trump is because for two decades now Fox News and the GOP have spread the most horrible lies about almost everything: the state of the union, what Democrats and Republicans stand for, who's doing what in DC, the extent to which non-white people are a threat to national security, etc.
That made 40% of the country live in an "alternative facts" bubble that has absolutely nothing to do with Hillary or no matter what Democrat.
On top of that, part of the progressives in this country tend to ignore that all real, radical, lasting, non-violent, democratic change is step by step change, so when a Democrat runs on a campaign platform that explicitly names the next steps to take, they become desperate and start imagining that that candidate sees those steps as our final goals/ideals, and then turn against that candidate, rather than helping to get the next step done.
And then there are those who forget that we'll only have a government for the people if it's a government by the people, and who instead are waiting for some extremely exceptional and charismatic candidate, someone we'd aspire to become ourselves, in our personal lives, and who's extremely good at campaigning and giving speeches and holding rallies (all things that have NOTHING to do with lawmaking). Those people too in part stayed home in 2016.
THAT is why Hillary lost the electoral college vote.
We only get the government we deserve ... ;-)
7
If the Democrats really cared about the Dreamers, the would let Trump have his stupid wall.
@Jenifer Wolf
Well, that's precisely why last spring they agreed to vote for a bipartisan comprehensive immigration bill that included full funding (= $26 billion in taxpayer money) for the wall.
But they won't just vote for it outside of such a bill, without anything in return, of course (as would be the case when it's included in a mere stopgap bill such as what is being debated right now).
And guess who at the time flip-flopped at the very last moment and rejected that bipartisan bill that contained full funding of the wall?
Trump.
Now tell us who's serious about Dreamers and who's serious about the wall ...
7
@Ana Luisa: The whole play-act of US politics is not interested in resolving any issue that can be exploited for fundraising.
2
At the moment, the courts have the Dreamers in a relatively safe place. The problem with trading Dreamers rights for building the wall is that everyone with any knowledge and sense about the matter understands that the wall is a colossal waste of money put forth to appease Trump's loyal base.
Trump himself said as much in a phone call with Mexico's President at the time. And that, in a nutshell, is why it has never even gotten to a vote in the appropriations committees.
Absent some grandstanding to divert attention from the latest Mueller investigation revelation, Trump will back off his vow to shut down the Government. He obviously did not think that comment out prior to the meeting and you can only imagine the conversations his advisors and/or Republican Congressional leaders had with him afterwards.
Finally, while exchanging policies is normal in politics, you need to be very careful when dealing with Trump. He is partial to the idea of letting Congress pass whatever laws they like and then he enforces those he likes and issues executive orders undermining those he doesn't like.
2
Trump's insecurity appears to be the most important reason for much of what he does, from insults to bragging, second only to his insatiable desire for more and more money.
Everything he does appears to first benefit him and his family. Ordinary people are a distant third or fourth after cronies, especially those who are wealthy.
Is it any surprise that he can't find a new chief of staff, no matter how low in the barrel he scrapes?
2
@Barbara: Trump has always been chief of his own staff. He can't delegate it.
2
@Steve Bolger He micromanages too much to have a 'real' Chief of Staff. Folks with that position presently are either trying to slow down his rush at the cliff's edge and to warn the people along his track so they can assist, deflect, disappear, show up with Interesting Gossip (or Diet Koch) at JUST the right moments or just plain get out of the way.
SOMEONE has to keep his 'Bubble' from being popped lest real information get in there and Really mess with his perceptions.
No wonder he finds it difficult to find replacement for Gen Kelly, nobody wants to hang with him for the long drop from the top to the end of the very ample rope Mueller has been handing him.
But, it may well be a good chance for us to seriously clean up our Govt if Mr. Mueller contacts those of his buddies still in Military Positions who remember that part of their Formal Swearing-In requires them to "..Defend the Nation and Constitution from All Tyrants, Foreign and Domestic..."
Just like I so swore as an Enlisted Man in the Navy, and if Trump was subject to the UCMJ he would be doing 30 years Restriction, 30 Years Hard Duty, Reduction in Rank to poverty stricken Civilian Levels, Forfeiture of all possessions, properties or agreements as well as $30 Million per Month fine for those same 30 years 'Restricted' to a 15 X 25 with unitary plumbing and excellent safety features on both the door and the window.
Mueller with Military Tribunals against our RICO Shadow State Repubs and their propaganda arm Fox
2
@Steve Bolger True. He trusts almost no one and doesn't know how to delegate.
"We" "elected" him and a nation gets the government it deserves.
2
@Cassandra: I suppose we deserve it because it is a result of a constitutional gimmick that created liberty to enslave.
2
@Cassandra
Corrections: 1) It was Vlad who elected him; and, 2) The majority voted against him.
2
The Wall may be a manhood thing, but it's also something else. The US used to be a quas-island; Bismarck described us as bordered on two sides by weak neighbors and the other two by fish. The symbolism of the Wall is that it will once again make Anglo-America an island by physically cutting it off from the impoverished Third World. Trump and his faithful literally want to make Mexico and everything to the south go far, far away. If they could cut a deep moat along the border from the mouth of the Rio Grande to the mouth of the Colorado with atomic demolitions, they'd want to do that.
3
Mr. Krugman, you should allow the thought that undermining the social safety net and keeping healthcare in the hands of employers and insurance companies are just another effort to serve the wealthy. Doing so it keeps workers beholden to their employer, it keeps them at their mercy, and makes them less willing to look elsewhere for new jobs.
It is amazing to me how well conservatives have manipulated the public into feeling that certain things are wrong. They are told government should not be expected to help them (the nanny state) but fail to mention that business thrives on government assistance and support in all sorts of ways. They are told the private sector does things more efficiently yet I know few people that are happy with Comcast or Verizon, for example, and that they are getting what they pay for.
The Republican party is nothing more than a brand name having lost its way years ago. Trump exposed that it is a fig leaf for the wealthy who exclusively determine their course of action. It is now just a moniker to garner votes with their rhetoric and actions rarely overlapping.
Whatever the talking point or action by a Republican, one needs to figure if underlying it is a grasp for votes or serving the wealthy. There is nothing about serving their fellow Americans or being responsible to the country or the future.
7
As a physical entity, possessing beginning, middle, and end, composed of materials like concrete and steel,The Wall makes sense to DJT in a way that more ehterial concepts and actions do not. It's real estate, and that's something we can sell.
Not quite.
The wall is in part a "manhood thing" but there are millions of American women who think it a good idea too. There is much more to Wall than efficiency or cost or rural stupidity.
The Wall is an archetypal symbol for its adherents. Simultaneously, a defensive posture and an offensive posture. Defensive as in the ability to repulse, Offensive against the Libs and the Brown People. Actually working is not the foremost consideration, though consciously they tell themselves it is.
I can assure you, rural people are not dumb when it comes to effective physical structures or tools or how tricky people and animals can be to prevent or confine. And they know that any badger worth his stripes ---or tunneling drug cartels---will foil fences and wall with their ingenious burrowing.
These generations of farmers and various tradesmen and women, from a very skillful and knowledgeable culture, don't think it will "work," though it would to some degree. It is the Symbol that counts. And Trump knows this better than Pelosi or Krugman, apparently.
Trump is the Finger-pointer In Chief: he knows that when the wall doesn't get built, the Libs can be blamed. He knows that when he insists Mexico will pay for, but they won't, he can give the crowd a wink and say smirkingly; " The Libs wouldn't let me, convince the Mexicans....And you know I coulda done it! Right?!
Rural people are not nearly so dumb. What they are is impressionable. Careful City-Slickers.
51
@Nelly Young children are "impressionable", but educated adults shouldn't be. And if you're going to call Democrats who read only "Libs" then we should address Trump conservatives as "Cons".
62
Pelosi didn't say that it's a "male" thing, she said that it's a "manhood" thing.
What that means is that it refers to the fact that for the GOP base, "strength" is associated with "physical power", whether it's erecting a big wall or yelling at women during a conversation.
That association is what part of Western culture came to automatically think of when it comes to male gender identity.
And because it's cultural, women obviously tend to take this notion of manhood and strength over too - although it has to be said that it's precisely white women in 2016 Trump strongholds who during the mid-terms now voted for Democrats.
That being said, nothing indicates that Trump voters don't want a real wall - whereas all studies show that yes, those are not the voters with the highest IQ.
It's just that they don't have any idea about what a political negotiation means, so they easily believe that Trump is doing everything he can to build a wall (or denuclearize North Korea) etc. as soon as he gives them some minutes of entertaining reality tv mimicking their totally inaccurate idea of how to obtain a political agreement.
So it's true that many Trump supporters will continue to support him even when he never builds a wall. But that's not because they don't want it, it's just because they believe him when he tells them he did everything he could.
Conclusion: don't confound a symbol and believing a lie ... nor Trump's IQ and that of Pelosi/Krugman ... ;-)
22
@Nelly. I don’t think “impressionable” is a complimentary character trait, if that is your intention when you label the deplorables as such. Small, naive and unsophisticated children are “impressionable.” For them, though, it is a result of their youth and inexperience. Those rural folks (of which I am one) who are taken in by Trump’s bluster and ostentatious totems (which I most definitely am not) are a long way from wise and noble observers-and voters.
They virtually demand that their opinions be accorded some sort of special reverence and respect. They are -usually - uninformed, misinformed, uneducated and uneducable dupes who serious people would never trust to make important life-decisions for them. Of course they are “impressionable” - and they vote based on their fundamental inability to make intelligent, substantively reasonable, choices.
55
Trump's manhood problem runs deep, and not just the over-compensating. The weird hair, the odd gait, the entire act is a bad cabaret act, he's like the Red Queen straight out of Through the Looking Glass.
9
Is it possible that with every re-named international trade agreement there's a hidden contract that directs money to an anonymous entity of the Trump Organization?
6
I believe Mr. Krugman has missed a fourth motivating factor for this president and his enabler in the Senate. Their mutual hatred for President Obama. Obama is clearly smarter, better spoken, more popular and was elected by bigger margins. And, he called Trump a carnival barker. And, as we have seen, Trump has to get back at anyone who humiliates him. And, the American voters gave him the perfect opportunity to take his revenge on Obama, again and again with every policy reversed. And joy of joy, he can do it all while enriching himself and his complicit offspring at the same time. As to McConnell, he is and always has been about his donors, never the American populace.
285
@Bill P.@Jelly @Woody @Ted @Sabrina
The most important issue is will it work? The ,Chief of Border Control told the Senate Judiciary Committee that it will. Furthermore he said it's needed. All 1,100 miles in some 30 sections. During the Caravan assault from Central America every law enforcement, border control official and local law incorcement sheriff I saw said we need it.
So my bottom line is, I'll go with the experts. It's not a manhood thing it's a border security need.
@Bill P.@Jelly
The most important issue is will it work? The ,Chief of Border Control told the Senate Judiciary Committee that it will. Furthermore he said it's needed. All 1,100 miles in some 30 sections. During the Caravan assault from Central America every law enforcement, border control official and local law incorcement sheriff I saw said we need the wall.
So my bottom line is, I'll go with the experts. It's not a manhood thing it's a border security need.
@Frank Leibold: Instead of a wall, how about using all the money necessary for it to train the men and women put out of work in coal mines, the rust belt etc? They’d have a job with benefits, wouldn’t be working on black lung disease, would probably love the idea of catching aliens and we wouldn’t have to ruin private land or the landscape by putting a huge ugly wall through it
15
“Fixed fortifications are monuments to the stupidity of man.” - General George S. Patton
8
@Tim Kane
Probably said by ol' blood and guts in reference to the Maginot line.
Yes it was. But it still applies
2
Most recent undocumented persons who enter the U.S. are visa overstays, not persons who sneak across the Southern border. A wall on the Southern border, even if not porous, would not block the majority of undocumented persons. Pls see the following article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/08/07/dhs-foreigners-overstayed-visas-
2017/924316002/
On a related matter, Trump recently said Mexicans are now paying for the wall because of tariffs Trump has imposed on Mexican exports to the United States. Trump is mistaken. Tariffs are not money that Mexicans or others send to the United States. In fact, they are taxes added to imports bought by Americans. These taxes are paid by Americans and thereby increase the price of goods bought by Americans. These tariff revenues are not currently being channeled into funding for a wall.
In recent years, more Mexicans have returned to Mexico than have sneaked into this country. Trump is criticizing Mexicans as a way of currying favor with his base, whom Trump has convinced they are suffering because of competition from undocumented Mexicans.
Trump and his supporters in Congress and on Fox have tried to argue that there is a binary choice between Trump's policy and open borders. There is a wide range of alternatives between these two choices.
13
Sadly this sums up this current administration. Krugman hit the nail on the head.
I’m still astonished and astounded at how many people voted against their own best interests. It’s also apparent that our education system sadly doesn’t teach logic. This president doesn’t care a hoot about anyone but himself. By 2020 I pray that most of his voters will come to their senses, but I’m not holding out much hope. They have partaken of the kool-aid.
12
Once you realize that Trump's mind lives in its own world, and a narcissistic immature defensive world at that, you can understand him better and understand his motivations. Throw in the godfather-like criminal diversions. Add to that that he is a misanthrope as well. He probably is happiest when remembering and mimicking Scrooge McDuck diving into a big pool of money!
There is good evidence that he does not understand the reality, the world most Americans - in their diversity - live in.
This is the person who represents the USA is its leader?
7
Isn't it obvious -- for him it's all about the Id.
1
Thought you would never ask Paul. Gas at the pumps is down 50 to 60 cents a gallon. USA is self sufficient in oil and natural gas for the first time in a long while. Employment is the lowest ever. Black employment too is the lowest ever. These and other gains mostly brought about by getting rid of the thousands of regulations choking business and free enterprise. Of course your whole out look is for "global" equality at the expense of the US. Sad that you would rather be a gutter snipe that a hero. The democrats have certainly enriched themselves and friends before the people.
1
@ceh65
Just LOOK at any economical graph of the last ten years, and you'll immediately see that there is NO Trump dent AT ALL.
It's all one smooth evolution into the same direction: the place we are at now, economically.
That's why Krugman is pretending that somehow Trump built this, you see?
As to deregulations: yes, the GOP establishment filling his cabinet is doing something like that, but they just started, so you cannot possibly see the effect of it on the economy on current economic numbers yet ...
6
@ceh65: I don't understand people still defending the Con Don. He and his flunkies in the WH and the GOP are borrowing heavily against the future, our and our children's future, to make the 1% even richer. Those are the ones enriching themselves, the Kochs, Mercers and Adelsons, the Pruitts, DeVosses, Trump himself and his kids. Where are the good paying infrastructure jobs, affordable health care (much better and cheaper than the ACA that Trump promised), rigorous and affordable education, etc.? Nowhere to be seen. And then Trump defends dictators who have their opponents murdered, instead of protecting Western democracy. That's treason, if you ask me. The sooner he's gone, the better.
6
And, gas was cheaper around 2014.
5
McConnell sure enjoyed Nancy and Chuck's evisceration of trump, he was smiling like the Cheshire cat.
1
"Is America amazing, or what?"
Definitely: Or What
6
Well, Mr. Krugman--
--don't forget his base. Excuse me! Let's try that again.
HIS BASE!
I am not for a moment disputing anything in your column, Mr. Krugman. Just tossing in my own two battered farthings--
--but Lord knows! I can never quite get those people out of my mind. And there are millions--yes, MILLIONS of them still out there. Some of them--don't get me wrong!--some of them altogether honest and principled people. Some of them (after two years) still hurting economically. Scraping along on a pittance--looking around fearfully, seeing robots (who never tire and need not be paid) doing the jobs they used to do.
And my heart goes out to them. No lie! It does.
But these, maybe, are the people that gather at those notorious Trump rallies, screaming "Lock her up!"
(As if Mr. Trump had only to snap his fingers and federal marshals would come hustling forward, cuffs in hand.)
Hence "the big beautiful wall." Pictures of that "big beautiful wall"--should it ever actually get built--would be broadcast twenty four/seven on Fox News. And sakes! There it'd be! Keeping out those wretched Hispanic hordes. Making America great again.
Tariffs? Spell that, would you? I don't think Mr. Trump's fans care much about tariffs.
They want WALLS. Big beautiful walls. Stuff you can SEE. Stuff that sends a MESSAGE.
And hey! I'm beginning to repeat myself.
Like someone else I know.
Someone else we ALL know.
Who repeats himself ENDLESSLY.
1
Is America amazing? You bet. Amazingly uninformed and oh-so ready to be bamboozled. How else could a grifter like Trump become POTUS?
5
Success is a notoriously unreliable guide...
trump operated in a glitzy real estate world where he flaunted laws and milked his morally challenged father for over $400 million. He enjoyed all of the notoriety and perks that daddy's money, unethical behavior, lying and bombast could buy. There was never any accountability in trumpworld.
Bankruptcies (6), stiffing contractors and terrible investment decisions were swept under daddy trump's carpet. Beautiful women attracted by glitter, wealth and relaxed ethical and intellectual demands pursued him. Media thrived on his public relations orgasms. No accountability.
President trump is totally out of his depth. He is consequently pushing back against US institutions, law, media and his political constituency to find where his uniquely unfit self can gain expression--like the real estate mogul. He could surround himself with lowlifes, sycophants and incompetents and so he did. He could lie at will--nearly 7,000 by conservative count--and so he did. He believed he could wheel and deal without consequences--marginalizing US traditional allies, sallying out against North Korea with bombast and no results, savaging trade treaties and starting trade wars--because he could. With no personal accountability. Playing with house $.
He is a deeply flawed individual flailing to recreate a trumpworld reality that refuses to bend to his will. McConnell, $ and machismo are symptomatic, not causal.
4
Axiom: No one ever lost a buck overestimating the intelligence of the American public
Correlary: There’s a sucker born born...
2
The presidency of Donald Trump truly demonstrates the awesomeness of the political experiment as constructed by the founding fathers in our constitution... that it remains solid and strong despite the behavior and actions of the president himself is apparent... can you spell M u e l l e r? America has given Trump incredible power to do his awful bidding - yet soon she will also wipe him away and clean up this abhorrent man's mess - and the powerful people who stood with him will also meet their political doom.
160
@Woody - from your keyboard to the ears of the gods.
21
Your word in God’s ear. Or, shall I say, in the voters’ ears???
18
Come to think of it, I don't believe I have ever heard Trump use the word "policy." It's all about the "deal" and the art thereof. Policy invokes thoughtfulness over time. For Trump, it's all about making the deal, and "winning."
5
December 14, 2018
Hollywood land is Washington Land and there in we have a problem when entertainment all the time and for everyone is what how all - yes all decision are decided as the new social whatever - anti social medium is the message to die laughing for yet given a ego rush for eternal happiness for what Warhol knew fifteen minuets of fame. Time for reality check in making our state of affairs meaningful and productive grace.
1
And I might add--not to "go there"--that the strategy of traditional conservatives using an egomaniacal demagogue's popularity to accomplish their political ends behind the scenes didn't go so well in the 1930s in Germany.
5
I get wher Dr. Krugman is coming from. But, Trump is a singular, narcissistic animal that is driven by personal needs in their myriad of forms. Everything else must conform to those desires whether it is business as usual, or something new (trade war).
As I’ve read elsewhere, the wall itself isn’t required, just the fight over it is needed. As long as his base perceives him fighting for them, they’ll support and adulate him. The fight costs him nothing in monetary terms. If he loses, he’ll blame others and stoke his base’s hatred some more at their expense. So yeah, a manhood thing.
Trump lives money, too, so we have policies that enrich him and his cabal.
McConnell is a shrewd guy, and plays Trump for his own personal and donors’ gratification (something ongoing since before Trump).
2
I listened to a Trump fan who visited England claim that a person a friend of hers knows has never had to work a day in her life but that she drives around in a brand new car because she has brittle bones and the taxpayers paid for her car.
I finally got fed up. Particularly since she just idolizes Churchill, who was for universal healthcare, and told her, "well next time you should hunt that person with "brittle bones" as you call it - which could be a degenerative and debilitating disease like osteoporosis, or rheumatoid arthritis, or charcot foot, and take that car away from her.
Then give it to the chauffer of the Queen of England.
Then reminded her that she doesn't seem to be morally outraged about the former "Dean" of Trump "University" conning people out of their retirement funds.
Why isn't that as morally reprehensible as a Ponzi scheme - is it because Ponzi had the audacity to defraud wealthy investors instead of people Trump and his fans like to refer to as subpar?
So sick of the double-standard of this GOP and Trump's adoring loyalists who are so ignorant they spend an inordinate amount of time and money paying homage to Churchill, and they haven't got a clue who he even was, nor do they care.
9
@Jbugko
For many people that person with brittle bones feels much more similar to themselves than some ultra-wealthy individual, that's why it's so much more outrageous for them.
It is still possible for them to accept that someone born into wealth stays into wealth. It's not their case, but it never COULD have been, whereas they could have been that unemployed lady instead.
The reason why it feels SO unjust to have someone like you driving a new car without ever working, is because so many people today have no choice but to accept a job that doesn't allow them to develop their own talents or feel truly respected and appreciated as a human being in the first place.
As long as we don't take people's well-being into account, when organizing our society/economy, this kind of feelings will continue to play an important role in politics.
Britain just created a Ministry of Loneliness, which might be a first step in the right direction. Mindfulness training is now also reimbursed by health insurance plans. But THE biggest challenge of the 21th West, apart from but equally important as climate change, will probably be to finally install systematic development of the innate skills and brain networks that lead to real, lasting happiness, now that we found out that consuming ourselves to death won't work.
Or as Van Jones called it, we urgently need a spiritual revolution (ALL of us), rather than merely judging the negative emotions of those voting against their own interests.
1
As always when this stuff comes up, I recommend reading Neil Hertz, “Medusa’s Head: Male Hysteria Under Political Pressure.” Let’s just say that some guys like to build many, many copies that are much, much bigger of a certain something that they feel is, ah, less than adequate.
1
A small minded man of extraordinary greed and bereft of basic human kindness.
We must cease attempts at analyzing The Donald as if he were a human being.
This is pure grifter and has found himself at the end of the Peter Principal with no way out.
He has risen so far above his competence - I am sure that The Donald is as surprised as everybody else is.
6
“So major affairs of state are being decided not by the national interest, nor even by the interests of major groups within the nation, but by the financial interests and/or ego of the man in the White House.”
Mr Krugman has clearly identified the crime but has indicted the wrong criminal. “The affirs of state” may be conjured up by the delusions of the Republican president but without the active complicity of the Republican Congress and Supreme Court, he would be just an impotent clown whose rants were blocked by the balance of powers created by the constitution.
The constitution has failed us in this historical farce because Republican office holders have failed us. They have violated their allegiance to the constitution and their oath of office. The Republicans majority in the Senate, House, and Supreme court can control Trump with their constitutional powers any time they reassert their primary responsibility defined by their oath of office.
2
Without fail, every time I see the pouting, scowling angry trump (daily?), I see a picture of him that surfaced during the campaign.
He was about 5 yrs., ~ wearing little boy farmer johns and knee socks, arms flailing, mouth wide open and being physically restrained by an adult while obviously throwing a major tantrum.
The boy hasn't changed. He's just gotten taller, wider and possibly louder.
3
This Christmas, I'm asking Santa for fairness and justice to make a comeback in America. That's all - just fairness for all, and justice for those who seek to deprive us of our shared heritage - ethics in government, compassion not only for our citizens, but for others in our world, and truth - we desperately need to know that our leaders are honest and truthful.
Too much for Santa to handle? Maybe. But if we all work together, we can make it happen. First, we have to clear the White House of all traces of the Trump administration. Then we all need to be informed, vigilant, and ethical voters - no more votes for unqualified, lying, bullies.
2
Somehow Trump reminds me of the line in the TV cartoon series "Super Chicken" where his friend, butler and cohort in crime fighting asks him why he does not use his Super Vision, to which Super Chicken replies that "Fred, if I had any Supervision we wouldn't Be here now."
Trump's presidency is a lot like that
1
@B. Honest. LOL! That’s hilarious.
1
While the battle over the wall is an interesting sideshow, the more interesting story is that we have a president under investigation by a justice department completely under control of his party, while the leader of the opposition party has taken impeachment off the table. It sure looks like the Democrats want to drag out Trump's train wreck until the 2020 elections, while the Republicans would prefer Pence.
....and yes, the fate of the country along the way is irrelevant.
@Jim K They want to wait for Mueller's report. What is wrong with that?
3
The motives you describe would be better labeled "Me, Moola, Mo' Moola." Trump and Republicans have no interest in the common good and the common man. The only laws and regulations they like are those that protect the owner/investor class from the demands of the worker/consumer class. They see government and law as tools to help the rich get richer. the big get bigger and the powerful get more power. Any benefits that "trickle down" to the masses are purely accidental and undeserved. Their healthcare reform attempts show this clearly. Their primary aim is to keep insurance and pharma executives and stockholders rich, which makes it hard to craft a law that makes healthcare affordable and available to all. Politicians with the best of intentions sometimes miss the mark, but Trump and Republicans have no good intentions that I can see.
6
Give him the wall, but with some enhancements. Have it be a Trump Living Museum with the wall chronicling his life, achievements, and those of his family. But let it also have all of his tweets displayed, all of his lies, and all his speeches. If there is too much open space, simply put TRUMP in Gigantic letters on those wall panels, just like in the Downtown Chicago Trump Building. Also, where possible, include large drive in like screens for video of his life an his time in the presidency. Every border town should have a say in what they would like for their section of the wall and what could create revenue as an attraction. Mexico? They might be willing to pungle up on the Mexico side of the wall, they could do the same, honoring one of their presidents, with all the documenting and media of their choosing. The large screens peppered along the wall from sea to shining sea, Pacific to Gulf of Mexico, could periodically show movies, and like the old drive in days. Folks could come with the family on a Friday night for a show, Mexican people on one side and US citizens on the other. Like the Twin drive Ins of the sixties. Again all making money. Museum/Living Memorial meets Theme Park. The Border Experience. "Hey Honey, where should we take the kids this year? Lets go to the Wall! How about it kids?"
2
Nailed it, Paul. Thankfully, the midterms demonstrated that Trump lost a large portion of his urban base in the first 22 months of his chaos-ridden presidency. And it's all downhill for him from here. Why? Because Trump doesn't know how to lead; how to stimulate an economy with positive rhetoric or sensible governance. He was elected by taking credit for Barrack Obama's economy; by making absurd claims about the rust belt and restoring manufacturing jobs; by being a bully. His base loves the Trump-bully persona. They feel like someone's got their back. But, of course, Trump only has his own back and he's doing a terrible job of protecting himself. Never mind doing nothing for his base. I'm not yet ready to breathe a sigh of relief, but I'm now more optimistic about the end of Trump than at any point since his election. Fingers crossed.
9
We all agree, there should be security and the border between the US and Mexico should be adequately safeguarded. Is the Wall, the best available option? Why are we not holding Mexico and other countries bordering Mexico, responsible? We do not see efforts from these countries to prevent their people from leaving their countries, and wanting to cross their own borders.
Where would the billions of dollars which Mr. Trump is demanding, cone from? The country is already facing a monstrous debt and deficit.
Why is Mr. Trump not extending his persuasion in other areas such as Infrastructure, and Healthcare? Are they not more important than the Wall?
1
@citizen Yes, we do need border security and the wall is only a means to ramp up his base, not a real solution. Experts have said that more surveillance and better tracking methods of those returned to their countries is needed. Not some stupid wall that can’t be built in some areas because a vast amount of land is privately owned.
People need to speak out and demand infrastructure and healthcare improvements once and for all. If you can explain the facts to people on this wall and show how much more could be done on important issues if we cut back on military spending and reinforced our roads, electrical grid, etc..
1
There was never a sound reason why his properties needed to be adorned with large, gold-plated versions of the word "TRUMP" either---but there they are.
7
In Ancient Rome they had Caligula , the Emperor . In today`s America we have Donald . The similarities are many . Both were the leaders of the most powerful countries of their respective times . Both were rumored to be unhinged . The behavior of both men was , shall we say , peculiar . Caligula is supposed to have built a huge bridge across the Bay of Naples so he could ride a horse back and forth . Donald wants to build the wall . Caligula claimed he wanted to invade Britain and instead sent the legions to a beach to collect sea shells . Donald wanted a huge military parade . Caligula insulted and terrified the members of the Senate . If you looked at Mike Pence during Trump `s discussion with Chuck and Nancy , you have to feel sorry for him . The major affairs of state are being decided , like in Caligula`s time , by the whims of a maniac . Rome survived Caligula , and continued to be for centuries the most powerful and most advanced empire . In the same way we are going to survive Donald Trump .
4
Trump doesn't give a fig if the wall is built or not. In fact, not having it is probably better for him in that it keeps the issue alive. He promised his base a wall and as long as he keeps fighting for it he keeps their support. So he will never let the issue go because it represents a dream that he can keep selling to them over and over.
5
I think the final property that bears the Trump name should be the federal penitentiary that houses him until his last days.
11
hey paul, quoting nancy, you said, "the wall is a manhood thing.” you forgot to mention the corollary that followed: "as if manhood could somehow be attributed to [trump.]"
5
@gordonlee It is of course, telling, that he wants it to be 'Yuge, Bigger than anything before, and look both Imposing and Impressive.'
Oh, yeah, in his mind it also has to be expensive to be any good, thus Billions of Dollars have to be spent on it or it is not worth it.
Also, it has to be Mexico that pays, or he does not get the feeling of grinding that debt into someone else's pocket.
And he gets pettier and pettier as he goes along, since he has already plucked all the low-hanging fruit.
1
I can't get past how funny it is to see "Manhood" and "McConnell" in the SAME headline.
How did the rest of you stop laughing at the headline to read the column?
I'll try again at lunch.
7
Trump is easy to understand as he does what feels good to his gut at the moment. That's it. Sex with many partners feels good, consequences be damned. Fooling people into thinking a wall will stop immigration feels good. Putting together deals that will enrich him, legally or not feel good too. Calling rivals demeaning names feels good. Eating cheeseburgers and fried chicken too. Lying about his achievements and blaming his failures feels good. Efforts to make our system of government more open and effective, well that's just work and to him work does not satisfy his needs.
308
@Ted: Yes. And that's true of his supporters, too, consequences be damned. He makes them feel good for being merely an embodiment of their anger. They just love that someone is finally 'sticking it to _______' (fill in your own bogeyman).
And what we get is a feel good fest of anger that continues to feed on itself.
23
@Ted
Yup! This is what you do, when you're intellectually eight years old.
22
@Ted Yep. All id. All the time.
17
300 years after rejecting one through violent revolution, America elected itself a mad king!
4
I think you are close but missing the true motivation here. The actions of this man is disgustingly weak. A president tweeting insults in the middle of the night. Bowing down to Russia. Caving in to North Korea. Being made to defend Saudi Arabian murder. Defending and denying Russian interference in the 2016 election. Sleeping with porn stars while he has a one-year-old at home. Bragging about sexual assault to Billy Bush. It’s all stomach churning weakness. So he needs the wall and the trade war to puff himself up. He needs to pretend to be tough to hide the craven weakness of his life and his presidency. That’s why he cheers for thugs at his rallies - so he appears to be tough by association. It’s weakness. If the “true believers” ever found out how truly weak he is, the game would end immediately.
7
@Baldwin We’ll said. Remember that movie, “A Face in the Crowd”? With Andy Griffith who played a grifter who had a folksy message and became so popular that he had his own TV show but he didn’t believe a word of it and ridiculed his followers. Patricia Neal’s character admired him but realized what a lying narcissistic snake he was that she opened his mic during a commercial and everyone could hear him degrading his “Base”.
Please someone, if you have Trump on tape trashing his base, which I’m sure he does all the time, for the love of your country release it!
BTW I believe Andy Griffith’s character lost everything and went crazy!
2
I love this country.
1
"Is America amazing, or what?" I don't even recognize America anymore with Trump, it is embarrassing to be an American! How Trumpism is going to end is unknown but suspect it is not going to be good!
6
Move to the next letter of the alphabet.... Narcissism. The news has to be all about Trump. When some tragedy upstages him, he pouts.... and then does/says something outrageous to put him back in the limelight.
6
Mr. Krugmans intellect is way-way beyond Trump's. I wonder if a Nobel Laurates intense attention to such a person actually dignifies its target...?
2
@Yul
It would ... IF he weren't the president of the USA today, and have the power that comes with that kind of position.
2
"Shall be aesthetically pleasing on the U.S. side"? For trump, that means plastering his orange visage on the entire length. Yuuuuuuge murals like they have in totalitarian regimes.
Oh, and directions for those who want to apply for work at Mar-a-Lago or any trump golf course, wink wink.
Stupid and embarrassing = trump.
6
What's amazing is Trump's 90% Republican approval no matter how inferior his policies and results. Making America White Again trumps all (pun intended).
7
There's no such thing as the USMCA, it's just NAFTA 1.2.
3
"Trade wars are easy to win."
-- Donald Trump
5
What motivates Trump is a complex issue and would need a good psychoanalyst to write a book in the future. His lack of ethical and moral values would need special attention.
Why Trump rejects science and opposes global warming and environmental degradation is not altogether clear.
The wall sells well to Trump’s base. Why? How some twelve million people have gained entry into our country without our knowledge? Our system of tracking people who get into and out of our country has to be extremely ineffective to allow illegal immigration to continue on a massive scale.
Tariffs. I want to ask Krugman how a country can go on trading with deficits year after year? If we fill a tub with less water (or anything) than we take out of it, sooner or later the tub will be empty. Should we wait and do nothing until the tub is empty?
Economists say that free trade allows competition and makes goods available at the lowest price. That sounds very good on paper. It does not take into account the wide disparities in labor costs and safety issues. Competition is not as fair as we are made to believe.
What are the remedies to equalize competition? To Trump, tariffs are the remedy. If there is a better remedy, I want to hear from Krugman.
Krugman is brilliant and I agree with him most of the time. I would like him to answer the above questions.
@ALM
A trade deficit simply means that we're buying more stuff from other countries than what they buy from us.
That's not comparable to your tub analogy.
That simply means that as the biggest economy and wealthiest country on earth, we have the financial power to buy much more foreign stuff than any other country. And as a consequence, we do.
Or to take your tub analogy: we're having the biggest tub, with most of the water, that's why it spills over to smaller tubs standing next to ours, and allows them to fill their tubs a little bit too.
As to "free trade": that doesn't exist, of course. What exists is trade between countries that each have their own internal rules of the game (including labor laws), and that agreed upon some international rules too.
Trump's idea behind tariff increases is that it will force poorer countries to nevertheless start buying more from us. There is NO evidence whatsoever that this is even possible - let alone lead to better labor laws at home and abroad.
Protecting unions both at home and abroad, and then engaging in international treaties such as the TTP and Obama's NAFTA 2.0 (which Trump merely took over), which impose labor laws that increase minimum wages etc., is the only realistic solution here - as Krugman explained in other op-eds too.
4
Pelosi envy.
10
Like a compulsive gambler does, especially one who is gambling with other people's money, Donald Trump just rolls the dice and lets the chips fall. Sometimes you come up a winner, which might prove to be the case with China. Donald Trump himself is always a winner as far as his bank account and his overinflated ego. The haters among us are feeble-minded enough that they can be conditioned to believe they are. To those ends we can think of The Wall as a Confederate statue of sorts.
1
There is so much of this piece that is just factually wrong.
"Previous presidents may have made realpolitik accommodations with unsavory regimes, but we’ve never seen anything like Trump’s obvious preference for brutal despots over democratic allies"
Seriously???
There is nothing new in our accommodations with Putin and Trump. Such a view ignores the many times the US has sided with authoritarians (eg Chile, Nicaragua, Iran, Saudi Arabia )
1
@Bill Dan
If that's what you believe, you need to do some fact-checking.
Ask yourself just when any other US president called the leaders of allied democratic nations "stupid" and those of enemy dictatorships "great", for instance, and you'll see that contrary to what you spontaneously thought, Krugman is right here.
1
Save for the WALL that, at least sublimally, screams TRUMP the GOP and the 1% they represent are heartilly in agreement with what Trump is doing on the domestic scene. On the international scene not so much, especially when he plays Tariff Man. But they love the thumbscrews he's applying to the common herd. So does the GOP.
1
Climate change denial is also part of his "manhood" mode. In his mind, only weaklings worry that the much of Florida (including Mar-A-Lago) will end up underwater. The irony is that the Trump Organization recently asked for permission to build a sea wall for its golf course in Ireland to protect it from "climate change-related" sea level rise. The words "climate change" were used in their building application. Further, the Trump Organization was apparently lobbying the local population to agree to the building of the sea wall by handing out flyers.
5
“The wall” is just like “pro life”.
Republican leaders (or trump) don’t really care if either reaches fruition.
They are just hot buttons to get the base to show up at party rallies and cheer for trump and allow republican leadership to funnel money to the plutocracy under the radar.
7
Okay, these proposed trade measures are not especially popular with anyone and don't achieve the intended policy purposes.
So why are so many Americans pleased by them and all of the other irrational, ill thought out, and actually harmful measures proposed by this presidency, especially when the harm is so often focused upon those who like the president the most?
Seems like that's a far more pressing question for our columnists these days because it applies to almost everything the White House wants to do, and focuses on the most responsible people, the president's supporters. Once we figure that out, maybe it can be subverted somehow.
Everything else, I've decided, is just more cause for salacious, vindictive, ultimately useless and unhealthy glee. Call it Trumporn.
2
Manhood. Well, did Pelosi show a little bit in her confrontation with Trump? What went down in 2016, and could easily repeat itself in 2020, was a victory of anger over fear and depression. "Political correctness" was the label, but it meant the difficult effort, the self-restraint and its associated shame, that was too much for men (and some women). How often have you thought the bad words, the N word, the C word, the words we think but are afraid to say. Not just fear? If we are going to get over the manhood insanity, we can't pretend that anger is not a step up from fear. We need to love ourselves with all our crazy bias and crazy needs to blame others. Where in America are men and women fully alive and alike? Watch the fans at an NFL game. Get angry, get really angry. Think Scott Walker. Focus that anger on voter registration and voter turnout.
3
Krugman and Nancy Pelosi are correct in nailing the "manhood" motivation of Trump on the wall and other issues. He may be the most morally repugnant in the manhood quest, but he is certainly not the first. LBJ pursued a ruinous war because he didn't want to be blamed for "losing Vietnam". And Bush and the neocons invaded Iraq more than a little pumped up on "manhood".
Women leaders, while not without fault, are not driven by testosterone laden insecurities. When do we ever hear that "womanhood" is an issue in governance? This is why we need more women leaders. Look at how Nancy Pelosi won support for the House Speakership - legislative savvy, giving her opponents a win, uniting fractious groups. Nancy would obviously never claim manhood, but then she doesn't need it.
4
The most disturbing thing about Trump's behavior is that it is so gratuitously cruel.
His decisions and his policies, few and minuscule as they may be, have nothing to do with the good of the people or the country but are only to undo everything Obama, to fight with the democrats at large, or to slime his target of the moment. He would rather be in a fight than an intelligent discussion.
He's still the fat, ugly kid on the sidelines of the playground chewing orange peels and hoping somebody will notice. There is nothing deeper than that he's arrested development personified and trying to find a motive for his infantile behavior is fruitless.
4
Wonder if German leadership referred to the Wall in Berlin as
"big and beautiful"? How long would it take to hear "Mr. President, Tear down this wall"?
4
I believe Professor Krugman has left out the most despicable personality feature of Trump: xenophobia and racism. Like all right-wing authoritarians, he fears and despises the "other".
6
The 'GOP' which is an acronym for 'Grand Old Party' should henceforth officially rename itself to the 'GOBP', the 'Good Ol' Boys Party'.
3
Maybe Cialis or Roman could sponsor the wall and the turrets could be shaped accordingly.
Trump's antics might certainly be the most obvious example of allowing hubris and machismo drive our policies, but it's certainly not the only one. In fact, I'd argue that our entire banking system--and the lobbyists who drive financial policy--is one big "get out the rulers" exercise in being top dog. Witness Lloyd Blankfein's infamous quote after the 2008 crash that Goldman was "doing God's work" with a subsequent payout of bonuses to his staff that seemed so oblivious to the atmosphere at the time. The tone-deafness was only surpassed by the collective eye-rolling of the American public.
As long as we equate our politics with "winning" instead of responsible governing, we will have the masters of the universe treat American lives and policy as a game. All I can say is, thank heavens we've voted in more women who are sick of business as usual, boys will be boys nonsense.
189
When Pelosi and Schumer entered the Oval Office this week, the president had NOT informed them of the fact that it wouldn't be a real negotiation but actually a press conference.
That in itself is highly unusual, and of course "not done".
After it was over, however, Trump, according to aides, was so angry that he threw his briefing documents in the air. And he was mostly mad at Schumer. Why? Because Schumer made him explicitly state that any shutdown would be Trump's fault, accepting FULL responsibility.
And that was simply true, of course.
But admitting it in front of the cameras, and admitting it because Schumer has much more experience in negotiating than reality tv actor Trump, was apparently felt as deeply humiliating for Trump - which is was.
Everybody knows that government funding bills are bills that merely keep the government open and functioning. They are NOT bills that include any policy changes, let alone controversial and extremely expensive and not paid for changes that only a minority of the American people, AND only those belonging to the political party that just massively lost the last elections, support (the voter-gap between both parties is the biggest it has been in 30 years - delivering Trump a much bigger "shellacking" than Obama in 2010, and at the time Obama was still turning around the economy, whereas today Trump is benefiting from the great Obama GDP growth).
Without comprehensive immigration reform, there will be no wall. So no deal at all..
2
While Prof. Krugman's column is generally spot-on, I'd take issue with one point he brings up. I think there IS a "constituency" for Trump's tariff regime - at least until said tariffs affect those people personally. One of his major campaign themes in 2016 was ginning up resentments over "unfair trade practices" - and (for those not affected by them) imposition of tariffs can seem like a cheap-and-easy way to "punish" those cheating foreigners. That they don't really work that way is pretty much of an irrelevance: they APPEAR to work that way: and for an Administration which is all about the glitzy facade, that's good enough. It messes up the country's economy, but as long as that "donor class" isn't affected, that's a secondary consideration, at best.
4
The US has thwarted any effort to have any reasonable relationship with Russia. The standard neo con credo is that Russian policy should be, how can Russia be totally marginalized politically? Despite the dangers to international peace. McConnell filling the trough with tax offal for billionaires who he hopes will keep the GOP in power from now to kingdom come and, on the other hand, to mindlessly attack domestic spending are the bed rock zero sum politics that he pursues. One can spend depressing hours showing the greedy machinations by Trump and Kushner. Their fealty to the likes of Sheldon Adelson and Prince Salmon are examples of the serious corruption of politics by money. Anti democratic electoral mechanisms in the US constitution and others pursued by poor sport GOP losers point to a dangerous disrespect for election results.
I don't think Pelosi wanted to suggest that Trump himself is associating building a wall with being a "real man" (she knows he'll never build one).
She rather referred to the fact that things like a "big, beautiful wall" confirm a certain idea of what it means to be a man and that is still predominant almost everywhere today in Western culture - and that women in power (as well as many ordinary housewives) have to put up with on a daily basis, including, without any doubt, Pelosi herself.
THAT is why Trump's rhetoric (= way of speaking, and content) and even body language resonate so strongly with the GOP base, and - as after two years everything suggests now - are ENOUGH already to make the GOP base wholeheartedly support him, even though concretely he's accomplishing nothing at all, and on most important campaign issues even doing the exact opposite, as Krugman reminds here.
It's a notion of manhood based on real, very deep insecurities, and that the #MeToo movement has made even worse by denouncing its horrible consequences for women, all while not immediately offering an alternative conception of manhood.
"Strength" is defined here by running away as fast as you can from negative emotions, and turning the same hatred of part of what it means to be human against any person who might show or even have those emotions too.
Neurology has in the meanwhile proven that it's this fear that makes you insecure, and leads to misguided violence - against yourself and others...
8
@Ana Luisa: Guns are the worst phallic crutches of all in the US.
3
@Steve Bolger
With all respect, but the very notion of associating "strength" with "phallus" is part of this extremely harmful, typically Western contemporary conception of manhood that Pelosi is rejecting here.
Look at a woman's body: it is capable of making another human being and giving birth to it, and surviving such a huge challenge. There's no reason whatsoever to use a "phallus" as symbol of strength, apart from a distorted and unhealthy conception of manhood.
As long as we somehow accept to link strength to manhood, rather than acknowledging that real human strength has nothing to do with muscle mass and as a consequence with gender, we will not only cultivate unhealthy gender conceptions, we will also have to deal with extremely dangerous conceptions of what politics and national security is all about.
1
@Ana Luisa: The world can suffer from too much motherhood too.
I suppose that it's jumping the gun to say that mostly all of Trump's policies, as it seems to me, are from the checklist given to Trump in his private meeting(s) with Putin in his ambition to weaken America. As investigations proceed, perhaps this will all come out. Trump is given too much credit for doing all this on his own.
5
If the standard Republican play is tax cuts to the rich, gutting regulations, and slashing social programs to pay for it, how can Democrats use that knowledge to their advantage?
2
@Kathleen
By doing what they just did: remembering this basic truth, calling them out on their hypocrisy and constant lies, and propose real, science-based alternative policies.
4
It’s pretty rare that I disagree with Mr. Krugman, but this article is one of those times. Everything that Trump does can be attributed to one or more of these three things: Praise, money, or satisfying his base voters. That’s it. The wall falls into the last category. He sold his base on the idea of the wall so much that he led people chanting ‘build the wall’. To them, it’s a powerful and critical tool, because he told them it was. They don’t know it would be ineffective. They don’t know we already have fencing where it’s needed. A good chunk of them actually believed Mexico would pay for it. Now that’s truly nuts.
The GOP has always had to have some sort of boogeyman that they can use to scare people, because fear is the strongest emotion in the human body, and they know that scared people are more likely to vote and they’re easier to manipulate. All modern conservative politics revolves around that idea. Back in the Reagan and GW Bush days it was welfare abusing black people. Basically lawbreaking brown people. For a long time after that it was Islamic terrorism. Again, the lawbreaking brown people. But since most recent acts of terror have been from angry white guys, they needed something else to be the central boogeymen this time around, and the idea of law breaking brown people scares conservatives like no other, so here we are.
Racism drives everything they preach. Sad but true.
389
@RS This fear tack is particularly effective given that conservative views are closely linked to fear based personalities. So long as the GOP leadership can keep teeing up fearful figures they will hold on to their base.
22
@RSBoy do I agree with you! I see this in the South. All of the TV stations broadcast crime by black people. There are enough crimes by white people, but they don't get airtime. Having lived around very rich people in NY, I can tell you they do not care about others in most cases. They always protect their own interests. Inequality is the major problem with this country. The public school system indoctrinates with lies from the very beginning.
29
@RS Well said and sadly very true with no end in sight!
18
Trump's personality is so unusual that it's difficult for a normal person to understand.
He is motivated by a desire for dominance and a love of money.
He is unimpeded by conscience.
His interest in politics is largely motivated by a need to see himself as superior to all other politicians by virtue of his toughness.
His policies, if they can be called that, are a combination of long-held views that were probably poorly informed in the first place and deference to Fox News, because they seem "tougher" than the left.
His execution is to get his base marvelling at his toughness; facts, logic and compassion be damned. He believes that he can get people to believe just about anything and, according to 538.com he's about 41% correct. If he has one noteworthy skill, it's his instinct for what his base will swallow.
So, boil it down to primitive narcissism and impressive greed, all without conscience.
341
@RickP
I don't think that this kind of personality is "unusual".
How many ordinary citizens have to put up with an ignorant , unproductive and incompetent boss like that each and every day?
At least tens of millions, I guess.
And how many housewives are putting up with men like this at home?
Even more than that, probably.
That's why Pelosi was right to talk about a "manhood" problem. Behind rhetoric that constantly proposes "solutions" that look "tough" because they convey an image of cracking down, pushing away, going against etc. (all while accomplishing nothing), is a totally inaccurate and inadequate notion of what it means to be a "real man".
Pence has a totally different style, but basically adheres to the same notion about real men.
Real men are not people learning how to have the courage to confront each and any negative emotion and to allow it to exist without necessarily acting upon it, in this conception of manhood (in other words, it has nothing to do with real emotional intelligence and strength/resilience). Real men are rather people who systematically flee and suppress all negative ideas and emotions, trying to ignore them by literally building a wall against them, in their brains.
Neurology shows, unfortunately, that doing so creates so much frustration, anger and hatred in your own body that you cannot but blindly lash out against others ... or literally flee, as Pence does with adult women.
21
@RickP You pretty well describe Antisocial Personality Disorder, a close relative of Psychopathy. Unfortunately, its not that rare (1-4% of the population) including about 1 in 20 men! It is, however, terrifying that our president is one of them!
32
If Trump wants to exert his "manhood" he will need to mature past being the high school bully. Braggadocio does not a man make. All Trump's BFF's whom he admires, are bullies - from Putin to Kim Jong-un to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. They all rule with an iron fist. Trump equates cruel exercise of power with manhood. Given that view of power, Trump has left scorched earth wherever he focuses his attention from slashing environmental and banking regulations, to trashing world leaders who are allies, to imposing tariffs that stifle economic growth. Trump loathes and is overtly jealous of former President Barack Obama, because Obama is a mature man, who is highly intelligent, and is a respected leader. Trump will forever be in his shadow.
Trump is throwing a man-baby tantrum in threatening to shut down our government. This would cost us millions and interrupt lives. All of this over building a wall, which amounts to a monument to himself, and is in an effort to show his buddies and supporters how manly he is. He tried bullying Pelosi and Schumer about building the wall, but they would have none of it. His anger after the meeting was palpable.
Why would anyone want to even entertain the notion of working for such a person who is immature, unstable, and has loyalty only to his own narcissistic self?
272
@Diana Agree with all you say, and I would add, a massive, $11,000,000,000 dollar pay-off to his construction "associates" who would undoubtedly be "awarded" the contracts!
15
@Diana yes and all three of the bullies you mention at the start have also caused their state agencies to kill off people they didn’t like brazenly. Is there equivalence with Obama and the killing of Bin Laden. None at all .Putin tried to kill Skripal because he was a spy gone bad. Kim killed relatives seen as a threat. Salman Saud killed a troublesome journalist. Would Trump like to emulate the three bullies. Probably. That’s why he’s scary.
26
So then why did Democrats vote for a Border wall (fence) prior to Trump becoming Pres
1
@Thomas Lashby
Because contrary to GOP propaganda Democrats have always supported real, science-based border protection, and at some places at the southern border that includes a fence.
It's Trump's gigantic border wall that doesn't make any sense (as his own Sec. of Defense, a four-star General, has himself explicitly admitted already), not only because it's extremely expensive, but most of all because it has been proven that it is NOT the most effective way of protecting the southern border at all.
So while Trump is talking and won't build ANY wall, the Democrats are merely doing their jobs and protecting this country ...
12
@Ana Luisa,
https://www.google.com/amp/s/abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/obamas-deportation-policy-numbers/story%3fid=41715661
When I saw that the title of this editorial included McConnell, I thought perhaps someone would finally look at or at least question McConnell's inexplicable support for Trump's damaging tariffs. McConnell became very wealthy marrying his Taiwanese wife. What's bad for China is good for Taiwan, as Taiwan has been trying to escape China's jackboot on its neck for decades. I can't help but think there's more going on there, particularly in light of the GOP's obsession with money over democracy and its total disregard for our laws and our national morality. In regard to the situation as a whole, I think Samsara said it best: the majority of women would never engage in this sort of global penis-measuring contest simply to satisfy their egos, all the while not caring if men, women, and children suffer and die for their pleasure.
8
Bigness and manhood,sure.
Like the Great Wall of China, the president wants his The Great Wall of America.
It will be seen even from space and keep him famous forevermore.
4
Any cattle rancher can tell you that ‘the manhood thing’ can be easily and quickly fixed.
15
Looking at the record, we are sadly too late for that.
2
Or what.
1
ITMFA or 25th Amendment him. Please. Or tar and feather them.
3
On second thought, a monstrosity like a border wall might be a fitting memorial for Trump.
1
Trump’s He-Man, Master of the Universe ideology lacks intelligence and morality. It’s the grand scale corporatism of white suprematist fatcat boardrooms striving to plunder our nation’s natural beauty, classrooms, healthcare, retirement safety nets, and democratic ideals. It’s take the moola, all the moola, full speed ahead! History, Science, Culture, Civility are losers in the hands of Trump, McConnell,s errandboy.
9
Funny how Liberals did not care when Holder lied to Congress, or Obama. Remember Obama said he did not know Hillary had a non government account at the same time he was emailing her on her gmail account. Such a double standard of dishonesty. It's no wonder Congress and the Press are rated less than 30% positive
1
Funny how conservatives made a huge deal when Holder lies to Congress but are silent when trump lies to the American people, yeah funny.
6
@Thomas Lashby
Still banging that "but her emails" distraction.
6
Like their father, charles and david koch HATE The United States of America.
And because of Citizens United coupled with zero moral fiber of republicans, the entire GOP was orderdd to HATE America too.
And by golly, they do!
They do!!!
9
Yesterday the sad news that a little girl from Guatemala died from cardiac arrest secondary to dehydration while in custody of the US border authorities.
According to her dad she had not eaten or drunk for a while going through the desert .
An innocent victim of immoral politics .
The trumpian wall, even if beautiful....., wouldn’t have spared the precious life of this creature.
I know we have had decades to get prepared to this worldwide demographic explosion, trying to educate religious zealots and conservative politicians from preaching and instigating limitless procreation.
The fact remains that a Guatemalan little girl died while in US custody from dehydration and possible starvation at Christmas time .
12
"Trump’s foreign policy has, however, made a break, not just with previous Republican practice, but with everything America used to stand for. "
Right, we were once the shiny city on the hill until Trump came along. LBJ was able to leap tall buildings in a single bound but he didn't do too well swimming the Tonkin Gulf.
But you did come close to uttering the words "illegal immigrants". So there's that.
“Fixed fortifications are monuments to man’s stupidity. If mountain ranges and oceans can be overcome, anything by man can be overcome” Gen. George Patton.
If the US really wanted to stop illegal immigration Congress would pass a law and the president would sign it that made it a crime to hire an illegal immigrant worker. American businesses are opposed to that because many of them need the labor and seasonal labor that only migrant laborers are willing to do.
Trump governs from lie to lie. But Republicans in Congress have been doing the same for decades.
10
Dr. Krugman, with all the ballyhoo about Mexico paying for the wall why are the democrats even discussing funding for the wall and why in the world would he shut down the government over something he stated over and over and over again that Mexico will pay for the wall, "I promise you".
2
We must not blame Trump or GOP alone for this mess. It's so disturbing that a plain and simple criminal like Trump is still outside jail and can easily became the president of this country, which pride itself as the most free with best democracy in the world.
I'm confident that Trump is not alone in American corporate and political world. Many are like Trump while some are worse, far worse. Yet American laws, that our politicians and many "patriotic" but ignorant citizens boast about, hardly can touch such people. Trump is getting such attention only because he became the president and infuriated so many otherwise powerful people. But it's safe to say that our core democratic institutions totally failed to ensure justice and prosecute such criminals when they were committing grave crimes.
The laws of the land seem to be written or enforced, probably both, in a deliberate way that favor such rich criminals. That's the biggest challenge for our law makers to address if they want American democracy to survive and people to keep trusting our core institutions and rule of law.
5
@bonku
Agreed. Except: "... and people to *keep trusting* our core institutions and rule of law."
Many of us stopped trusting these things quite a while back and for obvious reasons. Our trust must be WON BACK.
Many of us seniors may not even live long enough to see that happen.
5
Sometimes it seems that the only people stupider than Trump are all the other politicians. 6 months ago, the Democrats or some of the Republicans should have proposed for the budget debate that funds would be budgeted for the wall as they were received by direct transfer from the Government of Mexico to the U.S. Treasury, remember the Master of all Biggly deals said that Mexico was going to pay for it. Tell the President to put up or shut up. When he gets a binding agreement with Mexico to pay, he can have the funds.
5
@JJ
FYI: that's basically what the Democrats have been saying to Trump for two years now, you know. And with success. There won't be any wall.
One of the reasons why we have to put up with such a corrupt government in the first place is because so many decent ordinary citizens don't do their homework and prefer to stand at the sidelines blaming the only ones who still take governing seriously today: the Democrats.
With friends like that ...
5
@Ana Luisa
You are wrong, the Democrats have been saying we are not going to give you a wall because we don't want it, thus firing up Trumps base and giving him more air time. What they need to say is "Donald as soon as you have an agreement with Mexico to pay for it you can have it." Go on FOXnews tell the world that when Donald comes through on his promise the wall will go up and the world will be safe. Remind the world that Donald said the wall would cost $12-15 billion, ask him why he thinks he can only get $5 billion from Mexico, that's what he asked for in the budget.
You have to play Donald’s game. He points every direction at some time when he points in the direction you want to go, butter him call him brilliant.
Remember that the only reason the wall isn’t being built even as we speak is that Donald hasn’t closed the deal with Mexico.
1
While this is a very accurate description of all the factors behind Donald Trump's policy motivations -- there's still one more ugly elephant in the room, and that's race.
There's no way of denying he's also playing that card to his advantage like he's always done, whether it's by doggedly pursuing the abrogation of every legislation put into place by his predecessor, or reducing people and entire countries to the most base and venal definitions, there's a reason why this president has found such overwhelming support among far-right white supremacists that can't be overlooked.
Perhaps that too is part of the whole Manhood, Moola and McConnell thing, which in its right to own, tax and control isn't too different from that whole Plantation thing.
It's not that much of a stretch when you think about it.
Maybe that too is America.
Scary, isn't it?
9
This column may not have been wonky but it was wonderful. For awhile I wasn't too sure about Nancy Pelosi as speaker, but after the comment "trade agreement formaly known as Prince" that was truly brilliant, she's got my vote. Also enjoyed watching her stand up to Trump without any fear about what his might dish out in retaliation.
12
This piece misses the obvious motivation for the wall. It was Trump’s signature election promise that he hammered into a win. He’s trying to follow through because he knows it’s a winning policy. We can blame it on whatever psychological pathology we want, but if he builds it, his supporters will thank him for it.
3
@Pete Prokopowicz
It is NOT a winning policy. What Trump needs to get his base fired up and voting for him is to be able to constantly TALK about a wall, and then blame Democrats for the fact that there won't be any wall and use that to cultivate the totally false idea that they would be pro "open borders".
THAT is why he and he alone turned down a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill that included FULL funding (= $26 billion) for the wall, last spring.
Especially when it comes to Trump, NEVER EVER confound his rhetoric with real action.
5
@Pete Prokopowicz, maybe. But his base is shrinking. If 99% of Americans don't want to pay for a wall, why should 1% force us to do it?
As if any other country has a huge wall like this. Oh yes, China built one in antiquity, but it's not a modern way of fortifying a continent. It's just trump throwing America's weight around. Stupid and embarrassing and I'm not interested in paying for it.
4
An aesthetically pleasing wall...just what every wilderness --and the US-Mexico border is desert wilderness for almost its entire length-- just what every wilderness needs to be perfect.
3
Trump is being successful in rapidly transforming a vibrant democracy and country in one Humongous Banana Republic. Clearly, republics are a weak form of government, susceptible to be transformed in a kleptocracy, a plutocracy or in a "buffooncracy", in the case of Trump and the U. S.
We just need that Trump changes the name of the U. S. for "Trump's regnum of America."
4
Money is power, winning is power, making people do your bidding is power. Trump is an insecure man frozen in adolescence, seeking admission to the club of people he sees as powerful - the wealthy in the US, the dictators outside the US. The tariff wars are his way of making some dictators (China) do his bidding and thus recognize his power. Immigrants are those he targets to cruelly damage, the wall is thus a monument to his power. Scamming the country by selling us out for his personal wealth is his avenue to power on Wall Street. His attempts to build and achieve recognition of his power are characterized, though, by his stupidity and incompetence. This will catch up with him at some point, hopefully soon. But it is no coincidence that the Congressional Republicans are almost all white men. They actually think they too can achieve power, if only they bow to Ryan and McConnell. So too the Republican voters. It's all a scam, hopefully reality will at some point intervene.
5
Well, this kind of renders the situation for what it is, but the people are happy, the Republican people, that is? Or are they? McConnell is because he has Trump wrapped around his finger, as does Mrs. McConnell, who is busy drumming up business as the Transportation Secretary for her father's company.
It is not enough to say that Trump and his Administration is corrupt. Something needs to be done about it. Not what the press generally does: Trump comes up with some kind of crazy explanation for what he did, thought, or said, and then the press treats it as possibly having some validity before passing over it. I don't want to degrade or make light of all the hard work being done by the press in these very special times, but when you read an article defending why someone went to jail, when even that person is not disputing the reason, seems absurd. The Dynamic Duo of Trump and Giulliani would be the last people anyone would consult for a legal opinion, so why even print what they have to say, unless the press believes that there are meat heads out there that need to be fed and will lap it all up. Sells papers, but it is destructive of the social fabric of the country.
I realize Mr. Krugman is an opinion columnist, but he is one of the people in the press that tells it as it is, in unvarnished terms.
6
Put someone with little to no intellectual curiosity into the presidency and this is the logical outcome. And like most conservatives he can only look backwards to find solutions, he thinks if the Great Wall of China was a good idea centuries ago it must still be.
Looking forward and innovation is not the strong point of intellectuals non curious people.
6
Trump is actually the Fake President. It's all for show, a two-dimensional impression of how a U.S. president should look (but not act!). No-Substance Don had to bring in the media to highlight his art-of-the-deal act with Chuck & Nancy, but it back-fired when he put his foot in his mouth, about being proud to shut down the government.
About a year ago, he staged a similar bi-partisan 'production' about immigration, and similarly got caught with his foot in his mouth, by agreeing with Feinstein about tackling DACA before comprehensive immigration reform. When unscripted, Trump is all over the place, due to his superficial nature.
His unscripted self found a ready audience with the fellow not-too-bright crowd, a.k.a. the 'base'. Unfortunately, he found enough gullible normal-intellect dreamers of white utopia to get him over the top with the electoral college. This latter group now acknowledges that Trump is the Fake President, leaving behind the base which still wallows in Trumptopia.
5
I'd agree, but I'd add that this isn't just Trump; the entire conservative movement has been like this for decades. I think a lot of it goes back to Vietnam. The U.S. has always had the arrogance and belligerence that characterizes powerful nations, but losing the Vietnam War injected a huge dose of *insecurity* into the mix, and we've been wildly overcompensating for it ever since.
5
For all things Trump just follow the money, the SDNY investigation and Cohen guilty plea is just the tip of the iceberg. Mueller and team is just taking care of the low hanging fruit first.
This is going to get really really ugly over the next year, if Trump fires or tries to restrain the Mueller probe the House will just pick up where he left off and that will be done in public with the country transfixed by the image of a Trump cronies either confessing their crimes and his or lying their butts off only to be charged with that crime. All the while Trump is backed into a wall of lies. Republicans will rue the day they made their devils bargin with a trump.
5
Of course Trump will shut down the government, and in time for Christmas. He will do this because:
1) It distracts from the daily reports of mounting legal scandals that lay foundation for impeachment, if not indictment for criminal acts to win election (and what he thinks is a get-out-of-jail free card)
2) Because he’s frustrated and a bully, he needs to have a place to exert power in the cruelest possible way.
3) He may think that shutting down government buys him some time by stopping (pausing) investigation.
4) Reminds others that their livelihoods, lives are in his tweeter fingers.
5) Thinks his base, which hates government, will eat it up (“We don’t care about his criminal acts, he’s a good president,” is basically how Sen. Orrin Hatch put it.)
7
Narcissism seethes deep within the DNA of trump, the driving force affecting all conduct, behavior and decision his entire life. In the worlds of trump, "Manhood" is tested with every transaction. "I win, you lose". Wins are touted loudly, failures are skirted and hidden and when necessary manipulated by illegal means.
trump practiced his theory of dominance over other men during his business life, certainly put it on display during the presidential campaigning and applied it full force over the spineless cowards that were elected to congress.
Then he dared to show his dominance in full view of the open press meeting with cameras rolling in the White House. A 78 year old politician, a women at that, taught trump a lesson in political leadership with quite humility. The coming New Year will expose trump for the deceitful, treacherous and criminal man he is.
3
Without the GOP standing behind him at every turn, none of the damage he imposed could have evolved. The Republican Party is to blame for every single bit of this. So stop limiting your outrage to Trump. Look behind the curtain, Dorothy!
4
krugman is wrong here. many people do want tariffs, the people who used to have good jobs until they were shipped to mexico or china...the people who saw we used to have industry and now we dont...the people who can't get a full time job...there's a lot of them.
2
@Prede that’s why we need job retraining and better jobs programs for people to learn trades that lead to careers. But no, that’s too logical so we will lie and say manufacturing will come back to the US if we increase tariffs, etc..it’s not going to happen unless we move to sustainable energy which would lead to new jobs in wind, solar and even nuclear power.
1
It seems that when it comes to the Trump family, the "manhood" thing does not include serving in the military. Whether WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan, all the Trump "men" have run from the fight.
4
So, the "the trade agreement formerly known as Prince" needs a symbol. How about, instead of a stylized ax, a drooping sword?
6
Gen. George S. Patton, said "fixed defenses are monuments to the stupidity of man."
If Trump doesn't build the wall, how will he get a monument?
3
Mr Krugman, do you have any proposals on how to stop illegal immigrants from entering this country? I’m sure the country would like to hear them!
@George Zipparo Since my native ancestors were not able to do it centuries ago, I would suggest you just embrace the diversity, knowing that in this day and age they will not be stealing your land and imprisoning you in reservations.
3
@George Zipparo
How about more sophisticated surveillance, better trained border agents, more immigration personnel to track and process applicants, serious effort to address So. American poverty and crime, more immigration courts and judges to speed up the process, etc..
1
"By McConnell I mean the standard G.O.P. agenda..."
I agree.
We have watched as Trump dug himself in, deeper, ever deeper.
McConnell?
The way republicans work, single minded, cohesive, not a lot of daylight.
Pretty solidly orchestrated with, what I am sure, is a sophisticated, and appropriately dark, communications network.
They do not leave a lot to chance...except for the presidential monkey wrench, the fly in the ointment, the wildly loose cannon.
I believe that Mr. Trump at some point would be willing drop a dime on McConnell, tell some secrets, make some artful deal in order to lighten his sentence, if not for himself possibly for his children.
But craven coward that he is, I believe that his children will be strictly on their own.
3
I think you are almost always right, but here I think you underestimate the Moola principle because it drives everything, including the wall which is going to be a contractors dream job.To a man like Trump money is all that matters. He doesn't have anything else. How big a pile of money will he end the game with-- that's it. Same for all the others. So, I guess it is a manhood thing after all. It is a yours mine comparison where cash stands in for Manhood that can't get it up anymore.
3
Funny how "jailing employers who hire undocumented workers" is never one of the solutions proposed by republicans.
Why?
Because republican employers HATE the American worker and prefer to hire indentured servants from Mexico instead.
4
You're seriously overthinking Trump's lack of thinking. Trump puts about as much thought & research into something as a crow does. Shiny thing! Shiny thing! Shiny thing!
5
Since spanky's trade was is illegal because it relies on "national security", perhaps a Democratic house can stop it.
1
Trump is a bigot and a con man. The wall is yet another scam on the American people in an attempt to justify the most divisive, incompetent, and corrupt Presidency in US history. We don’t have an immigration problem. We have a Trump problem which will be clearly exposed when Mueller makes his investigation public. That stupid wall might as well have writing saying “Brown People Keep Out” on the side facing Mexico. Meanwhile, our criminal con artist President gets richer by the day, as bribes from dictators and autocrats find their way into Trump’s well hidden accounts. Until Trump leaves office, America is a banana republic with the world’s most powerful military.
3
Every time Trump says we have to be "tough" or "strong" or persecute gays or trans people he's trying to be macho. It fits with his and many of his supporters' "fragile masculinity."
1
Just think about how many border guards you could employ with tens of billions of dollars--forever! And all those tax dollars coming back.
1
The NAFTA and UMC should be placed side by side and the changes should be in Bold letters
1
Man like fire, make fire. Man like wall, make wall. When will this nightmare of the Trump regime end!!
2
The Great Wall of China is the only manmade structure that can be seen from the moon. Sad little Trump has Wall envy.
1
Among Trump followers I've talked to to, support for the Trump wall seems to come from seeing it as a concrete (forgive the pun) measure to make our country more secure. To boost this take on it, Trump and crew have repeatedly brought up the unsubstantiated claim that terrorists are lurking among the groups who approach our border (legally) to ask for asylum. The irony was pointed out to me by an academic friend who is Mexican. He told me that in fact Mexico has been very active in screening at airports and such for potential terrorists entering Mexico with the intention of going to the United States. Like Canada, they are a buffer, and their intelligence agencies closely coordinate with United States to make our countries mutually safer. This invisible "wall" of protection is coordinated through law enforcement and is almost certainly being eroded by the Trump administration's isolationist policies and priorities. Unfortaunately, I think actual facts, information and reasoning are just more "blah, blah, blah" to the ears of Trump followers, and pointing this out to them will go nowhere. Sadly, they see Trump as a fearless bull who is finally standing up for America, and as someone with the...(let's say "manhood") to protect America from hordes of terrorists. Because his followers obviously blanketly stereotype all muslims, and in fact all people with brown skin, as a dangerous threat, and because Fox News incites this belief, they are genuinely afraid and genuinely ignorant.
1
We should call Trump "the pall formerly known as wince."
1
First, McConnell and manhood are contradictory terms. Mitch, and his right-wing confederates, have never been in that category...NEVER!
Now it's clear that the only wall trump is going to get is a picket fence, and Mexico ain't gonna pay for no stinking fence. End of story!
1
You nailed it, Krugman. Perhaps there is a need to elaborate ever so slightly on the "manhood" thing though. "There's nothing like a dame" for Trump. But, it only goes so far. Perhaps nothing (other than germs and Mueller) more repulsive to him than a woman in power. It is obvious from body language that he doesn't much care Angela or Theresa. He even walks in front of the Queen.
Now, Mrs. Macron....she has the president salivating.
Mr. Krugman's article mentions a few instances of Donald Trump turning his back on promises he made during his 2016 Presidential campaign. These and other examples deserve greater emphasis — and not merely to keep score.
Many people justify their continued support of Mr. Trump by claiming he has kept his promises. So why aren't his opponents systematically publicizing instances that demonstrate how he has repeatedly *broken* promises?
Regarding the tariffs, the motivation may be moola as well. Exemptions from the tariffs can be issued by the government and perhaps Trump gets a kickback of a portion of the savings. Makes as much if not more sense than any other reason for a policy so widely recognized as harmful.
1
@DJ: Every erratic move by Trump can be played in financial markets by those of his cronies he tips off in advance.
1
@Steve Bolger: Good point, and he probably expects to get his "taste" of those profits as well.
@DJ: As Michael Cohen noted, Trump is playing an angle in everything he does.
Last spring has been the last time Congress took on comprehensive immigration reform, which of course is the only framework in which controversial things that a clear majority of the country opposes (such as the wall) can be negotiated, as you cannot possibly put those in a stopgap government funding bill, which isn't about policy but about keeping the government open.
The end result was a bipartisan bill, that included FULL funding for Trump's wall (= $26 billion).
Did Trump at least participate in the negotiations? No. All he did was just like today calling a "bipartisan" press conference, declaring, at the time, that he would sign something into law that would be a "love bill". And then, all while letting Congress work on it for weeks, AND after it came up with a bill that could pass in Congress and that included his "four pillars" (one of them being the wall) ... at the very last minute he flip-flopped and refused to sign it into law.
It happened very quickly, and then the next "presidential" tweet already took away the media's attention to yet another controversial 250-character group of words.
And that was it.
Conclusion: Trump never even seriously TRIED to get his wall. He knows that what his supporters see as "trying" is having those 20 minutes Real Housewives-style reality tv with Pelosi and Schumer, and that they wouldn't ask more from him in order to continue to support him. Because yelling and lying on camera is what they associate with "negotiating".
2
@Ana Luisa: Most of politics in the US is wrangling over issues that are never resolved. Resolution dries up the value of issues for fundraising.
2
@Steve Bolger
With all respect, I couldn't disagree more.
Obamacare, for instance, saves an additional half a million American lives a decade.
The Democrats' Recovery Act turned a -8% GDP into a decade-long, stable growth.
The Democrats didn't just talk about cutting the deficit, they cut Bush's structural $1.4 trillion deficit by two thirds.
Then there's increased investments in education and science, student loan reform, the Lilly Ledbetter Act, Warren's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and so much more.
With REAL politicians, real progress happens all the time.
And it could have happened much faster even if it weren't for the fact that part of the people in this great country tend to give in o cynicism rather than to cultivate hope and then engage ... ;-)
2
Let's remember that most, the overwhelming number, of immigrants pass through border control after they get off a plane, train, boat or bus. Many, those with resources, simply overstay their visas. Those few, very few by comparison, slip across borders with considerable risk by land or by sea (as with the case of thousands of Cubans who by virtue of the Cuban Adjustment Act get documentation once their arrive on American soil). Walls, fences, moats are no problem, they climb over, dig under, cut a hole or wade across.
A good immigration policy starts with compassion for those risking their life for a better future. It requires an end to the exploitation of undocumented workers by prosecuting those who hire them and pay minimum wage and no taxes in order to save money on labor costs.
6
If Trump accepts the Wall built by using Holographic technology, which will be beautiful and esthetically pleasing, then Democrats could propose to Trump funding such a wall. He may agree to it since none of the sensible policies are acceptable to Him.
2
You state that "Trump's foreign policy has, however, made a break, not just with previous Republican practice,but with everything America used to stand for." I hold a more optimistic view - Trump's foreign policy is his and his alone, which will return to what the U.S. has and will continue to stand for, immediately after the Trump regime is behind us.
3
A further objective for the Republican Party is the distraction and Weakening of labor unions. The success of this has led to lower wages for people in unions. However it also has kept wages down for nonunion members since their wages are based on comparison to union members wages.
5
"His only significant legislative victory in the first two years has been a tax cut that heavily favored the rich" ... and former US Treasury Secretary, Larry Summers, just gave an interview on TV here in Australia, where he stated that these Trump tax cuts were used mostly for share buy-backs. So when is this reality going to filter through to Trump's 'base' so they realise they're no better off, and as Summers further noted, there are very dark clouds gathering on the US economic front...
4
In response to your inquiry of when will this reality funnel back to Trump’s base,
Probably NEVER. His base either can’t read or doesn’t read. Their news sources are social media and FoxNews.
Our educational system needs immediate shoring up to get the youth back on track to some form of civics based thinking and their eyes looking at real honest, objective journalism, not the pablum of the right-wing sources.
2
"with cuts in social programs to make up for some of the lost revenue."
They cut the social programs because they want to hurt people, it has nothing to do with revenue
11
@B
I'm afraid that for part of the GOP that's the motivation behind it indeed.
Not that they're all sadists, but they know that the more people hurt, the more they tend to become/be ignorant and desperate, so the easier you can sell fear-mongering fake news to them, and invent all sorts of fake crises for which you then claim to have the answer whereas your opponents don't even talk about it etc.
In other words, paradoxically, the GOP (and any party that wants to work on an agenda benefiting the 1% wealthiest citizens only) NEEDS to destroy all laws that distribute wealth a bit more equally in order to have the people who are most hurt by it ... vote for them.
And for those who do want to here a bit more philosophically sounding argument to destroy ordinary citizens' lives through the power of the government, they invented the argument that social welfare programs actually "limit" ordinary citizens' "freedom" by giving them money, as without that money they would be forced to "work more", and only working hard can free you from the "tyranny" of the government - knowing that in that case, is called "tyranny" no matter what action undertaken by no matter what government, of course, rather than the correct definition of no separation between the three branches of government, freedom of expression and gathering, free voting, etc.
3
As a Kentucky resident, I keep wondering how much McConnell knows and what his part was in getting Trump elected.
14
I would argue, while Trump's agenda might be 1/3rd manhood, 100% of the fox "news**"[sic] cycle is testosterone fueled "real" man-ism. I mean, who wouldn't have predicted Sean Hannity is big into MMA?
4
@Tim Scott,
Sean Hannity and most male Fox News viewers likes watching sweaty men in tight fitting underoos hugging each other while rolling around on the floor.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
1
Presidential graffitist. Just screw the nameplate on and collect the royalties.
4
I don't think we should forget that Trump is under Putin's thumb, and has been since the 1980s when they first collected damaging information on him. Putin and others have leverage over Trump, and could be influencing his behavior and policies simply to disrupt the U.S. and world economy, and to cause distress and conflict within the U.S.
17
Trump's politics can be boiled down to this: whatever gets him in the news and helps him and his cronies get more money. Nothing else matters. If he thought it would help he would murder someone. It's that simple but it leads to complex problems and difficult situations. I think that the takeaway lesson is to vote for the most qualified candidate rather than the one that sounds good, says what we want to hear, and promises everything.
Trump has acted more like Potter in "It's a Wonderful Life" rather than a president. He comes across as petty. Like Ronald Reagan he looks great but he's hollow. Unfortunately so is the party that supports him. And they are in love with being in power and abusing it to get what they want which is even more power.
18
Walls work, just ask Israel. This radical leftist policy of open borders is nothing but an attempt to stuff the ballot box. The left will do anything for power because they thought they had enough people dependent upon government to make the big Socialist shift in the us, but they were wrong and it really made them furious. They have since worked diligently to overturn the last election with fake Russia nothing , then obstruction of justice nothings, now campaign contributions somehow related to payments to ( not from) 2 women. So Trump's lawyer pays money to people not in the campaign and it is a campaign contribution? What twisted mental gymnastics do you have to go through to arrive at this conclusion? Fake gymnastics. The US is on the brink of a deep division fueled by radical leftists like Krugman who really want the Marxist revolution.
Well that is a bizarre counter narrative spun from the droppings of Fox and Rush etc.
I know many on the left and many active in politics and not a word of that fantasy rings true.
3
@James The only ones going through twisted mental gymnastics are the trumpets, who in spite of overwhelming evidence still feel trump is worthy of the job he was not elected to.
The deep division is fueled by those who refuse to accept that trump is the most flawed person ever to be rejected by the majority of American voters and reluctantly appointed by the electoral college due to an outdated mechanism that favors a minority of states.
What has trump done todate that doesn't diminish what our country is supposed to stand for?
3
Perhaps this is what advocating for the little guy looks like, unrecognizable to an elite such as Krugman.
Help me out here — is “little guy” the same as “forgotten man”? Sounds more like Trump suffers from “little man” syndrome.
3
@hawk Advocating for the "little guy" is somewhat amusing. Please enlighten us as to what fruit this advocating has borne-and the bait and switch "tax reform" scam does not count.
Trump's "advocating" for the little guy is, well, part of the con that many of succumbed to.
2
Aside from his insatiable need to A) overcompensate for lack of manhood B) attention C) wealth, the other prime ingredient of his personality is his need to disrupt and destroy.
12
I want to live in a world where Paul Krugman is president and where Donald Trump is a columnist.
5
@JonK
Most of America would gladly settle for a world where
Trump just disappears from the presidency- no one
would care who writes about him.
Oops! Krugman’s hammer misses the nail yet again.
US Secretary of State recently tweeted, “#Russia's government has sent bombers halfway around the world to #Venezuela. The Russian and Venezuelan people should see this for what it is: two corrupt governments squandering public funds, and squelching liberty and freedom while their people suffer.”
Publicly referring to the current Russian government as “corrupt” would be strange way of sucking up to Vladimir Putin.
One can generally count on Krugman for a laugh or two.
@Chuck: This means we will need to add another $50 billion to the US "defense" budget.
1
@Chuck,
The scariest part of this post was the sentence: "US Secretary of State recently tweeted."
I can't wait until we replace these junior high school kids with adults.
4
Trump is Tom Buchanan (from The Great Gatsby) with an inferiority complex.
2
FAME. however achieved plus MONEY, again however gotten and SEX are the holy commandments in Trump's life. Nothing else matters.
9
The Wall may be a manhood thing, but it is also a racist thing for his electorate .. folks who suffer never ending nightmares about white cultural displacement perpetrated by invading hordes of terrorists, criminals and contagion-carrying migrants swarming the southern border. As their Pied Piper, Trump is committed .. they're counting on him.
12
America is not "amazing"--rather, pathetic.
4
Yes, this country is the greatest, because even a little kid who grows up to be a person with no qualifications, no sense, no integrity, and no human decency can grow up to be President of the United States! U.S.A.!! U.S.A.!!
5
Just a “Devil’s Triangle”?
1
In its capacity to engorge itself on fluff, America, at least those who purport to represent us, is amazing and MrTrump is, if nothing else, the king of fluff.
2
MAGA has a new meaning:
My Attorney Got Arrested......
17
Trump should be in the cell next to Cohen.
3
Are we, the People, being led, even Ruled, by Sickness? Our
“Elected” President manifests Chronic Sociopathic Personality
Disorder symptoms 24/7 in the widest Visual Presence ever
Known to Humanity. (As. Long-retired clergyman, I would have
Longed for Jesus to have gotten such “exposure”.) While in Today’s world, lives are being destroyed by Words (no Bull!),
“President” Trump has been proved Acceptable by his crowd
of deciples, Lies and all included. At 81, with over 40 years as a Licensed Family Therapist, I still say Trump is a diagnosable Sociopathic Personality Disorder....and enjoying his active
Control of our Attention and, apparently, of our beloved Country.
Again...Sometimes the sanest reaction to an insane situation,
....is Insanity. He does not know enough to Care or care enough
To Know.
4
A small detail here. 53% of white women voted for Trump, knowing full well what he was about. Even the womenfolk are misogynist in the USA. Bigly sad.
5
I love reading the NYT online because the comments are always thought-provoking. Would add to Dr. Krugman’s piece and this conversation that Individual-1 is a seriously emotionally damaged human being. With every breath and every action, he’s still seeking to emulate Daddy to earn Daddy’s approval. Too bad that (1) Daddy is long gone and can never validate 45 and (2) Daddy was a thin-skinned, racist, anti-Semitic, probably narcissistic, possibly alcoholic con man.
8
Trump learned from Roy Cohn, a truly evil person. He's been raised to look at everything in terms of winners and losers; there are no gray areas and he has no interest in reaching out to anyone he defines as a loser. Cohn taught him to instinctively hit back hard at anyone before, during or after they may be an adversary.
4
When Trump finally ends up his dreadful presidency, maybe he can work for The Border Patrol in some sort of cod-piece get-up with a big rodeo belt buckle. Melania can wear her I Don't Care coat.
7
Undocumented immigrants--what would we do without them? Capitalism requires a class of low wage slaves to perform duties essential to our well being. In essence, their needs are dismissed, marginalized. After all, they didn't attend the right (high tuition) schools. But without some measure of population control, the growing poverty rates will persist. I believe we started admitting slaves in 1618. Little has changed in 400 years. This system is not sustainable and will not end well.
1
It's long been known that money can buy power. Trump has taken that axiom to a new, more overt level, but clearly, he is not the best president money can buy. The line of people demanding refunds appears to be growing longer and longer.
6
At a time when those with any sense of decency are taking Trump's name off some of his projects, the border wall assumes even more importance for Delusional Donald. Sure, it won't stem the tide of illegal immigration, but it will have enormous adverse financial and environmental implications for this and future generations.
Rather than being a "manhood thing", I think what's important to Trump is that the wall will have his name on it. If it is ever built, it will stand for the ages and it will be visible from space. What greater shrine to this little man and his meaningless life than such a project? A project, by the way, to which Mexico will, rightly enough, never contribute one peso. Were it that the rest of us could say as much.
5
I am Trumped out.
I'm sick of reading about his latest outrage and I'm sicker of thinking about how psychologically fouled up this accidental President of the United States is. I'm tired of his speech; his look; his bluster; his ignorance; his crime; his need for young women; his lying.
Let's face it. We put an enormously sick man into the most powerful office on the planet. Yes, it was an accident, from his announcement to right down to those four states which he should never have won. In almost any other time this clown wouldn't be elected dog catcher.
All I want is for this monster to go away. Anyplace. Prison? Fine. An island in the Caribbean is fine. Russia? Argentina? Fine, too.
Forget treading lightly on the President. Trump is a two-bit, sick-in-the-head criminal. The man is the worst President that's ever happened to this country.
He needs to go.
17
don't kid yourself......not 10s of billions. they spent $25M on wall samples alone. this wall will run into the 100s of billions and even then it will never be completed...... and don;t bring up the maintenance costs that will pile up into the future.
12
Manhood? What an offensively sexist idea. Why not describe Pelosi's performance at the White House as the inevitable result of cramps? Trump's devotion to the wall is the result of stupidity and hatred, not his gender.
1
Have you ever walked a dog?
Enough said.
Mrs. Pelosi’s “manhood thing” is not how I would express it.
Paying porn stars -- or any woman -- for sex or to keep quiet about sex is better understood as “a lack of manhood thing.”
9
McConnell, Ryan, Kellyann, Sarah, Ivanka, Jared, DJ, Eric, Melania, Trump all need to be arrested. They all know trump is a fraud and should be forced to resign. As people have said, Ivanka and Jared are milking this experience for every dime they can get.
5
The wall = "manhood thing " idea is an extension of the old quips that Nelson Rockefeller has "an edifice complex" and the Empire State Building is "Al Smith's last erection" -- of course with a dash of semi-hip modern male bashing. Pelosi is very good at preaching to converts. We're going to need more than that. But some obtuse self-congratulation at this point is probably unavoidable.
Paul! Please stop using the term, “ego” when what you mean is narcissism. The “ego” is the healthy part of the personality, not the unhealthy, self-destructive/self-denying part, masquerading as a self-loving part. That is what is called “pathological narcissism.”
5
Trump already has a wall of sorts: the one he has built around his base of diehard supporters. He has remarkably not expanded his support one iota since taking office and, in fact, his base appears to be shrinking. What's left for him to do is keep reminding his base that he's for them, even though he really isn't at all.
Trump wants to be loved and appreciated for being a superior human being and a stable genius. Outside the people behind his wall, he has utterly failed.
12
Trump doesn't care a fig about border security. The wall was a campaign ploy, just like his promise to make Mexico pay for it, and Trump enjoys campaigning more than actual governing. That said, the gang of Republican robber barons around him are doing untold damage to our environment, our air, our water, our national parks and our food. They have even succeeded in eliminating anti-obesity standards for school lunches so our kids can eat more sugar and salt again.
14
All this talk of the wall and border security leaves out a discussion of why all these people what to leave their country of origin and risk their life to come here. Those issues deserve a lot more scrutiny.A wall ignores these issues.
6
Trump is fed by his ego and wants to be remembered in history for the Trump Wall, one like The Great Wall of China that will leave a rememrance of him for years to come. That is the motivating force behnd the waste of money it would cost to build it.
3
"The wall is an utterly stupid idea." Totally agreed. Somebody told Trump about Hadrian's Wall and he thought that was a great idea. Trump simply wants the wall as a lasting memorial to his wonderful self. That should be quite obvious by now.
5
I rarely disagree with Paul, but this time I must. Any President who tells his buddies "You're all a lot richer" cares about the contents of the "reform".
Trump doesn't have the tools nor the box to put them in to accomplish anything, now more than ever as his all his finances will be in question coming the next 12 months or so we have a lame duck president without a head to staff his cabinet or a proper rep to the U.N. or press it is more evident every day that the corruption Trump came to Washington to battle was more complicated than his own born out of the streetcorners of Manhattan and Queens and Brooklyn.
In the words of Jagger/Richards see: Out Of Time
2
Since I am not an economist, I have to ask about the economic jargon in this essay: What, exactly, is "moola"?
Seriously, though, this is an excellent essay on the corruption that pervades the Trump administration, the U.S. government, and the Republican Party. Kudos to Paul Krugman for his columns this year, which have become much more--to use an economist's term--diversified.
3
Money and greed. Everything he does, or says, must be filtered through the prism of these two guiding “principles”. Anything that doesn’t directly deal with money or greed is purely a distraction so that he can further enrich himself.
2
Who wants trade wars? Not the corporations. Let's see what else they want: no taxes for themselves, elimination of all employee benefis, elimination of workers over 40, monitor employees private lives, send jobs overseas, hire h1-b workers at a quarter of what an American workers get, automate all jobs, think globally with no responsibility to the nation's they do business in.
2
Humans ultimately need a better understanding of their emotional nature if we are to preserve our future. Primitive emotions drive us, primarily. Trump has a severe narcissistic personality disorder that requires him to constantly discharge primitive negative affect through actions that project that affect onto others and into the external world. He must do things constantly that give him a sense of palpable power, and this feeling of power is augmented and involves projected negative affect, to a greater degree, when others are upset and suffer as a result. He has no empathy and really no value for others' wellbeing as his feeling of power and wellbeing comes when it that is taken from others. He is a sociopath. Behavioral and functional explanations of Trump and all that he does are secondary to these primary principals, briefly stated.
3
i've said it before, and I'll say it again: America elected a man who has lived his life embracing the values of, and displaying some of the worst characteristics of the late John Gotti, and the not-so-late Phineas T. Barnum
5
As Stormy reported, it was underwhelming.
3
Perhaps besides issues of manhood there is another issue, and this is contempt for american traditions. A person that has used multiple bankruptcies to run his businesses is a person that believes in winners and losers and that has little empathy for the losers.
In a government shutdown the losers are the people that expect to be paid for their services to the government...real losers in the Trump cosmology. Exploding the deficit and asking the poor to accept reduced services...well all of them are losers anyway...no problem. Tariffs are a way to hurt free trade losers and immigration is an issue for bleeding heart losers !
In short Trump has contempt for people that play by the rules which he believes do not apply to him. He has contempt for the poor and those in need and for those that believe in higher values than his. He also feels he is above being judged and has contempt for those that openly judge him, and this ultimately spells contempt for rule of law. This last form of contempt should certainly be questioned by all americans .
10
I am not for the wall, and a government employee and I say "shut us down" fine with me as an employee.
Chinese envy is the reason Trump wants a wall too .
5
The truly amazing part is that nearly half the electorate likes Trump in spite of his approach to government.
8
It was equally amazing to many that half the country considered his predecessor to be doing a good job. (At the time, in any case.)
1
Your entire column is bunk, Mr. Krugman--more informed by hatred for Trump than facts--or even history.
In the recent past, Pelosi, Schumer, Hillary, and yes--even your god Barack Obama, all supported funding for border fencing. But now???....somehow in a handful of years, the idea of building a physical barrier to keep people from illegally crossing our border is "immoral". What hogwash.
It's all politics. The good of the country is pushed aside for posturing and one-upmanship--amplified through the assistance of a corrupt and left-leaning media. This column makes the case.
Mr. Trump--simply place a finger in each ear, close your eyes, grit your teeth--and shut the government down--for as long as it takes to get funding. Simply let the Liberals gore themselves on the horns of illegal immigration. Don't back down. Go for it. Those of us who believe in the rule of law will be cheering for you.
1
@Jesse The Conservative: "Those of us who believe in the rule of law will be cheering for you." Thinking of that comment brings to mind an image of pretzel logic. Thanks for associating Trump and the rule of law in a positive way in the same sentence, as it made the best laugh I've had in a long time nearly instantaneous.
32
@Jesse The Conservative
1. No one is saying don't enforce immigration laws. They're debating about how to fund it. Since Trump guaranteed Mexico would pay for it, the American taxpayers shouldn't have to.
2. Since you believe in the rule of law, I'm sure you'll agree that a president clearly involved in breaking campaign finance laws should be indicted.
10
The wall won’t stop, or even hinder, most illegal immigration. It’s an exercise in vanity. It’s a waste of American taxpayer money to build a wall. Besides, Trump promised Mexico would pay. When are they?
7
..............A Nation Of The Rich, By the Rich Shall Perish From The Earth"..............
7
Let Trump build The Wall under the condition that he has to stay on the Mexican side of it. That way the poor Mexicans would really end up paying for the wall.
And Trump wouldn’t feel out of place for long. He would fit right in with the drug cartels.
19
Trump is a one man wrecking ball with no moral compass.
15
@Christina,
Yeah, if that wrecking ball was softer that overcooked oatmeal, incontinent as a toddler after two juice boxes and was covered with bronzer and hair spray.
2
"Is America amazing, or what?"
What!!!
4
The Trump Wall will be trumped by the Sinoloa Tunnel!
5
What an amazing, unbelievable donkey-entire.
2
Absolutely nothing about t-Rump is amazing other than his crassness. It's all about t-Rump, money, branding, making war threats and going along with Yurtle. t-Rump is not original. He is amoral, unethical and egotistical. Hopefully the repulsive will tire of him soon and he will be dumped. I can see a full white house dumpster all ready, overflowing with long ties and expensive shoes.
6
Hatred of the black man and fear of the strong woman are Trumps most apparent characteristics and what many Americans identify with, unfortunately.
13
To the triad of Manhood, McConnell, and Moola, add Machina, as in the "Deus ex Machina". That applies to Putin and propaganda whether on computers or TVs and to the machinations of the billionaires. Trump rode down his golden escalator, and he and his family and cronies played their own gods on the stage.
How will this end? A trapdoor collapsing from the weight of corruption and conflicts of financial interest or a hook from the side wielded by Mueller.
Applause.
4
I agree, more women in office is, on the whole, a good thing.
I resist any plan that sets in place a priori any favor given to any class, gender, race etc as to who might serve best in any elected office.
Running for office is an interview for a job. This job, serving in government, requires broad criteria for the selection pool and careful study as to what the candidate says and his/her record. The glamorous picture painted by candidates and their sponsors is counter to the process of attempting to hire the best person. Any one who is ostentatious or who runs on their gender, race or in accord with any rigid political theme should be shown the door shortly.
Some pundits were referring to Trump's USMCA as Nafta 2.0 to denote the truly insignificant difference between Nafta and USMCA. But, other pundits who really dug into the USMCA are now calling USMCA - Nafta 1.01 to more accurately describe the nothing burger of Trump's new North American trade policy. Likewise, I think we should label Trump's plan for a border wall as Border Security 1.01 and his $1.5 Trillion tax cut as the Jobs Act 1.01, again to denote the utter nothingness of what he and the GOP say these things will do.
In the end the $1.5 trillion dollar tax cut that was billed as a jobs bill will create vey few additional jobs, a border wall will do little to improve border security, and any new trade agreements with Canada, Mexico, China, etc. will basically have very little impact on trade and globalization. Trump is really "1.01 Man", or more accurately, ".01 Man"
7
@Sparky: Trump's tax "reform" is driving the largest self-privatization of public companies in the history of the world.
1
For years, I have characterized Republicans, or more appropriately; they have characterized themselves by their actions as very bad hombres. To clarify; I certainly am not against most Republicans, our brothers in arms, but I do hold their leaders in low esteem as they plunder the nation for their moneyed benefactors that repeatedly pay to keep them in power.
Why is it that the Republican leadership runs the good evangelical Christian movement, and not the opposite? The leadership could use a good dose of guilt feelings to bring them back to the better Angels they once were. The current leadership is simply stealing from the poor to give to the rich.
6
@Shakinspear: Evangelism is a public psychopathy of convincing people of obvious lies to win a better life after death. Insanity doesn't get more pernicious.
2
It may be Manhood that drives the pandering to religious groups, too, although that strategy has, in the past, been used by Republicans to attract "family values" voters, but really in support of the Moola objective.
2
@MikeG: The subsidies this moronic nation hands out to people who claim to know what God thinks is official ratification of lies and liars.
3
Real men build big things, drive big cars and carry big guns. And oh, they pay big money for their women.
5
ENOUGH of this clown, he needs to go.
He's incompetent, completely. That (and the lying thing) is ruining us all.
7
Eh!, you know the Republican leadership. Robin' the poor to give to the rich.
2
Sorry to say that women like Sheryl Sandburg, who received a Harvard MBA, are no better. But you'r mostly right--she's an exception.
1
Also Mendacity, misogyny, and evil. Don’t forget Evil. Hit harder dr krugman we are counting on your insight, your acumen, and of course your unrepentant resistance. It counts.
5
I think monomania should be added to the list.
Some Presidents worry about their library...this one a wall. If it is ever built, do you think it will include a gift shop?
5
@UpState John: Definitely! Where else would the devoted acquire their gold-plated paperweight replica of that beautiful wall? Maybe even a necktie, with a length that matches the proportion of the wall?
3
Get Ivanka on something illegal, and you've got her father.
3
Not only a great analysis of the 'man' in the White House. But also a good analysis of his base. Threatened manhood? Make a big noise and attack mindlessly.
4
Three cheers for Trumpism !
Apple, outsourcerer in chief, is actually , actually building a billion dollar plus site in the US !!!
"Apple to build new campus in Austin and add jobs across the US
New sites in Seattle, San Diego and Culver City, California"
Apple Corporate News, PRESS RELEASE December 13, 2018
And from the NY Times
Apple to Build New Austin Hub, Expand in Other Tech Hotbeds
AUSTIN, Texas — Apple plans to build a $1 billion campus in Austin, Texas, that will create at least 5,000 jobs
To me, who lost my well paying job when it moved to Mexico and now works for minimum wage, that is great news.
Pressure works
@Elisabeth
I think it’s great companies are expanding in the US, however the cities who bid on the Apple and Amazon expansions went nuts.
Dallas just lost a bid for the new Amazon site. They bid 98 billion paid out over 100 years and the site was 32 acres right next to DFW airport the super crowded, congested, and construction torn area supporting traffic from one of the largest hubs in the US.
The bid was an absolute mess. And that’s $1 billion per year coming out of local tax revenue? Which is directly removed from police, fire, schools and local roads.
The same thing happens with almost every single company who asks for bids to relocate.
Yay for those jobs. With 3,000 employees and an average salary of $40,000 the wage total is $120,000,000. The company would not have to spend on wages or benefits at all. Austin or Dallas or Brooklyn or whichever unlucky city ends up with these crazy agreements will be paying for all the wages the company offers to the local employees, plus more.
3
"McConnell (upward redistribution), Moolah (emoluments) and MAGA (keeping resentments on simmer)" works too.
1
We now know Trump is nothing more than a serial adulterer, wannabe mob boss and extreme liar. When the dust settles as investigations conclude, the truth will reveal he also is a loser.
3
RNC game plan:
1. Start a bunch of fires
2. Blame Democrats for those fires.
3. Put out the fires.
4. Take victory laps in front of your uneducated base who fall for it every time.
8
@Victorious Yankee
3. Pour fuel on the fires.
2
Mrs. Pelosi’s “manhood thing” is not how I would express it.
Paying porn stars -- or any woman -- for sex is better understood as “a lack of manhood thing.”
3
While I despise Trump and his coterie and enablers, and do admire Nancy Pelosi, I did not like the "manhood" comment. If any man were to publicly mock a woman using a sexual term, the feminists and #MeToo-ers would be all over him. Let's not lower ourselves to his level.
1
Your arguments are so absurd and hypocritical..."What’s remarkable about this prospect is that the wall is an utterly stupid idea"
This "stupid" idea has been agreed to and promoted by many democrats over the years. They are on tape supporting it. Clinton built a wall. HRC supported a wall and barrier with Mexico. Others have also, Schumer I believe.
Give up your non-sensesical arguments. So childish.
Clinton built a wall? Where is it?
1
Whether it’s Stormy Daniels, Nancy Pelosi, Angela Merkel or J.K. Rowling, most women recognize “a tiny, tiny, tiny, little man” when they see one.
5
"Manhood, Moola, McConnell and Trumpism"
I like it. It sounds like one of those old Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns. Unforgettable stuff that will proudly live forever in the annals of late night cable TV. Thank God for AMC.
Trump would look rather spiffy in a serape, jutting jaw with a black cheroot clenched between his pearly white teeth. Coldly staring down the bug-eyed chinless McConnell, who knows the gold is buried in the stable beneath a pile of matted straw. He doesn't want to tell, but he doesn't want to get hurt either.
Only a matter of time until Trump starts looking for a way out. He's wandered onto the wrong set and can't find the door.
2
You keep dodging the obvious: He suffers from malignant narcissism personality disorder (an incurable mental illness disease) that negatively impacts all of us. The childish, brutish and bullying "It's all about me!" display in the Oval Office meeting with Pelosi and Schumer this week was a perfect example of him needing to be the center of the universe on every single issue, right or wrong.
2
Tens of billions? I think the request was for 5 billion so just a slight exaggeration on Krugman's part. But then,I guess he's trying to make some point. Why dosn't he just say he favors open borders? Can he honestly say that Israel's wall isn't effective? And Paul, please explain Nancy's obsession with Trump's manhood.,
Berlin’s wall was effective too. Is that what you want for this country? And by the way, there is a compromise between a wall and open borders.
1
@Jackson,
Yes Individual-1 asked for only $5 billion for a wall conservatively estimated to cost $25 billion because Individual-1 knows his base is stupid and will think the entire cost is $5 billion.
It's sad really...
2
Mr. Krugman introduced me to the word "kakistocracy" some time back, and I am forever in his debt. I think he should try to work that word into every column he does about Trump, much like the way Cato the Elder used to declare, "Carthage must be destroyed" in all of his speeches.
2
You hit the nail squarely on the head!
1
If the wall is so ineffective let the president build it then just point out how bad it is. It's only 5 billion and it'll be a lasting memorial for you to point to the next time someone trys something similar. It'll be worth it to prove your point and end the debate.
All objective indication are we are winning the trade war. China can't keep it's people happy without frictionless access to our markets. We still have leverage for a while If we don't fight on trade eventually people here in ohio will have the same standard of living as they do in rural China.
I don't care if the president is motivated by insecurity about his manhood, as long as he's motivated.
Somehow we need Mr. Trump to lose face among his supporters. Chloracne would be effective, but there is no way to slip dioxin into his Diet Coke. We can hope for alopecia totalis in which all his hair falls out, including even his eyebrows. Unfortunately, the cause for that condition is a mystery. Enough for dreaming...
Back on planet earth, we need to underline the inequality at the core of Trumpism. Those who fly high on the wings of Mr. Trump must learn the lesson of Icarus in a fall from grace. The question which must well up from his legions is simple. Where is my tax cut, Mr. Trump? Where is my health care, Mr. Trump? Where is my Great America, Mr. Trump? Those who kiss his ring must understand they kiss the ring of Lucretia Borgia.
Ask Daedalus. Gravity always wins.
1
I'm not fond of any walls. The wall failed in Berlin. It will fail here as well.
The projected costs are reasons alone not to build it. The money would be better invested in education and good health care for those in need.
If the wall does get built, what will it take to remove it? Is there a landfill big enough to bury trump and his dreams?
1
Some day in the future, historians will look back on the trump carnage of our country and say, "What were they thinking"? All the signs were there in bold, screaming print that trump was not up to the job of being president. But a minority of the country, via the electoral college, voted him in. It is hoped that lessons will be learned and we will never elect such a vile, ignorant person to this office.
5
Thankfully, we are witnessing the beginning of cracks in the wall of support Trump has in Congress. If he loses the support of even a minority of Republicans in the Senate he is doomed.
4
I would think the wall would be a shot in the arm for the boat manufacturers. Those who bring in people seeking a new life would load up boats, take them a few miles out in the ocean around the border, come back to a deserted area and unload them. Most likely at night.
Trump wouldn’t think of that. His yacht was reposseessed.
I'm generally in agreement with the conclusions of this column. But this is what really caught my attention:
"Trump posed as a different kind of Republican, someone who would protect the safety net and raise taxes on the rich. In office, however, his domestic policy has been totally orthodox."
It's mind boggling to me that Trump's "core" still believes that he somehow stands for their interests. His one legislative "accomplishment" of a tax cut for the wealthy showed he didn't give a whit for the average American. Some were distracted by small tax cuts today that were going to expire or be rescinded once Trump was out of office, effectively absolving him off responsibility.
Every proposal has been bait and switch. Lower taxes? Untouched safety net? Big, beautiful, better insurance? Reinvigorated coal and manufacturing industries? Cleaner air and water? Job creation? Drain the swamp?
I could go on but I'm seething as I think about the fact that America does nothing to demand that politicians provide evidence of realistic thought and actions as part of the nomination process. We accept "debate" that skirts real issues and focuses on denigration of the competition. This is true of both parties, but since 41, Republicans have taken it to new extremes.
We should require each candidate to present their slate of issues, accompanied by the policy changes they'll propose and an implementation plan to effect such changes. Until then, we'll end up living with lies.
4
Paul is correct that most of Trump's acts are theatrical, but they are not for the benefit of rank and file voters; they are entirely for the benefit of his base. Not matter how counterproductive and lunatic a move, or how much long-term damage it might actually do, the point is to forward his pact with his rag-tag base. Who supports tarriffs? Why they do — they will tell you he is "getting tough on America's trade partners!" He needs their fanatical, quasi-religious support so that he will be able to weather the coming storm of indictments. And they will believe everything he tells them to about those accusations — after all, he built the wall, single handedly "fixed" America's trade balance problem, stopped the evil Obama-sourced destruction of the American medical care system, and no doubt will next save Medicare from the grimy mitts of the government. It's classic fascism, played to a dedicated core base who has been mentally prepared by America's terrible public education system and the indulgence of most Americans in magical thinking supported by news media organizations that peddle fiction and gossip-mongering.
"Manhood, McConnell and Moola" -- I would add Malice. I think the man is a sadist. I think his nasty actions and statements are more than just the defense of his so-fragile personhood. It's one thing to defend one's imagined bastion from attack by imagined entities and to be desperate about that -- but to enjoy hurting and harming other people goes way beyond any of the three M's. I think he enjoys disappointing people and harming people. I believe him to be a sadist.
3
@SFR Daniel
In the configuration of a personality such as that of Donald Trump, it would be quite usual to see expressions of sadism.
It is a part of his very substantial neurosis.
His neurosis will continue. It began to form long ago,
and he has long been incapable of responding to treatment.
1
What worries me most is Trump's war on the environment. Encouraged by his stance, other world leaders have been encouraged to do the same. The total effect will be more than that of the Trump administration alone. The world needs an American leader just the opposite of Trump.
2
As somebody said yesterday somewhere else on the web that I can't remember right now, I'd add melanin to round your list off to four drivers of Trump's 'policy.' Guy seems pretty racist to me, and I think that drives a good chunk of what he tries to do on a daily basis--which I wouldn't dignify by calling it policy. More like whim.
1
Trump understands the symbolism of the wall. Pelosi, I'm afraid, doesn't. She tends to be rational; this is not entirely rational. On the surface it's a law and order appeal, but it's really a fairly straightforward Make America (What It Used to Be) Again message, with strong economic, racial, and male components.
Democrats are hoping that at least some Trump voters will be stung enough by the reality of what they're done, that they'll come to their senses. In other words, the problem will essentially cure itself, burn itself out.
2
McConnell and big business are using Trump's antics to appeal to a group of voters who still believe he's going to make America great again. His brashness on foreign policy gets them fired up against China, N. Korea, Iran and Muslims in general. These people relish a good fight.
But congress which is supposed to represent the people is also in chains to big business. They regularly vote for the big donors against the will of the people. Look at the tax cut for the rich when we asked for healthcare and affordable education like they have in Europe and Canada.
We can't blame Trump and the republicans (dems regularly cross over when their donors demand it.) We should blame Citizens United et al (thanks Supreme Court) and the D.C. swamp overflowing with lobbyists money.
I was glad when some progressives won in the midterms; but we have to clean our own house of big money influence before we can achieve anything. Keep in mind the worst offenders:
Military/industrial complex (no diplomacy, only more and better lethality)
Big oil & gas (climate change is a myth)
Big pharma (ungodly profits)
Big tech (desperately in need of ethics)
and Wall St. (roaming the world for low taxes and no regulation)
If your congressperson is taking money from one of the above, they won't represent you when push comes to shove.
4
If you're stating that Trump's ego is driving this nation's policies, then Trump, the Congress and the Senate must have Vulcan mind-melded.
1
The politics of "fear" seems to me to be the modus operandi of the GOP. Trump, McConnell, GOP saw a good thing with Bush and his "fear o meter". The fear o meter is now "manhood thing" is being channeled to Trump's assertion that he alone can keep the hordes of immigrants who are bringing death, illnesses, drugs, etc. to the little people in rural America. To many who back Trump, they believe his manhood thing fear mongering that they will be overcome (even though they are thousands of miles from the border) by immigrants and their demise is only being held back by Trump (as he steals from their pocket books with his tax cut for himself and the rest of the pillagers of our society). The wall is just a piece of bone for Trump to throw at them as they shake in fear from his masterful use of the GOP fear o meter.
Trump exists because of the minority 40% who themselves likely exist because of fox news which slanted material exists because it makes money. It is this whole structure that is depressing. The upside is this structure still represents only a minority. It is beatable as shown in the last election. Also, despite this support, the head of this structure will hopefully be destroyed by criminal and the coming Democrat house investigations.
3
Pelosi psychoanalysis of Trump: manhood and security issues., how self serving a diagnosis. Were anyone to give it credence then one must acknowledge that Pelosi suffers from delusions of grandeur and father issues.
After watching Nancy Pelosi deal with DJT, and hearing her comments on manhood and “the agreement formerly known as Prince”, I hope she wins back the Speaker position. Now, she’d make a great president!
2
Great piece, clear and to the point. So why can’t we get rid of the insult to America? The answer, McConnell and his cronies. The republicans in Congress are no joke, but they continue to support the one sitting in the Oval Office. We need an overhaul of these representatives that care only for their own power. We need representatives who put We, the People and America’s dignity first. To support a president that disregards the First Amendment and his oath of office is no laughing matter.
The 3 Ms, very well put and so true. They match every value that this illegitimate corrupt and inept President may have in his core, whatever core that is...or are they the core values of his base, the ones that make the Reality TV tick, the ones that make the media roil and boil, or the ones that are bringing this country down to an abyss? What about this counter offer: the 3 Is: Impeachment, Indictment and Imprisonment.
Amazing?
Amazingly Scary.
One Man's Manhood and his love of Moola can ruin the World and threaten the security of millions.
Don't let this person do any more damage, get him out and away from the hurt he can and has already caused so many and while you're at it, please change some laws and rules so that one person can't do so much damage...fix Congress so it can stop that person whilst making sure most Americans can stop Congress from doing those things they weren't elected to do for those few who tell them to do it.
That's what I will be wishing is under the Christmas Tree this year for us all.
I never thought of the Wall in relation to Trump's "manhood," but I think Nancy Pelosi is on to something. What Trump imagines is something so big and imposing - like the Great Wall of China! And so immense - it can be seen from space! Wow - everyone will just GASP at the enormity of this GREAT WALL. Sort of like the guy who carves up a beautiful tree with his initials or the dog who sprays said tree. It's all about territory and putting one's mark on something. Sick.
Boy, would I love to sit in on a seminar by the American Psychiatric Association with Trump as its focus. There is absolutely no doubt that this man's psyche is irreparable, irredeemable, and devoid of any semblance of morality and ethics. The term "sociopath" comes to mind when analyzing his characteristics. And yes, of course, he can not see beyond his insatiable need for recognition as a "man" as well as for money. His warped mind and thought processes define manhood as thuggery, misogyny, and exploitation of all things women. The lust for money translates into corruption and, I'm sure, illegal - perhaps criminal - practices. But we are now stuck with him, are we not? And we have a Republican Senate which is in no rush to rein him in. Why should they? McConnell et al are enriching themselves as I write. Solution, you ask? Well, if Mueller can't do it, we certainly can. And that is send this man packing in 2020.
2
What can be said about Dishonest Donald, The Republican President, that is positive? That is a tough question. Here is my answer.
Donald Trump makes us realize just how good our voters have been at electing candidates worthy of the presidency. The election of Donald Trump did not occur because he won a majority of all votes. It occurred despite his failure to win a popular majority.
American voters will make Nov. 3, 2020 a day to remember.
At this time, I don’t think it’s smart for Nancy Pelosi to be focusing on what manhood is or isn't. Also, I think Paul Krugman’s article on Trump's manhood is a waste of copy space, even though I agree with both. I am a male Democrat, and a lifelong proponent of equal rights for women. But I want to remind everyone in the party that if we are to win the presidency in 2020, we must get, at least some, of the votes of male Republicans. To do that I think its best, right now, to try address their issues and understand why we lost them.
5
Paul offers a pitch-perfect reading of a leader's personality in a party structure built on deception, denial, blame, and division as key processes in its politics! Trump's personality and his desire for wider powers is the catalyst for his party to openly forfeit morality/common sense. It cannot build coalitions, which are built on common morality and mutual common sense. They want fortresses of power.
Witness the budget demand for a $5 billion vanity wall that would not even be framed as a badly needed public works project, employing and training a new generation of skilled craft workers and engineers and retraining displaced workers.
Witness, too, the $6 billion bailout for farmers, undistributed, woefully inadequate. Sioux Falls TV station KSFY quoted one farmer: "I didn't get into farming to go to the mailbox and see if a check has come from the government today so that I can continue farming."
Nebraska farmers alone have lost a billion in sales over last year. Alabama farmers have seen prices and sales for soybeans fall, due to tariffs. Georgia peach and pecan farmers face uncertainty, peaches hit with a 47% tariff by China. National soybean sales to China, the US largest buyer have fallen 94%
Witness the treatment of every claim by women regarding sexual assault. Plenty of Republican personalities, elected and media, push a rock that falls further with each effort.
5
We all know Individual 1 is a narcissistic soul sucking bully plus he lies ..... all the time. We know what makes him tick. There is nothing much we can do at least until Mueller's investigation concludes and then I doubt much will come of it. The real problem is the 40 plus% of the people out there that vote and support him. They are the real problem. They are indeed a sort of terrorist using Individual 1 as their surrogate to destroy our government and country. Shame on them.
In the mean time can we talk about abolishing Citizens United and the corporate money lobbyists use to corrupt and own Washington?
3
...and mob, mendacity, MountRushmore, Messiah, ...
I think you may have forgotten one driver: His insanely childish need to undo every policy that the last real president enacted.
I suppose you could tie this to his ego. Somewhere down in the dark and vengeful hell that is Individual 1's psyche, he knows he will never be a tenth of the man that Obama is.
14
Well said.
2
The wall could be completed for the 1.6 B, but the gold leaf, that is the Trump brand, is going to cost another 3.4 just for the northern side.
4
Pelosi is brilliant. "The trade agreement formerly known as Prince." "It was like having a tinkle contest with a skunk." Bravo, Nancy! Sic 'em!
9
I don’t like this cheap psychoanalyzing of political leaders. Wasn’t the left up in arms (and justifiably so) when some right-wing filmmaker tried to explain Obama’s policies by his absent father? Indeed, the beauty of second-hand psychology is that anything can be reduced to some sexual dysfunction. The wall is inefficient, this is all anybody needs to know to oppose it. On the other hand, I see absolutely no reason why an electronic barrier cannot be installed along the border to stop illegal migration. And just for your information: I am a woman and an immigrant.
1
@Mor: I consider the whole US political scene an orgy of fakes, and everybody who projects a human personality onto nature someone who never grew up. Finding sanity in it is the hard part.
@Mor What illegal immigration? It would appear that all persons who approach our southern land border are rounded up and incarcerated while awaiting a hearing. This is a legal process that is now tedious and very difficult for the would be applicant. It is not illegal to apply for admission to the United States of America.
There is one more motivation, which I believe is essential. Trump is above all things an entertainer. He is supremely adapted to our modern world and a true master of his field.
In this sense, all publicity is good. It's probable that the Pelosi-Schumer meeting in the Oval Office is viewed by him as a great success: his name is on something (Trump Shutdown), and he's been viewed countless times on the internet and on TV, and everyone has been talking about it.
I'll venture that McConnell, Moolah and Manhood are present, but take a back seat to his instinct for the spotlight, and the joy it brings him. After all, he could do a lot more for the Republican Agenda, make a lot more money, and appear a lot more Manly by acting differently. But get more attention? I think he's optimized that one!!!
1
Whenever the President gets in trouble he always returns to racism/bigotry/misogyny. And his 30% loves it. I see it in facebook posts from my HS friends from almost 50 years ago.
Making the unacceptable acceptable again is his biggest accomplishment.
5
What's behind Trump's tariffs? Trump constantly seeks attention, enamored with his every utterance. He tweets for attention. Struts for attention. Scowls for effect. He knows his every word ripples throughout the globe like water does when a rock is thrown into it. He knows almost nothing about government or the world around him. When he applies tariffs the whole world reacts. He likes the ripples. He'll keep throwing rocks just to see the ripples.
4
There may be yet another component to trump's "policy" moves. He seems most comfortable, even happy, when he is stoking the fears and resentments of his cultic followers; the "rallies" at which they chant catchy but basically meaningless slogans are his (and their) reward. However, in order to keep the base (in all senses of the word) riled up and happy in their misery (a trait, BTW, that explains much of Russian history) he does things that are intended to anger and upset the "elites", those snooty people who purport to know that simple answers to complex problems are usually wrong. The reaction of his minions is evident in the unfortunate eruptions of trumpist trolls in comment threads, expressing nothing but that resentment and malicious delight in taunting those of us who want to have substantive discussions of real matters (e.g. children in cages in the Southwest). I note that "Malicious Mischief" fits the alliteration scheme nicely.
1
By now it should be apparent
to any sane intellectually honest transparently truthful person,
to those that really loves their Nation,
to those that appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of our unity under a framework of individual liberty, freedom, and equality,
to those that recognize the ecology of things,
to those that recognize the highest moral dictum is to foster the welfare of others especially the less fortunate,
to those mature/unselfish enough to recognize the evolutionary principle that populations need diversity to survive across time and that tolerance of differences and cooperation among "tribes" is a winning formula,
to those with a modicum of modern knowledge and understanding who properly recognize that this Blue Marble is our ONLY home and it must be kept tidy and healthy - that our stewardship of it is the one thing we MUST do right
that Trump and the lot of the current GOP is a cruel cosmic joke - a pox we inflicted upon ourselves
one that we MUST rid ourselves of it!
That we must start a healing process based on the kinship of us all, the principles of truthful testable rational thought, laudable objectives, good management, and striving to achieve the egalitarian principles we long ago declared for ourselves.
The game is existential - vote existentially - vote the GOP out!
Recast politically sanely, intellectually, and morally proper later!
We can do this together - we can win over the Dark Forces that beset us today!
1
@MegaDucks: Trumpism is a millenarian planetary death wish.
Trump is a symptom. We do not have a government, we have a criminal mob. So much justified by national security is a smoke screen for money flowing to questionable contracts. Meanwhile serious threats such as cyber security are ignored by ancient men lacking cell phone savvy.
Military contracts for those hiding behind being "heroes" are facilitated by bribes, bucks to GOP legislators, and overturning any law that inhibits pollution. Real heroes (aka enlisted or injured on duty) are ignored in this formula. Prisons for non visa holders go to obscure private prison and holding companies. Private educational companies with no standards take money and vanish. Trump and McConnell are perfect reflections of this. All the damage trickles down to the public they supposedly defend.
@poslug: We don't have a democracy in the US, we live under the wreckage of a scheme of legalized slavery.
An oversight not mentioned by Prof. Krugman among the Moola bogeymen designed by Congress to "underwrite" the 2017 budget and debt-exploding tax cut is the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge giveaway to the oil industry under the guise of welfare to Alaskan Native Corporations, which in fact are Native in name only.
An excellent investigative exposé of the actual beneficiaries of this largesse and its real victims, indigenous Native villagers and the American people, entitled "In the Blink of an Eye, a Hunt for Oil Threatens Pristine Alaska" by Henry Fountain and Steve Eder, was published in the Dec 3, 2018 edition of the NYT.
In it, the authors refer to a sparsely known, ultra-secret well drilled by BP and Chevron in the northwest corner of the refuge in 1988 called Kaktovik #1. In oil industry parlance Kik 1, as it sometimes is called, is known as a "tight hole". I personally am aware of only two people, though there undoubtedly is a limited number of others, who have been permitted to examine its data. Neither is active in the business today. Yet 30 years later, private industry data from public land remains under strict lock and key. Exactly what are the vested interests in play so anxious to hide from public knowledge?
The imminence of US oil supplies from a net importer to a net exporter, coupled with a compelling need quickly to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels, puts the lie to any argument that a public interest is served by opening the refuge to oil exploration.
1
@Peter G Brabeck: In a couple of decades the whole North Slope will be melting tundra bubbling up methane.
I agree with the manhood angle. Trump has always exhibited a raging insecurity to me: The contrived tough guy pose, the claims of being a counter-puncher that will hit back ten times harder, the pathetic books, the need to inflate estimates of his net worth while concealing the details, etc. I suspect the fact he is a fraud hatched from Daddy's money, bailed out repeatedly by Daddy and rueful lenders is fundamental in this.
However, the one element that might surpass Trump's insecurity is pathological, insatiable greed. I do not believe Trump's greed can be quenched. It is his own living nightmare. I take some comfort in that.
2
I’m think that for Trump, and the entire GOP, what motivates them is spite. They have this outsized hatred for the liberal elite. It goes way back. They lost the civil war. They lost the civil rights battle. They lost the culture wars. They put up Nixon and Dubya. We put up JFK and Obama. They are jealous and vindictive. Whatever Democrats are for, they are against. It puts them in some pretty ridiculous positions, like choosing coal over wind.
7
I get the connection between Trump's manhood and his wall, his money and his love for despots, and his McConnell-pleasing and self-serving tax cut work.
What I don't get is the people who put Trump in office. Not only did they put Trump there; most want him to stay. And what about these other GOP disasters who've been elected to Congress? We have blatant racists, a medical doctor who is an anti-vaccer, religious fanatics, and those out to line their own pockets while lying to their constituents.
Who are these people, and WHY are they unable to see what Trump and his allies are doing?
1
@Valerie Brys: Trump has mobilized the stratum in the US that wishes their neighbor's cows would drop dead.
1
@Valerie Brys Tribalism, pure and simple. He hates the people they hate, and justifies their fears and resentments.
1
@Valerie Brys I would add that they are all out to line their pockets.
1
Why are you surprised by your latent discovery of what you and others have labeled as Trump’s payoff in his silly attempts at governance? Trump is strictly about self aggrandizement and hubris. Trump’s motivations could not be more shallow or demeaning to the US. The GOP gave us Trump because they allowed him to win the nomination. They knew he was a crackpot yet they never made any attempt to retire his drive to the title of designated candidate of the Republican Party for the presidency of the US in 2016. Their inaction represents the single greatest attack on US tradition of acceptable governance and our democracy.
2
@DENOTE MORDANT: The US has a whole subculture of bald faced lying for a better afterlife. It is madness on steroids.
1
"So where does Manhood come in? The wall is an obvious example."
Well, we know many men like to build big things and put their names on them. There are some rather prurient and obvious reasons for that, being men, you know. Basic psychology.
Dr K, you write columns detailing economic theory and call them "wonkish." I get that. You also write about society, as in this column.
Frankly, this piece seems a little beneath you. It's pretty straightforward, isn't it? It seems that way ...
We have the Mueller investigation. We have a plethora of Democratic candidates. What are your opinions on these fronts? Why not go out on a limb with some commentary there, say, from a statistical, mathematical, and scientific perspective?
You do a great job writing about health care and climate change, in particular, for the masses. People owe you a debt of gratitude.
Why not take a chance with some more nebulous subjects? I'd like to hear you write about those. Perhaps solicit topics from readers? Why not? And I really enjoyed your responses to commenters around the time of the election. Will that continue?
I'd be happy to start the ball rolling. You write about health care and climate change and economic policy presumably because you care about future generations. Who do you think would make the best president (from any party) and, specifically, how do you think that person will help young people with the problems they will face?
2
Can Trump supporters point to any specific policies enacted that have benefited them on a day-to-day level, personally? I’m not talking about large emotional issues like immigration. I’m talking about things you think are better now: did you get cleaner water in your tap, pay raises, permanently lower taxes (tax season is going to be an eye opener for many in April), easy access to excellent healthcare, etc. What actual policies (created through legislation, not executive orders) have made YOUR life better? Or did the constant fluctuations in the market caused by Trump’s tweets perhaps hurt your investments just as you were going to retire? Or did some corporate behemoth begin fracking near your home because regulations were loosened, causing earthquakes and contaminated water? Were you able to sign up for the ACA during the enrollment period or did you have trouble because the Trump administration curtailed access? Or have you had to see a therapist because you come home from all those rallies seething with anger and you no longer have a day when you wake up feeling life is good? Just curious.
2
Trump's testosterone is a mess because he uses gallons of Propecia for hair growth and tanning lamps concurrently. Propecia appears to be light sensitive and Trump natural hormone supply stopped working years ago. Thus, his circulating small hormone supply is indeed broken pieces of Propecia and that creates abnormal behavior.
Quite a team! Trump sows confusion and discord eating up air time and print space while McConnell turns the so-called "Greatest Deliberative Body" into a sham where people's elected representatives are denied access to a legislative process. No discussion, no debate, no vote! When they discuss the assassins of the American Experiment Trump and McConnell will be at the top of the list.
1
Good analysis,.
But at This Moment the ONLY way forward will be Nonviolent Protests to serve the national interest or those of major majority interests.
The Very Rich and Big Corporations Usually Respond only to Fear throughout modern history.
Yes, Nonviolent Protestors may get pepper-sprayed and arrested but if we are not out there for sharply reduced income inequality and the environment our children and grandchildren will take very big hits as the corporate state resorts to into something even worse...
Don't kid yourselves. Haven't we seen enough violence from racists and anti-semites and Islamophobes who have been duped for more than a generation?
If Clinton had won that would have been better but the Cards would have been Stacked, STILL, against 80-90 percent of the citizenry. Remeber, please do, she was telling Wall Street something different than she was telling us
1
Isn’t Trump on prostrate medication? It’s supposed to also help maintain his hair. All things considered Trump really didn’t think he would win 2016 despite Putin assurance that his agents had penetrated the system. Once they saw signs of his chances rising, they scrambled to pay off this one silence that one, all casualties of Trump trying to prove his manhood even while married to what he calls fine looking women (the recent affair on spotlight happening while his 3rd wife was busy with their newborn son). Trump’s grown kids don’t have an ounce of shock factor because they have seen their dad from childhood days, on tabloid covers. Now his grandchildren are being trained to absorb shocks.
1
Insecurity? Let’s use a more accurate description - he’s trying to make up for his shortcomings.
1
The "manhood" thing is an interesting attention grabber from an economist. As a psychologist, it seems to me to be a gross oversimplification.
Trump has no real interest in data, unless it supports his views; he rejects the findings of those who say that a wall is not likely to be effective, but it certainly is a symbol.
Finally it is clear that Trump is interested in feathering his own nest and those who support him, and even more interested if it in turn outrages the opposition.
Although I generally think that Krugman is right on the money, this column seems more about selling papers than getting to the heart of the matter.
1
Trumps logic of showing strength because of some sort of self-perceived weakness is just plain 'ol stupid. We are the premier power on this planet. Everyone recognizes this. In fact I daresay the planet simply represents our American Empire. The entire geo-political economic order was, and is, set to our dictates. It has been this way since the end of WWII.
So showing strength in the face of this fact? Idiocy. We're the ruling power sitting in the center of a global economic web we created. Whatever happened to speaking softly and carrying a big stick from that vantage? We need leadership who understands this.
John~
American Net'Zen
Mr. Trump bumbles and fumbles from self-made nonsensical problems continuously . He hates and destroys what he doesn't understand. His cumulative misfeasance and malfeasance will be his poisoned chalice.
@Johnny Walker: Trump is deliberately cranking up climate change.
No the wall is a “Stupid” thing. It is a symbol of wanting to “do something” about illegal immigration – but not wanting (or being able to) discuss the issue at an intellectual level (you know that thinky/brainy stuff). By fighting for the wall Trump is seen as a hero trying to fix a problem, and democrats are seen as fighting against doing something about that problem. The only thing Trump is good at is getting people to cheer him – and that is also the only thing he cares about (besides getting rich). That is also why he sometimes do things against corporate interests – those interest cannot override a good adulation from the Trump cult crowds at his rallies.
2
Whether it's a wall or a bridge it will provide jobs; on both sides of the border.
Pluuuuueeze! The only thing that matters to the GOP is the ability to loot the U.S. Treasury. The rest are canards and memes and "wedge" issues. Trump is but a prop.
1
@Mark: They won't rest until there is no public land left in the US.
The thing is, the man is like anyone else, he is fallible. What drives him appears to be unresolved Shinola where he needs to feed his battered ego. That’s why he appeals to the masses. People see themselves in him and his actions. Trump represents the unawakened America where materialism and everything external of the Human Spirit is how people feel good about themselves. We are still an immature species who affects the planet and every other inhabitant who lives here. We are all connected and what happens to any one of us, happens to ALL of us. What’s it going to take to wake up?
1
@Glenn W: Whenever it does, it will be too late.
Big walls, like the Berlin wall on the west side, our walls through Brownsville etc, always get covered very quickly with graffiti. I think all of you can guess what the graffiti will say ... all about Trump.
I doubt Trump or anybody else would find that beautiful.
Now I get it. Every time he shouted "BIG, beautiful wall" he was actually thinking of his tiny hands.
There is no there there.
Venom is the glue that binds the GOP together.
They don't care he is a liar or does not know
what he is talking about. He hates "them"
and that is all tht matters to today's GOP
1
Let the 1% pay for it. They can even put their names on the sections they paid for.
2
Mitch McConnell quote--- “All Citizens United did was to level the playing field for corporate speech.”
Did he think corporations were victims of unfairly suppressed political ‘speech’? Or that ordinary individuals, "unincorporated", had too much clout?
Clout is what we-the -people have lost.
Contrast with Jimmy Carter’s realistic critique of big money’s damage to democracy. Huff post 2015 Carter quote:
“The Citizens United decision violates the essence of what made America a great country in its political system. Now it’s just an oligarchy with unlimited political bribery the essence of getting nominated and elected….for president, governors and congress…. a subversion of our political system as a payoff to major contributors
How does Krugman think that affects our jobs, pay, health care, education, retirement, etc?
Princeton's Gilens & Page -- “only the desires of the richest citizens are being reflected in governmental actions......The preferences of the average American appear to have a minuscule impact.” (see their interview on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart)
Krugman should get off his focus on our politics of warped egotistical personalities---we’re painfully aware.
He should get on to explaining how our campaign finance system elevates the clout, and the egos, of corporate and wealthy elites. And denigrates the legitimate interests of the majority. This will continue after Trump is gone, and you won't have his warped personality to kick around anymore.
1
@Meredith: Corporate political funding has made public psychopathy a lucrative business for some of the most malevolent people in the nation.
1
We do not need to spend money on a wall that will not increase anything to the GNP. We need to be investing in a tunnel from NYC to New Jersey. This would create American jobs and long term growth in the area.
2
Not enough emphasis on on the McConnell angle. Without Mitch's support and guidance, little can happen. We need to focus a spotlight and much more attention on this kingmaker. Pure power often leads to pure ...
7
Our manufacturing has been hollowed out. How does the average person get access to efficiency? The gig economy does not throw off enough scale. One can only make so many hand-made pins.
Tariffs are awkward and inefficient. But deregulation has given us fortress finance, countless industry donors in Washington and planned bailout rehearsals, with draft press releases compiled, last Friday of each quarter on Wall Street.
The Chinese are right; manufacturing is better.
1
"By McConnell I mean the standard G.O.P. agenda, which basically serves the interests of big donors, both wealthy individuals and corporations. "
Is yet useful this connotation of the Republican Party, which still gets a popular vote together with the support of the rich?
Unless the author does consider minus those non rich electors, who insist voting G.O.P., notwithstanding that agenda for rich donors.
Maybe, the author pretends to ignore the nature of the G.O.P. popular consensus, which is old like the nation.
That great part of the grass root electors trust the rich and identify the successful nation with them. And prefer to ideally unite with them instead of coalesce with the rest of the middle class voters.
2
...and the people who elected and continue to support him must represent a very significant part of the US American population. Frightening when one thinks of the sacrifices made to achieve democracy.
13
@Ostinato: Belief that the US is a democracy is one of the greatest triumphs of propaganda in political history.
1
Read Senator Kerry's article. We need to be focused on what we're going to do about climate change, not the irrelevance of what Trump thinks or doesn't think about this or just about any other issue. Strong bills need to be presented and passed. We could start with cars, combining a carbon tax with a klunker law to get all vehicles that get less than 25mpg off the road and replaced by vehicles that get a minimum of 50mpg, giving preference to the oldest klunkers, which we can assume are owned by the least wealthy owners. Mandate a factory price of $15,000 maximum from manufacturers--the law would be giving them a huge windfall. The goal would be to cut fuel consumption/emissions by 50% within one year. By giving the least wealthy buyers the first benefits, we would avoid the situation we have been witnessing in France. A rapid change in production facilities would mean initial bottle necks, compensated by the klunker payments initially, and long term by the revenue/subsidies from the carbon tax. Everyone would benefit. The only sacrifice might be the size of allowable personal vehicles to conform to the fuel standards. The price of gasoline for vehicles already on the road and not covered would plummet as demand dried up.
With this, subsidize feed-in-tariff, especially in areas with the most sun. With some political will, an all renewables electric grid--solar/wind with hydro back up can also be done quickly in much of the U.S. The market will solve intermittency.
3
@loveman0: As long as the global population continues to grow, there will be no reduction of climate change.
1
@Steve Bolger: population dynamics is another issue. what we are seeing, in the developed West, population is leveling off--delayed child birth among women seeking education and opportunity. Voluntary use of contraceptives might be made to play a bigger role in the developing world. The other major disaster facing humankind is loss of biodiversity--just as important that this be tackled with less, or smarter, development. Both are major Social Justice issues. From warming and over fishing, we are facing an imminent collapse of fisheries. Enforced Marine Protected Areas along with immediate action to switch to renewables--reversing warming--is called for. Economies won't suffer: switching fast will be an economic boost, electricity will be cheaper, and people will continue to buy things they don't really need.
Trump is actually motivated by one thing: pathological narcissism. He cannot control this. He must always feel that he is the center of attention and that he is the greatest thing since sliced bread. But what I've never understood about his narcissism are the choices Trump makes to feed his pathology.
If you think it's all about you 100% of the time, and you adore being adored (and indeed, insist on being adored), why do you make choices that are guaranteed to get your would-be adorers up in arms? Why, for example, do you insult the FBI, the CIA, the Department of Justice? Why do you start a trade war? Why do you insult our staunch allies like the U.K. and Canada? Why do you insult popular members of your own party (e.g., Paul Ryan)? Taking these actions is inconsistent with right-wing Republican orthodoxy, so trying to explain these actions in terms of right-wing Republican orthodoxy doesn't fly.
I simply do not understand about 35% of Trump's thought processes, and I suspect that's the case for most voters, whether they like Trump or not. If anybody has any ideas on this subject, please let us all know.
8
Remember the old saying that “the only thing worse than bad publicity is no publicity”
One way of thinking about pathological narcissism is that there are two main ego states each represented by a dyadic (two person) relationship. One is “adoring to adored”, and the other is “contemptuous to contemptible”. So the narcissist is stuck with being in either one of these four possible interpersonal places. The most comfortable to be in is “adored”, followed by “adoring”, then “contemptuous” which is much better than the last place and absolutely dreaded “contemptible”.
So when Trump is being cheered by his crowds at rallies, or told he’s great or doing a wonderful job by cronies he is in his best “adored” place, and he seeks to maintain this by being “adoring” and telling his crowds or cronies how much he loves them, or how they are “the best people”, etc. However, if anyone criticises him or steps away from this mutually adoring relationship, it immediately dumps him into the only other possible relationship dynamic which is of “contemptuous to contemptible”. In other words, the tiniest criticism feels instantaneously devastating as if the other is being contemptuous to him and for an instant he feels contemptible. The best way of getting out of this awful feeling place is to switch the relationship dynamic and attack, stealing the “contemptuous” spot for himself and, if he can do it bigger and better than the other person then he becomes “contemptuous” and his assailant becomes the “contemptible” one in his experience, which means he escapes that fate himself.
1
@Barney de Bear
Very interesting analysis, thanks.
So when Trump started his trade war, he did so because either he, himself, came up with that profoundly stupid idea, or did so because he got terrible advice from his top economic advisors -- and either way the driving force behind his decision to impose the tariffs was to be (in his mind) "adoring" to his supporters?
The Great Wall of China appears on many top category lists as an authentic Wonder of the World. Perhaps President Trump wishes to extend his competition with China or his manhood by erecting a wall, either a real or imagined one while creating a New Wonder of the Modern World? Its utility, effectiveness and value are questionable particularly in light of the estimated costs.
If a wall is completed at the President's insistence, it probably will not be revered as a work of art or respected in the same light as the one in China. Another loss for our president. I can just imagine tourists taking close ups on the aesthetic side of the structure. Satellite pictures will depict Trump's folly. Subsequent administrations will undoubtedly take his name in vain as they press to "tear down this wall!"
3
@JCT If a 20 ft high wall does go up...expect there to be a run on 21 ft tall ladders.
Lest we forget, Trump exists because the Republican Party allows it. As long as he generates GOP votes he is welcome to stay as long as he wants. Nothing else matters to them and that has been the rudest of all awakenings for the rest of the nation.
68
Remember that the same mindset (such as it is) that
led to five bankruptcies is currently running the country
(sort of). This involves completely reckless decisions,
ones not made (surely) upon some type of objective, evidence based analysis of a range of options. No. Surely the
big gut took over and whatever big gut uttered was
sure to work. If not the first time, then surely the second time...and besides the bankruptcies were really paid for
by others.
There is no reason to think the methodology is
any different on anything that big gut has worked
out is the only way to go.
Take the little matter of that climate report. Big gut
dismissed it in a few words in such a completely fatuous
infantile manner, I could only hear a four year old
telling us his mind was made up since it was the only
thing to do.
The fact that his dismissal was
not received with uniform disgust at its complete
vacuousness, say by the
congressional enablers, is only a symptom of how
public discourse has morphed into something
totally disconnected from what we're actually
living through.
There is, unfortunately,
no George Orwell among us who can
articulate effectively the pretense and the aggrandized lunacy
so that its repellent essence isn't just shrugged off as
yet still more inconsequential gibberish.
8
Trump's biggest asset has been his brand, worth $6 bil, when his real estate /investment are worth only $3-4 bil according to Forbes.
For the last 30 years his business model has been selling his brand and management because bankers refuse refuse his Deals after 6 bankruptcies.
He ran for President to sell his brand, expecting to lose. His policy is to rebrand other people's deals with his name, especially if Obama took credit..The Wall will have his name on it.
8
What is most horrifying is that like the Iron Curtain and the Berlin War which are associated with the repressive, inhumane Soviet Regime, the USA, a beacon of democracy, will own a wall separating peoples.
15
It is not helpful to speculate about what Trump thinks, what his motives are. He simply plays for affect.That is all there is to him. He throws something out, usually in a Tweet, and then he obsesses over the media reaction. The next day he plots with Fox News and throws something else out. The cycle repeats daily. He sometimes repeats oldies-but-goodies like His Wall or Beautiful Coal. Whatever policies he makes are just random byproducts of his manic pursuit of media attention. And we are his captive audience for his daily fake "reality" show. I find this terrifying.
12
Personally, I would term the GOP-Trump strategy "Cash, call girls and collusion". This is based on the money laundering by the Trump Crime famly, the behavior by former and present members of congress and finally, the pay offs to supporters in Russia and the USA.
18
Before Trump, I thought using the presidency to enrich one's self was an instantly impeachable offense. What happened America?
Republicans do not care about this country's waning strength, respect, or future. It's all about our American God: money.
To paraphrase Orin Hatch: It doesn't matter if he's guilty, he's doing what we want him to do.
28
Astonishing. Even when it seems as though one cannot be further astonished. Every footprint of Trump and his family leads to graft, greed, and immorality. We've known the emperor wears no clothes -- it appears that increasingly more Americans are aware of this reveal.
12
Let's be clear, while there are intersections of motive, McConnell's prime motivation is different from Trump's motivation.
McConnell is serving the Koch's et al, purely for moola at the expense of humanity. Trump is merely serving Trump to feed his ego, to pursue absolute ego supremacy.
McConnell's payoff is personal riches. He will die a rich meal for worms; riches will make him a very happy worm meal.
Trump seeks a different payoff. The opportunity to sneer at anyone and everyone who was respected, honored, admired, living or dead. It is important to Trump not just to be envied by his supplicants, but to diminish others, in order to make himself especially, but as many others as possible, believe he is the best, the smartest, the greatest. Greater than anyone and everyone else. Thus he is the supreme conman.
And of course that is the irony. Trump is so much less than others. He is a little man who craves to be bigger, to convince others he is the best.
Yes, money is important to Trump, but only as a measure of how much better he is than others. Money is merely a measure of his ego and his need to prove to himself that he is better than all others. That's why ostentation, his rococo lifestyle, is so very important to him. And money is an important way he cons others into believing he great and thus to feel good about himself.
So in the end, the pursuit of money is the major convergence of motivation between Trump with McConnell. Just for different reasons.
12
President Trump demonstrated his manhood by reiterating his long-held position in public, challenging Pelosi and Schumer. Also, Nancy and Chick repeatedly asked to debate the issue safely behind closed doors, away from public scrutiny. Note that Pelosi questioned Trump's manhood not face-to-face but later with Trump far, far away. Not exactly a Profile in Courage.
2
Trump attempted to use the media as leverage over Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, and it backfired on him. He didn't expect them to stand up to him in public, but at the same time they were the adults in the room, who knew that this grandstanding was not going to actually accomplish anything, and that if they were going to come to any agreement it would have to be without the media present. This is the basis of political negotiation, it's not surprising at Trump not only has no idea how it works, he has no interest. I hope they continue doing this to him for the next two years, which may somewhat to limit the damage he can do before he is removed from office, one way or another.
5
Kinda like Trump firing people in his administration not face to face but via tweet. Not very manly.
Considering Mr. Trump's reflexive dismantling of any and everything President Obama touched or enacted, we shouldn't ignore his deep compulsion to exorcise any sign of the athletic, good looking, articulate, intelligent and well read black man from the White House. Talk about highly motivated.
5
The wall scene in A Midsummer NIght's Dream must get laughs in different places these days.
I would add a Republican, not concervative, Supreme Court, in fact all courts to the McConnell category. In fact the McConnell agenda that we can see being played out in several states can be summarized in two words, entrenched power.
To the manhood category I would add destroying Obama's legacy, especially the ACA.
To the moola category even more than the manhood category I would add "the wall. That is the wall will never be built but it could be funded leaving billions for Trump to steal.
3
I'd suggest that the operative part of the expression 'trade war' for Trump is the word war. Trump gets to create straw man enemies and pretend to face them down, a war without bullets, but a chance to face down threats that should be handled with negotiations. But in Trump's limited thought processes negotiations are for winps and wars what ever the cause is a manhood thing.
Mr. Bone spurs of course will never actually fight to protect our country, but a dispute he calls a war will do.
The RNC allowed this incredibly flawed individual to run and represent their party, because by the convention it was obvious he was the only one popular with their base. I believe they cut a deal with him to kowtow to the corporate donors, and abandon any wild ideas about protecting Social Security or raising taxes on the rich. In exchange the rank and file in congress would protect him from the inevitable scandals, lawsuits, investigations resulting from his mafia-like behavior. Fox News keeps the base misinformed about what's going on, the tax cut gets passed, and once ObamaCare is completely squashed or sabotaged, they're done with him. So far it's paid off in spades for republicans, until the midterms. They have no shame about turning a blind eye to all of POTUS's transgressions, which are too long to list here. But now, as the walls close in, I'm waiting to see how fast the RNC turns on him.
5
Most everything Trump does is all about himself. I think he imagined running for president would be an easy way to refresh his brand, and a path to making money. But most of all, it would focus attention on him. And maybe he could get a new reality TV show out of it. He clearly has no interest in policy issues, and appears unwilling to learn about them. The reality that he was supposed to do actual work when president was not what he anticipated. He cares only about whether he feels powerful and successful and like he is "winning." He is not at all capable of doing the job of leading anyone anywhere, let alone a country of over 300 million people.
1
Mr. Krugman might have missed a point.
The wall and the tariff wars are symbolic (and empty) gestures toward the popular notion of fighting 'globalism' with resurgent 'nationalism'.
And there is a BIG constituency for this (everywhere globally, cue the gilets jaunes and many others). And although the people supporting this notion would usually be hard pressed to specify any coherent policy toward improving their lifes and actually achieving their goals, they seem to be sure that cracking down on the free flow of people and goods—but stangely, not money, which would be the crucial factor in actually tearing down globalization—are going to deliver somehow, never mind the costs, which anyway are to be externalized beyond those famous borders.
The orange Emperor is just playing to their gut feelings. It does not need to be coherent or logical, or even have any effect other than that.
8
"Gutting financial regulations" doesn't necessarily mean the same thing to the same people. For example, let's look at Panama's economic performance from 2007 to 2009 when most of the world was in financial extremis. Panama's GDP grew at a compound rate of about 6% per year and there were no major bank failures even though Panama has used the dollar as its currency since it gained independence from Colombia, with significant help from the US, in 1903. Thus, it has no central bank. Also, it has no government backed deposit insurance. At first blush I suspect you would call this a highly unregulated banking environment. However, it does have a strong version of Glass-Steagel and very high statutory capital requirements for banks, much higher than even the the present day US bank capital requirements. So, "gutting financial regulations" doesn't mean much unless you look at the total regulatory picture.
3
Thank you for this cogent argument against President Flim-flam. We should have known from Day One of the Trump mis-administration that we could expect nothing better.
11
Three million more of us voted for HRC than the orange plague.
We did know and we are not at all happy with the situation.
2
Populists of the Left (aka democratic socialists) oppose globalization and free trade just as much as Trump does. They claim that trade damages the environment and undermines labor protections. I hope Mr. Krugman will argue for free trade when the Left gets its turn to put up tariffs.
@George, the idea is to include labor and environmental protections in trade agreements. Fair trade is better than jungle trade, which isn't "free" for anybody but the cutthroat corporate class.
10
@George
The left is not going to support tariffs. They are the worst tool to help the ave person. What the left will support is trade agreements that protect the environment and workers.
This latest version of nafta allows corporations to use and abuse workers and the environment. It is actuallt no different from the original.
1
Who wants a trade war ?
1. American companies fed up with the lies, thefts, and extortion of China. That includes most of Silicon Valley
2. American workers that saw their jobs disappear to China
Let me comment on 2.
Paul Krugman has never accepted that in a global economy, US wages of those exposed to it must move sooner move to the global average.
Dismissing it, he wrote, quote
"The basic arguments of these critics is that globalization ..has changed the rules of the games. ... Firms will not raise prices, no matter how hot the market ,
because they fear foreign competition. And workers, constantly threatened with loss of their jobs to other nations will not demand higher wages, no matter how low the unemployment rates goes.
It is hard to see, however, how anyone who has looked at the recent economic experience ..can take his argument seriously"
https://www.kansascityfed.org/publicat/econrev/EconRevArchive/1994/4Q94.pdf#
If one of Mr Krugman's multiple residences were in Sryracuse NY , rather than on the Upper West Side , Riverside Drive, Princeton NJ, and on the Beach in St. Croix
he would have noted, how wrong he was
GM's Fisher plant, New Process Gear, Carrier Air conditioning, Lennox Heating, Syracuse China, that employed together tens of thousands, ALL left after Nafta and admittance of China to the WTO, moving to countries were wages were 1/6.
So much for "can take this argument seriously"
NO economist, ever, has done more damage to US workers
5
It's too bad that Trump is so detached from reality that he doesn't realize that rather than showing his "manhood," efforts like building the Wall and meeting with dictatorial strongmen just show his insecurity and weakness. Add his compulsion to blame every self-imposed problem on someone else, and he's downright pathetic. It remains a mystery to me why he's still in office--except that the Republicans seem to think he's shown them the secret of political success. I hope the Democrats will be able to disabuse them of that notion and bring a blue tsunami in 2020.
10
His followers have been sold a bill of goods. I feel for the farmers who are now caught in the tariff vise.
Oh sure they will get subsidies( welfare), will they be able to face their neighbors or business associates?
Many homes and businesses will be affected by the great
Trump gut feelings in towns large and small.
No one wins when our leader is more interested in his friends
wealth and tax breaks for his family.
Many families will be suffering from his decisions.
14
Benito Trumpolini--relies now on his son-in-law as never before. Comparisons uncanny.
14
Freud was right about what rules, at least for men.
McConnell could never find a date in the bar at closing time no matter how drunk the remaining girls are. Hitler was impotent. Trump's unit is said to look like a mushroom.
The future of life on earth now hangs on such trivialities.
18
Chess champion turned activist G Kasparov said that the easiest path to a political victory is to make fun of him to the point he looks bad in view of his supporters. I cannot remember if he was referring to Trump or Putin, but I doubt the suggestion would change from one to the other.
14
Dr. K
Thus far, during the campaign and the first two years of the Administration there has only been a lot of theater. Fortunately, there has been no serious damage to the economic factors that contribute to the well being of American's.
But, there seems to be an increasing concentration of wealth and poor distribution of income. Historically, this can harm the performance of the economy. (Mancur Olsen, and others).
There has been no real positive action on the growing urgent threat to health and quality of life posed by global warming.
Policymakers agree on 4 fundamental facts:
Modern civilization depends on massive amounts of low-cost energy. Without it, humanity would be back in the Dark Ages.
Modern civilization has evolved to its present state by consuming enormous amounts of cheap, accessible fossil fuels.
Modern civilization cannot keep functioning forever on fossil fuels.
If climate activists are right, there will be an environmental catastrophe.
If climate deniers are right, we won’t experience a climate- related catastrophe.
However, the supply of cheap, accessible fossil fuels is finite. At some point, decades ahead, not centuries, humanity will begin to run out of affordable fossil fuels, and modern civilization will economically collapse.
Humanity must develop and implement major non-fossil energy sources that can provide low-cost energy indefinitely for a world population of 10 Billion to avoid environmental catastrophe or economic collapse.
13
Beg to differ, Dr. Krug, but Trump had to blatantly LIE that Canadian milk supports threatened our country's national security in order to impose tariffs. His trade sanctions are, like most everything else, illegal. But his day is coming. And soon.
18
It should be noted that a number of mental health professionals have expressed extreme concern about the mental health of Individual 1.
It has also been noted that the Republican 'leadership' in the Senate is about as useful as a potted plant when it comes to exercising constitutional oversight in the face of daily troubling behavior on the part of Individual 1 and his administration.
The international community is about ready to seek an order of protection against Individual 1 and the irrational policies he is trying to impose on the world.
Can we get an intervention, please? ASAP?
69
@Larry Roth -- I think help is coming. Read NBC's interview with Letitia James -- incoming AG of New York State:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/incoming-new-york-attorney-general-plans-wide-ranging-investigations-trump-n946706
Note that the payments Trump made to Cohen to repay him for the payment to Cliffords are both tax fraud and money laundering ... both chargeable in NY state (Cohen's law office is here) and these crimes do not depend on whether it was "a campaign donation" or not. It's a slam dunk indictment and prosecution now that SDNY has done the work.
And James' AG office will be going after Trump much more widely. The Trump Foundation abuse is a raft of felonies waiting to be prosecuted. These could indict Jared and Ivanka too.
I think sometime in spring Trump will face indictments for felonies in New York State, potentially his children will too. The NYC tabloids have been talking about Little Donnie's dirty real estate deals for years, he looks particularly vulnerable.
The Supreme Court might stop Trump from being tried while he is in office ... we'll see.
But Trump and his father both have a history with the NY AG's office ... and they've lost every one of them. Eric Schneiderman forced Trump to pay a 1 M$ fine over "Trump University."
I think it inconceivable that the AG's office will be unable to find multiple blatant felonies in the Trump organization; they're really a RICO operation, a modern crime family.
Other areas in which moolah and not only Trump's manhood play a role is the (1) private prisons, and (2) the huge amount of Homeland Security contracts that have been granted to the few companies that run camps or detention centers that are holding the immigrants.
Certainly there are other ways to resolve these problems, but many of the business that run these facilities are major Trump donors and supporters.
56
Moolah may also play an important role in trade policy. Trump's donors in certain industries are benefiting from the imposition tariffs on steel and aluminium import, which has little impact on China, but allow a few US companies in the industries to dictate which potential buyers of their products are qualified to get special dispensation from the Department of Commerce. The imposition of tariffs set by the whim of the executive branch also help generate huge fees for Washington based consultants, and of course, all who claim to be Trump whisperers.
23
I find Paul Krugman's analysis to be rather superficial. I also don't consider it particularly insightful. I, least of all, would consider Trump a great leader. He has many faults and is every bit as much a failure as his critics proclaim him to be. He has, however, listened to an important constituency. This constituency has a visceral dislike for the Clintons though doubtless during the 1990s they may very well have voted for Bill Clinton. That dislike arises from figuring out that they were used and cozened by the Clinton faction within the Democratic Party. There are many who now consider our current situation to be due to a failure of our Power Elite (Hillary Clinton is both a supporter of the Common Man and receives over $500,000 in speaking fees from Goldman Sachs).
The various factions within that elite have accomplished a very similar goal of financializing the American Economy (profiting handsomely as well), subsidizing the movement of entire industries overseas and not investing in the United States. The factions affiliated more with the Democrats are less pernicious, perhaps and more interested in progressive goals; however, they too have worked in the creation of our current state of affairs.
Dr. Krugman may find himself mistaken in stating that Trump's tariffs and strong position towards China are supported by no one but Trump. This demonstrates a tone-deafness often ascribed to the Elites.
5
@Rick
Sorry, Rick, but by now we can only expect a disaster ahead of us. That this hasn’t happen yet is in large part due to the strong economy Trump got from Obama. Dr. Krugman is right, every single Trump/GOP policy is falling apart and makes our country a laughing stock of the world. Obama had a much stronger position toward China with TPP and working with our allies than Trump will ever have going alone. And you mention Hillary’s speaking fee at Goldman Sachs? Are you serious? That’s your whole argument?
1
@Rick
Lighten up sir. Dr Krug was not writing a university paper.
I assumE you are also aware that Mr Trump’s standard speaking fee in the years before his political incarnation was $1.5m. Makes the Clintons look like pikers
@Rick -- I think there is no argument that "Trump's tariffs and strong position towards China" play well to working class Americans frustrated by loss of jobs and loss of earning power from jobs that are available. I think few Democrats dispute that.
The dispute is over whether Trump playing bull in the china shop will do anything more than damage America and Americans.
So far he has badly hurt soybean farmers, and there's no evidence that it's helping factory jobs.
One other motivating factor of Trumps agenda I would suggest is to undo whatever Obama managed to accomplish. It’s that simple. If Obama did it, Trump is going to undo it. Trump is, if nothing else, a petty little man.
65
@Melinda Belter
I agree, but that surely falls under the “manhood” category
Reading this informative piece just makes me more sick. I'm sick of hearing about Trump's wall. I'm sick of that wretched coward McConnel and the equally wretched GOP swamp creatures whose palms are so greased they cannot even hold their latest stock report. I'm sick of the old Democratic rants and weak platforms - take a page from Trump's playbook and listen to the people, but do so with integrity, promises kept that mean something (e.g., infrastructure improvements, gun control, health and education reform, equitable tax reform, job training programs), and a vision which includes restoring our connections with European allies, shutting down fossil fuel production when solar, wind and the oceans are soon able to save our dying planet. And lastly, I'm obviously very sick of Trump and everything about him.
34
@Horseshoe Crab
"wretched coward McConnel", he's a lot more than that isn't he? A vainglorious, power hungry, deceitful, self-serving, hypocrite, is closer.
To quote the former BBC journalist, Eddie Mair, when interviewing another politician who could also fit the description I just suggested above, Boris Johnson, "you're a nasty piece of work, aren't you?"
That's a proper question to a politician.
2
And what, pray tell, is Steven Miller's motivation for the indescribably heartless hate-filled treatment of children and families? Did he experience some deep, soul-twisting trauma or was he born this way?
I figure Trump can't help himself, he's out to lunch. But Mr. Miller's actions are deeply disturbing because he knows exactly what he's doing. The man is frightening, even sinister. He is not a man I would ever want to encounter.
50
Trump doesn't care about policy, but it wouldn't matter if he did. He's just a prop. Republican policy is dictated by conservative billionaires and their think tanks. And the Russians, of course. Unless he's successful in repealing financial sanctions, the oligarchs can't access all of their stolen money.
As each passing day reveals more criminality, he deteriorates. When forced to interact with anyone outside the fox bubble, he resorts to simple themes - Big Strong Wall; Bad Brown Immigrants; Great Stock Market. The question is no longer - is the president a criminal? The question is - when will he be removed from office?
29
Trump thinks that tariffs are paid by the offending country instead of by his supporters. He also wanted Mexico to pay for the wall.
When does the media get with the rest of the country and point out that stupid trump tricks are no way to run a country of 330 million people?
19
Pelosi got it right with the manhood thing. But she is wrong if she thinks that it is only Trump. It is in reality Trump and ALL of his followers. They love a President who kicks the other guys around and who shows everyone who is boss. That is what the wall is all about. It doesn't matter that it would be totally ineffective. That is not why they want it built. They want it so they can show the World who are the big guys. They want it to show their manhood.
56
But the wall will only serve to remind all citizens of the World of the cruel Berlin Wall and the hundreds of East Germans who died trying to cross it. A huge wall to cruelty, shame and waste of money.
5
Warren's Razor (also Wazza's razor; Latin: lex parsimoniae "law of parsimony") is the problem-solving principle that the simplest solution tends to be the correct one. When presented with competing hypotheses to solve a problem, one should select the solution with the fewest assumptions.
'Donald Trump just likes words that start with the letter T'
-Trade war
-Tax cuts
-Tariffs
-Tweets
-Trump
...
10
@Warren ... uh, sure you aren't thinking of Occam's Razor?
yuge, bigly, great, incredible, winning, believe me, stupid, sad, loser, fake news ... those seem to be about 50% of Trump's total vocabulary ... and don't start with "T."
And of course there's smocking covfefe....
@Warren
I think a certain William of Ockham might have an earlier claim to your razor.
@Lee Harrison
Too many jokes in this one for my own good - of course it's William's.
1
Trump is the quintessential definition of hubris. The gods are not amused.
6
@Bill
Mueller as nemesis perchance?
Narcissists, despite their grandiosity, are very insecure. Underneath the ego that must be constantly puffed up, is an emptiness, self-doubt, a lack of self-worth. In Trump's case, I'd call it a lack of self. There is nobody there under the facade.
The psychoanalysis Heinz Kohut spoke of narcissistic wounds and narcissistic rage. Any criticism of Trump feels like a giant wound, a destruction of his false self with nothing left inside. He must lash out in rage to fend off the inner void. The need for the wall, his towers, his name on buildings all stem from an emptiness that demands the protest- see I am great- because if you are not great (a "winner") you (meaning he) are nothing.
Nelson Mandela could sit in jail for 27 years and still feel his own worth, his own dignity. Trump feels nothing inside so all he has is his ego-building walls, nameplates, and his ability to make others feel like losers.
When and if Trump ends up in jail for the long list of criminal actions being paraded on the news he will totally crumble. Maybe then some shred of humanness will emerge after he hits rock bottom, though I wouldn't bet on it. But if so, maybe we can feel at least some pity, if not sympathy, for the human being that "might" emerge. Or maybe some people just have no soul, no self, no humanity. As the saying goes, "If I am only for myself, who am I."
16
@Peter Wolf
Yes...
Pres. Obama showed us how. Remember his response to that wierd empty chair bit at the GOP convention? He said, "I've always been a *huge* Clint Eastwood fan", in his good-natured, enthusastic way.
2
Trump prefers anyone that gives him attention and praise; it just so happens that the brutal despots of the world (and not our democratic allies) are willing to feign admiration for his ridiculousness in order to gain favor and legitimacy from the US for their otherwise frowned-upon causes/actions.
6
@Buzzman69 "Feel free to say it, Trump's evil."
I'm personally agnostic, but if I were a bible believing person I'd say Trump is the Anti-Christ.
19
@Paul -- Trump is far to banal and pathetic to be the anti-christ.
"Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste..."
Trump is the crassest blingster on the planet.
1
What happened to the proud moment for GOP's Reagan slogan "Mr. Gorbachev bring down that wall"
8
@Mir
Which was a great line, but false. Gorbachev didn't bring down the wall. The reality was that the soviet union was imploding when Gorbachev came on the scene. It was bankrupt, it couldn't take care of it's people and the people were revolting.
It was the people who brought down the wall. All Gorbachev could do was to sit back and watch.
The line sounded great as a sound bite. But it had nothing to do with the wall coming down.
1
Add Mayhem to the list
Manhood, Moola, McConnell, Mayhem, and Trumpism
Trump appears to be a deeply flawed, soulless man without a conscience or even 1 grain of empathy, who delights in shocking people, dominating every situation, and pushing people around in order to create uncertainty, discord, a commotion, and chaos out of order and see what he can get away with.
Just as the fraudulent "birther" accusation against Obama served as a hook and got Trump attention and a following, THE Wall is another hook he has found to acquire attention and power. Both worked quite well for him, unfortunately for our country.
Of course, Trump knows both these hooks are a con, but this makes it even more pleasurable for him. He is a con artist who dupes and manipulates people, and then calls them "suckers" for falling for his ridiculous assertions and demands. He is always testing his power, and delighting in finding ways to render his opposition defenseless.
Hardly anyone could get away with what Trump does, especially as a president--and he thoroughly enjoys every minute of it.
Why is he pushing his stupid wall?
Because he can, and because no one, so far, has been able to stop him--yet.
Trump really does not have power until people give it to him. And, that is our problem.
7
How much more can the country absorb of this alleged criminal and immoral president?
One attribute I can assuredly state DJT is a good con man and a lousy business man. A bankrupt specialist, education fraud creator and now a lying , immoral and disgusting individual.
Bless the hearts of the voters, Russians, big money supporters, lawyers and politicians who were fed a lies and put OUR country in the mess we are in now,
3
Manhood, Moola, McConnell, and Mobsters would be a more apt list of motivators after the last few day's headlines. It might not be a fear of monetary loss, alone, that gets him to pay attention. Both he and Manafort appear to be beholden to men who can hurt them with more than kompromat. When you lie down with Russian oligarchs and gangsters, sometimes you don't get up.
6
It's about looking important as opposed to impotent, and this guy is doing a pretty job at that.
America will vote for you as long as you are taller than all the other guys at G20 or whatever other meetings. This place is amazing for sure.
3
@PB
Yet he looked small at the G20. And he is impotent which is the reality. And the posse has him surrounded. All he can do is shout incoherently and lash out. Which does not make him look important, but weak.
Trump has an ego larger than Manhattan and an IQ at the opposite end of the scale. When you combine hubris with low IQ you have a leader destined to take America down. And Pence and the Republican leadership keep smiling and seem blissfully unaware of the irreparable damage being done to the country they claim to love.
6
None of this matters anymore.
Trump is going to be impeached and rightfully so.
This American tragedy is coming to a righteous close.
2
I think the fact that he is president speaks more to the failures of HRC and the democrats than anything else. Probably be same outcome in 2020. Sad.
HRC may have been a flawed candidate but it was pretty clear that DJT was and still is a flawed person and totally unfit to be president. It is on the people who voted for him for not paying attention and letting him become president not 'the Democrats'.
3
Just like the GOP won the House again in 2018, eh Keith?
America's not just amazing-- it's Great Again.
One worries about their manhood when their fingers are so, so small-- SAD!
I don't understand why the Democrats don't tell Trump that they'll be happy to approve his big, beautiful wall, as soon as he gets Mexico to pay for it, as he promised.
1
@Mike Rowe
Oh but now he is claiming mexico is paying for the wall with the new nafta. It's another of his usual lies, but the base will believe him.
One day soon, Trump will issue a three line tweet to the nation stating “I am hereby pardoning Manafort, Gates, Flynn, Cohen, myself and all the other persons now being investigated or prosecuted by Special Counsel Mueller. I want to be fair to everybody, including myself and the liars who lied about me. It's time to go back to making America great.”
This will result in a great “Constitutional crisis” and many lawsuits, Congressional investigations and gnashing of teeth but he’ll get away with it because Mitch McConnell and the Republican Party have achieved a new all-time historic low in betraying the ideals of this country.
And this will bring us to riots in the streets.
9
Everything and anything that happens in this country comes from one singular origin: the overwhelming impulse to take money and power from those who have little and give it all to those who already have a lot. That’s it. That’s what the game is all about.
14
As far as THE WALL is concerned, I suspect that Trump sees it as a monument to himself as much as a real security measure. He must realize that he's very unlikely to be getting a monument in DC like those that honor Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln. He almost certainly craves something of the sort in his name. And I imagine that when he visualizes the wall he does in fact see his name in huge gold letters somewhere on it.
6
"All the lessons of history in four sentences: Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad with power. The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly small. The bee fertilizes the flower it robs. When it is dark enough, you can see the stars."
Perhaps this quote applies to the current state of America with Trump running things.
19
Who said that anyone wants a trade war?
What a lot of people -- including many corporate executives -- want is major changes in China's predatory policies. They would prefer to get that result without a trade war, but if necessary they are prepared to take the risk of a trade war. A report in today's WSJ says exactly that.
Once again Paul Krugman makes the egregious mistake of taking what Trump says literally. Of course Trump's ego is involved. But Trump is the author of the "Art of the Deal."
What does that mean? it means that the "Tariff Man" shtick is best understood as a bargaining tactic. (Yes, of course there is an element of doubt -- the tactic would not work without it!). The madman tactic is doubtless older than Niccolo Machiavelli who in 1517 said sometimes it is "a very wise thing to simulate madness." The trap set for our trading partners has snared Americans too.
4
Ahem... Trump didn’t even write The Art of the Deal.
17
@Michael Evans-Layng, PhD
May never have read it, either.
And not clear that the madness is just a simulation.
1
Of course, no one should take anything Trump says literally—he lies, makes things up, speaks nonsensically, changes his mind, and believes what he sees on television. Your mistake is in believing that he has the capacity to act any differently. But that hope is pretty much all that he has to offer you.
I mostly agree, but I think the McConnell characterisation is too limited. Yes, he aligns with he old Republican guard, and this is reflected in things like the tax cut. But he is also a stalwart of the religious right, and as such is doing his best to pack the courts with minions who view the early 19th century as the epitome of America.
Just one example from this week is the historic confirmation to an appellate court of a judge by a vote for the first time ever from the President of the Senate (Pence) to break a 50-50 tie. From the nomination of Judge Garland til today there is really only one thing motivating Mitch and that is a legacy promoting "states rights" as viewed pre-Civil War.
11
Dr Krugman with due respect to you, I must say that you are wrong. The idea of wall is a brilliant idea of our Tweeter-in-chief. His audience doesn’t have Nobel Laureates or intellectuals, not even professors like me from unknown universities. For the
Trumpists it is tangible, they have the simple image of a wall separating two houses. Fight for the wall fulfills his promise of being a warrior in the swamp. His base doesn't know that it is a stupid idea. Trumpists don’t recognize that border security needs more than just a wall.
Pelosi and Schumer stood upto him. One must confront a bully, call his bluffs and lies. That’s what we need. Fact checking, policy analysis will not have dent on him or his supporters. We need to repudiate his nonsense. Republicans in the Congress have sold out to him, just like the two bits politicians in an autocracy.
53
When it has webbed feet and quacks, it's a duck.
You don't have to dance around it, you don't have to make excuses for it, Donald Trump's in it for the money. Always has been, always will. This includes his enablers in Congress and all his hangers-on.
Donald Trump governs from the hip. Everything is about Trump... Trump's Wall, Trumps government shutdown,
Trumps politics, Trumps policies. All Trump all the time. And don't get me started on the media - left, right and center, playing the Trump Theme; Money, Money Money.
Slowly but surely his base is going to crumble and with it all of the GOP enablers will start bolting like rats from a sinking ship. Then will come the apologist saying that they never really liked Trump but his policy was you a great and the Judges are great, and unemployment is down, stock market is up, but the reality is more people may be working but they're getting paid less, they have no health insurance, it's a big travesty.
As many of said before, he's a child in the man's body and he's never been held accountable for his actions. But justice will be upon him; and that right soon...
24
@Paul "When it has webbed feet and quacks, it's a duck."
Don't forget the waddle.
Paul's point about jobs is well-taken, not just for Pres. Trump, but for all presidents who think that jobs numbers equal job security and job satisfaction or that job numbers can't be cherry-picked, when they know full well they are picking those cherries themselves. How many people now have full-time, well-paying jobs with benefits and security? Many do, of course, but it is no longer the universally accepted norm, and workers are in no position to do anything about it if they don't.
1
I think that President Trump sees one or two very important things clearly, that the media either denies (out of self interest), or simply can't understand, because they are just too in the thick of it to see their own complicity in this scam for the ages.
President Trump owes his meteoric rise in politics to his grasp of a simple concept. All publicity is good publicity. Even if it's based on something entirely imaginary (birtherism), if it creates press, it's free, and therefore good. For him, because he wants more, and for the media, because more advertising is sold.
In short. The President in an accomplished media troll (he even looks like a troll), and the media provides, has provided and will continue to provide all the oxygen he will ever need to thrive, because they make a lot of money by doing so.
It doesn't matter that bad news.. is bad news. If controversy, or mayhem, or destruction are part of the story, so be it. It sells. Like a hurricane that returns every two or three days, It sells and keeps on selling. He knows that if the media will profit from whatever antics he can dream up, then he will remain the center of attention, and will continue to dominate in politics.
18
Will trump's base man up and pay for their own wall? $25 Billion divided into all of trump's voters = $396.95ea to pay for their wall. For trump it's the belligerence of the deal, not the art. On China, like NAFTA, he has already telegraphed his motivation - it will be the biggest deal in the history of the world - the world must worship him.
"What’s driving this administration’s policy in general?" Greed and treason are the driving force. McConnell's nothing more than a walking-dead political character that seems to go on and on with its deadly political ways. Yes, he also "serves the interests of big donors, both wealthy individuals and corporations" AND Russian oligarch dark money.
Obviously the Russians, like Butina - the overt spy, targeted the most corruptible, already corrupt and treasonous of Americans - all Republicans of course - even though the consensus polls were that trump would lose. Why didn't they seek patriots as allies, like the Dems?
Don't forget the agenda of never-ending growth - of the population of unwanted babies and abortions through a ban on contraceptives. They're assured of a desperate class willing to work for nothing to survive and prop up the wealthy indefinitely. Tax cuts are a naked transfer of wealth from tax payers to the non-tax paying class at the top. For profit colleges ensure debt slaves just as they emerge fully trained to work for nothing. What a deal!
Trump's manliness does not understand that 36 Hour Cialis is not for daily use
7
It may be hard to acknowledge, but what happened two years ago was that supported by our Constitution, we elected a gangster with considerably fewer votes than his opponent to a position that gave him close to total impunity as long as he invokes “national security”. Whatever happens, he will get out of this gig a lot richer than he went in.
15
@Frans
Once he's out of office, tried, and convicted; he can be sentenced to use his filthy lucre to build the large one-cell solitary confinement prison that will house him and his Secret Service detail.
1
Trump is delusional in thinking that he's a "deal maker", when in fact he's incapable of negotiating the price of a can of corn. This is a guy who's gone bust running casinos and selling water, and declared bankruptcy so often that no US bank will lend him a dime.
Basically, the man is high on his own supply – he believes that he actually is the character created by the producers of "The Apprentice." And his dimwitted fans believe it as well. Everything he does can be understood, once you recognize it's all about feeding and maintaining his ego and self-image, and his world view that everything is transactional. No morals, no ethics, no priciples – nothing guide him but the probability of profit from every transaction. And life is nothing but a series of transactions.
11
I think also in play here is an 'edifice complex' on the President's part. A Trump named building may have satisfied his pre-Presidential ego - but a 700 mile wall dwarfs anything the developer from Queens has ever stuck his name on.
There is no rational reason for building a physical barrier on this scale - it will do little to curb illegal immigration or illicit imports. To wall off the United States effectively, Trump would also have to build a US/Canadian wall because huge sections of the northern border between the USA and Canada are simply marked with signposts - which we all know rapists, murderers, scoundrels, disease ridden immigrants, drug dealers, Russians, money launderers and Canadian bad guys etc. will simply ignore.
5
Please, Mr. Krugman, get a grip. And be thankful. Don’t be so easily swayed by the conventional yet shallow wisdom of ‘Manhood, Moola, McConnell and Trumpism’ as the headline of this article suggests. It’s all just noise.
Be thankful for the ignorance of Individual-1 and the fact that he’s still not demanded that our country continue to needlessly sacrifice significantly more of its precious national treasure to fight yet another endless war with no true purpose and absolutely no exit strategy. The rest is just posturing about money in a zero sum game.
Be thankful for the rapidly dwindling number of adults in the room who have thus far acted as our guardrails, saving us from pushing the nuclear red button against North Korea or China.
Be thankful that’s what’s still left of this democracy, its principles, its truths and its laws has not been irrevocably broken.
Be thankful for the likes of Robert Mueller and his staff whose strategic brilliance will triumph over this deeply flawed, albeit temporary state of our union.
Brace yourself, then pace yourself.
It might get worse before it gets better, but it definitely will get better and become stronger than ever.
2
Not only are Trump’s tariffs a bad idea and a political dud, they are illegal — like much else of what Trump does unilaterally. Where is the required “national security” justification for tariffs on Canadian goods?
Canada isn’t about to invade the U.S.A., but we may very well invade them when global warming makes large (larger?) chunks of our country uninhabitable in a generation.
3
A lot of Trump's "manhood" policies involve overturning accomplishments of the Obama administration. Obama's policies were, despite the Fox News rhetoric, very moderate. Since Trump doesn't have his own ideas, when Obama's policies are overridden, we get policies written by those who he surrounds himself with. One need only look at the indictments and convictions list from the Mueller probe to see what kind of people surround the empty shell of a human being that is DJT.
8
No Paul, Congress still has Constitutional control of tariffs (aka "duties") as per Article I, Sec. 8, Clause 1. There is no national security reason for the tariffs imposed on China. Hopefully, the new Democratically-controlled House will take the authority back and end the Trump ("Tariff Man") trade war. Trump suffers from a narcissistic personality disorder that makes everything "all-bout me" 24/7. He always needs enemies to build his weak ego up and gain support. But, when the world's two biggest economies collide it spells economic trouble as the stock market reflects. It's time to remove this mentally unstable impulsive vindictive man from setting tariffs before he does what he does best--create bankruptcies.
5
"So major affairs of state are being decided not by the national interest, nor even by the interests of major groups within the nation, but by the financial interests and/or ego of the man in the White House."
America is unique!
Of course, Trump is petty and unthinking and crass. But we know that. Better to dwell upon the baleful billionaires behind his show who run the GOP and also a hugely successful brainwashing machine that 40% of voters are glued to, and believe nothing unless it originates from it.
Trump is these wacko wealthies’ circus barker, seen by the 40% as their Messiah. Not that he can divide the seas to provide safe passage, but he certainly has divided the nation to allow safe passage of billionaire tax cuts.
15
Our very own Ozymandias sits in the Oval Office. And that is quite sad.
3
"There are actually three major motives behind Trumpist policy, which we can label Manhood, McConnell and Moola."
We easily can add Moscow, Malevolence, and Mental unfitness to the list. The situation would not sound any better if we tried to alliterate on any of the other 25 letters.
Trump is incapable of performing the job of President. Political journalism over the last 2 years is largely recording, categorizing, and commenting on the multiple examples of Trump's unfitness that occur daily.
6
Madness, Mayhem, Maniacal, Misogynistic, Megalomaniac, Manipulative, Menacing, Magical thinking, but being a graduate of a non accredited college I've run out of M's.
Can't think of a better reason to elect a woman president.
12
@Yuri Asian
Maybe we'll get an unelected one. Remember, the Speaker is next after the V.P.
It's at least as likely as anything else in this crazy neo-reality show.
1
I would supplement your three Ms, Dr. Krugman, with a fourth. The Fake President’s Meanness is palpable, and an inherent component of his decidedly twisted, narcissistic personality. Whether it’s mocking a disabled reporter, callously branding entire ethnic groups with slanders, or separating terrified kids from their parents at the border, to name only a bare minimum, Trump’s delight in causing human suffering has been on full, grotesque display from the primaries up to the present. Apparently in his pathological thinking, knocking people down usefully serves to elevate himself, in his own eyes and in those of his ever-faithful deplorables.
6
Finally someone respectable has said it;
McConnell is the biggest snake in the American system. He is the one who started disrespected of our institutions by trying to make Obama one term president.
He should be called for who he is: A Snake, who will eat his kids for his own power.
15
@P2
Please don't insult snakes, which are remarkable creatures.
Only humans can sink as low as Trump has.
1
He appears to do anything that I would imagine Putin would like. Everything Trump does seem to be hurting out country.
1
America is fortunately still amazing. Americans, sadly, are less so.
6
I think the money is less important to Trump than the manhood. Or “manhood,” because he’s stunted in that area. I saw a caricature of Trump as Archie Bunker, and that is where he meets his base. But his money insulates him, and a much higher class of bigot. This obsession has grown tremendously through the years. Well, swollen. I think his potential for growth is nil.
1
If you don’t think that wall will also be used to keep you in, you’re fooling yourself.
1
"Is America amazing, or what?" That we elected a person like Donald J. Trump for president is amazing in the worst way possible. He is completely unfit to be running anything including a country, any country. I wouldn't trust the man to know how to float a toy boat in the bathtub.
Everything is about Trump. He takes the oxygen out of the room. He knows nothing about governing. He knows nothing about compromising unless he gets everything he wants. He knows nothing about listening unless it's to himself. He rambles, rants, and rambles some more.
However, we bear some of the blame for this mess. There are people out there who voted for him, voted for McConnell, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Mike Pence, and others of the Greedy Obnoxious Philistine party. We are living in an era (and have been since Reagan was in office) that values money, whatever actions are taken to amass it, and unfortunately views the average American as worth nothing even though it's the average American who keeps the country running.
It's time we changed our values and recognized that rich people are not all virtuous, smart, or entitled. Being rich doesn't exempt one from paying taxes, or being expected to behave like a civilized human being. The same goes for being in power. The vultures of the GOP and their supporters have reached new lows in disrespect, not working well with others, and violating the social contract. Trump is at the head of the line for now.
21
@hen3ry
Love the idea of changing the eagle on the president's seal to a vulture.
2
"McConnell" has to include packing the federal judiciary with 'conservative' approved judges, however limited their qualifications, so that the "Moola" can keep rolling in to the wealthy without pesky legislative interference, even if at a future date the legislature changes control. Appointing young, 'conservative' judges who are sure to rule protecting the environmental rollbacks, worker protection rollbacks, tax rollbacks, and other mechanisms by which the Trump administration has steered ever more of the nation's wealth into the hands of those at the very very top (Trump included, and his tiny hands have grabbed plenty for himself since becoming president...). Remember "judiciary activism" is only a problem when it is activism for liberal decisons... nothing wrong when blocking and environmental law, or ruling in favor of a corporation over workers, etc. McConnell is insuring that a federal judiciary slanted as much as possible to favor 'conservative' decisions will be firmly in place for the next 30 or 40 years. Whatever their qualifications, other than being certified 'conservative enough' by some wealthy-backed vetting groups. McConnell started by sedition, denying Merrick Garland even any hearings, and has moved on to approving judges that even the ABA doesn't think are qualified, along with who knows how many whose main qualification seems to be 'strongly likely to reject legal arguments in favor of conservative ideology' as much as possible.
15
Granted, the Tariffs are an additional consumer tax in addition to the state and local taxes and that combination is the likely cause of the current economic slowdown and uncertainty displayed in finance.
Current Republican over taxation is curtailing the economy. It's too much money to ignore and the advent of tariffs and the economic decline closely track one another.
I hope the Congress saves us from the ultimate Trump bankruptcy.
1
The great Nancy Pelosi was right on the money when she described Trump's idiotic wall as a “manhood thing”.
Donald's greatest heroes are Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Mohammad Bin Salman, Rodrigo Duterte and other authoritarian psychopaths who all reject law and order for themselves and treat their own citizens like dirt.
They are the world's awful strongmen who couldn't give a damn about civil rights, human rights, a free press, justice or social progress.
Their main thrill in life is to rule...to wield unchallenged power and to Make Male Power and Misogyny Great Again.
Pelosi's comment is reminiscent of a similar comment made by the great Angela Merkel in 2007, when she went on a diplomatic trip to Sochi to meet Vladimir Putin.
Putin, who knew Merkel was afraid of dogs, brought his dog into the meeting to frighten Merkel, as any 2nd-grade boy would for an immature laugh.
After the meeting, Merkel commented on Putin's behavior as she chatted with the press:
"I understand why he has to do this — to prove he's a man", Merkel told reporters.
"He's afraid of his own weakness. Russia has nothing, no successful politics or economy. All they have is this."
That's Donald Trump, too.
A cheap bully.
He has no successful policy.
His economy is temporarily puffed up with 0.1% tax cuts.
His tariffs are an idiotic disaster.
His Presidency is a lawless joke.
He's the embarrassment of his nation.
And's he scared to death.
He has nothing.
All he has is his stupid imaginary wall.
880
@Socrates
And his base of uninformed, fearful, tribal, Confederate, and white is right supporters.
39
@Socrates
"All he has is his stupid imaginary wall."
Not quite. What about the millions of adoring fans who longingly and loyally adorn their heads with the red MAGA caps? They are what is keeping McConnell and Co. at bay and him in the Oval Office; else he would be sitting in a cell.
28
@Socrates
The most notable thing about the heroes of Trump is that they are murderers. They either murder people themselves or order it done.
29
I think the Trump wall is more about ego than manhood He wants a monument to himself and he decided upon the wall There will be no Trump library unless it is called a Tweetbury Who's going to build a statue of Trump This wall is Trump's monument to himself and deep down he knows there be no other monuments to him for posterity unless you count the giant Trump balloon of Baby Trump that flew over Great Britain
Trump thought his wall would be a unifying issue for racists across USA He was wrong and his failure to get Mexico to pay for it makes him look anything but "manly"
His trade war hurt his base After Bush's debacle in Iraq it's not so easy for inept POTUS' to lead America into a real war like a Pied Piper A trade war was the only war he could get That and backing Saudi Arabia's genocide in Yemen with it's pictures of starving children who are walking skeletons and his friendship with the murdering Saudi prince
That Trump may leave for posterity are the facts that politics is more than Reality TV, elections matter, that the mental health of a presidential candidate is as important to consider as their physical health and that intelligence is not something to be scorned at or ridicule and that we must become a fact based society once again that values and trusts science
Trump's manhood is the manhood of a mobster a dictator and predatory sociopath Such a political Frankenstein and failed political experiment should never occupy the Oval Office again
26
I believe the primary motivation behind the tariffs is to tax consumers of foreign imports, you know, almost everything, to pay for budget shortfall of the December 2017 Tax Cuts that mostly benefited the wealthy individuals and corporations. After all, the current administration is the rich enriching the rich, and how do they always get rich? From the lower and middle classes.
5
Let's face it. Most of the horrible things on this planet are "a manhood thing."
Wars: How often do you see women starting them? Armed women raging through the countryside of a hundred countries shooting and hacking to death men, women and children?
Oh yes, there are a few women, most of them politicians who believe they have to "out man the men" to be credible and so act like hawks. But how many women in this world would get together on their own and decide to begin a full-scale conflict with arms and bombs and their sons and daughters sent off to be slaughtered for some political goal?
The voracious pursuit of endless money and the strange and ugly power it conveys also seems to be for the most part a masculine competition. Wall Street is chiefly a "boy's game," and I can't name a single female financier who played a major role in orchestrating the criminal craziness that brought on the Crash of 2008.
The fossil fuel industry and its climate denying shills? Chiefly male.
Women are not angels, and there are some really bad ones. However, it says something that a female serial killer is so rare they write a book and make a movie about her.
And only one woman has held the gun in America's mass shootings.
No, women are hardly perfect, but in the days of Donald Trump and his group of frat guy operatives, are there many rational people who don't believe women would do a damned better job of running the world than those of the masculine persuasion are doing right now?
2057
@Samsara
Women don't have to be the fighters to start wars. Neither do men. Think the Merovingian queens (look them up) and the Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld cowboy show.
28
@Thomas Zaslavsky
True. And women don’t fight in them (until recently). I think Margaaret Tatcher somewhat disapproves her case.
16
@Samsara
Have you listened to podcast Scene on Radio? John Biewen and Celeste Headlee have a whole series on men. One of the people interviewed makes a connection between a certain kind of male desire to dominate woman and a certain kind of male desire to dominate mother earth. Environmental degradation, climate change result.
167
The wall has a hard core of supporters nation-wide and was Trump's signature campaign issue. He needs it because he needs a win.
In Trump's mind, and in the minds of many of his supporters, the tariffs are a show of strength. Again, during the campaign he emphasized how we make "bad deals." He wants to use the supposed leverage of the tariffs to force other nation's into a submissive "good deal" for us.
With Trump, every action must represent a show of strength on the way to winning. And given his support in congress and what amounts to state media in form of Fox, Breitbart and others, whether or not he actually achieves a win is immaterial. He is confident he can always spin things his way. And as long as Mitch and company have his back, his confidence is justified.
440
@Eric Caine
I’m not sure Mitch and company have his back. Look what they’ve done today on MBS, Yemen, Myanmar.
9
@J
Seems to me that Mitch is proud of his contribution to the cause, and is a marquee player on TeamTrump - and it took no real skill or courage for him to do so. Observe, before the Senate did it's thing about Yemen, Ryan acted first, making it crystal clear that the House would entertain no similar discussion or legislation, thereby taking ALL of the legitimacy out of the Senate measure, which now looks like nothing more than a tut-tut.
Like Bernie said today, we supply the bombs, the planes, the training, the intel, the battle-management skills, and because Congress won't address it directly, they seem to think their fingerprints are NOT all over it. Ugh!
87
@Eric Caine If his supporters have hard-on for walls , will they also advocate a wall facing all the Atlantic seacoast and airspace because this is where all the illegals and terrorists are coming from.
Remember the Anglo Saxon stole this place from Atzlan or native Mexico. You can rave and rant, just remember to whom the land really belong.
21
Don't try to read too much into Trump's motivations. The man is pretty simple, actually; he's a purely personal politician. Anything that makes Trump look good is what he's for. He could care less about the content of last year's tax but bill. The important thing is that he got to sign it in front of TV cameras.
The trade war is about keeping the focus on him. Trade is one of the few areas where he can push the buttons and things actually happen, without waiting for Congress or being thwarted by the courts.
Trump understands money, and values it above human rights, democratic ideals, even our Constitution. He won't call Putin on the carpet, or the Saudis, or anyone else for that matter. He berates any ally that shows him up on the world stage. Kiss his ring and he's fine.
797
@Ken L - Agree except I would rephrase the start of the last paragraph to something like, "Trump understands the love of money...".
He certainly does not understand the macro issues of money.
38
@Chuck I believe he certainly does understand the macro issues of money! Spending $11,000,000,000 of other people's (taxpayers) money! legally! Rather than laundered oligarch money to gain support and personal praise? I think he understands the "power" of money very well indeed!
3
@KenL
My only disagreement with your comment is where you say,
"He could care less about the content of last year's tax but (sic) bill."
Trump, his family, his businesses and his cronies have benefitted mightily from the tax bill. And, as an added bonus, his Congressional co-conspirators were able to punish the middle class voters in the "blue" states who don't support him or the GOP by severely limiting deductions for state and local taxes, property taxes, and charitable deductions.
10
Everything Mr. Krugman mentions is some kind of external motivation. President Trump is a walking embodiment not just of American consumer culture, but also of the Buddhist concept of grasping - his whole idea of happiness is rooted in having more money, more power, more influence, more popularity and adulation - more, more, more. Of course, grasping just produces more grasping and more suffering - it's a "hungry ghost" that can never be sated.
Our culture of advertising teaches us that if we just get this and that and the other, we'll be happy. It's a belief that defines President Trump to his core. But when that grasping and insecurity is wedded to incredible political power, it's dangerous for all of us. If he wasn't President, I'd feel sorry for a man who has no internal light, and who, despite his chest thumping posturing, defines his self-worth from external sources. Instead, I'm just deeply frightened of the man.
25
Trump's problems include ignorance of the basics of US governance; arrogant assumption of superior personal skills and knowledge; and a lifetime spent in a work atmosphere that lacked the typical management oversight that most of us are used to. Apparently, he has not even been motivated by fear of legal consequences--until now. But behind all that, it seems that Trump lacks any framework of social ethics. Unfortunately, it seems that he's not alone in this. While religion is still strong in America, it is often a tribal form of religion, which values loyalty to the immediate tribe over social cohesion. So, the Enlightenment may have weakened traditional bonds without offering a compensating set of goals and norms. Unless we fix that, we'll have more Trumps and a steady supply of gullible supporters.
450
Sarah, one-line unfounded claims without evidence, which you seem to rely on, come across as mere slogans or chants. You need to consider more deeply facts and events, the actual realities unfolding now. I know it may be scary, but closing one's eyes and chanting is distinctly unhelpful.
164
@sarah
of harming the American people and American interests and the environment, globally.
24
@jb. I, for one, enjoy Sarah’s comic skills. Keep them coming, Sarah!
16
I suggested, long ago and not in jest, that Trump propose a health care law that fixed some of the defects in Obama care, and call it the Much Better Than Obama Care Law. He would have had a success, and shown his manhood. I still think it would work for him, but he is too far gone to save I suspect. He is fixated on the wall because he simply does not have the intellectual power to imagine other scenarios.
1061
@sarah
Sarah I actually heard it was millions in those caravans, which were actually being run by Al Qaeda. There are at least 100,000 terrorists in there. Good people are saying it, believe me!!
278
@mozhno The Democrats could create a single-payer health-system bill, and if they called it the "Trump Has A Giant Johnson Health Bill", Trump would try to get it passed.
151
@sarah
You forgot to mention that those hundreds, thousands, or millions of Trump-identified terrorists are only the ones who were prevented by the Saudi government from flying directly from Riyadh to New York, Washington, Atlanta, Detroit, and other U.S. airports. Thank goodness for our dear ally Saudi Arabia (their 15 9/11 terrorists not withstanding).
The other hundreds, thousands, or millions of criminals, not identified by Trump, simply flew into the U.S. with their passports. Please direct your attention to our porous airports and the millions, or did I say thousands, of criminals shooting and raping our innocent airport clerks.
56
In 2013, under the direction of President Obama and Democrats, there was a bill that passed the Senate (with bipartisan support) that dealt with all issues in regards to immigration and border security. There was more than enough (far more than even what is being asked for now) to deal with all issues.
It did not even get a vote in the house, because Speaker Boehner (republican) would not allow it. (it would have passed easily) The consensus by many is that republicans want the issue, instead of the solution.
In the midterms, many of the ''border'' states (especially Texas) showed that they are going blue. It is simple demographics and it is inevitable. There is nothing that republicans can do about it, except call for some massive thing that is nothing more than symbolism.
The wall is NEVER going to get built, and it is NEVER going to stop immigrants that do not have an Anglo Saxon complexion from entering the country.
The massive problems of the globe (climate change, strife, economic disparity, and simple overpopulation) are going to overtake the whole idea of stopping ''them'' from coming here. We are going to have to come together right quick, if we are ever going to have a chance to save ourselves.
All of us...
74
@FunkyIrishman
Won't stop immigrants that do have an Anglo-Saxon complexion either.
It is kind of like that song, there must be 50 ways to outsmart the wall -- tunnel under, climb over with ladders, fly over, .....
I think humor is a powerful tool to chip away at Trump's base.
Pelosi is doing a masterful job framing and nicknaming his accomplishments. Wonderful to tie Individual 1's manhood to the wall and refer to the trade agreement as "The Agreement Formally Known As Prince." I hope it gains common usage as an acronym: TAFKAP.
Maybe humor will help remind his voters he is not efficacious. That he doesn't negotiate for America. His goal is a press conference and photo op. Repeat and remind his voters.
1546
@JT
Note: "Formerly".
Doesn't "Tafkap" have a sweetly euphonious ring? I like it. It reminds me of "tanstaafl". ("Tanstaafl" Mother Earth has been starting to demand payback. I hope Tafkap won't join her.)
23
@JT
If ever a person deserved to be laughed at early and often, it is Trump. It was the right response to him at the beginning, but now it's almost too late. And the Repubs seem to have less and less of a sense of humor.....
57
@JT
TAFKAP is totally fab...if it goes back to NAFTA we can follow the Times's 90s reference to Mr. Nelson as the Artist Formerly Known as the Artist Formerly Known as Prince.
Also, one measure of of Ms. Pelozi's stealth genius as speaker/leader: the most powerful woman in American history, she didn't make the cover of Time until this year.
50
Someone must have told Trump that trade was an area, one of the relatively few, where as President he could take lots of unilateral action. Since the Big T wanted to be seen as powerful, he let fly on trade: no other reason or strategy, or goal came into play.
7
For hundreds of thousands of years, hominids and then humans would have too many children in one generation, and those children would fight each other over limited resources in the next.
It was what our instincts seemed to demand. After all, fighting over resources is the reason deer have antlers.
Then mankind found a solution to this age-old problem. It is called contraception.
But missionaries went to the third world and taught the natives that it was a sin to use contraception and that abortion was murder. The result was that although the developed nations went through a demographic transition, the poor in Guatemala experienced rapid population growth.
Now we are forced to confront our instincts in a fearsome manner.
Liberals regard it as racist to oppose open borders. But immigration drives population growth drives inadequate resources drives violence.
So the unworthy poor, those who are not minorities, found a defender in Trump.
Americans should not be ashamed that populism arose in the US. After all it happens with Nigel Farange in Britain, Marine Le Pen in France and Viktor Orban in Hungary, in response to immigration from Syria and Africa.
How indeed can we avoid following the dictates of our instincts?
Not by demonizing those who wrongly call for building a wall.
The wall is not a solution. But Democrats have had decades to provide solutions and haven't.
Instead they claim that resources are not limited.
Both sides are wrong, but Democrats more so.
@Jake
''But Democrats have had decades to provide solutions and haven't.'' - actually that is a lie. (read me comment from above) In 2013 Democrats came up with a solution (in a bipartisan fashion) and passed a bill in the Senate. It was not even allowed for a vote by republicans, so ...
At any rate, you are correct on the point about overpopulation, but putting a finger in a dam, and hoping things will get better is no solution. I agree that all are not dealing with the major problems of our planet anywhere near fast enough. It may even be too late.
Instead of pointing fingers, we need to come together right quick, aye ?
3
@Jake Wagner
Fascinating. Are there any adults in the room?
1
@Jake Wagner
Yup, Trump is just like Farange, LePen and Orban, populists of the good ol' fascist kind.
Luckily both Le Pen and Farange were not elected. Trying to rise to a certain power had nothing, nil, zero, nichts, to do with immigration from Syrai and Africa, but was just a typical dog whistle for their own racists.
And since when have immigrants from Syria and Africa "invaded" Hungary?
A sad tale but true--we're at the mercy of right-wing ideologues, spat-and-suspenders-wearing capitalists, and a know-nothing populist whose policy agenda is pitched to World Wrestling Entertainment fans. "Look on our works, ye mighty, and despair!"
21
Without a doubt, he will get his big wall...when he looks up from the prison yard.
83
@J Fender
Yes, would that not be lovvvvely? And dressed in a jumpsuit that matches the orange colour of his face.
4
we have reached a point where the government is the enemy of the people. Not sure ballot box can fix this. then what?
6
@Anthony I often think the US will not survive as is. A peaceful dismantling into a few confederations is the only answer I can see. Our Defense Department will never shrink and the gerrymandering and population shifts that have turned a fear of tyranny by the majority into tyranny of the minority.
Washington DC seems to be a large metropolitan city in which no single human being has a spine. Mr trump can't stand up to other foreign leaders, and McConnell and Ryan are in fetal positions, and any Democratic opposition, to date, is in some stage of hibernation.
These are people we elected as leaders, and yet not one of them can lead. I miss John McCain.
1
@OSS Architect You mean the John McCain that chose Sarah Palin as his VP running mate?
1
There are all bad but Moola might be what lands the Tariff Man in prison, along with his lawyer Giuliani. What seems to be a reverse violation of the Corrupt Practices Act, can be interpreted as a violation of the Emoluments Clause.
If we are lucky, we will get to see Trump's return taxes before, during and after the WH.
5
As Professor Krugman sensibly points out, "Even if you’re bitterly opposed to immigration, legal or otherwise, spending tens of billions of dollars on an ostentatious physical barrier is neither a necessary nor an effective way to stop immigrants from coming."
That's why money-boo-boo is president -- because we have a brain dead electorate.
50
@J. Cornelio
"brain dead electorate"-best argument for restoring fiscal cuts to public education...and civics class.
2
@J. Cornelio Dear Sir or Madam:
Money boo-boo. Yes. Exactly.
If the wall is built, we can't get out if things get hot and the immigrants can't get in except with those ten foot taller ladders and catapults, but if we acquiesce to the troops on the border instead, they will actually defend our soil, for once, and we can leave as they fight for "Freedom" just like we desire it. I'm willing to allow the military occupation of the border versus a wall that will keep us in. You never know what the future holds. Like Trump say's himself, he's "Unpredictable".
1
@Shakinspear Please do not forget that Trump the popular vote and was put in office by the Electoral College.
Hard to believe half the rubes who elected him haven’t offed themselves for this mortal sin. After all they portray themselves as Christians. Oops, that’s right they are the victims. This will all end badly.
5
Not to be ignored: Donald J. Trump, Business Tycoon and his and the Trump Organization's future after he leaves office.
The longing desire for a Trump Tower in Moscow (and in other Russian sites), a Trumpian "Rosebud," epic towers in Saudi Arabia, where money comes from -- desires devoutly to be realized, because there are plans for life after the White House.
Would a wise planner for his Golden Years burn bridges to friends like Putin and the Sultans of Sand?
As W. C. Fields advised, "Stand back and keep your eye on the ball."
Doug Giebel, Big Sandy, Montana
The only wall
That the current co- conspirator in the
In the Oval Office deserves is a prison wall- surrounding himself. Period.
26
Much of Trump's agenda he has straight up pilfered from Reagan (Make America Great Again) and Geo. W. Bush (sought funds to build a border wall). Thus, he resonated with that same ol', same ol' white, paranoid, hater segment of the GOP.
7
This is hardly news.
The question is...what do we do about it?
Wait two years until the bum has been thrown out?
Throw him out sooner rather than later?
Obstruct like crazy through the courts?
Hold the GOP members in congress accountable for checking the power of a wannabe king?
The last option may soon (finally) be more possible than it has been in the last few years. Then we'll see.
Now the shoes are beginning to drop. And as Sen. McCain once said...this is a centipede.
6
"Nancy Pelosi, almost sure to be the next speaker of the House, reportedly told colleagues that for Trump, the wall is a “manhood thing.”"
What, you're not calling out Nancy for a sexist remark, Paul? Shame on you.
What motivates Trump? Pure ego. Nothing more. Noting less.
1
@hm1342
Are you sure it's ego that motivates Trump? It looks like all id to me.
1
Succict summary of a shameful synopsis.
4
@Charlton
Wow. Well done!
1
“Or what?” Or is America amazingly trying to track the downfall of the Roman Republic, except in modern warp speed?
11
I hope Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi have thought through their strategy of dealing with Mr. Trump, who is an unstable man.
For the most part they handled their oval office confrontation firmly and respectfully, Ms. Pelosi in particular. But early on Ms. Pelosi called a government shutdown a “Trump shutdown” in front of the cameras, bating him a bit. And later the “manhood” comment and other zingers were leaked.
Those zingers may play well on TV, and even score political points, but do they advance the goal of getting things done with President Trump, even if the goal is just keeping the government open? I’m not so sure.
President Trump is frightened. Walls are closing in. He and his children are at risk. Maybe this is an opportunity to get concessions from him. In October 1972, a week after the Washington Post reported that the FBI had connected the Watergate break-in to the President’s reelection campaign, Nixon signed the Clean Water Act.
We have global warming, voter suppression, economic disparity, capitalized healthcare, and rogue nuclear nations to solve, among other potential calamities.
Let’s use our post-midterm leverage wisely. If your aircraft is being piloted by an unqualified, unstable, terrified narcissist, do you enter the cockpit, turn on the intercom, and question his manhood?
4
@Kevin,
Unfortunately, Mr. Trump tends to escalate instead of conceding (and all of us who use water should regret the evisceration of the CWA's regulatory enforcement).
Richard Nixon was at least two things Mr. Trump is not: an attorney and a reader of history. (Not to mention being a veteran and an expert poker player who supposedly paid for Duke Law with his winnings from his Navy time.)
So he knew the laws he ended up breaking, he was aware of historical norms, and thus could calculate the odds in this game a great deal better than Mr. Trump. Because he got out while he could, Mr. Nixon probably got away with much more than was apparent in August, 1974.
Whatever else happens to Mr. Trump, two decades of interest and penalties on his parents' estate tax underpayment may well wipe out the majority of his cash worth. (The penalty for under-appraising an estate back then was 25 per cent, before the revised tax and its interest.)
3
@Grennan
Nixon was something else that Trump is not. A person who believed in governing and had policies designed to solve problems.
3
Maybe Mr. Trump used some of his illegally acquired inheritance to place a zillion-to-one bet with a British gambling service that he'd become president.
At this point, would anything be a surprise to discover about him, his enablers, and, really, all he's ever touched?
The GOP's favorite Ronald Reagan absurdity was "government is the problem," and they couldn't have done more in the last four decades to show that it's really Republican government that's the problem.
8
American exceptionalism
5
Let’s add that Moola and McConnell are more closely tied than this piece suggests.
Why else would the GOP remain such stalwart supporters of Trump, even the mealy-mouthed types like Flake and Collins?
I would guess that there’s far more to uncover regarding bought elections with the GOP than we’ve yet seen.
That’s an investigation that will go on for a decade, and bring down multiple generations of Republicans.
Come to think of it, Manhood and McConnell go together pretty well, too, and not just for McConnell; there’s a lot of spouting and empty blustering the Party of Small Richards engage in daily. It must be compensation for something!
6
Difficult to imagine an adult acting like Trump. Some bizarre admixture of Chauncey Gardener and Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho.
2
The only way a wall will work is if it our version of the Berlin Wall, but 100 miles high, 20 miles deep, with armed guards who shoot and kill anyone who tries to enter the US from Mexico. Most of the illegal aliens overstayed their visas, be it tourist visas, student visas, or temporary work visas. Many entered the country at an airport, so I'm not sure Trump's wall will work unless there are plans to completely overhaul the rules re who gets visas to come here. The other problem is that there are too many businesses who love to hire illegals because they're dirt cheap labor. Why hire an American engineer when you can get three Indians for the price of one American? Why hire local American construction workers when illegal Mexicans will work for peanuts?
But "the wall" is simple, easy to understand for Trump supporters who show the same lack of curiosity re why our immigration system is so broken, much less try to think of ways to fix it. And it plays well on tv, fitting perfectly into the short time allotted for sound bites.
The facts are that immigration, trade, health care, education, etc. are complex problems that cannot be fixed with easy, sound bite solutions.
6
America made a stark choice when it elected a B list celebrity instead of a politician - a damning indictment of politicians. For all his frail machismo, bluff, bluster, and criminality, I don’t believe Trump himself is a man to fear. He’s far too superficial. That individual is yet to be elected, someone who’s learned from this travesty and will combine it with real political experience to create a nation of elites, white supremacism, and an affinity for unchastened prevarication coupled to horrible prejudices.
Trump proves that America is not particularly enamoured by democracy no matter how it preaches a love of freedom and liberty. There’s a significant element of society who would support a dangerously capable tyrant, even more than they’d support Trump, the nemesis of a previous status quo. These people still support a border wall as they were promised.
Democrats have a stern task ahead, and that is to reconcile themselves to the fact that they’ve abandoned a working class base that has and will always need them. I think it likely that Trump, surrounded by miasmic crises, could still win an election unless the opposition find proper direction.
13
@Marcus Brant the Democrats did not abandon the working class base. The base abandoned Dems by choosing tribalism, racism and xenophobia over inclusion. Seriously, We need to stop apologizing for realizing that civil rights, women's rights, and social responsibility are the right values. We need to stop apologizing for recognizing there is a difference between facts and wishful thinkingl.
9
This is not a way for the Dems to build on their House majority.
http://cepr.net/publications/op-eds-columns/pelosi-would-sabotage-progressive-agenda-with-pay-go-rules
There is a subset of "manhood" that is so relevant that it deserves it's own category: "policies to make up for the black president mercilessly mocking me at the correspondence dinner". The environmental protection rollbacks might fatten Trump's wallet. But for him, that doesn't compare to smashing anything with the name 'Obama' attached to it. Rewatch that footage on YouTube, then tell me if you see connection between that night and Trump policy as a whole.
4
Trump`s wall is all about ego, if it was just fifty miles long he would`nt bother. It is his little hands. And most people don`t realize a wall has two sides and two possible functions, to keep something in and to keep something out, just ask the Germans.
2
If you've been surrounded by toadies and bootlicks your whole life telling you that every idea is brilliant, your business acumen is peerless and incisive and every bon mot (yeah, right) is witty and razor-sharp, it becomes easy to believe. Especially if it reinforces the veneer of canny ruthlessness that you've been carefully building layer by layer since adolescence. Even more especially if it reinforces the self-delusion that you've been building even longer.
Mr. Trump's manhood is as steady and unassailable as his combover.
His moola? Another combover subsidized by players much smarter and smoother than he. How many casino bankruptcies?
McConnell? A real-life Dick Tracy villain masquerading as an elder statesman who betrays on an hourly basis the hundreds of millions he swore an oath to serve and protect.
Mr. Trump is an empty vessel looking to please and impress the next toady and bootlick. As long as they keep bringing him McNuggets, Diet Cokes and sycophantic talking heads, he'll never be the wiser.
8
Of the three M’s in the headline, I think, good doctor, that “manhood” is the word bearing the 13th letter’s most, ah, potent meaning.
When one scans the long and erratic timeline of Donald Trump’s life, one is quickly struck by his greedy need to emphasize objectives like size and performance and acceptance and admiration (and, maybe, adoration). Ask those at his “rallies” if he is, ah, satisfactory. He subordinates the needs of others to those of his own.
His backstory is littered with tales—true or not—of sexual conquests (bought or begged); marital infidelities; erotic fantasies of his orb daughter in public and on the radio. His raison detre for avoiding Vietnam—bone spurs—was merely to pursue the pleasures of the idle rich, all the while successfully avoiding the shame of contracting STD’s. It was, he’s on record as boasting, “my personal Vietnam.”
Then, of course, there is his one-man race against the ghost of President Barack Obama. Trump, a legend in his own mind, still fights against any word or perception or fact that another’s accomplishments translate into his own seeming inadequacies which, all by himself, he validates daily—if not hourly—with foolish tweets and other examples of his complete failures as a president, as a husband, and as an honorable patriot.
As for McConnell, well, that’s a story for another day. Moola? Yes, as long as it’s someone else’s.
18
What's amazing is not what Trump is doing, but that this imbecile is still President despite the obvious criminal conduct he and his administration continue to do.
While the level of stupidity and corruption continue to surprise me (how low can you go), the fact that he does the things he does shouldn't surprise anyone. He made crystal clear during his campaign what he would do.
His continual bluster, narcissism, and delusional disregard for norms, decency, education, the country, and the world at large has created a situation fast spinning out of control. I wake up every day and read the news thinking- this must be the thing that finally brings him down. And yet- this orange twittler continues to wreak havoc on our country, government, and world without anyone stopping him.
I've given up waiting for Democrats or our elected representatives to stop this child. Wake me when Trumptember ends.
3
As with all of cadet bonespurs ‘ policies, these are aimed solely for the watchers of faux news and its derivatives. Paul, they hate The NY Times and most like you and whatever you write, but in doing so, they believe their manhood is proven.
2
The Inaugural criminal investigation just disclosed due to Cohen's documents further indicates on day the Trump presidency was based on corruption. Putin and MSB leaders of two nations who heavily funded the Trump family are treated so favorable no matter what. Interfere in our presidential elections , murder journalist who work for an American newspaper Trump despises don't seem to matter. Its all about the money for this pack of grifters and Trump will lie until his last day in office. Trump Hotel in WASH DC and Mar aLAGO are where bribes are negotiated over chocalate cake. Most corrupt administration ever in our history,worse than Nixon as TRump sold out US foreign policy to get hundreds of millions for his family's pockets.
2
Moola might be the motivation behind Trump's trade work. There are winners and losers -- possibly no winners in the USA, but there might be winners in other nations. For example, we saw US soybean sales decline precipitously while Russia picked up the slack.
Furthermore, Trump is able to use tweets about trade to have a big impact on certain stocks, futures, etc. If he has a friend, someone like Carl Icahn, giving him advice on what to type, then those tweets might be a kind of insider trading, but it is perfectly legal. Totally, horribly immoral, but not illegal.
Finally, it seems odd that Trump has this power at all. I seem to recall the claim that the president is allowed to make choices about tariffs for national security reasons. Is that correct? But Trump makes no security excuses for his decisions and says that he does it for economic reasons. Isn't he breaking rules that were set up to constrain his power? I'm sure he doesn't care, but maybe the rest of us should do something about that.
"The trade agreement formerly known as Prince." I love it!
6
All the right has is the anger card.
How their masses don't see through that is a mystery.
Anger divides, not unites.
Anger keeps us from solving problems.
Wake up before it's too late!
7
Boo manhood, boo moola, boo McConnell, Dr. Paul. Boo on the
physically imposing border wall, too. The bizarre motivations of Donald Trump as our American president were explained to a fare-thee-well by Carnac the Magnificent (aka Johnny Carson) as "Sis Boom Bah". i.e. the noise Trump will make when he explodes.
6
Yep. A nice summary of who Trump is, but we already knew all that. Trump is Trump -- a well-known commodity even before he (nefariously, in my judgement) became POTUS.
The key to all of this, and will be the determining factor of when Trump (thankfully) leaves the office, is when will at least a portion of his supporting base (meaning those that approve of the job he's doing), finally check back into reality, and stop supporting him. This in-turn will prompt the GOP bootlickers to shift their support.
In short, approval ratings need to drop into the 20s, this will signal the craven GOP congress their jobs may be on the line if they don't sing a different tune. They'll fall inline and make it sound like they were there the whole time (it's what they do - spin, spin, spin).
It's hard to believe we're not there yet, but the GOP, the Evangelicals, and everyday Republicans must be getting enough of whatever it is they value to continue their support of the sleazy amoral grifter and possible criminal who currently holds the office of POTUS. Truly disturbing.
38
@Otis-T just look at the way environmental protection has been dropped and unqualified new jurists to start. That’s why McConnell and folk are silent.
6
The driving "m"otivation for Trump is, simply, "Me first!"
2
Indeed, a large swath of the American population is "amazing" - to think that the Wall can stem the tide of asylum seekers. If the unforgiving Mediterranean can't stop the tide of desperate humans wanting to get to Europe, the Wall will be "peanut stuff".
Irony is lost on the President, whose sense of history is non-existent. But who can imagine the Trump Wall firmly in place, with folks from the Mexican side trying to climb over the top - some falling to their deaths, others being shot at by trigger-happy vigilantes, or worse?
If the Berlin Wall is still a part of our collective memory, we will remember that East Berliners trying to escape to the West were shot at, and often killed, by Russian soldiers. But if they escaped death, they were welcomed by the Americans/ West Berliners.
How short is our memory, how limited our sense of values?
20
This Oval office meeting was like those rare impromptu events I used to watch in the old days on Saturday night pro wrestling. The tag team of bad guys - just off of cheating their way to win the tag team championship belts - would taunt the good guys into a match right there on TV. Of course the bad guys would get beat up and humiliated, after which the announcer would remind the viewers that it was only a non-title bout TV match.
1
But the real question remains: How were they able to convince the masses enough to win the election? They have a stranglehold on the Red states, mainly on guns, gays (anti-gay), patriotism (MAGA). and God. Apparently, it's enough to win based on the biggest test of all: "Which candidate would you rather have a beer with?" Or, as Bil Clinton once said, they prefer a candidate who is "strong but wrong" over a more issues-based, intelligence-based candidate.
It comes back to the level of dialogue that is part of a campaign. If it is clearly about issues and policy choices then at least you have a decent shot with serious attention to the content of policy. However, if one candidate can "steal the narrative," and make it about "drain the swamp" (an essentilly meaningless slogan), or "return jobs to America" (with no plan or results), then that candidate can play "the comeback kid" narrative and pull it out like Trump did. It becomes a popularity contest, just like sixth grade elections. Sadly, Trump was more popular than Hillary.
That's essentially how we got where we are. We can be eternally ticked that the Red state voters essentially conspired - along with the dubious Electoral College - to win this one and create the mess that we now have.
8
The wall isn't about Trump's manhood really. If you pay close attention he's given away the real reason he wants the wall on several different occasions. Most recently was his tweet from December 11 when he referred to it as "A Great Wall" (note the capitalization) ...
Its 100% about his Narcissism. He wants the wall built because he views it as the American equivalent of the Great Wall of China. In his mind its a monument which will last thousands of years, be visible from space, and everything else the Great Wall of China is. AND it will have Trump's name plastered all over it, or at the very least it will be tied with his name in perpetuity.
As someone with obvious narcissistic personality disorder, its a way to help ensure his immortality - his way of cheating death and never completely dying or being forgotten, because as long as America is around, his Great Wall of Trump will be around (in his mind anyway).
That's why he's obsessed with it. It has nothing to do with border security or anything else. Its his own self obsession and desire to beat the one thing nobody really can - death.
11
The blatant lie that Mexico will pay for the border wall has been exposed as another sham of the dealmaker in chief.
If it was as important to our nation as he claims, and he’s as fabulously wealthy as he claims, why doesn’t our president foot the bill himself? Five billions is chump change the was he portraya his wealth.
3
For many conservative politicians, exclaimed as experts and brilliant businessmen, from GWB, Paul Rayan, half of the current conservative Congress, and now Trump, it is “all hat and no cattle”. Worse yet, many are just plain fools inflicted with Dunningg-Kruger syndrom.
4
Nancy Pelosi deserves the accolades demonstrating to all the cowards and spineless government official how it's done.
At this point, the only wall we need, is the wall that could separate americans from this utterly sordid shysters who illegally invaded WH.
24
Once you look under the hood, what you find in Trump’s brain can keep psychologists busy for centuries. Mr. Krugman builds a good case for 3Ms, but if you slice it differently, maybe it’s ICE. Ignorance + Corruption + Entitlement.
From what we can tell, his entire world view was formed in childhood. He rejects intelligence briefings because in 1960, his views solidified, and nothing can change them. Unfortunately, he was ignorant in 1960, and he’s off-the-chart ignorant now.
His most significant word view is that he’s entitled to anything he wants, no matter what has to happen to get it. All he has to do is boss people around, and they’ll do what he wants. The anger we’ve seen lately is frustration that people aren’t behaving they way he wants them to. And about collusion… I suspect he doesn’t consider any of it collusion because it’s just what he’s entitled to do. He obviously thinks if Trump does it, it isn’t illegal. He absolutely needs some ICEing down in a small, dark cell behind lots of concrete and barbed wire.
14
The Trump agenda clearly outlines why Republican voters staunchly support him. They like attacking environmental protections, lower taxes for corporations and the mega-rich, laissez faire approach to financial institutions, and eliminating vital social programs. The question is do the Republican voters like that Trump's election was the result of a criminal conspiracy with Russia? Do they like that Trump surrounded himself with men who have been convicted of criminal activity and cabinet members who took financial advantage of their positions? Do they like that Trump directed payment to two of his lovers to conceal his dalliances from voters? Trump supporters seem to be steadfastly behind him. The question will be will Republicans in Congress remain steadfastly behind him once Mueller reveals Trump as a criminal?
3
"...the wall is an utterly stupid idea." Right, consider the source of this brainstorm.
Oh, and water is wet.
2
I find it amazing, and appalling, that a President who is now clearly connected to criminal activity including actions that may have made him President, is still guiding policy for the nation.
19
I see all these comments and I wonder about the bubble effect. 45's approval ratings are still in the low 40's. That's a lot of support for a Prez who hasn't actually done anything except give money to the rich, and power to the polluters.
20
Since he thinks the wall is being built now just tell him it's finished. It's big and beautiful. And if he insists on seeing it, tell him it's raining.
917
@RNS
Or that it is see-through, as he demanded it be. Instead of the Emperor's New Clothes, we'll have the pretend emperor's new wall.
49
@RNS
Hilarious.
35
@RNS
Perfect! Tell him it's raining...! Who said Canadians weren't funny??
51
(I think and hope that) I know a few people who voted for him who regard it as a mistake and who may not make the same mistake again.
They are rust-belt/bible-belt people. They are people who get their politics almost the same way they get their eye color. They are people who, if they do vote Democratic, may not be eager to tell anyone. They are people who continually tell me "we agree more than you think".
Ballot boxes are private for a reason, and that fact will help this movement.
I think Trump will be eventually be discredited beyond any American since Benedict Arnold, but how do we discredit the Republican Party and Fox News, its directed-propaganda implement.
90
@Jay K
62 million deplorables is a lot of people, so there certainly may be some who fall into the category you described.
But I think most, like "sarah" who proclaims her support like any good cult member, will not be able to reconcile their mistake and will continue to support him long after he is properly behind bars.
8
Sorry Paul -- once again you venture outside of your wheelhouse. First, there are areas on the border where a barrier like "the wall" can be enormously helpful to the border patrol. San Diego/Tijuana is just one example. Second, Trump did in fact raise taxes on the rich in states like NY, CA and NJ by eliminating the SALT deduction, which is where many of the rich happen to reside.
2
@CHMy
It would cost a lot less than $5 billion to reinforce border areas where it would be helpful. Besides wasn’t Mexico supposed to pay for that? Trump and Republicans did design the tax bill to punish blue states but the super rich gain much more from the bill than they will lose from the loss of SALT.
17
@CHM Really? If you lived here you would know we already have a wall.
5
@CHM
The net result of Trump's tax policies resulted in lowering taxes for the rich whether directly or through the corporations they control. Whether he eliminating one deduction is 3 states is insignificant. Add to that the impact of tariff's and insignificant deductions are not even worth a mention.
8
Let's not forget that when hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans and the South, Donald spoke of it as an opportunity to buy property cheap.
By going national with the failed Kansas economic experiment, Trump is ready to load up on the bargains caused by a recession to follow or worse.
Donald can see the rainbow in every hurricane which I am sure there will be more to come as he beats down the EPA!
31
Unfortunately, Mr. Krugman left out one super important motivation. Donald Trump wants to utterly destroy anything and everything that Barack Obama had anything to with. Trump wants to literally erase the Obama legacy.
First thing he did right out of the starting gate was to kill the TPP, which was our best way to counter Chinese market dominance. The second thing he did was to conduct an all out assault on Obamacare. He had nothing to replace it with, but no matter.
Then he rolled back every environmental regulation Obama set forth. Trump doesn't give a hoot about the wild places or peoples exposure to toxins. He just wants to erase Obama's work.
Then to finish Obama off, Trump trashes all of our alliances and does the "go it alone" thing because Obama tried to build coalitions. We don't need no stinkin coalitions according to Trump.
The phallic stuff is just icing on the cake. It's a much needed benefit for someone who constantly doubts his masculinity. Men like that feel like they have to prove how tough they are constantly. If he was really tough, he wouldn't feel the need to prove it.
Trump is all about himself and his pathway to self glorification begins with erasing the Obama legacy.
1014
@Bruce Rozenblit That is a good point, although I believe the animus toward Obama is about "manhood".
63
So true ... but without the GOP standing behind him at every turn, none of the damage he imposed could have evolved. The Republican Party is to blame for every single bit of this. So stop limiting your outrage to Trump. Look behind the curtain, Dorothy!
62
@Bruce Rozenblit Trump’s animous is about manhood and about Obama’s color. But don’t forget that he has cowed nearly every Republican in the Congress. They’ve been in charge for Trump’s entire two years but they have been incapable of dealing effectively with the immigrant problem through legislation. They don’t mind him arguing for the wall but let’s not forget that they didn’t give him the money to actually build it.
24
If before Trump and after the Supreme Court made corruption legal by equating money with speech, we went from a corporatocracy until January 2017, and have been an oligarchy ever since the advent of Trump.
If before Trump corporations got their way more than we liked, then since Trump corporations and the wealthy families that own them are firmly in control. Oligarchies behave exactly like mafias. If it isn't the Kochs' style to be in your face, Trump has absolutely no problem with the way he appears. At the end of the day, the Kochs and Trump have very little daylight between them when it come to the endgame, and so America is being fleeced. There is no such thing as a good oligarch, with the exception of Nick Hannauer, none of today's oligarchs will wage war on their own. An oligarch is an oligarch, they will not save us from Trump.
--
Things Trump Did While You Weren’t Looking https://wp.me/p2KJ3H-2ZW
58
@Rima Regas -- Don't you think we had an oligarchy even under Obama? He may not have wanted one he way Trump does, but it was the nature of pronounced income inequality during his presidency?
4
@Rima is way ahead of you, goodlead. She's no pal to democrats. In fact, she railed against Clinton and did all she could to persuade people to prevent a victory for her in 2016. Thanks again there, Rima.
6
@jb
Either your memory of what I wrote is faulty or you never read what I wrote at all.
Either way, I did not single handedly defeat Hillary Clinton in 2016. Since the election, plenty of big name pundits finally admitted to many of the missteps and policy misalignments of the Clinton campaign, as well as the failed approach of trying to get white women Republican voters to the Democratic side. They consistently vote Republican. Trump didn't change that.
@goodlead
Plutocracy and oligarchy didn't suddenly appear one day. We've been talking about corporate Democrats for a long time. The Blue Dog caucus has been around for a while. It is growing again.
1
Governor Brownback's economics professor was deeply disappointed in Brownback's economic policies as governor. Some suspect Brownback of sleeping through his economics lectures. It seems very likely that Mr. Trump did the same thing at the college or tiddlywinks school he attended, using those nice books to swat flies while watching televised tennis tournaments from his bunk. Words fail me in thinking of the ineptitude of the character the GOP nominated for the top job in the land.
85
Dishonest Donald has invented himself as a deal maker, what the record shows it almost all of his deals are swindles.
Hotels, planes, yachts repossessed, casinos bankrupt swindling investors, fake university swindling Dept of Ed, at least 1,000 small contractors forced to sue and settle for less than the original contract, the DST business plan.
Yet let us remember the GOP is in on the swindle with their tax cut which is driving the national debt and will require massive cuts to federal spending. That wall is an expense we can not afford. The great majority if those immigrants with or without papers have been doing the dirty work here since the Mexican American War. At present there is a shortage of construction workers in Santa Rosa, and Paradise CA, they do the dirty work. don't try to tell us these are American jobs, there are no caravan of out of work Americans on the road to Butte and Sonoma Counties.
His rhetoric is scare tactics, now it is infectious diseases along with criminals and drug dealers. The GOP has played the scares to the most insecure members of the population, and Fox is the distributor. The GOP has mounted an attack on the environment for the benefit of some rural voters. he clean water act is not only for navigable waters, it is for the small sources that feed the ones where we get our drinking water from. The U.S. has the worlds cleanest water, bottled water is a bigger business than soft drinks, they like this pollution, it is good for business.
108
The best analysis of the wall meeting was this week from Vox: Trump doesn't want a wall, he wants a fight about a wall.
744
@Todd
Excellent!
This is a diversion ploy to try to get the attention away from the deep trouble he's in now.
Let's not fall for it.
58
@sarah
Don't worry, sarah, tomorrow he'll want something else which you will unconditionally support.
124
@Sarah
Serious question - what egregious behavior by Trump would be enough for you to consider country before party?
Just trying to figure out where that line is. Is there a line?
54
Trump's behavior continues to be a gift to the Democrats . . . let's hope that they can use it for good, and before it's too late!
41
@LCG agree we need trump as long as possible to destroy the GOP and unmask all the bigots and Christians that vote for him
9
@sarah My, I hope you're getting paid well for all these love letters to the President. BTW; "gift" has a slightly different meaning in German: poison. In that sense, you are absolutely right in your assessment.
16
@sarah Well yes, a gift to the Democrats should ultimately end up as a gift to the United States.
10
beautiful succinct piece of writing - couldn't be better said. Manhood, (but with perhaps more description, McConnell and the GOP, and Moola, isn't that what Trump is all about.
39
@sarah I wonder if you were this supportive of Obama, who started the economic upturn (and decrease in unemployment) and kept it going for 6 years, who (regrettably) saved the billionaires (reaping windfalls from Trump's tax cuts) from their own financial folly, who killed Osama bin Laden and left Trump a weakened ISIS, and who reduced immigration from previous levels. And etc.
25
Sarah. He has seriously degraded the office of the president, made our country a laughing stock in the world, undone regulations intended to keep our air and water clean, ignored warnings about serious climate changes, been an atrocious role model for our children, repeatedly lied to the American public, demonstrated a complete lack of morals, shown absolutely no understanding or appreciation of how our system of government works, has often put our country in mortal peril, and many, many more examples too numerous to mention. Do you have children or grandchildren? Does none of this matter to you? How in god's name can you support someone like this, a man totally unqualified, both intellectually and morally, to lead this country?
47
@sarah
What taxes, sarah? Mine are up, bigly. And if you live in NJ, many of your neighbors' taxes are too.
The Veteran's policy you cite was Obama's as was the great economy, the policy reducing ISIS and the downward trend in unemployment.
Trump has not made a dent in sending the 11 million or so illegal immigrants now in the country home, and he has no policy discouraging illegal immigration (and he hires illegal immigrants at his own business) other than trying to ruin our country and make it less attractive for everyone.
15
I think Paul misses one big motivator of Trump's: revenge on Obama, particularly for that dinner where he humiliated Trump a few years ago. I think that pretty clearly explains much of Trump's irrational behavior on attacking anything Obama did, whether Trump agrees with the policy or not. I remember seeing an interview with Richard Bransom in which he spoke about a lunch he had with Trump some year ago in which Trump spent the whole time talking about getting back at somebody for some small slight. Bransom said something to the effect that Trump was the most revenge driven person he had ever met. Maybe you could classify this as part of Trump's the manhood thing. But I think it goes into deeper and darker places within Trump than that.
544
@Buzzman69 Feel free to say it, Trump's evil.
100
@Buzzman69
I completely agree with you but his name is Branson.
16
@Garlic Toast
And his kids haven’t fallen far from the Trump “evil” tree. Esp Ivanka and DJTjr.
12
I might add one more Trump motivation to Manhood, Moola, and McConnell. "Retribution".
As I read the article what floated into my mind was the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner where President Obama made fun with Trump over his birth certificate and other not so complementary subject matter. When the camera turned on Trump, he was not laughing, or even smiling, just glaring at the President.
Much, in my view, of Trump's driven agenda on the environment, immigration, and healthcare is nothing more than revenge. Trump is small minded, and egotistical, and just cannot let something go as simple as poking fun at him.
He's just a sorry excuse for a human being.
1492
@cherrylog754
Finally an explanation for Trump's infantile and irrational behavior over Obama.
Trump is mentally ill.
Please, for the entire population of the world, 25th Amendment him. Now.
215
@cherrylog754 yes but poor starving children are paying the price of his presidency in order for Jared to have his financial problems solved for decades.
124
@cherrylog754 - Your observation and opinion maybe true. Is it possible that his base hates Obama because of what happened at that dinner or the base and Trump both hate Obama because he is an African American citizen who got elected by informed voters.
217
"Previous presidents may have made realpolitik accommodations with unsavory regimes...."
They not only did that; they overthrew democratically elected regimes and installed "unsavory" ones (that is, murderous dictators). I'll leave it to other readers to give examples.
38
Trump’s acronym is WOE: Wrong On Everything. It’s remarkable how relentlessly true this is.
113
Trump has no "trade policy", "immigration policy", or any other policy for governing our nation. He is motivated only by his hatred of his predecessor, and his desire to stay in office (ie, out of prison). The latter requires that he cater to whites in the middle of the country, or at least let them think he is.
We must dispense with the notion that any of Trump's actions are rational. Rather, we should focus on the synergy (popular word these days) between Trump and his voters. Here is the trade-off: he panders to their racism, bigotry, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia, and based on the adoration they show him at rallies, they let him believe the entire nation loves him. Lost in all this is the immense damage done to our nation -- but again, protecting our nation isn't in Trump's interests, nor is it in his voters'.
Dr. Krugman and other well respected journalists need to stop writing serious columns about this president's "policies", as if he were a decent, sane, qualified man. He is none of these things. He has no use for facts and reality, and neither does his base, who remain in lock step with him, two years into the most disastrous period our nation has experienced since WWII.
Trump voters are driving this train. Their bigoted views explain every action of Trump's since he took office. In turn, they ignore all the immense harm to our country, as long as he tells them they are the "real Americans." This is all they want. This is all they've ever wanted.
249
@Kirth Gerson, I live down here in Trump country, Sarah, and Kirth is pretty much right. But if you'll merely honestly review video of Trump's rallies and other easily accessed evidence, you'll see that for yourself.
31
@Kirth
''We must dispense with the notion that any of Trump's actions are rational...'' completely disagree.
The ''trade war'' with its crushing republican taxes (tariffs) is upending the global economy (let alone the U.S.) like never before. With every single sector being taxed wildly, there are winners and losers. For many within the republican ''base'' there are plenty of losers - yet they stick with him.
As for the winners, there have been already people within this administration that have shorted stocks to the tune of millions. How many more people behind the scenes are ''winning'' ?
It will take years upon years (if ever) to follow the money trail, and by then it will probably be cold - same as it ever was.
This whole administration is about graft - the tax theft and now these taxes (tariffs) Somebody is winning, but it is not us.
It is a wholly concerted effort friend. Look.
35
Focusing on the meeting this week with 'Chuck and Nancy', it was a little surprising the Dems had agreed to such a meeting which didn't include McConnell and Ryan's likely replacement - knowing GOPers' propensity to negotiate by moving the goal posts, and Mayhem 45*'s antics, we'd have thought 'Chuck and Nancy' would have demurred.
The whole made-for-reality TeeVee episode was staged, attempting to make it look like Dems (who won't have any legislative power until after Jan. 3) are somehow responsible if a GOP'er House, Senate and Prez can't pass a funding bill by next week's deadline because GOP'ers can't agree amongst themselves.
The posture Pelosi and Schumer should have automatically assumed is the same one from last year: " POTUS said Mexico is paying for his wall, and we take him at his word; moving on to the next item -".
As usual, this reality episode was below sub-par, and 'Individual - 1' would improve greatly by studying Jon Lovitz's "Master Thespian" SNL personna.
24
@R. Law-Agree! I also would recommend that Pelosi and Schumer simplify their language to mirror Trump's. For Fox (Unreal) News watchers grabbing soundbites, they'd walk away with this messge: Wall = Security.
7
@R. Law
I think you said the Dem. !readership made a big mistake by meeting with Trump and got waxed by the master manipulator?
@R. Law Pelosi and Schumer took him to the cleaners. Can't imagine what meeting you were watching.
10
The wall at this point is a symbolic plea to his base that he is still looking out for them. If Trump really wanted to build a wall he should have started his first year as president. The wall he wants to build is almost as big as the great wall of China. It is too late to start it now.
21
@Mike Pinker
The official length of the Great Wall of China is 13,170 miles (though there is some overlap) and took centuries to build -- primarily to regulate trade (and thus had a rational purpose that it met effectively).
The Ming Wall -- what we most often think of as the wall -- is still 5,500 miles, more than twice the breadth of the entire US (which is 2,680 miles).
The dynasties during which the wall was built extended from 445 BC to 1644 AD.
The trump dynasty is limping to an uncertain fate after 2 years.
I'm sure China is laughing at trump's empty pretensions.
9
@sarah
What are you talking about?
He has the Supreme Court, the Senate and the House.
He didn't need squat from the Democrats.
6
His economic policy, headlined by the Trade War, is grounded on the ability of the Tweeter in Chief, with one night's statement, to cause immediately large swings in the stock markets worldwide. It reminds me of a scene in the Chaplin film "The Great Dictator" where the clumsy Chaplin character throws a balloon in the shape of the world skyward and then catching it while performing a graceful balletic move. In other words T-i-C is creating the Trade War just because he can.
39
The Moola is a problem that won't go away. Trump has substituted his "personal relationships" with foreign leaders such as Putin (no collusion - but hotel) , MBS (no journalist murder - but potential deals for Trump and Jared) , and Xi (no overall trade policy - but individualized deals galore) for traditional institutional-based US foreign policy. Trump's interests come before the national interest. Let's hope the Emoluments Clause also applies to benefits Trump receives AFTER he leaves the Presidency. All the reason to insist on Congressional review of Trump's financials and taxes for years to come.
176