You are ablsoutely correct, Charles. I applaud you for pointing out the obvious - that trump is a lying, dishonest, hypocritical, incompetent parasite.
151
Mr. Blow's columns accurately describe the tragedy that has befallen America.
Trump is the American Parasite, Republicans, the American Disaster. Both have brought profound shame and risk to the country. The stench of treachery is overpowering.
Lincoln was right.
Trump is the American Parasite, Republicans, the American Disaster. Both have brought profound shame and risk to the country. The stench of treachery is overpowering.
Lincoln was right.
217
Thanks Charles. I'm not sure there is anything here we didn't already know, and there's nothing here about how we fight this.
Op-ed pieces like this are getting long in the tooth. I'd rather see you spend your considerable talents on something less obvious, and something we can act upon.
Op-ed pieces like this are getting long in the tooth. I'd rather see you spend your considerable talents on something less obvious, and something we can act upon.
127
All the people who said give Trump a chance, including a lot of mealy-mouthed Democrats, need their heads examined. Thank you, Mr. Blow, for keeping it real.
159
Your Trump analysis is spot on - we are stuck with an unprincipaled, parasitic, megalomaniac for President - how sad!!!
111
He's a disgusting , semi-illiterate parasite. So many people voted against their own interests and put this ignorant megalomaniac into office. We have to take back at least the senate so we can stop him for the rest of his term , if he doesn't implode first, I hope.
152
Mr. Blow, Your columns are iced tea on a 90-degree day. I look forward to every insight you write, and your take on this president is spot on. Would that the great "intellects" in Washington were more attuned to your way of thinking.
124
President Kennedy: Ask Not What Your Country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.
Trump: Ask Not what your country can do for you. Ask what Your country has been doing for me.
Trump: Ask Not what your country can do for you. Ask what Your country has been doing for me.
127
To the Editor:
RE: "Trump and the Parasitic Presidency" (Op-Ed, Mar. 13)
It seems that Charles Blow's passionate and stirring opposition to Mr. Trump during the campaign has morphed into unbridled hatred via name-calling and epithets. Mr. Blow's reliance upon insults such as "parasite" and "vile...creature" in this Op-Ed taints the institution of the Presidency itself. While I agree that Mr. Trump's public persona is, in some respects, "vile," what I find equally noxious is the prose of columnists such as Mr. Blow, whose overblown rhetoric does not belong in the Opinion section of this fine newspaper.
This essay is so consumed by its own animus as to be unworthy of publication outside of a disreputable hate-mongering website, the likes of which I trust The New York Times does not aspire to become.
Very truly,
CARL D. BIRMAN, ESQ.
RE: "Trump and the Parasitic Presidency" (Op-Ed, Mar. 13)
It seems that Charles Blow's passionate and stirring opposition to Mr. Trump during the campaign has morphed into unbridled hatred via name-calling and epithets. Mr. Blow's reliance upon insults such as "parasite" and "vile...creature" in this Op-Ed taints the institution of the Presidency itself. While I agree that Mr. Trump's public persona is, in some respects, "vile," what I find equally noxious is the prose of columnists such as Mr. Blow, whose overblown rhetoric does not belong in the Opinion section of this fine newspaper.
This essay is so consumed by its own animus as to be unworthy of publication outside of a disreputable hate-mongering website, the likes of which I trust The New York Times does not aspire to become.
Very truly,
CARL D. BIRMAN, ESQ.
41
In these dark times it is a true pleasure to read Mr. Blow's excellent - oh so true - opinion pieces. Thank you Mr. Blow, it is journalists like you who uphold and tell the truth everybody needs to hear.
80
I can only tell the semi literate, dumb mob that elected the 45th that you got what you wanted! What will you say when you lose your health insurance, get no well paying job, your kids, even if bright, cannot get education (unless they go to faith based private school teaching global warming denial and creationist "science")? I will say: "we told you so: I am from Massachusetts".
As to the deconstructing administrative state: it is deconstructing USA, just as Putin wanted and has succeeded so far through pulling strings of his clueless poodle.
Remember November 2018: do not vote republican!
As to the deconstructing administrative state: it is deconstructing USA, just as Putin wanted and has succeeded so far through pulling strings of his clueless poodle.
Remember November 2018: do not vote republican!
129
They say that you can never tell what tomorrow will bring.
But they are wrong.
Tomorrow -- when the big storm hits -- Trump will be sitting in the White House -- worrying about the storm’s effects on him.
Not about you or me or North Korea, but him.
But they are wrong.
Tomorrow -- when the big storm hits -- Trump will be sitting in the White House -- worrying about the storm’s effects on him.
Not about you or me or North Korea, but him.
104
Stock market up. Regulation down. Jobs up. Laws enforced. But things are just terrible! Lol.
31
This is a great honest article. Thank you, thank you Mr. Blow. Some how I wish this could be posted everywhere, so all people could read what is really going on and how awful 45 is! Thank you.
85
Trump supporters ARE NOT going to feel they have been hurt by the repeal of the ACA but abused by a big government program, “Was way out of control by the time Trump got there!”
Trump’s followers are tribal, they will not assign blame to His Pig Head for anything resulting from the handling/mishandling of Obamacare. As Trump has rightly said, “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.”
To paraphrase the Master of Disaster (Hillary’s personal pillory, Bill), “It’s not about insurance, stupid!”
Tell me, when the big O is repealed, how do you think the Trumpet Blasts are going to react to being proven as dumb as they are mumbled to be?
How do you think they will feel when, 2 years out, the ones they professionally rail against on God’s behalf—the ones who don’t understand their pain and suffering—PROVE THEM WRONG?
Oh, yeah, I can feel the press of the Cross on their backs now: “Y’all was right; we was wrong. Can we buy y’all a cup of coffee?” That’s gonna happen.
Waitin’ slow though.
Trump’s followers are tribal, they will not assign blame to His Pig Head for anything resulting from the handling/mishandling of Obamacare. As Trump has rightly said, “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.”
To paraphrase the Master of Disaster (Hillary’s personal pillory, Bill), “It’s not about insurance, stupid!”
Tell me, when the big O is repealed, how do you think the Trumpet Blasts are going to react to being proven as dumb as they are mumbled to be?
How do you think they will feel when, 2 years out, the ones they professionally rail against on God’s behalf—the ones who don’t understand their pain and suffering—PROVE THEM WRONG?
Oh, yeah, I can feel the press of the Cross on their backs now: “Y’all was right; we was wrong. Can we buy y’all a cup of coffee?” That’s gonna happen.
Waitin’ slow though.
10
Bingo! Keep preaching, Charles!
43
Thank you. I want an investigation into Trump's deal in Azerbaijan now please, too.
89
Why are these moneymaking possibilities of trumps not a major
topic for the Congress..........
Are we to understand we are helpless in the face of this money grubbing
opportunist in the Oval office.
i think New York should cede protection of Melania and Baron to the Secret
Service..........Let the country pay for it..............
WE WANT TO SEE HIS TAXES..................
topic for the Congress..........
Are we to understand we are helpless in the face of this money grubbing
opportunist in the Oval office.
i think New York should cede protection of Melania and Baron to the Secret
Service..........Let the country pay for it..............
WE WANT TO SEE HIS TAXES..................
67
Trump likes oligarchies because....wait for it......HE'S AN OLIGARCH! It's just a matter of turning America the rest of the way around. Some of us are still under the illusion that we want to remain a Democratic country. Not quite as amenable as the downtrodden Russian people. But obviously their is certain core of Americans who want to be told what to think and are hankering for an authoritarian like Putin.
44
If you would like to compare President Trump of the United States, with strongman Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, check out the link below.
It's a first-hand account of the populist regime of Chavez published in the Washington Post by Andres Miguel Rondon--a Venezuelan economist from Caracas, and lived to tell about it.
Scan it, and see what you think.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/01/27/in-venezuela...
It's a first-hand account of the populist regime of Chavez published in the Washington Post by Andres Miguel Rondon--a Venezuelan economist from Caracas, and lived to tell about it.
Scan it, and see what you think.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/01/27/in-venezuela...
20
There must be some way together rid of Trump. Just because America made a mistake by electing him, does that mean we have to live by that mistake every day for the next four years? If you make a mistake and drop your kid in the water, it doesn't mean you HAVE to let him/her drown.
61
Thank you, Mr. Blow
You wrote in "Trump and the Parasitic Presidency," March 13, 2017: "Trump will continue to follow Bannon’s philosophy of internal deconstruction of our government, its principles and its institutions." I think the more explicit word is DESTRUCTION. It's in keeping with the language that describes parasites, con men, haters of other people's freedom and liberties.
You wrote in "Trump and the Parasitic Presidency," March 13, 2017: "Trump will continue to follow Bannon’s philosophy of internal deconstruction of our government, its principles and its institutions." I think the more explicit word is DESTRUCTION. It's in keeping with the language that describes parasites, con men, haters of other people's freedom and liberties.
49
Norris Church mailer published A Ticket to the Circus, in 2010.
Church said she decided to leave Mailer in the early 1990s because of his many affairs, but he dissuaded her. Mailer died in 2007. She published her memoir, A Ticket to the Circus, in 2010, and explained that the title described her life with Mailer, his seven children by his other wives, and her own two children: "Well, I bought a ticket to the circus. I don't know why I was surprised to see elephants."[3].
Taken from Wikipedia, "Norris Church Mailer"
Did you vote? No? well, you got what you deserved.
Did you vote for Trump? Well, you got what you deserved.
May God, a high state of alert, and resistance save the Republic!
Church said she decided to leave Mailer in the early 1990s because of his many affairs, but he dissuaded her. Mailer died in 2007. She published her memoir, A Ticket to the Circus, in 2010, and explained that the title described her life with Mailer, his seven children by his other wives, and her own two children: "Well, I bought a ticket to the circus. I don't know why I was surprised to see elephants."[3].
Taken from Wikipedia, "Norris Church Mailer"
Did you vote? No? well, you got what you deserved.
Did you vote for Trump? Well, you got what you deserved.
May God, a high state of alert, and resistance save the Republic!
27
Thank God for Mr .Blow , who is one of the few journalists who has the courage to tell the unbridled truth about our new 'regime '. There is yet again , and for the first time in many years, a cancer on the presidency. Let's hope and pray that it it is operable .
38
1. Dems need to fight and plan to elect people to school boards, state legislatures, mayoral and governor, which they have NEVER EVER DONE in 25 YEARS!
2a. We need to fight for electoral reform, including getting rid of the Electoral College
2b. Then fight to redo politics
3. Some journalists need to remind themselves about the basic attitudes and rules of reporting.
2a. We need to fight for electoral reform, including getting rid of the Electoral College
2b. Then fight to redo politics
3. Some journalists need to remind themselves about the basic attitudes and rules of reporting.
28
Speaking about unemployment statistics, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said:
""I talked to the president prior to this, and he said to quote him very clearly: 'They may have been phony in the past, but it's very real now.'"
I suspect that this is the way they will treat the CBO numbers for the House Health Care bill and, if it becomes law, the way they will treat the actual numbers of people who lose coverage.
""I talked to the president prior to this, and he said to quote him very clearly: 'They may have been phony in the past, but it's very real now.'"
I suspect that this is the way they will treat the CBO numbers for the House Health Care bill and, if it becomes law, the way they will treat the actual numbers of people who lose coverage.
26
" Trump & GOP leaders said: we are Christian & they hate poor people?..They only care about the rich & powerful! What did Jesus preach?
18
As with the Nazis, our grandchildren will be asking, "How could you have let this happen?" If we do not have an active resistance, we are just being good Germans who say we oppose the regime but do nothing to stop it.
72
You cannot expect a leopard to change its spots. I don't know why anyone who has observed Trump over the years would think there is a new Trump. There is only one Trump: a pampered, self indulgent and greedy man who uses everyone and everything without care. He was raised to believe he was a king and every mistake he made was made by someone else and bailed out from someone else.
Now he has a pack of enablers who are either drinking the kool-aid or afraid to challenge him or just like barnacles are attached for the ride.
The trouble is he will drain this country of its soul. its patience, its resources, its heart and its belief in itself.
Trump is a consuming beast who can never be satisfied. He is never to be believed because as we have all learned, the beast will say anything to escape confrontation or to boast his glory.
America, are you sick enough yet?
Trump supporters, what is your tipping point?
It only gets worse, buhlieve me...
Now he has a pack of enablers who are either drinking the kool-aid or afraid to challenge him or just like barnacles are attached for the ride.
The trouble is he will drain this country of its soul. its patience, its resources, its heart and its belief in itself.
Trump is a consuming beast who can never be satisfied. He is never to be believed because as we have all learned, the beast will say anything to escape confrontation or to boast his glory.
America, are you sick enough yet?
Trump supporters, what is your tipping point?
It only gets worse, buhlieve me...
67
Thanks Mr. Bl;ow for reminding me how our President is such a
hypocrite. Also I hadn't realized his trips to the winter white house
where on the taxpayers dime.
hypocrite. Also I hadn't realized his trips to the winter white house
where on the taxpayers dime.
21
The Trumps are a corrupt family of grifters. That's all there is to it.
Corrupt. Grifters.
NY Times, please start calling them that.
Corrupt. Grifters.
NY Times, please start calling them that.
49
Mr. Blow, you have not overstated your case and I thank you.
Why does this continue? We're over our shock of the statements "I do it because I can" (grope women) and "I could shoot someone on Fifth Ave and get away with it because I can". Are we now immune?
Will someone, anyone in Congress call out this man for being indisciplined, ignorant, lewd and all the other qualities that our culture once disdained?
Our president has made an even more foul and putrid swamp than we could have ever imagined.
Why does this continue? We're over our shock of the statements "I do it because I can" (grope women) and "I could shoot someone on Fifth Ave and get away with it because I can". Are we now immune?
Will someone, anyone in Congress call out this man for being indisciplined, ignorant, lewd and all the other qualities that our culture once disdained?
Our president has made an even more foul and putrid swamp than we could have ever imagined.
29
The narrative of HItler's ascendancy, the narrative of Trump and others focuses too much on the bizarre display of personality and not enough on WHO BENEFITS overall. The industrialists and bankers mainly supported Hitler, until he got into trouble. The Ryan/Pence/Koch gang are chief beneficiaries of the even greater transfer of wealth to the rich than had been going on under Democrats and Republicans for the last few decades. But exposing how this is a plan by various corporate interests to use demagoguery to mobilize foot soldiers in service to the corporate rich -- exposing this puts some Democrats on the hot seat also -- so they are mostly content to attack Trump's personality and not focus sharply on the economic interests. Same with binLaden -- working for a section of the Arab billionaires against other Arab billionaires, but focusing on his religious rhetoric rather than his political/financial interests takes the spotlight off of various US financial interests in supporting aspects of US military action in the oil-rich regions. It's not only about the money. But it's MAINLY about the money. And few Dems and liberals have been making that the main focus...maybe the health care crisis will bring that out.
27
"Trump appears to view the Treasury as a personal piggy bank and the presidency as a part-time job." Oh, the stunning use of alliteration in this phrase, from T to P, as if to spell out the parasite's name. It's just one of many of Blow's sentences that border on poetry. Keep these op-eds coming, Mr. Blow! They give me faith that people still think, and can do it with some style!
32
The little orange piggy, a porcine Nero fiddles while our country burns!
27
Mr. Blow,
Well said an agreed with all with an exception to your statement below:
"No, what is unbelievable is the staggering nature of the hypocrisy of Trump and his current spending and the near silence of Obama’s conservative critics."
What is unbelievable is the silence of many of our elected officials on both sides of the aisles as well other Americans who refuse to follow the constitution. They are all Complicit.....
Well said an agreed with all with an exception to your statement below:
"No, what is unbelievable is the staggering nature of the hypocrisy of Trump and his current spending and the near silence of Obama’s conservative critics."
What is unbelievable is the silence of many of our elected officials on both sides of the aisles as well other Americans who refuse to follow the constitution. They are all Complicit.....
32
Mr. Blow omitted one important word from his description of Donald Trump-racist. Donald Trump continues his racist taunts of former President Obama by accusing him of wiretapping his residence.
41
Trump is a Parasite..
This should be the top rallying cry at every protest moving forward. It is all encompassing in its message and rings true to the bone.
Thank you, Mr. Blow.
This should be the top rallying cry at every protest moving forward. It is all encompassing in its message and rings true to the bone.
Thank you, Mr. Blow.
35
Mr. Blow,
Your Resistance columns have been courageous.
But today you left yourself a bit short.
Trump is not merely the parasitic, distorted character you describe.
He is, in our eyes, and as many others, including yourself, have opined,
A mentally-unstable, probably-ill, person, who needs, and deserves,
A professional mental status assessment, with respect to his fitness to
Carry out the duties of the Presidency.
Stephen C. Joseph, MD Stanley Scheyer, MD
Your Resistance columns have been courageous.
But today you left yourself a bit short.
Trump is not merely the parasitic, distorted character you describe.
He is, in our eyes, and as many others, including yourself, have opined,
A mentally-unstable, probably-ill, person, who needs, and deserves,
A professional mental status assessment, with respect to his fitness to
Carry out the duties of the Presidency.
Stephen C. Joseph, MD Stanley Scheyer, MD
59
Bravo! This is one of the best analyses of this truly horrific president. He needs to be impeached. But Pence too.
32
"deconstruction of our government, its principles and its institutions."
in fact. Problem is Obama has done the same:
-Obama abused executive actions. Trump loves it, he wants to do the same. Problem: when Obama did it Charles M. Blow was quiet. No he cries foul. If Charles M. Blow only care about principles when they apply to his enemies then he doesn't believe in principles, just in "help your friends, harm your enemies".
-Obama silenced the media (more than all previous presidents combined). Trump loves it, he wants to do the same because Trump hates the media. Charles M. Blow didn't complain about Obama, another principle thrown into the garbage. Again, Charles M. Blow practices "help your friends, harm your enemies". That is what they do in Banana Republics.
I could go on and on!
Charles M. Blow, that is our press! Worthless!
in fact. Problem is Obama has done the same:
-Obama abused executive actions. Trump loves it, he wants to do the same. Problem: when Obama did it Charles M. Blow was quiet. No he cries foul. If Charles M. Blow only care about principles when they apply to his enemies then he doesn't believe in principles, just in "help your friends, harm your enemies".
-Obama silenced the media (more than all previous presidents combined). Trump loves it, he wants to do the same because Trump hates the media. Charles M. Blow didn't complain about Obama, another principle thrown into the garbage. Again, Charles M. Blow practices "help your friends, harm your enemies". That is what they do in Banana Republics.
I could go on and on!
Charles M. Blow, that is our press! Worthless!
14
Mr. Blow has found the best words I have seen to describe our current situation.
"If you were trying to create in a lab a person with character traits more unbecoming in a president, it would be hard to outdo the one we have."
Spot on description.
"If you were trying to create in a lab a person with character traits more unbecoming in a president, it would be hard to outdo the one we have."
Spot on description.
38
Charles Blow can say all the nasty things he wants about President 45 but I draw the line and subjecting Trump's family to his scathing contempt. Look, the presidency comes with all sorts of perks--it comes with the territory in the name of security. Yes, members of his Trump's are also entitled to Secret Service protection--there are all sorts of whack jobs out there and it's better to be safe then sorry. Stop acting so shocked that Trump regularly jets to his Florida estate at Mar-a-Largo. Who do you think funded George W Bush's jaunts to his ranch in Crawford Texas? The taxpayers of course. Wasn't Nixon a frequent flier between Washington DC and his home in San Clemente California which was nicknamed "The Western White House" by the media. This sick double standard where Mr. Blow constantly implies that Trump and his family are somehow unworthy of the same privileges his predecessors enjoyed has got to stop.
12
Should we start trolling Fox with comments in hopes of influencing some of its idiotic followers?
15
Darwin 'theory' of natural selection and survival of the fittest is currently being applied to the human race. If Donald Trump and the Republican Party have their say the human race is doomed.
9
Thanks again Mr. Blow
I have one question based on the incredulous numbers USA today had posted: Who are the moronic six democrats that approve of this parasite ?
I have one question based on the incredulous numbers USA today had posted: Who are the moronic six democrats that approve of this parasite ?
10
"It's not as if this man hid his faults from the public gaze, they were there for all to see.
And still you voted him in."
NO, dagnabbit! We did NOT elect this freak. He got in through the Electoral back door. The seditious members of that "College" unlocked the door and flung it wide open for a known grifter and mental case. They may believe that their own progeny will somehow be spared the fate of the planet and the rest of us peasants, or that they as the offspring of elites will be on a space ship to one of those recently discovered Earth-like planets where they can despoil the environment for more centuries to support their accustomed life style without any tree-hugging scolds from the EPA to pester them with pesky rules.
Or maybe they would just rather throw their own grandchildren under the bus than pay one red cent in taxes for any program that benefits people they consider parasites, people not white and male enough, not crafty and sly enough to write the laws to their advantage, not rich enough to buy a congressman or two, and not smart enough or informed enough to see how they have been conned into paying a disproportionate share of their relatively meager income in taxes while the Swamp Folks pay less and the Leech-in-Chief plays a shell game and pays NONE, for DECADES.
Yeah. The Republican motto. No handouts for parasites. How else to explain what they have done?
Uh, wait... which ones are the parasites again??
And still you voted him in."
NO, dagnabbit! We did NOT elect this freak. He got in through the Electoral back door. The seditious members of that "College" unlocked the door and flung it wide open for a known grifter and mental case. They may believe that their own progeny will somehow be spared the fate of the planet and the rest of us peasants, or that they as the offspring of elites will be on a space ship to one of those recently discovered Earth-like planets where they can despoil the environment for more centuries to support their accustomed life style without any tree-hugging scolds from the EPA to pester them with pesky rules.
Or maybe they would just rather throw their own grandchildren under the bus than pay one red cent in taxes for any program that benefits people they consider parasites, people not white and male enough, not crafty and sly enough to write the laws to their advantage, not rich enough to buy a congressman or two, and not smart enough or informed enough to see how they have been conned into paying a disproportionate share of their relatively meager income in taxes while the Swamp Folks pay less and the Leech-in-Chief plays a shell game and pays NONE, for DECADES.
Yeah. The Republican motto. No handouts for parasites. How else to explain what they have done?
Uh, wait... which ones are the parasites again??
26
Fake president Tweetie Pie's Russian Putie cat just won't go away. And then there are all those folks in Pennsyltucky who will eventually figure out that he really loves his Gold Man Sacks buddies, not the "forgotten people" who made the mistake of voting for him.
22
MOST ONCE-GOP RepCon trumPsycho SUBporters are ignorant, self-based, unkind, uncaring, lacking in compassion & empathy, low-intellect, low-class, low-rent, low-life, indecent, worthless, toxic scumbags.
They are mind-broken, w/light to egregious sociopathic tendencies. They are mentally & emotionally violent, on the edge of physical violence. They tend to be bullies & be overly selfish, self-centered, self-interested, self-absorbed, & exhibit self-destructive behaviors and attitudes in the extreme.
These are the reasons why 'we' cannot have an intelligent, reasoned, logical, objective, caring-based discussion with them -- they are none of those things, and worse, which is also why you can't "work with them" -- they have NO interest in doing so. (& probably no ability)
"We" have tried that for DECADES now, & look where it has gotten us. Time to "try something 'new' ". This has all gone WAY beyond the pale -- in fact, it is SO bad that one literally has trouble finding words to describe how terrible, disgusting, disgraceful, & horrendous it all is. It is literally that bad, sans hyperbole.
If, on the day you die, the world is a better place due to your absence, you have failed miserably as a minimally decent human being. They have all failed epically in that sense.
Planet Earth needs to be rid of these #*@&s. I see no other viable alternative. Or they will suck us down in to the putrid muck that is destroying America and all the good things it has always stood for.
They are mind-broken, w/light to egregious sociopathic tendencies. They are mentally & emotionally violent, on the edge of physical violence. They tend to be bullies & be overly selfish, self-centered, self-interested, self-absorbed, & exhibit self-destructive behaviors and attitudes in the extreme.
These are the reasons why 'we' cannot have an intelligent, reasoned, logical, objective, caring-based discussion with them -- they are none of those things, and worse, which is also why you can't "work with them" -- they have NO interest in doing so. (& probably no ability)
"We" have tried that for DECADES now, & look where it has gotten us. Time to "try something 'new' ". This has all gone WAY beyond the pale -- in fact, it is SO bad that one literally has trouble finding words to describe how terrible, disgusting, disgraceful, & horrendous it all is. It is literally that bad, sans hyperbole.
If, on the day you die, the world is a better place due to your absence, you have failed miserably as a minimally decent human being. They have all failed epically in that sense.
Planet Earth needs to be rid of these #*@&s. I see no other viable alternative. Or they will suck us down in to the putrid muck that is destroying America and all the good things it has always stood for.
6
A tick sucking blood and passing on desease? Or an amebic protist infecting your gut and causing cramps and diarrhea? Or how about a worm climbing up your urethra and causing intense pains and itching? I mean there are lots of parasitic similarities the "the Donald." But I think we must add cancer to the metaphors, particularly to the "Steves" that have created a tumor of hate and division. Bu he's also a lot like a dripping bad cold, muscle in the back of the throats that won't go a way. Golf, who cares. He's batsh#t crazy---that's what matters.
13
And Bannon is the chief parasite running Trump's brain.
19
Leeches can kill their host. What are we waiting for?
6
Thank you, Charles Blow. Please continue to call this pitiful man out. And please call out Republican leaders who are putting their party ahead of the good of the nation. I'm so disappointed in the silence of that group.
The man that Trump is (and isn't) has been right out there in the open for years, and yet he managed to huckster himself into power. This isn't Republican/Democrat anymore; this is our nation that is at stake. I believe in the basic morality and goodness of our people, regardless of political leanings. But where is the moral courage of our leaders?
The man that Trump is (and isn't) has been right out there in the open for years, and yet he managed to huckster himself into power. This isn't Republican/Democrat anymore; this is our nation that is at stake. I believe in the basic morality and goodness of our people, regardless of political leanings. But where is the moral courage of our leaders?
15
Mr. Blow~Spot on as usual.
The support of those people, particularly Republicans, will continue as long as reality-based media continues to treat the occupant of the White House respectfully and normalize him. This includes the New York Times. Headlines about lies should say so. No more "alternative facts" (lies) and "alt right" (white supremacists).
Stories should state: "Donald Trump told another lie today..." and continue reporting how this harms those lied against.
SCOTUS needs to declare a state of emergency due to the proven facts that the elections for president/vice president was tainted. Then, a new election must be held. WHISTLE-BLOWERS need to anonymously leak his tax returns and Russian connections to reality-based media.
Our democracy is being dismantled before our very eyes.
The support of those people, particularly Republicans, will continue as long as reality-based media continues to treat the occupant of the White House respectfully and normalize him. This includes the New York Times. Headlines about lies should say so. No more "alternative facts" (lies) and "alt right" (white supremacists).
Stories should state: "Donald Trump told another lie today..." and continue reporting how this harms those lied against.
SCOTUS needs to declare a state of emergency due to the proven facts that the elections for president/vice president was tainted. Then, a new election must be held. WHISTLE-BLOWERS need to anonymously leak his tax returns and Russian connections to reality-based media.
Our democracy is being dismantled before our very eyes.
15
Obama lawyers move fast to join fight against Trump.
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Trustbank
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The Ten Commandments according to the parasitic Trump/GoP bible...
1. No other gods (Mammon and Bacchus are not really gods but desirable life style choices…)
2. Don’t misuse God’s name and especially in lost causes like defending the meek who, after all, get to inherit the earth
3. Remember to keep Sabbath holy --playing golf on my courses will do that
4. 6 days for others to do your work, rest and play golf on the 7th and any other day if you're president (see Commandment #3)
5. Honor your father & mother and surrogates like me. You'll love it…
6. No murder especially of persons of wealth. Denying healthcare and climate change, eliminating gun controls and war are not really murder
7. No adultery …don’t get caught and it didn't happen. Marketing adulterated products is marketing not adultery.
8. No stealing which is what the IRS does (see Commandment #10 below). Stealing elections by lying is not stealing.
9. No false testimony that could get you in trouble. Alternative facts, making things up, repeating debunked lies are not really lying…
10. No coveting. Threaten, sue, scam, don’t pay, break promises and you'll get what you want so don’t lose sleep coveting.
1. No other gods (Mammon and Bacchus are not really gods but desirable life style choices…)
2. Don’t misuse God’s name and especially in lost causes like defending the meek who, after all, get to inherit the earth
3. Remember to keep Sabbath holy --playing golf on my courses will do that
4. 6 days for others to do your work, rest and play golf on the 7th and any other day if you're president (see Commandment #3)
5. Honor your father & mother and surrogates like me. You'll love it…
6. No murder especially of persons of wealth. Denying healthcare and climate change, eliminating gun controls and war are not really murder
7. No adultery …don’t get caught and it didn't happen. Marketing adulterated products is marketing not adultery.
8. No stealing which is what the IRS does (see Commandment #10 below). Stealing elections by lying is not stealing.
9. No false testimony that could get you in trouble. Alternative facts, making things up, repeating debunked lies are not really lying…
10. No coveting. Threaten, sue, scam, don’t pay, break promises and you'll get what you want so don’t lose sleep coveting.
9
The vast majority of you commenting on this piece agree Trump is a dangerous idiot (as I do). But it made me wonder: Where are the dissenting voices? There are either a) not reading the NYT or b) too cowed to comment. This points out the dangerous trend of our reading/viewing only media with which we agree. Honestly, I'd like to read some intelligent voices on the other side. Fox & Friends obviously doesn't count. Let's look for and read those intelligent voices in addition to excellent pieces that reflect our points of view. Recommendations welcome.
4
‘the deconstruction of the administrative state.’
Harvard-educated, top-of-the class, Machiavellian mastermind Bannon seems not to know what the word 'deconstruction' means. But I guess it sounds a bit better than 'destruction.'
Harvard-educated, top-of-the class, Machiavellian mastermind Bannon seems not to know what the word 'deconstruction' means. But I guess it sounds a bit better than 'destruction.'
9
People are mystified as to why Congress sits back and does nothing. What's going on?
It's my opinion there is a great love fest going on between Trump and members of his administration, and Congress. They are all sitting at the feet of Putin, licking his boots, as Putin smiles and smirks, knowing his pockets are becoming heavy with silver and other goodies.
Putin knows he's the power in the White House. No wonder he "loves" us back. It was so very easy taking over our country. Like taking candy from a baby.
It's my opinion there is a great love fest going on between Trump and members of his administration, and Congress. They are all sitting at the feet of Putin, licking his boots, as Putin smiles and smirks, knowing his pockets are becoming heavy with silver and other goodies.
Putin knows he's the power in the White House. No wonder he "loves" us back. It was so very easy taking over our country. Like taking candy from a baby.
13
Imagine. We're already in this deep, and it hasn't even been two months since the inauguration.
Are we starting to get a picture of what we're in for yet?
All the "secret plans", and the promises, and lies.
Are we feeling "Great again" yet? -- or is it more like tired, anxious, scared?
Of course there were some who knew from the begining that this outcome was inevitable, but few thought it would ever get this bad this quickly.
And of course there are those who still see no problem, mainly because they're just glad to have a White man back in the White House ... even if he's going to steal the country blind, and leave us all with the bill.
It's not even been two months.
And we've still got a long way to go.
Are we starting to get a picture of what we're in for yet?
All the "secret plans", and the promises, and lies.
Are we feeling "Great again" yet? -- or is it more like tired, anxious, scared?
Of course there were some who knew from the begining that this outcome was inevitable, but few thought it would ever get this bad this quickly.
And of course there are those who still see no problem, mainly because they're just glad to have a White man back in the White House ... even if he's going to steal the country blind, and leave us all with the bill.
It's not even been two months.
And we've still got a long way to go.
13
First China grants Trump a packet of expedited trademarks, we back off our threats to China, and now this. The Trumps are now at the center of the largest corruption conspiracy in recent American history -- and what will prove to be the most scandalous -- all enabled by an obedient GOP-dominated Congress.
And they're only getting started at enriching themselves at the expense of the country. But why should we be surprised? He has been doing this for his entire life! The White House: the biggest con of all.
And they're only getting started at enriching themselves at the expense of the country. But why should we be surprised? He has been doing this for his entire life! The White House: the biggest con of all.
17
Vile? He's so much worse than that, but the vocabulary stall out at vile. Despicable? Maybe, still an understatement. A vile swamp is what he found in Washington. How he has made it worse in such a short time is truly a miracle.
7
Yes, where is the conservative press that constantly berated President Obama for taking vacations and spending money? Sean Hannity, I haven't heard your voice against Trump's flagrant expenses. You are just another phony.
18
"He has signed a slew of executive actions to demonstrate his power and signal his administrative direction."
Just as he said he would during the campaign. Elections have consequences, Mr. Blow. Finally regretting your all-in support for Hillary?
Just as he said he would during the campaign. Elections have consequences, Mr. Blow. Finally regretting your all-in support for Hillary?
7
Red America also needs to look themselves in the mirror and ask themselves what they've done. I have no more patience or sympathy for dumn, hateful bigots.
14
Mr. Blow,
You distilled the essence of trump in your final sentence; "And Trump will continue to leech as much personal financial advantage as he can from the flesh of the American public."
For him, it seems, it really is all about the money. He is a flesh eating bacteria that feeds on the skin, sweat, and toil, of hard working Americans.
He, Bannon, Priebus and their ilk in the Congress and Senate are well schooled in taking what they want from US citizens because, "they KNOW" what's good for us.
The man that Russia helped install in the White House is two things.
A flesh eating bacteria and the Antichrist.
You distilled the essence of trump in your final sentence; "And Trump will continue to leech as much personal financial advantage as he can from the flesh of the American public."
For him, it seems, it really is all about the money. He is a flesh eating bacteria that feeds on the skin, sweat, and toil, of hard working Americans.
He, Bannon, Priebus and their ilk in the Congress and Senate are well schooled in taking what they want from US citizens because, "they KNOW" what's good for us.
The man that Russia helped install in the White House is two things.
A flesh eating bacteria and the Antichrist.
9
If Trump was only a mere parasite, like a benign mosquito, or tick that feeds itself off the blood of it's host, then moves on, leaving an annoying itch, that would be bad enough. However, he is more like a mosquito or a tick, that carries a deadly disease, like Zika, or Lyme, that could take years to find a cure. Unfortunately, he is continuing to spread his deadly disease of Lies, Corruption, and Bigotry that is destroying the very fabric that has always made America Great. There will be a lot of victims, that will perish in his wake. His economically less fortunate supporters will be first. Only the WEALTHY will be immune for the time being but will also perish, if we do not find an effective cure.
15
Let's don't adopt Bannon-Speak and write about the "internal deconstruction of government" (as in this NYT article) when he means and we mean demolition. From the Merriam-Webster dictionary online:
"Did You Know?
Deconstruction doesn't actually mean "demolition;" instead it means "breaking down" or analyzing something (especially the words in a work of fiction or nonfiction) to discover its true significance."
Deconstruction of government doesn't make sense, even if a deconstruction of government policy would make sense and is long overdue.
"Did You Know?
Deconstruction doesn't actually mean "demolition;" instead it means "breaking down" or analyzing something (especially the words in a work of fiction or nonfiction) to discover its true significance."
Deconstruction of government doesn't make sense, even if a deconstruction of government policy would make sense and is long overdue.
6
Trump is evil. His words are evil, and his actions are evil.
True patriots will resist him, no matter what cost they must pay.
True patriots will resist him, no matter what cost they must pay.
23
When I told my friends and family that this incurious gameshow host will win, they laughed at me. When I told them that half this country welcomes his quasi-fascist methods, they laughed at me. Now when I tell them he will undoubtedly begin a war to detract from his growing scandles, they nod their heads
20
This is a 70-year-old man who has lived his entire life as the vile, dishonest, incurious creature who got elected. That election validated his impulses rather than served as a curb on them."
Et omnis qui dicit.
Et omnis qui dicit.
17
Pope Leo X, a member of the Medici family, was said to remark upon his accession to the papacy: "Since God has given us the papacy, let us enjoy it." The same can be said of Mr. Trump and the Presidency. He has it, he intends to enjoy it, and the rest of us can go hang. Leo X was no one's idea of a good Pope. I am not sure Mr. Trump is anyone's idea of a good President.
191
Watch the movie Idiocracy.- In my wildest dreams, I never thought the plot of that movie would be playing out in real life. Prepare to be irrigating crops with Mountain Dew by the end of Trump's reign.
19
Is it only 50 days? I feel a kind of bizarre anticipation every day ... what outrageous blasphemy will he spew forth on Twitter today? I applaud Mr. Trump for one thing, and only one ... the return of real and relevant journalism to our world. Mr. Blow, you are my hero.
23
Well said, I have little to add to this except to say the support he receives from the Republican Party, especially the religious right, show what an morally disengenuous group of people this party has become.
29
To parrot Mitch .."Let's make Trump a one term (or less) president."
17
The fact that 62% of Republicans poll as approving Trump's temperament tells you everything you need to know about these people. They are truly deplorable and disgusting, and they deserve the destruction he will wreak upon them. It's unfortunate that the majority of the country have to share in the suffering with the deplorable conservative know-nothings.
39
TRUMPS MAXIM: Choose your parents wisely.
ALL you need to know about HIM.
ALL you need to know about HIM.
12
And all the while he flaunts his undermining of American democratic principles and institutions while lying about colluding with the Russians to destroy the electoral process.
He is completely illegitimate and should be removed immediately.
He is completely illegitimate and should be removed immediately.
22
Can we please not call this health care proposal Tumpcare? I'd go with TrumpDoesn'tCare.
18
I wondered when Trump announced his candidacy whether his children felt ashamed to be related to someone who said such hurtful and palpably untrue things. I now wonder whether the grandchildren of the current administration and Republican leaders will feel shame when they consider what their grandfathers and grandmothers did to undermine their country.
28
What I want to know is: If Trump and his team colluded with the Russians during and after the election would it be an act of treason?
10
I wonder if Alan Arkin will see an increase in royalty payments from the movie "The Russians Are Coming".
The hysteria today is approaching the same comical level of the movie.
Thanks Charles for your contribution.
The hysteria today is approaching the same comical level of the movie.
Thanks Charles for your contribution.
It was obvious from the beginning that Trump views being president as business opportunity, rather than civil service, which does not bode well for the United States.
Excellent article, direct and precise. I don't see this sustaining four years though..
6
thank you Charles for continuing to hit Trump hard.
17
A truer portrait was never painted.
And anyone who grew up near NYC is completely unsurprised.
Those who voted for him and still cling to supporting him are complicit in the destruction and criminality he personifies, and this will not be forgotten.
And anyone who grew up near NYC is completely unsurprised.
Those who voted for him and still cling to supporting him are complicit in the destruction and criminality he personifies, and this will not be forgotten.
17
And there's no "getting used to it". He's here to stay - at least until he bales out - finally realizing he got more satisfaction in life as Trump the mogul. He likes negotiation where he has the upper hand - but hates compromise.
5
As usual, the truly great Charles M. Blow hits the nail on the head---by simply using facts available to all of us---to demonstrate what a corrupt farce and dangerous threat Trump and his illegitimate "administration" are to our nation and planet.
This man LOST by almost three MILLION votes and he's seriously disturbed. He needs to go. NOW!
This man LOST by almost three MILLION votes and he's seriously disturbed. He needs to go. NOW!
18
The Republican plan for health care is a "Death Panel" poised to decide who will live and who will die.
14
You can't vote for the first 18 years if your life, and maybe you shouldn't get to vote for the last 18. Trump is partly an outcome of the entitled aging who can't get used to how the country is evolving. The future isn't theirs yet they have huge impact.
11
It's very important to remember that Donald Trump was NOT the choice of most Americans.
He LOST to his opponent by almost 3 MILLION votes! The only reason he is in power today is due to this antiquated, anti-democratic, ludicrous system called the "Electoral College."
It's always been an abomination and we can't lose sight of the fact that if every one of our votes counted equally Trump wouldn't be sitting in the Oval Office today, doing damage to almost everything We The Majority love about our good country.
So when we hear people talking about "the Republican victory" or "the Trump win" or "the big loss of Clinton and the Democrats" it's critical to remember that all of those headlines are a symptom of this insane system that allows the loser to take control of the most powerful office in our nation.
And if there are any defenders of the Electoral College, I'd like to ask why you aren't advocating for EVERY elected office in this country---not just the presidency? Why don't we allow the loser to also take control when it comes to our elections for senator, governor, mayor and more?
He LOST to his opponent by almost 3 MILLION votes! The only reason he is in power today is due to this antiquated, anti-democratic, ludicrous system called the "Electoral College."
It's always been an abomination and we can't lose sight of the fact that if every one of our votes counted equally Trump wouldn't be sitting in the Oval Office today, doing damage to almost everything We The Majority love about our good country.
So when we hear people talking about "the Republican victory" or "the Trump win" or "the big loss of Clinton and the Democrats" it's critical to remember that all of those headlines are a symptom of this insane system that allows the loser to take control of the most powerful office in our nation.
And if there are any defenders of the Electoral College, I'd like to ask why you aren't advocating for EVERY elected office in this country---not just the presidency? Why don't we allow the loser to also take control when it comes to our elections for senator, governor, mayor and more?
15
After these 50 days, your last three paragraphs are spot on, although they rather understate the horror of this ignominious parasite.
12
Ironic, isn't it, that in only ten years we have reverted to the same people who indured an economic collapse caused by deregulation, tax cuts and a huge military buildup.
Are we truly that ignorant that we would voluntarily do that again?
Are we truly that ignorant that we would voluntarily do that again?
15
This article is spot on!!
14
A very high 62% of Republicans approve his behavior in the Office - that says a lot about the new America and about the 62 million Republicans who voted for Trump. And many are your colleagues, family members, friends. How did this happen?
12
On the bright side, my neighborhood liquor store is doing record business.
14
What the New York Times as well as other news media outlets should be doing is running a calculator on their webpages that shows each day the cumulative cost of the this presidency with an estimate of how much that is gross profit to his businesses.
7
25th amendment.
10
It's gonna get much worse. Next year trump is going to hosts a grand dinner for top republicans and when the chef removes the cover from the main course there will be John McCain's head on the platter.
7
I wholeheartedly regret my seriously misguided, first and last ever vote for a Republican, protest vote for Trump, never having dreamed it could get this bad. My bad!
But just as Mr. Blow blames conservatives for not criticizing Trump on his hypocrisy, I blame the Democrats for scheming and conniving to put forth another parasitic (though in hindsight less dangerous) candidate for president. Virtually anyone other than Hillary would have likely beaten Trump.
But just as Mr. Blow blames conservatives for not criticizing Trump on his hypocrisy, I blame the Democrats for scheming and conniving to put forth another parasitic (though in hindsight less dangerous) candidate for president. Virtually anyone other than Hillary would have likely beaten Trump.
13
So while President Trump sits in the White House, tweeting and making decisions based on what he sees on Fox News, his son Don Jr. is busy fundraising and campaigning for his father's second term. The lies, spins and conspiracy theories consuming the GOP give a new dimension to the idea of the "permanent campaign."
20
The man who admitted that he enjoyed sexually assaulting women, another type of parasitic behavior, and the republican congress who supports him, has lead me to conclude that there are two types of people in our country.
It's time to seriously consider the idea of two countries.
My individual circumstances have probably helped push me to this conclusion; almost half of our country supports a dishonest and destructive president, whose focus is putting money into "building up a military" vs building a strong healthcare coverage mandate, among the many other insane choices and actions he and the republican congress make for our country.
Our healthcare system and insurance payment system is "sick". Most healthcare systems and insurance companies CFOs have found ways to deny coverage to patients already, without any changes.
Cleveland Clinic patients who cannot pay their bill within a year, are forced into a "community loan". If you don't take it you are denied access to care.
How many other healthcare systems do the same?
Each year in the fine print of your insurance policy you will find new ways the company requires out of pocket payments.
California has recognized the futility of fighting for honesty, compassion, competence, and equality from the president and republican congress.
No further evidence is needed to highlight the hypocrisy of this presidency and republican congress, it's glaring; the president's golfing frequency hypocrisy just one "tell".
It's time to seriously consider the idea of two countries.
My individual circumstances have probably helped push me to this conclusion; almost half of our country supports a dishonest and destructive president, whose focus is putting money into "building up a military" vs building a strong healthcare coverage mandate, among the many other insane choices and actions he and the republican congress make for our country.
Our healthcare system and insurance payment system is "sick". Most healthcare systems and insurance companies CFOs have found ways to deny coverage to patients already, without any changes.
Cleveland Clinic patients who cannot pay their bill within a year, are forced into a "community loan". If you don't take it you are denied access to care.
How many other healthcare systems do the same?
Each year in the fine print of your insurance policy you will find new ways the company requires out of pocket payments.
California has recognized the futility of fighting for honesty, compassion, competence, and equality from the president and republican congress.
No further evidence is needed to highlight the hypocrisy of this presidency and republican congress, it's glaring; the president's golfing frequency hypocrisy just one "tell".
20
Trump's morning tweet bleats do not result from rage or anger.
They stem from a basically schizoid personality, which awakes from REM (dream) sleep into full consciousness with NO reality-enhancing transition.
Admit it, the fellow is a "master" of the unmastered mood swing, the radical departure, the mistaking of vulgar and insulting vindictiveness for rational justification of attitude, etc.
He does not take time even to rub the sleep out from behind his puffy eyelids; hedoes not readily distinguish between the outline of reality and the shape of dreams.
Up from the hay he hops, to tweet out the latest sanguinary nightmare horrors left over, which he has not yet realised have nothing to do with the concrete, indifferent universe.
I rather sympathise.
The best and most restful way to wake up, for me, IS in a somewhat agitated mental state, facing what I believe is:
1) a situation I am supposed to manage but whose elements and actors keep getting more and more hopelessly dispersed;
2) a targeted journey I am supposed to make but which follows absurder and absurder detours, or stumbles down dry arroyos that defy backtracking; or
3) trying to explain away some moral guilt or ethical fault for which I hold no responsibility whatsoever---but all the evidence points my way!
I panic and start to tweet, though. After a minute of anguish, I realise: I'm on my back, I'm in my bed, I'm awake; nothing is wrong!
I could counsel Trump on this, but it would cost $$$.
They stem from a basically schizoid personality, which awakes from REM (dream) sleep into full consciousness with NO reality-enhancing transition.
Admit it, the fellow is a "master" of the unmastered mood swing, the radical departure, the mistaking of vulgar and insulting vindictiveness for rational justification of attitude, etc.
He does not take time even to rub the sleep out from behind his puffy eyelids; hedoes not readily distinguish between the outline of reality and the shape of dreams.
Up from the hay he hops, to tweet out the latest sanguinary nightmare horrors left over, which he has not yet realised have nothing to do with the concrete, indifferent universe.
I rather sympathise.
The best and most restful way to wake up, for me, IS in a somewhat agitated mental state, facing what I believe is:
1) a situation I am supposed to manage but whose elements and actors keep getting more and more hopelessly dispersed;
2) a targeted journey I am supposed to make but which follows absurder and absurder detours, or stumbles down dry arroyos that defy backtracking; or
3) trying to explain away some moral guilt or ethical fault for which I hold no responsibility whatsoever---but all the evidence points my way!
I panic and start to tweet, though. After a minute of anguish, I realise: I'm on my back, I'm in my bed, I'm awake; nothing is wrong!
I could counsel Trump on this, but it would cost $$$.
4
Although it's been said - many times, many ways - it is truly stunning to onlookers & outsiders how America flew so high with the Obamas as their representative family for 8 yrs to the lightning swift lower depths of the Trump regime. The British Parliament debates whether the likes of Trump should even be admitted to visit the Queen; most western governments endure ratings high protests whenever there is a possibility he comes to call. Most tightly cross their fingers he won't bother.
Despite what he says to the contrary, no wonder he has turned to Russia, to the Middle East & to China for profit in his smarmy, amoral business dealings. Most everyone else in the free world not only would not trust him for a millisecond, but also deeply despises him & his clan.
Despite what he says to the contrary, no wonder he has turned to Russia, to the Middle East & to China for profit in his smarmy, amoral business dealings. Most everyone else in the free world not only would not trust him for a millisecond, but also deeply despises him & his clan.
16
Is there any way we can have another election to remove this person from the Presidency?
I cannot imagine how the man got elected, as I wondered why so many people went to his political meetings and were so enthusiastic about him. I was scared of him from the beginning when I saw how engaged people were who went to his meetings and I only had negative feelings toward him. I was surprised at the people who proudly told us how they voted for him. I recall his bragging about how he treated women who were in his beauty contests. He is a vile person and so his family. What woman would marry a man like that unless it is for money?She acts like a store dummy. No expression- just walking around in designer
clothes and never appearing to speak. Perhaps she is only allowed to speak when he tells her to. I bet the Russians stayed up all night when they were waiting for the election results and the vodka flowed when Trump was elected. Things worked out just they way they wanted. Is there any chance of removing Trump from office? What would he have to do to be charged with ? some crime?
Or stupidity? He obviously knows what he is doing. Smarter people than me never expected him to win the election. I wish they could catch him in some of his crooked actions and arrest him. Could not happen to a more worthy person.
I cannot imagine how the man got elected, as I wondered why so many people went to his political meetings and were so enthusiastic about him. I was scared of him from the beginning when I saw how engaged people were who went to his meetings and I only had negative feelings toward him. I was surprised at the people who proudly told us how they voted for him. I recall his bragging about how he treated women who were in his beauty contests. He is a vile person and so his family. What woman would marry a man like that unless it is for money?She acts like a store dummy. No expression- just walking around in designer
clothes and never appearing to speak. Perhaps she is only allowed to speak when he tells her to. I bet the Russians stayed up all night when they were waiting for the election results and the vodka flowed when Trump was elected. Things worked out just they way they wanted. Is there any chance of removing Trump from office? What would he have to do to be charged with ? some crime?
Or stupidity? He obviously knows what he is doing. Smarter people than me never expected him to win the election. I wish they could catch him in some of his crooked actions and arrest him. Could not happen to a more worthy person.
10
I swore of politics for the duration when I read the election results on November 9, but succumbed to Mr. Blow's catchy headline. But I have to point out, hey, we elected a White Man, the archetypal representative of the last 3 millenia or so. And what is the hallmark of the group? Isn't it power, control, and exploitation? We got what some of us, at least, wanted.
2
America did not elect a parasite, the majority of people in only 30 states did. Please do not blame the majority of voters for the stupidity of the minority of voters. Trump still lost the popular vote by 2.9 million votes.
19
"America elected a parasite." Oh yes, and if Clinton had been more quick-witted she might have won the election.
During the second debate, as Clinton argued that failing to release tax forms was near proof that Trump payed little or no federal income tax, he interjected "That makes me smart" (that's from memory). That phrase resonated with voters, but it wouldn't have if she had replied, "No, that makes you a parasite."
She could have ridden that rhetorical pony into the White House.
During the second debate, as Clinton argued that failing to release tax forms was near proof that Trump payed little or no federal income tax, he interjected "That makes me smart" (that's from memory). That phrase resonated with voters, but it wouldn't have if she had replied, "No, that makes you a parasite."
She could have ridden that rhetorical pony into the White House.
13
The man is repulsive and intensely disliked by over 200 million people.
Trump knows it -- so he tries harder to impress -- but only manages to depress the spirit of sensible people who care more about our country than they do themselves.
Repeat: the man-child narcissist is intensely disliked by over 200 million people.
Trump knows it -- so he tries harder to impress -- but only manages to depress the spirit of sensible people who care more about our country than they do themselves.
Repeat: the man-child narcissist is intensely disliked by over 200 million people.
23
Trump is admittedly unfit for the office he now holds. What puzzles me is that the Dems do not all point this out and forcefully, every day. The GOPers did with Obama. Even the most vile lies, for example, the "birther" lie, got headlines. The Dems need to rev up their propaganda machine against Trump and the GOP. Soon!
26
Nothing in nature resembles Trump, so give parasites a break.
Okay to use vampires, though.
Trump is more something conjured in an Alice in Wonderland nightmare, where nothing fits, up is down, and there is no potion for the vertigo.
But despicable as he is, Trump is only the tip of the iceberg-frozen wasteland that is his base. The mob who put him up and will stay with him no matter what he does or says even if what he says defies all reason, sense, decorum, civility, norms, rules, and conscience. He has none of those. And you can assume neither do some of them.
So, it's your neighbor, or people in the next county, or your relative, or the sanctimonious church goers, or the nurse's aides or the guy behind the counter. They're more concentrated in some areas than in others, but there are enough of them that they inflicted him on all of us.
So how do we get to the mob and make them see what a debacle he is and make them vote both in their self-interest and in ours?
Okay to use vampires, though.
Trump is more something conjured in an Alice in Wonderland nightmare, where nothing fits, up is down, and there is no potion for the vertigo.
But despicable as he is, Trump is only the tip of the iceberg-frozen wasteland that is his base. The mob who put him up and will stay with him no matter what he does or says even if what he says defies all reason, sense, decorum, civility, norms, rules, and conscience. He has none of those. And you can assume neither do some of them.
So, it's your neighbor, or people in the next county, or your relative, or the sanctimonious church goers, or the nurse's aides or the guy behind the counter. They're more concentrated in some areas than in others, but there are enough of them that they inflicted him on all of us.
So how do we get to the mob and make them see what a debacle he is and make them vote both in their self-interest and in ours?
7
I'm confused about why anybody even considered that this small-handed man would somehow magically change when he was given an office shaped like an egg. He has sold the office, in fact the country, to the highest bidders: a bunch of billionaires and Putin, and who knows who else, and is in the game solely for his personal gains at the cost of everyone else. He a parasite, and a dangerous one like Ebola that kills its hosts and leaves a bloody mess every time. I'm flabbergasted that many Americans are still choosing to be blind to the obvious facts.
10
His supporters who brought him to power should be billed for his trips. They have lead to the election of the Trump brood. A political system that allows for this type of election and gives one individual so much power must be corrected. This government is now worse than any Banana Republic with its corrupt leaders. How long will this go on?
7
The election of Donald Trump is our domestic 9/11.
We did it to ourselves. Perhaps the single most irresponsible act by Americans since secession.
The damage will be incalucuble.
I pray for our children.
We did it to ourselves. Perhaps the single most irresponsible act by Americans since secession.
The damage will be incalucuble.
I pray for our children.
15
The voter who elected Trump (remember they are a minority) are delighted with the promise of deregulations which will come in the wake of Trump's deconstruction of the administration. Why? Because it is their belief that they can be as rich as Trump if given the chance if only those regulations and laws were eliminated. This is self serving, greedy and detrimental to the good of the all. It really is about the pursuit of money and subjugating those who are deemed not worthy, whether they be another race, another gender or economically disadvantaged.
2
FYI Mr. Blow according to George Lakeoff Trump's late night seemingly unpredictable tweets are anything but unsound. As a media personality Trump knows exactly what he is doing. Whenever he is facing scrutiny on a legitimate issue such as his overseas business dealings he tweets something incendiary as a way to misdirect and distract the pubic and the media. We then spend days on end getting to the bottom of said tweets and forget about the more serious infractions of his so called presidency. I would suggest that the media and the public stop falling for the bait and start concentrating on the real issues of this man's and his family's financial and other business interests.
4
Trump is like a parent distracting their child with funny faces and twirling spoons,
so that needed medicine can be dispensed. Unfortunately while Trump distracts with spins, whirls and tweets, his reprehensible cabinet and the republican congress will deliver poison to the American people, our allies and the environment.
so that needed medicine can be dispensed. Unfortunately while Trump distracts with spins, whirls and tweets, his reprehensible cabinet and the republican congress will deliver poison to the American people, our allies and the environment.
6
This presentation is so on target. Keep speaking out! We have so much to lose. As Bannon and Company seek to de-construct our government institutions, what is the ultimate order that they envision? Or, is there a vision?
4
Keep using the word parasite! It fits perfectly and this parasite with it's totally inept, uncaring entourage will be the end of the United States as we know it. How quickly this parasitic behavior has spread to the republicans in congress. People got the disease they voted for. And those of us who did not vote for it are now watching it ravage our country.
2
Trump is a narcissist, plain and simple. You don't need a mental health professional's assessment to figure that out. His ego inflates with press coverage whether it is positive or negative. However, a narcissist's ego is easily deflated. So, here is an idea to hasten deflation. No more photo journalism. No more pictures of him in the news. Report what he does, says, and where he goes, but do not frame it with his picture. This might frustrate him to the point where he would lash out at everybody (a narcissist holds no loyalties) exposing his psychological deficits or he might start to shrivel up. We need to start thinking out of the box.
3
Mr. Blow's analysis is entirely correct. Trump is a poor excuse as a President;he is nothing but a demagogue who got lucky because of the electoral college, which should have been abolished long ago as the choice of senatorial candidates was.
There are actually competent people who are truly qualified to be President. They won't run. I wonder why.
Trump should be lawfully removed from office for high crimes and misdemeanors as provided for in the Constitution and that immediately. He and his minions are an absolute disgrace to this country.
There are actually competent people who are truly qualified to be President. They won't run. I wonder why.
Trump should be lawfully removed from office for high crimes and misdemeanors as provided for in the Constitution and that immediately. He and his minions are an absolute disgrace to this country.
13
Trump was supposed to represent a way to a better life for his supporters, but that was just window dressing. The Republican base is actually driven by racial hate mongering, Islamophobia, and disrespect for a woman's rights to seek healthcare on her own terms (the only thing that matters to the Christian right). Now the GOP leadership, Ryan and McConnell, are focused on destroying Medicare, Social Security regulatory control of Wall St. and the environment. Ryan and McConnell are the forces acting on behalf of the 0.1% and they couldn't care less if their base starves or dies for lack of health care. Trump is the GOP TV clown distracting the media and amusing the base while taking orders from neo-fascist Stephen Bannon. Trump is in fact the servant of his masters but he is too dense to realize his true political role. There is nothing there but an empty baseball cap.
9
We should thank the Insane Clown President. He has taken the lid off the garbage can we call "the government". We now can see the maggots and rotting flesh we call congressman and senators (at least the Republican ones).
Take Trumpcare for instance. Ryan has gotten in front of the cameras with his powerpoint presentation and essentially lied about the motive behind it. I printed it out and read it (more then I can say for The Donald).
Why isn't Ryan and the rest of the conservatives truthful about the motive, which is to screw the poor and less fortunate ("The Takers") and put money in the hands of the rich, the insurance companies and the Pharms?
Bad
Sad
Take Trumpcare for instance. Ryan has gotten in front of the cameras with his powerpoint presentation and essentially lied about the motive behind it. I printed it out and read it (more then I can say for The Donald).
Why isn't Ryan and the rest of the conservatives truthful about the motive, which is to screw the poor and less fortunate ("The Takers") and put money in the hands of the rich, the insurance companies and the Pharms?
Bad
Sad
4
Points well-taken. It's quixotic to even start a list of Trump's egregious acts and statements, because no list can be complete. But he could not reign as Parasite-in-Chief without the support of the republican party, especially the feckless leadership of Ryan and McConnell, who seem content to have an unstable narcissist and his sociopath sidekick sowing mayhem while they move forward with a radical agenda that will disenfranchise, incarcerate, and impoverish more people. While the first family seeks to profit personally and refuses to separate private from public matters.
Who knew the red cap's tagline would represent such dark humor so quickly?
Who knew the red cap's tagline would represent such dark humor so quickly?
2
The massive lie-telling will have consequences. Even if we have 2 or 4 or 8 more years of Trump there will come a time when the Democrats will be in control. When that happens, I will be pressing my representatives *hard* to turn over every stone, wherever impropriety may lie - whether it's looking into Bannon, Kushner, Pruitt, Roger Stone or any of the other sleaze-balls that have been skulking around the White House. When the time comes I hope the Democrats make the Benghazi hearings looks like a kid's pizza party. My greatest hope is that Trump will be spending his "golden" years in disgrace and that his children will be paupers. The rules have changed and Trump is the one that changed the rules. Retribution will have it's day.
7
I don't care about his temperament. I believe he is going far too slow in draining the swamp of excess government especially the excess in workers. I believe that he is way too soft on the media. Now I wish he would not tweet, but that is his direct communication device. I also believe he has not been aggressive enough with congress. Anybody who expected a radically different person was living in some alternative reality, perhaps where Hillary won or Obama could have more time to mess up our country.
3
Calling Trump a parasite is an insult...to parasites. His actions and those of Scott Pruitt (new EPA head) claiming that CO2 is not a likely cause of global warming when virtually 100% of peer reviewed science says that CO2, among other greenhouse gases that we humans emit by burning fossil fuels is THE primary cause of global warming.
With over 40 years of EPA and good science establishing reasonable regs that protect all life, including humans, from the predatory behavior of most major corporations (maximizing quarterly profits at ALL costs), how can our system allow sleaze bags like Trump and his henchmen to eviscerate 40 years of good smart work in a matter of a few weeks? How can our system of governing enable Bannon (Trump's puppet master) to "deconstruct" (aka "destroy) our government (of, by, and for the people) in weeks after a 240 year run? This is insane. We must not allow these awful people destroy our children's' future.
With over 40 years of EPA and good science establishing reasonable regs that protect all life, including humans, from the predatory behavior of most major corporations (maximizing quarterly profits at ALL costs), how can our system allow sleaze bags like Trump and his henchmen to eviscerate 40 years of good smart work in a matter of a few weeks? How can our system of governing enable Bannon (Trump's puppet master) to "deconstruct" (aka "destroy) our government (of, by, and for the people) in weeks after a 240 year run? This is insane. We must not allow these awful people destroy our children's' future.
4
That this nation has undergone a right wing coup just as we have witnessed in other unfortunate countries. Trump who was put in office by a minority of voters is the front man for sinister a corporate fascist state known as the GOP.
We must stand up and demand that Democrats in Congress act against Trump with every force remaining. They must not allow him to fill a single Supreme Court seat. We must energize voters to reject all Republican House and Senate candidates in 2018. Thia will be the most important midterm election in history and anti-Trump forces must vote. We cannot allow 25 million racists and Christian fundamentalists to control our nation of 326 million people.
We must stand up and demand that Democrats in Congress act against Trump with every force remaining. They must not allow him to fill a single Supreme Court seat. We must energize voters to reject all Republican House and Senate candidates in 2018. Thia will be the most important midterm election in history and anti-Trump forces must vote. We cannot allow 25 million racists and Christian fundamentalists to control our nation of 326 million people.
8
Incompetence destroys. Trump is incompetent. The GOP wants to drown the government in a bathtub. Trump is exactly what they want.
As we programmers sarcastically say of software errors: it's not a bug, its a feature.
As we programmers sarcastically say of software errors: it's not a bug, its a feature.
7
Perhaps reporting each and every visit by any of the trumps to anywhere and including the costs to taxpayers would awaken some of the idiots who supported him. Just saying it costs millions means little, since most folks think our country has unlimited money and can always print more.
6
Mr. Blow writes eloquently about the current damage Trump is doing to our nation. The sickening atmosphere of uncertainty and fear is gripping the country and impacting everyone's daily lives. This is the ONLY card Trump and his deconstruction stooges have to play! They offer/threaten the "deconstruction of the administrative state" while providing no viable, humane alternative for governance. They really seek to bulldoze the will of the people into acquiescence and helpless submission. This story, in less than a 100 days, has gotten old and stale. My question is: what are we waiting for?! Trump is, presently, in violation of the Constitution and a party to treason. These issues are clear and irrefutable. The Obama wiretap accusations are pure fiction used to stoke their base, defile Obama, and deflect from the own felonious, traitorous deeds. Believe me! If Obama had been guilty of such behavior he would already be facing subpoenas and impeachment. The point is that it is time to initiate the processes of removal of this monster from office. Once his unfounded wiretap accusation is debunked we will have clear evidence of his psychological incompetence to serve and govern. The GOP will NOT initiate this until the Titanic hits the iceberg. It's not their choice......it's OURS....."There is nothing to fear but fear itself".........
6
Is there any chance that Trump might have a heart condition or a disease that he has not revealed? I suppose since he is on his third wife that his health is ok. We would not be lucky enough to hear that he has a chronic disease and as a result, will have to turn in his keys to the White House. There has to be a reason that we can use to remove this man from the Presidency. The idiots who voted for him and the idiots who did not vote against him deserve what they get. How about the Democrat and Independents who voted? Why should we have to watch this piece of dirt live like a king and perhaps get us into a war with some country that offended him. His frequent trips to Florida on our tab shows us what a poor excuse for a President he is. He's there for the goodies. Forget doing anything constructive.
5
In Wisconsin, things have been so gerrymandered that the opinions of independents don't even count. I know the presidential vote is state-wide, but don't look at these approval numbers to translate into any change in mid-term elections. They have liberated themselves from general public opinion.
9
Mr Blow accurately describes the several appalling characteristics of Trump. The buffoonery, dishonesty, disruptiveness, and incompetence are unlikely to change, especially since Trump says he is the smartest, healthiest person in the world, with the best temperament, that is, no improvement is needed. However, in the reality-world, he is not functioning as a president, and he could not do so even on his best day. However, he is ideally suited to the role of clown or useful idiot for Bannon and the GOP. Trump distracts the marks with his craziness, while his accomplices steal their money and their freedom. Bannon and the GOP own every mistake Trump has made or will make in office. Some will buy Trump's excuse that everything bad came from Obama, but even some Trump voters are starting to see the mistake they made in electing him.
1
There must be a way to legally unseat this executive, and return government to competent leaders. We're barely paying attention to world events while trying to keep up with the daily insanity emanating from the White House. Unfounded accusations to distract, poorly assembled programs to show movement, ending in embarrassment or death, lies, lies, lies, and then there are the Russians. Trump has been in office only fifty days, and we are in tatters. Do we go along with the pretense of government as usual, or do we fight to make America sane again.
2
Mr Blow accurately describes Trump as a parasite, in addition to all the many other grotesque descriptions that generally apply to him. The most basic premise about him is that his sole purpose in life is to enrich himself and his family, and the most effective way to do this of course is to expand his empire. He will do whatever is necessary to achieve this objective and the presidency provides him with the perfect venue. He used millions of Americans to get elected (by virtue of the Electoral College), although it is worth repeating that he lost the election by almost three million votes. The desperately sad thing is that he doesn’t actually care about those people, the ones who really believe he could and would improve their lives, because ultimately, he won’t.
Not much airtime is given at the moment to his bromance with Putin. Trump won’t say a bad word about Putin and the obvious reason, to me at least, is that he wants to expand his business into Russia, but he will jeopardise this if he says anything to offend Putin personally – consequently the high praise, which doesn’t appear to have diminished. It boils down to a business decision, which gets back to the original premise.
A state visit to my country, the UK, is still on the cards but the level of opposition/disgust at the prospect is increasing, particularly the notion that our Queen should have to meet him. He must surely be aware of this. He is not welcome in the United Kingdom.
Not much airtime is given at the moment to his bromance with Putin. Trump won’t say a bad word about Putin and the obvious reason, to me at least, is that he wants to expand his business into Russia, but he will jeopardise this if he says anything to offend Putin personally – consequently the high praise, which doesn’t appear to have diminished. It boils down to a business decision, which gets back to the original premise.
A state visit to my country, the UK, is still on the cards but the level of opposition/disgust at the prospect is increasing, particularly the notion that our Queen should have to meet him. He must surely be aware of this. He is not welcome in the United Kingdom.
2
Like the pompous pied piper leading the way,
chirping his tune of a dawning new day,
frustrations were championed, oh how we followed,
the ego stuffed shirt of a suit cold and hollow.
From the top of the hill, he showed us the view,
convincing our eyes it was harshly askew.
Nearing the cliffs as if caught in a spell,
he fed us like lambs from his poisonous well.
Touting sweet taste of his truth well embittered,
ignoring the signs of nonsensical twitter,
rot with the smell of the nations decay,
we drank from his cup of a water so gray.
There's no turning back once we swore the man in,
believing bright futures were soon to begin,
blinding frustration gave evil its day
for the pompous pied piper to lead us astray.
He led us to thinking, all driven by fear,
then gave his directives so cryptically clear,
stripping the values by which we would stand
before the American dream had been banned.
Then some were shaken, disrupting his spell
and found he was stealing our Liberty Bell.
The fog began lifting and soon we would see
the piper exposed as the fraud he would be.
Time has a way, proven over again,
of playing its imminent part.
The shedding of light upon every mans soul,
exposing his darkness of heart.
No longer seduced by the piping we hear,
choosing to see through the veil,
Democracy once again fights to survive,
let us all pray we prevail! -Jeannie Minor
chirping his tune of a dawning new day,
frustrations were championed, oh how we followed,
the ego stuffed shirt of a suit cold and hollow.
From the top of the hill, he showed us the view,
convincing our eyes it was harshly askew.
Nearing the cliffs as if caught in a spell,
he fed us like lambs from his poisonous well.
Touting sweet taste of his truth well embittered,
ignoring the signs of nonsensical twitter,
rot with the smell of the nations decay,
we drank from his cup of a water so gray.
There's no turning back once we swore the man in,
believing bright futures were soon to begin,
blinding frustration gave evil its day
for the pompous pied piper to lead us astray.
He led us to thinking, all driven by fear,
then gave his directives so cryptically clear,
stripping the values by which we would stand
before the American dream had been banned.
Then some were shaken, disrupting his spell
and found he was stealing our Liberty Bell.
The fog began lifting and soon we would see
the piper exposed as the fraud he would be.
Time has a way, proven over again,
of playing its imminent part.
The shedding of light upon every mans soul,
exposing his darkness of heart.
No longer seduced by the piping we hear,
choosing to see through the veil,
Democracy once again fights to survive,
let us all pray we prevail! -Jeannie Minor
3
Trump doesn't know any better because of what seems to be some kind of mental disorder.
The Republicans in Congress do know better, yet the majority have continued to enable this man who has demonstrated over and over that he is not fit to be President.
It did not take a petition with 26,000 signatures of alarmed mental health workers making that point, for reasonable people to see this.
The hypocrisy of those enabling Republicans is staggering. They have let slide or ignored Trump's demonstrated inability to grasp or carry out the job of the presidency, yet spent eight years denigrating, obstructing, and down playing President Obama's policies and achievements, including correcting the shedding of nearly 800,000 jobs, and an unemployment rate of 10 per cent when he took office.
Adding jobs, thus pulling the country out of a deep recession within a year. An unemployment rate of 4.7 and the addition of 11.3 million jobs when he left office has meant nothing to them.
The more he tried to do for the American people, , and demonstrated his ability to run the country, the more many Republicans tried to hobble or prevent him from doing so.
Now they have foisted a self-aggrandizing charlatan on the country with their years of unrelenting ,divisive, us and the other's propaganda. I wonder how even they can sleep at night.
The Republicans in Congress do know better, yet the majority have continued to enable this man who has demonstrated over and over that he is not fit to be President.
It did not take a petition with 26,000 signatures of alarmed mental health workers making that point, for reasonable people to see this.
The hypocrisy of those enabling Republicans is staggering. They have let slide or ignored Trump's demonstrated inability to grasp or carry out the job of the presidency, yet spent eight years denigrating, obstructing, and down playing President Obama's policies and achievements, including correcting the shedding of nearly 800,000 jobs, and an unemployment rate of 10 per cent when he took office.
Adding jobs, thus pulling the country out of a deep recession within a year. An unemployment rate of 4.7 and the addition of 11.3 million jobs when he left office has meant nothing to them.
The more he tried to do for the American people, , and demonstrated his ability to run the country, the more many Republicans tried to hobble or prevent him from doing so.
Now they have foisted a self-aggrandizing charlatan on the country with their years of unrelenting ,divisive, us and the other's propaganda. I wonder how even they can sleep at night.
3
I am Venezuelan. For the past 17+ years I have watched democracy get eaten from the inside out by the corrupt, equally parasitic, kleptocracy headed by another hot-headed buffoon: Hugo Chavez. (And let me add--as BAD as Chavez was, he was better than the Sadamm Hussein-wanabee in power now). Equally troubling, this was also a regime that had nefarious ties to Russia. But I digress.
Conventional wisdom would dictate that the campaign of disinformation was able to flourish in Venezuela because large swaths of the populace was uneducated, in fact, barely literate. Conventional wisdom would have predicted such a thing would not happen here--and we could have pointed to the literacy rates of both countries as comparison points--and rested easy.
Alas, that would have been the wrong analysis.
What has happened in this country is the direct result of the "dumbing down" of America. I can blame many things--in fact, many will blame the public education system, but It think it's a combination of factors. From our choice of entertainment (shoot up em, black/white, wrong/right movies) to the lack of critical thinkings skills to--and let's be honest--the dwindling of upward mobility. Throw in Fox News, master manipulator, and voila: A huge number of people are now voting against their own self interest and feel good doing so.
It. Can. Be. Fixed.
It is not too late for us--we do have one weapon here that did not exist back then: social media. Demi would be smart to leverage that.
Conventional wisdom would dictate that the campaign of disinformation was able to flourish in Venezuela because large swaths of the populace was uneducated, in fact, barely literate. Conventional wisdom would have predicted such a thing would not happen here--and we could have pointed to the literacy rates of both countries as comparison points--and rested easy.
Alas, that would have been the wrong analysis.
What has happened in this country is the direct result of the "dumbing down" of America. I can blame many things--in fact, many will blame the public education system, but It think it's a combination of factors. From our choice of entertainment (shoot up em, black/white, wrong/right movies) to the lack of critical thinkings skills to--and let's be honest--the dwindling of upward mobility. Throw in Fox News, master manipulator, and voila: A huge number of people are now voting against their own self interest and feel good doing so.
It. Can. Be. Fixed.
It is not too late for us--we do have one weapon here that did not exist back then: social media. Demi would be smart to leverage that.
5
The parasitic invasion of Trump and his steward, Bannon, are the most egregious symptom of a distressed political climate. This article accurately portrays our current - gangrenous - problem in the White House. We will feel better when the affected limb is lopped off; but we won't have solved the problem. Republican control of all major law-deciding bodies is the real problem. Their stubborn approval of our temperamental, thin-skinned president resembles more the thugs that buoy Duterte and other dangerous leaders than representatives in a democratic republic. Even if we cut off the head of the roach and incapacitate Trump, the colony that created him will remain.
4
I read a lot of commenters asking what can be done. Also I'm sure there are republicans who are just waiting and plotting against trump to make their move. In the meantime may I suggest thinking about:
Civil disobedience. The active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, and commands of a government. Civil disobedience is a symbolic or ritualistic violation of the law, rather than a rejection of the system as a whole. Civil disobedience. Who's in?
Civil disobedience. The active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, and commands of a government. Civil disobedience is a symbolic or ritualistic violation of the law, rather than a rejection of the system as a whole. Civil disobedience. Who's in?
2
Charles Blow doesn't exaggerate, he understates the case. Trump is in total violation of the emoluments clause of the Constitution. However, the Republican Congress is no check on this president. Trump's wealth comes not from building things (he was a failure at that), but by lending his name to enterprises. Trump's gambit was to save his financial empire by burnishing his brand. He is enriching himself at the expense of the taxpayer and is totally corrupt. He lies left and right to cover up his foul stench. He takes credit for other's work even as he destroys what brought about good changes. How much destruction do we need to see before the truth is evident to the vast majority of the people? We don't need everyone to see, just enough to vote differently on the first possible occasion.
4
"He has signed a slew of executive actions to demonstrate his power and signal his administrative direction. . . As Business Insider pointed out, as of March 6, “The 45th president has signed 34 executive actions so far, with far-reaching effects on Americans’ lives.” These included “16 executive orders in 45 days.”
I recall hearing on a CBS news radio broadcast shortly after Trump took office that he stated he had no idea how difficult this job would be. Good God - it's one thing to think and believe that, but it's another to actually admit that aloud. That only shows how shallow and ill equipped he was from the gate at the daunting task of President of the United States.
Frankly, I see him as merely signing executive orders day in and day out of the things he either dislikes or wants - with absolutely NO regard for the American people or guests from other countries and then either plays golf and/or Tweets the remainder of his time. If only he cared half as much about the American people as he does about his precious tweets.
I often do not agree with Mr. Blow's point of view. But today's column was not only spot on, but a useful and necessary score card of what has (and has not) been accomplished thus. Also, the amount of money being spent on security for his family, extended family, and everyone in between, is staggering. I would not be surprised if that dollar amount was more than what half of this country's citizens make in a year.
3
A suggestion about Mr Blow's (and other journalists') vocabulary: "Trump will continue to follow Bannon’s philosophy of internal deconstruction of our government, its principles and its institutions."
The relevant word, I believe, is "destruction," not "deconstruction." Deconstruction has a purpose--to understand the design, functions, and dysfunctions of a work of literature, or by extension, of an institution. We "deconstruct" X to understand how X works. We deconstruct to understand how institutions function when we need to re-form or rebuild them to remedy their historical weaknesses and equip them to meet new challenges.
There is no constructive purpose in Bannon's criticism of the "administrative state." Uncovering any harmful outcome at all in its history gives him an excuse to demolish it.
The online Oxford living dictionary offers a definition rooted in the work of deconstruction theorists such as Jacques Derrida: "A method of critical analysis of philosophical and literary language which emphasizes the internal workings of language and conceptual systems, the relational quality of meaning, and the assumptions implicit in forms of expression."
Let's not assume that Bannon's white supremacist mind can accomplish "critical analysis" for the purpose of strengthening any pillar of democracy such as equal treatment under the law: deconstruction without reconstruction is simply destruction; Bannon aims to destroy, not to reform.
The relevant word, I believe, is "destruction," not "deconstruction." Deconstruction has a purpose--to understand the design, functions, and dysfunctions of a work of literature, or by extension, of an institution. We "deconstruct" X to understand how X works. We deconstruct to understand how institutions function when we need to re-form or rebuild them to remedy their historical weaknesses and equip them to meet new challenges.
There is no constructive purpose in Bannon's criticism of the "administrative state." Uncovering any harmful outcome at all in its history gives him an excuse to demolish it.
The online Oxford living dictionary offers a definition rooted in the work of deconstruction theorists such as Jacques Derrida: "A method of critical analysis of philosophical and literary language which emphasizes the internal workings of language and conceptual systems, the relational quality of meaning, and the assumptions implicit in forms of expression."
Let's not assume that Bannon's white supremacist mind can accomplish "critical analysis" for the purpose of strengthening any pillar of democracy such as equal treatment under the law: deconstruction without reconstruction is simply destruction; Bannon aims to destroy, not to reform.
3
Yup - low affect people can be this way. What is sad is how many Trump supporters don't get this. It isn't that we are supporting individualism, what we are supporting is a government that takes from the poor, powerless and vulnerable to make the rich richer. That's not individualism, that's ownership. This is not a leader, this is an owner. And the only reason to support this man, from business people, to his advisors to those elected to Congress, is because they too are hoping to benefit. And some of them will - but as few as possible, because while low affect types like this demand loyalty, their word means nothing. Loyalty is not reciprocated, it is only exploited when dealing with folks like this. And not all low affect people turn out this way, just ones who experience no consequences. Oh, and name calling is not a consequence. They really don't care - low affect people have to develop a cognitive principle of caring, they don't feel for others our feel influenced by others the same as people who show up higher on the spectrum of affect. It is unrealistic to assume a man born into wealth and raised to feel entitled is going to have developed a cognitive level of empathy.
3
'President' means something. Something to the Constitution. Something to history. Something to Trump. The President of the US, unlike the Trump of Trumpworks, works for US, only incidentally for himself. Net economic benefit of legislation is not an entry on a scorecard. It means profit only to its sponsors unless its benefit -- economic, security, infrastructure, opportunity, societal and health -- returns to Everyone.
1
Don't sugar coat it, Mr. Blow. Give us the bad news.
Parasites don't normally kill their hosts as evidenced by members of Congress, who, at least, avoid destroying the organism, in this case the United States, from which they draw sustenance.
There is something worse. A parasitoid is an organism that ultimately kills its host. Its a little difficult to tell parasites and parasitoid apart; but the fate of the host will usually define the nature of the relationship.
Trump University is now defunct. Trump Vodka is no longer sold in the United States but still exists as a Passover beverage in Israel. Trump Steaks were only sold at The Sharper Image, which went bankrupt in 2008, for two months before being discontinued. Trump Shuttle flies no more. Trump Magazine folded, as did Trump Mortgage.
Except for Celebrity Apprentice and Trump Hotels, relationships with Trump appear to have a limited life span.
The prognosis for Trump America may not be good.
Parasites don't normally kill their hosts as evidenced by members of Congress, who, at least, avoid destroying the organism, in this case the United States, from which they draw sustenance.
There is something worse. A parasitoid is an organism that ultimately kills its host. Its a little difficult to tell parasites and parasitoid apart; but the fate of the host will usually define the nature of the relationship.
Trump University is now defunct. Trump Vodka is no longer sold in the United States but still exists as a Passover beverage in Israel. Trump Steaks were only sold at The Sharper Image, which went bankrupt in 2008, for two months before being discontinued. Trump Shuttle flies no more. Trump Magazine folded, as did Trump Mortgage.
Except for Celebrity Apprentice and Trump Hotels, relationships with Trump appear to have a limited life span.
The prognosis for Trump America may not be good.
3
"In addition, federal agencies and the Republican-controlled Congress have 'delayed, suspended or reversed' more than 90 regulations in the short time since President Trump took office . . ."
This statistic may thrill Bannon, architect of the plan to dismantle the so-called "administrative state." However, Bannon's joy would be short sighted, since it ignores how our government works.
Here's a refresher on Administrative Law:
1. Congress is responsible for passing bills, which the president then signs into law.
2. The president is responsible for implementing laws.
3. Since the White House is not equipped for the day-to-day oversight of federal law, federal administrative agencies in the executive branch promulgate regulations that implement the operative provisions of federal statutes.
What is the effect of delaying, suspending or reversing 90 regulations? It amounts to yelling "Sue Me" 90 times over.
Why? Well, if the statute is still on the books, then the executive branch will have defaulted 90 times on its constitutional obligation to see to it that the nation's laws are carried out.
If I were a lawyer at one of the nonprofit watchdogs in D.C., I'd be salivating at having been given such an easy target for litigation.
This statistic may thrill Bannon, architect of the plan to dismantle the so-called "administrative state." However, Bannon's joy would be short sighted, since it ignores how our government works.
Here's a refresher on Administrative Law:
1. Congress is responsible for passing bills, which the president then signs into law.
2. The president is responsible for implementing laws.
3. Since the White House is not equipped for the day-to-day oversight of federal law, federal administrative agencies in the executive branch promulgate regulations that implement the operative provisions of federal statutes.
What is the effect of delaying, suspending or reversing 90 regulations? It amounts to yelling "Sue Me" 90 times over.
Why? Well, if the statute is still on the books, then the executive branch will have defaulted 90 times on its constitutional obligation to see to it that the nation's laws are carried out.
If I were a lawyer at one of the nonprofit watchdogs in D.C., I'd be salivating at having been given such an easy target for litigation.
2
Theodore Roosevelt, a rich Republican, busted up the big monopolies because he knew they hurt the working poor. He also loved and valued nature and passed laws to create public land. Ike Eisenhower, a military Republican, warned about industry taking over the military to so they could get even richer. His prediction came true. Even Nixon, paranoid as he was, created the EPA to protect the land, water, and air so people could have healthier lives.
What happened to the Republican party? Why are too many Republicans concerned with only helping themselves and their friends get richer while not caring if the middle class and poor drop dead? I double if Roosevelt, Eisenhower, or even Nixon could stand to be a Republican today. The GOP wants to destroy everything those presidents accomplished.
What happened to the Republican party? Why are too many Republicans concerned with only helping themselves and their friends get richer while not caring if the middle class and poor drop dead? I double if Roosevelt, Eisenhower, or even Nixon could stand to be a Republican today. The GOP wants to destroy everything those presidents accomplished.
64
It's " prosperity " gospel, the mega churches. All the prosperity is only for the " right " people.
3
Excellent!!!!! Thank you Mr. Blow. Keep it coming. The republic rises and falls with the free press....Pulitzer.
30
Provided there's someone left who can read and write and pay newsboys a decent wage.
1
During the Obama years Charles Blow wrote only about historical, racial prejudice against the Black community - primarily by law enforcement.
Now he writes only about Trump.
I guess he now has a higher calling.
Now he writes only about Trump.
I guess he now has a higher calling.
8
Trump is a clear and present danger to the country. That is why Blow is writing about him so much. This is not a left/right issue. This is about a president who is mentally unstable.
4
No one is forcing you to read this.
1
It may be time for NYT readers to begin developing a line of insults and caricatures for Mike Pence, just in case....
21
Unlike the President, VP Pence is a sane grownup. Elections have consequences, and although a conservative Republican won't please everyone, he will presumably end the chaos and disgrace.
1
I would take Pence over Trump 100,000 times over.
I may despise Pence and his policies but I think he is sane. Trump is mentally ill.
I may despise Pence and his policies but I think he is sane. Trump is mentally ill.
2
Charles,
Can you sleep at night? I can't. The Creature (you know who - I can't say its name) is in my bedroom. I talk to it in the haze of half-sleep. I wake up with a start when I realize that The Creature is actually the president. Oh My God! It's true.
I hope you can sleep at night so that you can continue to represent my thoughts and feelings to the world. Thank you.
Can you sleep at night? I can't. The Creature (you know who - I can't say its name) is in my bedroom. I talk to it in the haze of half-sleep. I wake up with a start when I realize that The Creature is actually the president. Oh My God! It's true.
I hope you can sleep at night so that you can continue to represent my thoughts and feelings to the world. Thank you.
43
I'm finding it difficult to sleep and I don't even live in the US. I'm thinking we (the world), has made an enormous mistake. America has become "too big to fail", whilst simultaneously abandoned its responsibility to ensure the leader of the leader of the free world is not detached from reality, not ignorant, not cruel and not presenting if not the best of the country, then at least a president who is not a danger to the free world.
Have you noticed how many psychologists have come out to say that the Goldwater Rule must be superseded by the "Duty to Warn" when a person presents a danger to the public. Thousands and thousands are now warning. I doubt you could find a hundreds who would publicly, in writing, say the opposite.
We are now in a position where barely a fortnight passes without Trumps mental stability becoming an issue. This is not going to get better. That office he holds reveals the man beneath, it doesn't change him. Think of how Obama was known to be a reasonably calm fellow before he took office and how much more he seemed to become (almost to the point of aloofness) over his presidency. Trumps personality disorders and character flaws are already getting worse.He's becoming more detached from reality by the week.
Have you noticed how many psychologists have come out to say that the Goldwater Rule must be superseded by the "Duty to Warn" when a person presents a danger to the public. Thousands and thousands are now warning. I doubt you could find a hundreds who would publicly, in writing, say the opposite.
We are now in a position where barely a fortnight passes without Trumps mental stability becoming an issue. This is not going to get better. That office he holds reveals the man beneath, it doesn't change him. Think of how Obama was known to be a reasonably calm fellow before he took office and how much more he seemed to become (almost to the point of aloofness) over his presidency. Trumps personality disorders and character flaws are already getting worse.He's becoming more detached from reality by the week.
4
I am not a Trump supporter. That said, why oh why does the media fall for everyone of Trump's distractions? Your article stands alone in raising how Trumps executive orders will not only drain the swamp but all of us other folk who will have been impacted. Why is it that front page of the Times doesn't just bullet point what Trump is proposing. The cost in both dollars and lives. Dumb is down, folks. Make it easy to connect the dots. As a candidate Trump was entertaining. As America's President he is beyond appalling
42
A parasite indeed. Trump is like a tapeworm making its way through the body politic. Keep it up, Charles. You are one of the leading voices of dissent. Do not falter. Do not waver. We will get through this if we remain strong.
57
Thank you Mr. Blow for your patriotic duty in the check and balances responsibility of our free press.
You and your fellow journalists do as much to protect democracy as our military whether you (and we) recognize that or not.
You and your fellow journalists do as much to protect democracy as our military whether you (and we) recognize that or not.
1
"Such a great country that allows you to be here". Sean Spicer to (Indian American) woman confronting him at Apple Store.
Drip. Drip. The Trump administration is slowly leaking to the world what they think it means to "Make America Great Again".
The Ku klux klan signs in Georgia. The Sikh stabbed in his home. The Indians killed at a bar in Kansas City. The Florida man threatening to burn down an Indian store in florida. The unprecedented level of Islamophobia. The swastikas painted on residences and buildings. The coordinated bomb threats nationwide...
'Deconstruction of the Administrative State' is code for Destruction of the American State.
America is great because of its values. If business growth and GDP and jobs alone were the metric, China is going to beat us hollow in a few years.
Trump is no ordinary parasite. He is a plague of biblical proportions.
Drip. Drip. The Trump administration is slowly leaking to the world what they think it means to "Make America Great Again".
The Ku klux klan signs in Georgia. The Sikh stabbed in his home. The Indians killed at a bar in Kansas City. The Florida man threatening to burn down an Indian store in florida. The unprecedented level of Islamophobia. The swastikas painted on residences and buildings. The coordinated bomb threats nationwide...
'Deconstruction of the Administrative State' is code for Destruction of the American State.
America is great because of its values. If business growth and GDP and jobs alone were the metric, China is going to beat us hollow in a few years.
Trump is no ordinary parasite. He is a plague of biblical proportions.
88
So they want to burn it all down. What do they want to build in its place?.
Because the entire presidential campaign avoided completely policy plans nobody knows what his plans are. I suspect Trump has no idea either, he wanted to win, not to be president. It is Bannon who has a plan. Do you realise you have essentially ended up with a president you did not vote for?
Bannon came on board because a super pac offered Trump millions with the condition Bannon and Kelly-Anne Conway lead the way. Because Trump values loyalty over everything Bannon and Conway followed him all the way the Whitehouse. With his plans. Have you ever listened to Bannon and Tump talking? It reminds one of Trumps interviews with right wing radio hosts that used to get Trump to say outrageous things by manipulating him- continual praise about how wonderful he is, guiding him into saying things he probably wouldn't ordinarily say. Using his personality disorder to manipulate him. It's really obvious and also really frightening how far trump will go for his narcissistic rewards/hits. Bannon, I suspect could talk Trump into anything. As could anyone with a little talent. Trumps rules for everyone else (like personal presentation) do not apply to Bannon, Trump wouldn't let anyone else get away with looking like he slept on the couch and just rolled into the office. He's the one with the power. And as he says himself, he wants to burn it all down. But is it just because he wants to watch it burn?
Because the entire presidential campaign avoided completely policy plans nobody knows what his plans are. I suspect Trump has no idea either, he wanted to win, not to be president. It is Bannon who has a plan. Do you realise you have essentially ended up with a president you did not vote for?
Bannon came on board because a super pac offered Trump millions with the condition Bannon and Kelly-Anne Conway lead the way. Because Trump values loyalty over everything Bannon and Conway followed him all the way the Whitehouse. With his plans. Have you ever listened to Bannon and Tump talking? It reminds one of Trumps interviews with right wing radio hosts that used to get Trump to say outrageous things by manipulating him- continual praise about how wonderful he is, guiding him into saying things he probably wouldn't ordinarily say. Using his personality disorder to manipulate him. It's really obvious and also really frightening how far trump will go for his narcissistic rewards/hits. Bannon, I suspect could talk Trump into anything. As could anyone with a little talent. Trumps rules for everyone else (like personal presentation) do not apply to Bannon, Trump wouldn't let anyone else get away with looking like he slept on the couch and just rolled into the office. He's the one with the power. And as he says himself, he wants to burn it all down. But is it just because he wants to watch it burn?
1
"Such a great country that allows you to be here."
What a shame if you couldn't be here anymore >:}
What a shame if you couldn't be here anymore >:}
"He continues to have explosive Twitter episodes — presumably in response to some news he finds unflattering or some conspiracy floated by fringe outlets — that make him look not only foolish, but unhinged."
Look?! Look foolish and unhinged?!
Look?! Look foolish and unhinged?!
33
The host body of the parasite is the GOP. Perhaps it should be rechristened "Giardia's Own Party." While there are several medications for giardia the microorganism, the only medication for the Trump parasite is impeachment.
30
Absolutely spot-on, as usual, Mr. Blow. Thank you!
37
Early in the primarys, the Times had fabulous articles on how Trump "university" was a total scam
If his followers were willing to overlook this, I can't imagine that they will be dismayed by anything.
I would like to know: does anyone know a trump supporter who has changed their mind ?
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/26/us/politics/cambridge-whos-who-trump-...
The Times also did good work on Trump and NJ state taxes, not enough tho to balance emails
If his followers were willing to overlook this, I can't imagine that they will be dismayed by anything.
I would like to know: does anyone know a trump supporter who has changed their mind ?
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/26/us/politics/cambridge-whos-who-trump-...
The Times also did good work on Trump and NJ state taxes, not enough tho to balance emails
29
Why did the plaintiffs accept the settlement - did Trump make them an offer they couldn't refuse?
The Times has a story today about small business owners slavering over the new deregulated environment we are entering under Trump, and how they ready to go all out in hiring and adding new equipment to their factories. They are convinced that the new healthcare law will also lower their costs. And the promise of a new tax code favorable to them has them thoroughly giddy. We'll see about that, but it looks to be a long four years ahead of us. Even if their businesses prosper, what about the environment, healthcare, income inequality? Is everything about the bottom line for these people? I guess so. One of these "leaders" called DT a "junkyard dog" in respectful terms. They adore that.
18
And...who is going to be able to buy the products and services being offered by these small business owners? If the overwhelming majority of income and wealth continues to go to a very, very small percentage of the population---due to their continued support for policies that further enrich the already obscenely rich and further pressure the struggling poor and middle class---they should anticipate a steady and significant decrease in sales due to an ever smaller market of customers.
No matter how wealthy the 1% is, they'll likely only need one toaster, one personal trainer, one car mechanic, and one dinner per evening. The wealth that some members of the 1% accumulate in one single day often exceeds the annual income of thousands. Those trends don't portend well for anyone hoping to "grow a business"---no matter what you're trying to sell.
Paraphrasing Will Rogers---money is like manure; when you spread it around it might help a whole lot of people fertilize their farms and gardens. But when it concentrates in one single place it becomes a stinking pile that does very little good for anyone.
No matter how wealthy the 1% is, they'll likely only need one toaster, one personal trainer, one car mechanic, and one dinner per evening. The wealth that some members of the 1% accumulate in one single day often exceeds the annual income of thousands. Those trends don't portend well for anyone hoping to "grow a business"---no matter what you're trying to sell.
Paraphrasing Will Rogers---money is like manure; when you spread it around it might help a whole lot of people fertilize their farms and gardens. But when it concentrates in one single place it becomes a stinking pile that does very little good for anyone.
3
Many small business owners just have bad-to-no business plan. Deregulation will give them a financial assist, but it won't be enough.
1
Before Obamacare many a small business owner went bankrupt when they or their family got sick and couldn't get health insurance. Back to the 'good old days '.
2
The Republican party is superb at the separation of church and state. Church, most claim to be Christians, "Whatsoever you do unto one of these the least of my brethren, you do unto me". State, GOP AHCA. There is no resemblance of one to the other.
14
Several things need to happen to make sure this never, ever happens again.
1. You cannot be President unless you are over 35 . You need a cut off age limit too - lets say 69 years 11 months
2. You must show at least five years of your tax returns before you are even allowed to be on the ballot.
3. You must have run and won one political office
4. You must live and work in DC for a considerable amount of time before you can take a vacation.
5.Your underage children and your spouse must live with you in DC where there are good schools.
6. We must get rid of the electoral college
7. You must divest yourself of all business interests except for the people's business.
8. You are only allowed to use Air Force one for two vacations a year
I think if we get some of these done he won't be able to run nor will he want to. We are 50 days into our nightmare - we just need to keep up the pressure.
1. You cannot be President unless you are over 35 . You need a cut off age limit too - lets say 69 years 11 months
2. You must show at least five years of your tax returns before you are even allowed to be on the ballot.
3. You must have run and won one political office
4. You must live and work in DC for a considerable amount of time before you can take a vacation.
5.Your underage children and your spouse must live with you in DC where there are good schools.
6. We must get rid of the electoral college
7. You must divest yourself of all business interests except for the people's business.
8. You are only allowed to use Air Force one for two vacations a year
I think if we get some of these done he won't be able to run nor will he want to. We are 50 days into our nightmare - we just need to keep up the pressure.
49
I like your ideas. How about we make it where the president has to have the maturity and understanding of someone who is at least 35? Sometimes Trump is an adolescent boy (let's say 12.) Sometimes, when he's having a twitter fit, he is two. He reads and writes at the 4th grade level, so sometimes he is nine. But 35? Trump hasn't made it there yet.
12
Charles, thank you for another telling survey of the awful, open, yet previously shrugged-off truth about Donald Trump. It may be a while before you excel your last column, "A Ticket to Hell," but this one contains plenty for the American people to ponder.
It's sometimes pointed out that the very Americans who need to face these facts tend not to read the New York Times, but they don't have to. What your readers take away from a column becomes a care package of truth which can be delivered to others in living rooms, in town halls, or anywhere we have the courage to speak and the tact to do so in a constructive way.
I admire the self-discipline you're exercising on a subject that I'm afraid was making you almost ill with anger. The anger is fully justified and shared, but cogent exposition of the damning facts about this administration gives us all more hope -- and more material to work with.
http://thefamilyproperty.blogspot.jp/
It's sometimes pointed out that the very Americans who need to face these facts tend not to read the New York Times, but they don't have to. What your readers take away from a column becomes a care package of truth which can be delivered to others in living rooms, in town halls, or anywhere we have the courage to speak and the tact to do so in a constructive way.
I admire the self-discipline you're exercising on a subject that I'm afraid was making you almost ill with anger. The anger is fully justified and shared, but cogent exposition of the damning facts about this administration gives us all more hope -- and more material to work with.
http://thefamilyproperty.blogspot.jp/
16
This is what you get when you do not vote (mostly the cause)
Or you vote like you would in middle school simply for the popular/pretty/rebellious one
Or you reduce your philosophically rich religion down to one issue anti-abortion
Or you are so gullible that you'll accept any false equivalency or claim as long as it sounds truthy to your ears
Or you are so frustrated with your personal life in an ever changing modern World that you'll ignore facts, logic, or broader civic duty to lash out for sake of lashing
Or you so historically challenged that you cannot see the dangers at your doorstep dangers that have in other times made there way into doors the same way
Or
Or you vote like you would in middle school simply for the popular/pretty/rebellious one
Or you reduce your philosophically rich religion down to one issue anti-abortion
Or you are so gullible that you'll accept any false equivalency or claim as long as it sounds truthy to your ears
Or you are so frustrated with your personal life in an ever changing modern World that you'll ignore facts, logic, or broader civic duty to lash out for sake of lashing
Or you so historically challenged that you cannot see the dangers at your doorstep dangers that have in other times made there way into doors the same way
Or
15
Trump is a reality show star that conned those unhappy with their lives to put him in office. The irony is that those who put him there will soon realize they are going to be even worse off:
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=D49XA8c761o
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=D49XA8c761o
7
Someone needs to look into this Hypocrisy. This is a disaster. I don't know what is going on but someone should investigate. I'm hearing that this is a disaster. Sad. So Sad.
Lock him up! Lock him up!
Lock him up! Lock him up!
12
Great points, as always, Mr. Blow. And as strong as your language is, in my mind, it doesn't go far enough. We need to drive home in simple words how bad things really are with Trump in the White House.
The famous line from his reality TV career was "you're fired!". Now, with the reins of power firmly in his grip, and the insurance company's bought off Republican congress behind him, he is about to deny and cancel insurance coverage to millions of Americans. The new line he must be widely known for now is equally simple - "you're dead!".
The famous line from his reality TV career was "you're fired!". Now, with the reins of power firmly in his grip, and the insurance company's bought off Republican congress behind him, he is about to deny and cancel insurance coverage to millions of Americans. The new line he must be widely known for now is equally simple - "you're dead!".
9
Mr. Blow:
Thanks for staying the course and not straying from it, as so many are starting to do.
I still don't know what more proof is needed for Mr. Trump's lunacy for anybody. He lied about the weather on his inauguration day. It is time for this country to show enough sense to come in out of the rain.
Thanks for staying the course and not straying from it, as so many are starting to do.
I still don't know what more proof is needed for Mr. Trump's lunacy for anybody. He lied about the weather on his inauguration day. It is time for this country to show enough sense to come in out of the rain.
19
Remember when executive orders and teleprompters were bad?
17
This is spot on. How many "chances" are we going to give him? Are we going to wait until Bannon whispers in his ear some fake news piece telling him that China or Russia or North Korea have their hands on the nukes.......? Obviously our President lacks the impulse control to resist answering back in retribution. We are not a safe country with him at the helm.
18
I feel sorry for all those rural, red-state voters who "went Republican" in 2016 and got Trump elected. Under his "leadership" they will likely lose health care coverage, see social services like Social Security and Medicare decline, not see any promised job growth, and not see any benefits from infrastructure spending--should that ever come about. School vouchers won't help them either.
I thought Trump would be a better President than he was a campaigner. I WAS WRONG. I think some voters are beginning to feel the same way.
I thought Trump would be a better President than he was a campaigner. I WAS WRONG. I think some voters are beginning to feel the same way.
8
Maybe they''ll be able to get a job and won't have to rely on a bloated government to support every aspect of their dependent lives.
I don't feel sorry for them one bit. You get the government you deserve. If you don't inform yourself or look to the future this is what you get.
I don't feel sorry for any of those rural, red-state voters. They are going to get what they deserve!
Mr. Blow,
I may see this as my own conspiracy theory and I do not know or understand the mechanics of how it can be done but here it is:
This is and will be the biggest "heist" in American history. Cut trillions of dollars from government programs, do not fill thousands of positions (no payroll or benefits for those positions. All of this equals trillions of dollars siphoned off. Then paying off those closest to Trump that assisted with this robbery and the rest going into his pocket. Oh yes, do not forget the millions he owes to Russia. Then he can step on to his plane and depart the country. I feel certain he has a retreat somewhere outside this country that lives up to his gilded standards that will allow him to spend all of that money leaving all of us to pick up the pieces.
I may see this as my own conspiracy theory and I do not know or understand the mechanics of how it can be done but here it is:
This is and will be the biggest "heist" in American history. Cut trillions of dollars from government programs, do not fill thousands of positions (no payroll or benefits for those positions. All of this equals trillions of dollars siphoned off. Then paying off those closest to Trump that assisted with this robbery and the rest going into his pocket. Oh yes, do not forget the millions he owes to Russia. Then he can step on to his plane and depart the country. I feel certain he has a retreat somewhere outside this country that lives up to his gilded standards that will allow him to spend all of that money leaving all of us to pick up the pieces.
9
Thank you Mr. Blow for your most succinct column.
What terrifies me the most is that we are now nothing more than chocolate chip cookies ready to be thrown into the oven and baked.
I hope Trump enjoys his cookies as he & his family sits in the heavily fortified shelter located deep in the ground under a mountain not to far from DC.
What terrifies me the most is that we are now nothing more than chocolate chip cookies ready to be thrown into the oven and baked.
I hope Trump enjoys his cookies as he & his family sits in the heavily fortified shelter located deep in the ground under a mountain not to far from DC.
3
Mr. Trump's behavior is disastrous for the American people. His wholesale changes of regulations and agencies and removing scientific material from the internet is a catastrophe. He has no respect for the American people, uses our money like water and then wants to give tax cuts to the wealthy, presumably to stimulate an already healthy economy. The sooner he leaves the White House, the better for all Americans.
7
I once read an essay that now rings so true: Authoritarianism is the fallback of human culture. It enables people to give responsibility over to another and remain childish. Democracy is a choice, and requires intelligent and mature participation. I hope we are not seeing the final throes of our Constitution and culture.
14
Who is the equally bombastic Democrat willing to call Trump out lies tweet for tweet?
6
So well said Mr. Blow - - - brilliant!
7
As anyone knows ,sooner or later a parasite sucks enough out of its host and then explodes. An example is a tick. It gets so big,is picked off and thrown into the fire,splat. I'm watching this repellent tick get fatter every day. Stay tuned. Tick in chief will explode soon.
7
The qualities that make Trump "temperamentally unsuited" to lead this nation are well-documented: under his watch, established policies that help Americans are getting nixed, while new policies that hurt Americans are getting passed.
And yet this dysfunctional presidency prevails.
Currently, only state governments may conduct recall elections, as in the 2011 case in Wisconsin in which more than 900,000 voters successfully petitioned for a recall election to remove Governor Scott Walker from office.
Conversely, we Americans possess no equivalent power to remove a delinquent president. (Only our elected officials can take such action, through the process of impeachment.)
Trump is not going to improve; on the contrary, he's going to get worse. As he does, America will get increasingly fractured, and we Americans increasingly bitter and restless.
It is time to pass an Amendment that gives We the People power -- equivalent to our state privileges -- to remove a dysfunctional president. Without this power, a one-man menace like Trump can cause continuous horrendous harm to millions. Unconscionable.
And yet this dysfunctional presidency prevails.
Currently, only state governments may conduct recall elections, as in the 2011 case in Wisconsin in which more than 900,000 voters successfully petitioned for a recall election to remove Governor Scott Walker from office.
Conversely, we Americans possess no equivalent power to remove a delinquent president. (Only our elected officials can take such action, through the process of impeachment.)
Trump is not going to improve; on the contrary, he's going to get worse. As he does, America will get increasingly fractured, and we Americans increasingly bitter and restless.
It is time to pass an Amendment that gives We the People power -- equivalent to our state privileges -- to remove a dysfunctional president. Without this power, a one-man menace like Trump can cause continuous horrendous harm to millions. Unconscionable.
8
I really think it is time to break up the nation. I see no way forward other than to go our separate ways. There is virtually nothing the left and right agree on including FACTS! Compromise is a dirty word that will get you primaried and thrown out of office. I want single payer, but OK, I understand how that is a hard sell politically and disruptive to a big part of the economy. ACA is passed and the GOP just will not have it. I just do not want to live in a country that thinks it has no responsibility for its citizens, not to mention our environment and the planet. I don't want to live in a country that cares nothing about the truth and mocks science.
We are a low budget embarrassment.
We are a low budget embarrassment.
18
The Trump Administration reminds of the “post-war” Iraq Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) headed by Paul Bremer and we all remember how well that worked out. The CPA was staffed by Bush/Cheney sycophants, loyalists, true-believers and cronies.
Fueled by the two general orders issued by Bremer - the first to disband the Ba’ath party and the second that disbanded the Iraqi army. Within days after the second order was issued the insurgency began that provided the opening for al Qaeda in Iraq (that eventually became ISIS.) In addition to the two disasters CPA orders, the CPA was incompetently run. Without going into the utter stupidity of the Bush/Cheney Iraq War and the lies the underpinned the rationale for that war, and just look at the CPA: it had a real chance to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people. However, the CPA at every level was run and staffed by some of the most inept and incompetent people imaginable. It wasn’t that these were the only people available, the Bush/Cheney Administration had numerous skilled and competent people willing and able to take the jobs.
The Trump Administration reminds me of the CPA where loyalty and ideological purity is more important than ability and competence. We all know how “well” the rebuilding went in Iraq and how quickly things fell apart when the CPA took the reins of power. I’m afraid we may be in for the same with Trump.
Fueled by the two general orders issued by Bremer - the first to disband the Ba’ath party and the second that disbanded the Iraqi army. Within days after the second order was issued the insurgency began that provided the opening for al Qaeda in Iraq (that eventually became ISIS.) In addition to the two disasters CPA orders, the CPA was incompetently run. Without going into the utter stupidity of the Bush/Cheney Iraq War and the lies the underpinned the rationale for that war, and just look at the CPA: it had a real chance to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people. However, the CPA at every level was run and staffed by some of the most inept and incompetent people imaginable. It wasn’t that these were the only people available, the Bush/Cheney Administration had numerous skilled and competent people willing and able to take the jobs.
The Trump Administration reminds me of the CPA where loyalty and ideological purity is more important than ability and competence. We all know how “well” the rebuilding went in Iraq and how quickly things fell apart when the CPA took the reins of power. I’m afraid we may be in for the same with Trump.
11
I wish I could say I am surprised by this story but, alas, I am not. A few weeks ago Gail Collins described the Trump clan as grifters and the further into the Trump presidency we go, the more that label seems apt....endless golf, self-promotion galore, and narcissism beyond the pale. Don't let the grifter-in-chief off the hook!
13
So very true!
5
Beware all trump voters in the Carolines, Virginia,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Tennessee Florida,
West Virginia, Kentucky and the rest of you struggling
Americans. Trump is patting your backs with one hand and
picking your pockets with the other.
Donald is a professional con man. Get it?
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Tennessee Florida,
West Virginia, Kentucky and the rest of you struggling
Americans. Trump is patting your backs with one hand and
picking your pockets with the other.
Donald is a professional con man. Get it?
20
In the Hudson Valley area of NY, Republican reps are hiding, and when asked to hold Town Hall meetings they all ignore. These are the so-called Silent Majority who are silent when it comes to addressing why they supported a racist, unprofessional, really bad business exec to the White house.
14
"Trump appears to view the Treasury as a personal piggy bank and the presidency as a part-time job."Trump in a nut shell.
The only silver lining is, if he worked full-time, he'd wreck more havoc.
The only silver lining is, if he worked full-time, he'd wreck more havoc.
9
The simplistic, zero-sum thinking is that America's huge loss - the Trump election - is good news for its rivals, namely the dictator's club (Russia, China, Turkey, Iran and the ones waiting in line in Africa, Asia and even Europe).
In fact, they should be very scared that there is no more any check on their inherent instability.
America was until now the powerful guardian of the values of the Enlightenment which, simply put, were the only enduring hope against full-scale barbarity. It also translated into a steady influx of investment in a country where economic and political stability could be counted on. The Trump/Bannon virus does away with all that. We can expect more domestic and foreign conflicts, wars and economic doom. Just every action by this administration gets us closer and closer to the next Super Great Depression and its natural outgrowth: fascism.
In fact, they should be very scared that there is no more any check on their inherent instability.
America was until now the powerful guardian of the values of the Enlightenment which, simply put, were the only enduring hope against full-scale barbarity. It also translated into a steady influx of investment in a country where economic and political stability could be counted on. The Trump/Bannon virus does away with all that. We can expect more domestic and foreign conflicts, wars and economic doom. Just every action by this administration gets us closer and closer to the next Super Great Depression and its natural outgrowth: fascism.
13
The funny thing when you are completely apathetic, and you vote, you simply don't care what the outcome of your vote is. It doesn't matter to the apathetic. Just voting that protest vote, for trump, was enough. Apathy wins! If it all goes to hell then it was going to go to hell anyway. So what?
Unfortunately this is my father. This is true. I get to listen to my dad's excuses for why trump was definitely the right pick AND why he thinks trump is doing great to this day. Even though my dad is alive thanks to an African, Muslim refugee who happens to be his home health aid. Ironic for my dad, the signs couldn't be any clearer that this trump idea was a horrible idea. Now I am the angry one.
Unfortunately this is my father. This is true. I get to listen to my dad's excuses for why trump was definitely the right pick AND why he thinks trump is doing great to this day. Even though my dad is alive thanks to an African, Muslim refugee who happens to be his home health aid. Ironic for my dad, the signs couldn't be any clearer that this trump idea was a horrible idea. Now I am the angry one.
7
The so-called president is Queeg, President-in-fact Bannon is the steel balls, the White House is the Caine, and we are in desperate need of a mutiny.
12
Now you are insulting parasites everywhere.
9
You have hit the nail on the head once again. Thank you! You put into words the extreme distress so many feel for the health of our country.
"... Trump will continue to leech as much personal financial advantage as he can from the flesh of the American public.
That’s who Trump is. America elected a parasite."
Even the office of POTUS cannot legitimize an admitted sexual predator and willfully ignorant, manipulative man.
"... Trump will continue to leech as much personal financial advantage as he can from the flesh of the American public.
That’s who Trump is. America elected a parasite."
Even the office of POTUS cannot legitimize an admitted sexual predator and willfully ignorant, manipulative man.
4
And? Mr. Blow and his colleagues had all the answers during the campaign. How about some advice on what to do now?
2
He is unstable and unsuited and dangerous. It is a scary place we are.
The whole world is going loony. The racist white people of europe and america are backlashing everywhere all with a new and shiny name called Populism (which the NYT gleefully propagandizes for them without qualm.)
Populism = Racism = Fascism = Nazis It's all the same: intolerant a-holes of history.
It ain't ending well you can guarantee it. Buy Gold I guess - it is heavy though.
The whole world is going loony. The racist white people of europe and america are backlashing everywhere all with a new and shiny name called Populism (which the NYT gleefully propagandizes for them without qualm.)
Populism = Racism = Fascism = Nazis It's all the same: intolerant a-holes of history.
It ain't ending well you can guarantee it. Buy Gold I guess - it is heavy though.
5
I've had to start another notebook for the anti-45 lines I like (remember notebooks?)
Today's "explosive Twitter episodes" is on the first page. Marvelous. Visions of projectile vomit, or watery stool being violently expelled.
What a gasbag. What a gas!
Today's "explosive Twitter episodes" is on the first page. Marvelous. Visions of projectile vomit, or watery stool being violently expelled.
What a gasbag. What a gas!
2
Way to go Blow!
Don't let up, speak truth to the tower.
Don't let up, speak truth to the tower.
5
excellent article, well said. Interestingly, there is a growing community critisizing Trump on his beloved facebook page. The likes are decreasing, some people are saying they supported him but are now disillusioned. There needs to be more anti Trump demonstrations! Wake up USA!
8
Mr. Blow,
You are something less than an unbiased person.
May I suggest you have someone else 'proofread' your material prior to publication.
Regards
You are something less than an unbiased person.
May I suggest you have someone else 'proofread' your material prior to publication.
Regards
4
Mr. Simpson -- it is an OPINION piece and honestly labeled as such, as opposed to so many opinion pieces that pretend to be purely factual.
4
You may notice that most of those responding agree with Mr. Blow, as do the majority of Americans, who incidentally, voted against trump.
Regards
Regards
3
Did you see the words "The Opinion Pages" at the top of this piece?
4
If only he were just a parasite. Many parasites just suck the blood of the host and leave it alive. T Rump is a deadly virus that may well kill its host.
12
Time for a pivot, Charles. We know he's a vile, disgusting excuse for a human. Now it's time for strategies to counteract this scourge. I'm open to anything legal, and I'm pretty sure most Times readers will agree that this is war.
19
The world has seen others like DJT before, and they live on very slippery ground. Justice will prevail, that is my prayer and hope.Psalm 73:6-9 (NIV)
Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
their evil imaginations have no limits.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice;
with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
their evil imaginations have no limits.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice;
with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
11
Pity the poor successor to the Hypocrite in Chief. Jesus himself wouldn't be able to undo the disaster Trump is wreaking, not just here in America but on every continent on this sand grain in the Universe.
7
And the successor will get blamed, just as Obama (who I don't support, but facts are facts) gets wrongly blamed for the economic crisis that started under Bush.
Don't let the little donnie act distract us...
The faux conservative party has been peddling these same lies for 8 years.
Several of the faux "tea party" have chosen to be ignorant on subjects like Health Care, or Global Climate change. The result is a mob of zombie zealots shouting nonsense.
Ignorance by choice is stupidity. Show us the tax return.
The faux conservative party has been peddling these same lies for 8 years.
Several of the faux "tea party" have chosen to be ignorant on subjects like Health Care, or Global Climate change. The result is a mob of zombie zealots shouting nonsense.
Ignorance by choice is stupidity. Show us the tax return.
19
When you reward lying, cheating, stealing, ignorance, hypocrisy, misogyny, narcissism, and the accomplishment of six bankruptcies with the presidency of the United States, it should not come as a surprise that he will be the president of lying, cheating, stealing, ignorance, hypocrisy, misogyny, and narcissism ending in the accomplishment of the bankruptcy of the United States.
And that is not even the worst-case scenario.
And that is not even the worst-case scenario.
8
Another winner! It is disconcerting though that you and others are already tired of what Trump says and does, Hang in there. As you point out he is not likely to change. Keep calling it out.
1
You are preaching to the choir. Mr. Blow. I urge you to venture into and explore Red State areas. Your message needs to be heard there and their message needs to be heard here.
6
Yes, America elected a parasite. However, more than 60 million Americans wanted to put a parasite in the White House. Should we blame the parasite for what he is doing, or the American voters?
2
I'll tell you exactly who to blame. Blame the Democrats for rigging the primaries to marginalize Bernie Sanders; blame the Democrats for putting up a very flawed candidate who ran a very flawed campaign. That's who is to blame.
2
An aside. His adult children are NO DIFFERENT than their grifting father. All products of PR and marketing. For some reason, the media, including the NYT rightfully ignore the idiot princes yet do puff pieces on Ivanka. Seeinng photos of her baking Purim pastries is like seeing photos of Paul Ryan washing already clean dishes in an after hours soup kitchen. Feh!
11
Thank you Charles Blow! Once again you say it so effectively. Keep it up. We are hungry for the truth.
6
Parasitic Trump boy
Stealing cookies at seventy
Entertainment, not.
Stealing cookies at seventy
Entertainment, not.
5
Worst president ever. Bigly.
8
Yes, but, but, what can we, the American people do about Trump?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It looks like we will have to live with him for the next 4 (four) years!
Is anyone collecting ideas on how to survive, Trump? Are there any survival debates underway? Really. This is our country, not Trump's. It does not belong to him or to the Republican Party.
God bless, America, not Trump! What do we do about it is our responsibility, not the President's. "We pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States, and to the republic for which it stands..." We don't pledge allegiance to the President, or to the Congress, etc.
Wake up, America and take responsibility, now!
====================================
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It looks like we will have to live with him for the next 4 (four) years!
Is anyone collecting ideas on how to survive, Trump? Are there any survival debates underway? Really. This is our country, not Trump's. It does not belong to him or to the Republican Party.
God bless, America, not Trump! What do we do about it is our responsibility, not the President's. "We pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States, and to the republic for which it stands..." We don't pledge allegiance to the President, or to the Congress, etc.
Wake up, America and take responsibility, now!
====================================
3
“Trump has made several weekend trips to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., as well, calling the property the ‘Winter White House.’ ”
Let me put this lie to bed right now. It is not "his estate", it is a hotel. It is not the "winter White House" it is a suite in a hotel he owns. True, you need to be a member, but it is still basically a hotel in which he has a really big room.
Let me put this lie to bed right now. It is not "his estate", it is a hotel. It is not the "winter White House" it is a suite in a hotel he owns. True, you need to be a member, but it is still basically a hotel in which he has a really big room.
5
"There ani't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity...You can smell it. It smells like death." Tennessee Williams, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
8
This personal attack is reprehensible and un-American.
Do you compose such invective because you are incapable of doing otherwise?
Or are you one of those Democrats who cannot get over the results of the November elections, which results were created in response to creeps like you in government.
Do you compose such invective because you are incapable of doing otherwise?
Or are you one of those Democrats who cannot get over the results of the November elections, which results were created in response to creeps like you in government.
5
Truth - 1, Personal attack -0
6
Un-American? Hardly! Not that anyone really cares what you think! It's every American's duty to be engaged in the political process, and call out authority on issues, transparency and performance. Trying to silence anyone's voice is what's truly Un-American. As President Theodore Toosevelt said, "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president... is morally treasonable to the American public."
1
DC, From my perspective, it looks like Mr. Blow is backing up his opinions with very solid facts. Yes, he has strong negative opinions about Trump. But he isn't just saying "this is a terrible man" and leaving it at that. Read the column carefully. Can you really defend the actions of this president? A mountain of evidence shows that he is a serial, pathological liar, just for a start. Trump is huge danger for our country.
1
Mr. Trump is a particular kind of parasite, most like the jewel wasp which turns its victim-host into a zombie for its progeny. (https://www.scientificamerican.com%2Farticle%2Fhow-a-wasp-turns-cockroac...}
The hapless Republican establishment have been carried off to Trump's lair where his minions prepare to feast on their flesh. Their brains have been injected with the same chemicals the jewel wasp uses to reward the cockroach-host and end its ability to resist.
Science can teach us a lot if we listen to her.
The hapless Republican establishment have been carried off to Trump's lair where his minions prepare to feast on their flesh. Their brains have been injected with the same chemicals the jewel wasp uses to reward the cockroach-host and end its ability to resist.
Science can teach us a lot if we listen to her.
5
Here's the corrected link: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-a-wasp-turns-cockroaches-...
Deconstruction of the administrative state of this magnitude will lead to chaos and uncertainty not only in the United States but globally yielding a new Trump/Bannon police state promising to restore order. Sure sounds like the seeds of Fascism are now germinating while the complicit congressional Republicans add their fertilizer to the scorched fields of our precious democracy.
I have just returned from two weeks in Ireland, where I had the opportunity to talk with many Irish and other European people. They are horrified that the United States has elected a man so clearly and egregiously unfit to be President. They're also terrified, because they know that when the U.S. catches a cold, the rest of the world sneezes. Finally, they have written us off as morally unfit to lead the world, and are starting to look elsewhere for moral leadership. All this because uninformed people chose a demagogue to lead this country. It's beyond disgusting.
"Resist. Persist. Impeach. Convict. Remove."
"Resist. Persist. Impeach. Convict. Remove."
14
Convict. I'm betting trump trips himself up and gets to go to jail without passing go and without collecting two hundred dollars.
Let's not blame the president's supporters who voted for him and still support him, but look at the media, including Fox News, with their brainwashing programs, reinforcing his false claims. What I don't understand is why Rupert Murdoch and his family continue to erode the foundations of this same state, that helped him obtain enormous wealth and power.
9
Nope, I blame his supporters. Trump is rude, boorish, dishonest and mean and his supporters cheered him on. I blame anyone who behaves that badly.
So what do doctors do when they see you have a parasite eating away at you? They give you medicine to get rid of it. Okay, Congressmen and Congesswomen! Okay Senators! You are now declared medical professionals. What are you going to do so the country doesn't get destroyed by the parasite infecting us?
6
There will come a time when all but Trump's most cult-like supporters will realize the truth in Mr. Blow's words. Let's hope it's not too late to undo the damage he has done when that happens.
7
America lost its way in electing someone so unfit for the office. Anger at the status quo, perhaps or well hidden bigotry or a who gives a damn we'll mess things up mentality. One thing is for certain, it wasn't to Make America Great.
4
Comrade Trump no parasite. Comrade Trump strong. Comrade Trump make you strong so you no need insurance.
5
Charles! I feel exactly like you! I was wrong about so many citizens in this nation, their extreme ignorance , the hypocrite and toxic attitude of republicans ,and Trump voters . We really have a sociophatic society with 46 % of people. Now , the rest of citezens like us, don't need to comply with this president. We need to enjoy groups very fast because together we will win , "Resist ". only the people can make a change,
1
Trump is truly a parasite as you say but Bannon is an affliction or poison to our democracy. He is the one behind all these executive orders and his mantra is deconstruction.
Bannon is taking a wrecking ball to our government institutions and uses Trump as his instrument of action.
If you roll up Cheney and Rove into one, your getting close to Bannon. Likely the most dangerous person to our country right now.
Bannon is taking a wrecking ball to our government institutions and uses Trump as his instrument of action.
If you roll up Cheney and Rove into one, your getting close to Bannon. Likely the most dangerous person to our country right now.
3
Spot on mr. Blow! Trump is not just a parasite, but one who kills his host in the process - bad enough when you get that as a CEO or a college president, but when it manages to become president of the USA the world will suffer.
1
Charles, I could not agree more with you - with one exception: I do not consider 45 (I REFUSE to use his name) a man. A man does not do the kind nonsense (I use that vice the other words I would like to use) that this person does.
I guess none of the sycophants on his staff has the guts to tell him the truth - and certainly none of them have the guts to close his twitter account down and take his phone from him. Cowards all!
Yes Charles, 45, his family and cabinet are parasites. But he is much more (sadly) - he is a sociopath. Sadly, we are stuck with him because the spineless republicans will not do what needs to be done - which is drawing up and following through on the articles of impeachment.
And if they (congressional republicans) all of a sudden developed a spine and followed through on impeachment - then the next problem is 45's VP. Ugggg.
I guess none of the sycophants on his staff has the guts to tell him the truth - and certainly none of them have the guts to close his twitter account down and take his phone from him. Cowards all!
Yes Charles, 45, his family and cabinet are parasites. But he is much more (sadly) - he is a sociopath. Sadly, we are stuck with him because the spineless republicans will not do what needs to be done - which is drawing up and following through on the articles of impeachment.
And if they (congressional republicans) all of a sudden developed a spine and followed through on impeachment - then the next problem is 45's VP. Ugggg.
7
Please use something more creative than Trumpcare. Even putting the word care in something that does not share its meaning is not accurate.
TrumpHealth.
Positive, Negative, Costly, Expensive? It's the presidents health plan.
TrumpHealth.
Positive, Negative, Costly, Expensive? It's the presidents health plan.
2
"Trump’s assaults on the truth are not benign. Presidential credibility is American credibility."
Without credibility what is to stop North Korea from seizing the moment, or Russia in Ukraine and The Baltics, or China in the South C. Sea?
Prestige, credibility, reputation, trust... these are things we value above all others for ourselves.
Why wouldn't the same be true for nations?
Without credibility what is to stop North Korea from seizing the moment, or Russia in Ukraine and The Baltics, or China in the South C. Sea?
Prestige, credibility, reputation, trust... these are things we value above all others for ourselves.
Why wouldn't the same be true for nations?
2
One needs must wonder. MacConnel will soon be gone. Relatively the same age as Trump. But Ryan and other Republicans his age are toasting their career prospects. Who wants the guys who followed Trump down the rabbit hole. Old white guys are buying their cremation policies.
A President this unpopular is going to have a lot of company on the road to Hell.
A President this unpopular is going to have a lot of company on the road to Hell.
4
Does it matter ? Parasite or Lyin' King, Primadonald was natural borne and raised in Queens, class, manners and morals do not come at you or for free, they are hard to apprehend. But, in a bogus Banana Republic where its Third Branch are Kangaroo Courts, stacked with lifetime inductees themselves politically handpicked as compliant servants (including a few non-compliant true honorables), sitting - forever - on federal benches looking down at Branch 2 and its own politically appointed, or sacked-again, puppet prosecutors, fellow bar-associates, there is not a hint of GOVERNANCE exceptionalism, expertise or valor. Better restart a new Republic with real folks and new immigrants. The Indians are laughing.
3
A lot of my European friends are afraid of visiting the US. The tourism will suffer a lot thanks to Mr. Trump.
3
Now that Republicans have lowered the standards, will the new standards apply equally to the next Democratic president? Will it be OK for a Democrat to refuse to release their tax returns, continually lie about matters large and small, take weekends off, golf at least once a week, refuse to divest their interests, and make disgusting, sexist statements? How about accusing everyone you don't agree with of lying, while you get your "facts" from racist idiots, many of whom now occupy the White House? I think we all know that Republicans would be up in arms if a Democrat did any of those things. Sad!
7
Well done Mr. Blow. Please keep it up. We cannot normalize this man. Outrage is a totally appropriate response. It's exhausting and I'm sure he is counting on that to wear us all down. It won't work.
4
You nailed it again, Mr. Blow.
The jerk of 77 words, as Philip Roth so aptly described our sorry excuse for a president, is not only a parasite. He is a total nightmare. He has degraded the presidency to an inimaginable low. His first 50 days were a total disaster. How much longer will the American people put up with that shyster? You are fired, Trump!
The jerk of 77 words, as Philip Roth so aptly described our sorry excuse for a president, is not only a parasite. He is a total nightmare. He has degraded the presidency to an inimaginable low. His first 50 days were a total disaster. How much longer will the American people put up with that shyster? You are fired, Trump!
8
There's a certain irony in that the very people who say they despise "coastal elites" fell for the most obvious New York con man in history, who is now very busy separating those fools from their money. ...And me from mine, too, which really pisses me off.
13
Bannon has found a vessel for his hatred of our democratic society. He is the deranged puppet master that pull all strings. His goal is to break America. Why? I don't know. Perhaps because he is an evil, power hungry psychopath. It is as if he has a list of what makes America work (sometimes imperfectly) and is checking every box to dismantle it. No free press. No apolitical career civil servants. No independent intelligence community. Cleansing the US of potential democratic voters by halting legal immigration. Appointing generals as the titular leaders of the country and increasing military spending while at the same time eliminating needed safety nets for the poor and working class. Threatening the spineless congress, who care about nothing but getting re-elected in their gerrymandered districts. Perhaps the goal is for Trump and his cronies to garner all wealth for themselves and live like the heads of state in military juntas. Perhaps he and his cronies are foreign plants hell-bent on dismantling the US. We will never know until the people who work for Trump and the congress become bold enough to stop enabling the fall of the US. Does this sound dire? Hell yes it does. I fear that a few purely evil people have been given the keys to the candy shop. They are not going to given them back without a fight.
13
Do people not know how many times he has filed for bankruptcy? That is what will happen here. It will be the country that takes the hit and then, like Atlantic City, he will proudly say 'I took a lot of money out of there'. We have a very serious problem here and as an Independent, I will NEVER vote Republican again. His cronies are grabbing everything that isn't nailed down. Double talking white men aren't making friends. Tacky, self-indulgent blowhards do not good Presidents make. You can quote me on that one.
8
Trump reminds me of the character "Uncle Junior" on the Sopranos. He can seem like a sweet old man with a kind smile, but as soon as he opens his mouth you are reminded that he is a low class thug.
I'm not surprised that Trump hasn't changed; after all, why should he?
I'm not surprised that Congressional Republicans are putting party over country by supporting him. That's what they have done since Bill Clinton won the White House back in 1992.
But what does surprise me, if only a little, is the unqualified support given to him by the ordinary Americans he is about to shaft. I read three articles yesterday in 3 different major papers - including this one - about how the coming GOP health care bill is literally going to kill quite a few of the rural, not-so-well educated white folks who put Mr. Trump in office.
But even as they fear what he might do, they are glad they voted for him, because they're tired of the liberals, or Obama was a Muslim, or Hillary was the antichrist, or something. Fox News and Rush have worked overtime, and it's paid great dividends for the GOP.
I hope the Democratic Party leadership is not wasting its time preparing for the midterms. To borrow a phrase from Poppy Bush, the country is "in deep doo doo".
I'm not surprised that Congressional Republicans are putting party over country by supporting him. That's what they have done since Bill Clinton won the White House back in 1992.
But what does surprise me, if only a little, is the unqualified support given to him by the ordinary Americans he is about to shaft. I read three articles yesterday in 3 different major papers - including this one - about how the coming GOP health care bill is literally going to kill quite a few of the rural, not-so-well educated white folks who put Mr. Trump in office.
But even as they fear what he might do, they are glad they voted for him, because they're tired of the liberals, or Obama was a Muslim, or Hillary was the antichrist, or something. Fox News and Rush have worked overtime, and it's paid great dividends for the GOP.
I hope the Democratic Party leadership is not wasting its time preparing for the midterms. To borrow a phrase from Poppy Bush, the country is "in deep doo doo".
7
I recall reading during the election campaign that some years ago there was a very large charity dinner held to thank those who had graciously donated money.
The Trumpeter was not invited. Of course he is quite well known for not donating much of his wealth to anything.
The Trumpeter makes a grand appearance anyway. Proceeds to take the seat reserved for the person who had donated the largest sum. And then decides to take his exit in the midst of the affair.
And If I remember correctly, there was never a donation made by him or his foundation to this particular charity.
This person is much worse than just a parasite. He is a parasitic cancer. Made
quite evident by the huge growth of hate groups around the country
#Resist
The Trumpeter was not invited. Of course he is quite well known for not donating much of his wealth to anything.
The Trumpeter makes a grand appearance anyway. Proceeds to take the seat reserved for the person who had donated the largest sum. And then decides to take his exit in the midst of the affair.
And If I remember correctly, there was never a donation made by him or his foundation to this particular charity.
This person is much worse than just a parasite. He is a parasitic cancer. Made
quite evident by the huge growth of hate groups around the country
#Resist
Has anybody read. "White Trash " , the 400-year Untold History of class in America. By Nancy Isenberg ? It help to understand why we have arrived at Trump
4
Amen. Their new king.
Daphne: East coast of Russia ?
Persist. Resist. Never normalize.
4
President Trump?
Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies
10
Yes. Perfect. Exactly.
Charles, a powerful and profoundly depressing indictment of the corrupt coward who leads our country.
9
I have no problem with Trump's Tweets and hope he is not persuaded to reduce them in number or quit Tweeting them. They are a window into his mindset, into his personality and psyche, I welcome them as the truth cannot be expected from his spin doctors Spicer, Kelly, and the Huckabee girl. Call them Freudian if you care to, call them reckless or whatever, the fact of the matter is they are candid and insightful and I welcome them. Tweet me Trumpy.
4
Absolutely spot-on accurate. DT should just wear a shirt that says "Look! Over there!" to save time in his efforts to distract us from the huge wasteful costs, mass destruction and abject hypocrisy. History will not be kind once we finally wake up.
7
Thank you , thank you, thank you for continuing to speak about about this travesty of a president. There will NEVER be anything that he will do to justify the fact he is the president. I can only hope that he is forced from office soon and until then he does not destroy the world... he is already destroying America . Again, Thank you Charles Blow for speaking out.
Thank you Charles. Your columns make it worth keeping my subscription to the NYT.
4
Mr. Blow thanx for telling it like it is. People need to shake off the unreality zone trump projects like his own Jedi mind trick.
WAKE UP PEOPLE, THIS IS THE DARK SIDE.
It's just this universe isn't far, far, away, and it's why I believe trump to be a Russian agent, witting or otherwise.
WAKE UP PEOPLE, THIS IS THE DARK SIDE.
It's just this universe isn't far, far, away, and it's why I believe trump to be a Russian agent, witting or otherwise.
4
Thank you, Charles. You have written and spot-on critique of the biggest sham in US history - the election of Donald Trump and the parasitic Republicans who would sell their souls to please their donors.
Health care, travel bans, regulations, pipe lines, The Constitution--my God, these are significant issues.
But it has not been lost on me that my taxpayer dollars are now being spent on the Trump family's affluent lifestyle while I take the subway every day.
Want to change opinion polls? Publish security and travel costs for Trump Tower, Trump children's junkets to South America and elsewhere around the globe and the President's weekend golf games.
And a picture of Melania from the top of Trump Tower with the caption, "Let them eat cake!"
But it has not been lost on me that my taxpayer dollars are now being spent on the Trump family's affluent lifestyle while I take the subway every day.
Want to change opinion polls? Publish security and travel costs for Trump Tower, Trump children's junkets to South America and elsewhere around the globe and the President's weekend golf games.
And a picture of Melania from the top of Trump Tower with the caption, "Let them eat cake!"
10
At this point, the Koch Brothers are a giant parasite on the Republican Party, Trump is a parasite on the Presidency, and Bannon is a parasite on Trump. Plenty of parasites to go around.
Not to mention that the Republican Party as a whole, with their gerrymandering and cheating their way into power, and their slavishly catering to their big business and billionaire financiers, has become almost totally parasitic.
Not to mention that the Republican Party as a whole, with their gerrymandering and cheating their way into power, and their slavishly catering to their big business and billionaire financiers, has become almost totally parasitic.
9
Don't these Congressmen and women and Senators have children and grandchildren? Don't they understand that eliminating funding for many of these programs will negatively impact their lives too? The sheer stupidity is jaw-dropping.
13
As a non American I don't know whether to laugh at your country or worry for the consequences for the wider world.
It's not as if this man hid his faults from the public gaze, they were there for all to see.
And still you voted him in.
Frankly, as things begin to unravel in the U.S.A. , I'll have little sympathy, you brought this upon yourselves.
As a young man I used to look up to America as a symbol of the benefits of democracy.
Now you're just a laughing stock.
It's not as if this man hid his faults from the public gaze, they were there for all to see.
And still you voted him in.
Frankly, as things begin to unravel in the U.S.A. , I'll have little sympathy, you brought this upon yourselves.
As a young man I used to look up to America as a symbol of the benefits of democracy.
Now you're just a laughing stock.
9
Please remember that half our country feels exacting like you do, except we're not laughing.
3
He is a cartoon. Eventually we are all going to fall off the cliff with him. Grab your parachutes!
2
What disgusts me most about Trump and the Republicans is how they seem to hate the very government they work for. Do they not realize that in a democracy WE are the government--they are OUR public servants? This important fact seems to be lost on many who work for the government. If Bannon, his puppet Trump, Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan hate government so much, why don't they try living in a society without all those pesky rules and regulations? Like, say, southern Sudan or Somalia? Do these crazy idealogues truly represent what a large amount of Americans want for their nation? Or have most of those voters been bamboozled by the propaganda they watch on Fox so-called News? And, if the free market is so great all on its own, why have these leeches (referring once again to McConnell, Ryan and their ilk) spent all these years working for the government rather than within the private sector? Can no one see through the thicket of tangled lies growing like kudzu over all these charlatans? Have Americans always been such idiots or have we just recently become a large herd of sheep? So many questions....
9
What I do not understand is where is the outrage? No one cares about the truth? Well "they all lie" is the answer. The trips? "Well what about Michelle?"
There is always some false equivalency that lets him off the hook. It has gotten to the point where there can be no criticism of this man unless there is NO example of similar behavior in others.
That said, Ari Melber of MSNBC is looking into another probabale lie that he would return his salary to the Treasury or donate it to charity. What do you think the chances are that he has done no such thing? High. What do you the chances are that this clueless, disengaged, fact-challenged electorate will care? Low. Never in my wildest imagination did I think this buffoon would ever be elected, but I will never underestimate the stupidity of the American electorate again.
There is always some false equivalency that lets him off the hook. It has gotten to the point where there can be no criticism of this man unless there is NO example of similar behavior in others.
That said, Ari Melber of MSNBC is looking into another probabale lie that he would return his salary to the Treasury or donate it to charity. What do you think the chances are that he has done no such thing? High. What do you the chances are that this clueless, disengaged, fact-challenged electorate will care? Low. Never in my wildest imagination did I think this buffoon would ever be elected, but I will never underestimate the stupidity of the American electorate again.
In other news, water is wet.
What is the point of endlessly preaching to the choir, all the things we already know and agree with?
If Blow really wants to make a difference, he should be writing about the public servants who are fighting back against Trump et al and writing about ways we can mobilize and support them.
What is the point of endlessly preaching to the choir, all the things we already know and agree with?
If Blow really wants to make a difference, he should be writing about the public servants who are fighting back against Trump et al and writing about ways we can mobilize and support them.
7
A potentially deadly parasite at that. The kind scientists try to get rid of for the sake of society.
But the Republicans don't like science and scientists, do they?
We're doomed.
But the Republicans don't like science and scientists, do they?
We're doomed.
5
Senator Wayne Morse! President Jimmy Carter! President Barack Obama! President FDR! Statesmen all, come back again!
4
Now that crazy Donald is in town, let us all rend our tunics and tear our hair for a doomed America! We forget how quickly presidential terms pass, at least after the fact. The W Bush, Carter, Clinton, Reagan years were no picnic either and the administrations of sweet-smiling Obama were as passionately wedded to the primacy of the US military state as any Republican. Not only did he warmly kiss the backsides of the wealthy, BO drone-killed numerous innocents in the Middle East and assassinated hostile leaders without trial or hesitation, just like a good dictator would. All this hand-wringing over Crazy Donald seems a little late at this point.
Great article Charles! Reminds me that our commerce secretary was a principal at Marfa Bank , located in Cyprus, and infamously complicit in financing...wait for it...Putin's billionaire club.
Surreal/SAD
Surreal/SAD
7
Charles what should we do?
5
That's what frustrates me most with Mr. Blow. He vents, that's fine, so do I. I feel the same way he does. Now what?
3
Trump is a devoted follower of the Church of the Holy Hypocrite. He leads and observes by example.
4
Isn't there a budget the President has to adhere to for his "personal costs" like flying to Mar-a-Lago every weekend? I, for one, am appalled at the way he is spending my hard-earned taxes.
As far as the comparison to Obama is concerned, you should have known to ignore those rants and ravings. Our new President is a hypocrite and a liar and you can believe nothing that comes out of his mouth.
As far as the comparison to Obama is concerned, you should have known to ignore those rants and ravings. Our new President is a hypocrite and a liar and you can believe nothing that comes out of his mouth.
9
We knew all this before. Lets not let his voters off the hook. They should pay as well.
6
Gingi Adom,
Amen.
Amen.
1
I refuse to use his family name. That would place additional value upon one of his assets. Instead, I emphasize one of his salient intellectual and ethical trait by consistently using a nickname "Lyin' Donald".
2
This is a 70-year-old man who has lived his entire life as the vile, dishonest, incurious creature who got elected - Amen!
6
"Trumpcare" is is not an accurate moniker for the new Republican Healthcare Plan. More apt might be "Trump No Care."
4
Especially scary is the Trumpcare fiasco. That makes it plain that Trump and the Republican party's legislative agenda is vacuous and destructive. It's dedicated to reducing taxes on the wealthy at no matter what the cost to the rest of the nation.
4
Leech, Mooch that is what we have, someone without any atom of thought. It is jarring that financial conservatives all have their tails in-between the legs and hiding. We have such a pathetic situation, the price of his childish mentality will be enormous. We are all going to pay heavily for Mr Trumps incompetence to lead.
4
I find it stunning that nobody mentions the similarity between the most blatant lie/accusations DT has flung at President Obama. First, the birther charge ... and DT's reluctance to withdraw the accusation that President Obama was not born in the United States till he was finally strong-armed into doing so after an untoward amount of time had passed. And now, the latest absurd charge ... that President Obama wiretapped Trump Tower. Another ridiculous accusation, and again DT's reluctance to admit its inaccuracy.
5
As long as Trump maintains his racist, sexist, homophobic agenda while tearing up regulations and cutting taxes for the rich, the GOP will prop him up.
6
I believe that the Republicans need a trip to Oz because they are missing brains, courage and heart. Trump himself, just like the Wicked Witch, is despicable but what we really need are others in the government who will chip away at his power. The Republicans are sponsoring a healthcare policy that will harm so many and they are also complicit in his racist ideals. Unfortunately the Republicans just seem to be wicked and refuse to use their power for good.
4
Parasites. Yes, Trump and the rest who've purchased the government in self interest. It chills me to think the only path to campaign reform might necessarily be bloody.
1
It's not shocking that Trump costs the country more for his golf trips in a single month than the Obamas did for their vacations in an entire year. What's shocking is that this particular hypocrisy appears almost nowhere in the media except here.
5
"Trump appears to view the Treasury as a personal piggy bank and the presidency as a part-time job."
That says it all.
That says it all.
3
Well, if Trump got us single-payer healthcare, I'd be happy to help foot the bill for as many trips to Florida as he wants. If only.
1
"Draining the swamp?"
No, this opportunistic, autocratic leech drains the life from democracy.
No, this opportunistic, autocratic leech drains the life from democracy.
2
You are so right about Trump that it makes me want to throw up! Keep up the good work as it helps to ward off total despair. It still amazes me that that our electorate chose this creature. Just appalling!
3
More alarming are the parasites that voted for him, the ones who have made a career out of collecting unemployment checks steadfastly refusing to get retrained for another occupation, getting health care from Medicaid and spending their days getting high on opioids.
4
Trump's approval ratings are up 4% since March 6, and his disapproval ratings are down 4% since then.
Interestingly Melania Trump's approval ratings have gone up 16% since the inauguration.
Charles, I know you want Trump to fail, but it is very likely that when Trump fails, America will fail as well. No doubt America will recover, but not quickly.
So beware of what you want.
Interestingly Melania Trump's approval ratings have gone up 16% since the inauguration.
Charles, I know you want Trump to fail, but it is very likely that when Trump fails, America will fail as well. No doubt America will recover, but not quickly.
So beware of what you want.
I read the article on McDowell County,West Virginia yesterday and don't think if these folks lose every saftey net they presently have, would they finally wake up and smell the stench of the person they voted for!
4
I think Trump's ideas about a "deep state" are a ruse for him to cut government back anyway he can. There are many, many government positions that are not filled and many agencies are in limbo. I don't know if it's ignorance, incompetence, laziness or a combination of all three.
3
No doubt my American chums will heave the big sigh of relief when this bizarre carnival finally pulls down the tents and moves on to the next town.
9
Unfortunately, it's much easier to destroy something already in existence than it is to build.
As a retired physician who has served in both the Army and the Navy, two quite related items in this piece leap out - electing a "parasite" as you succinctly put it, and the costs in human life from the infection.
From killing our soldiers in ill-advised covert action, to inciting hate crimes, to removing health care from our citizens least able to care for themselves - this is an infection that has already killed and will kill again.
I would simply point out the obvious - whether I worked in Congo, South Vietnam, Antarctica, Mexico, or the U.S., I never saw a parasitic infection that involved only a single worm.
If only one was visible, it was just the tip of the iceberg. The rest were inside - multiplying rapidly.
Thanks for keeping the human costs of this infection front and center.
From killing our soldiers in ill-advised covert action, to inciting hate crimes, to removing health care from our citizens least able to care for themselves - this is an infection that has already killed and will kill again.
I would simply point out the obvious - whether I worked in Congo, South Vietnam, Antarctica, Mexico, or the U.S., I never saw a parasitic infection that involved only a single worm.
If only one was visible, it was just the tip of the iceberg. The rest were inside - multiplying rapidly.
Thanks for keeping the human costs of this infection front and center.
29
Dr. Storrie-Lombardi,
Excellent comment and analysis. It should have received an Editor's Pick.
Thank you for speaking out.
Excellent comment and analysis. It should have received an Editor's Pick.
Thank you for speaking out.
1
Stoking inflation would help Mr Trump. Of course we don't know how much he will be helped because we don't know how much debt he has because he won't release his taxes.
5
Trump has said that a person can make money running for President, but now he is
making even more money BEING President by diverting federal funds to Trump properties and travel every weekend . All fully funded by culling the goverment payroll through the budget and the poor and elderly through his health and housing policies.
making even more money BEING President by diverting federal funds to Trump properties and travel every weekend . All fully funded by culling the goverment payroll through the budget and the poor and elderly through his health and housing policies.
5
Mr. Blow writes of President Trump, “He continues to have explosive Twitter episodes — presumably in response to some news he finds unflattering or some conspiracy floated by fringe outlets — that make him look not only foolish, but unhinged.”
This might sound like an anti-democratic measure, but it could turn out to be a nation-saving one: Twitter could suspend the @realDonaldTrump account (Trump’s personal Twitter account) until the completion of Trump’s presidency? If Twitter could do it to Milo Yiannopoulos for hate speech, they can do it to Trump for his crazy conspiratorial rants, which can be deemed harmful to the greater public good?
This might sound like an anti-democratic measure, but it could turn out to be a nation-saving one: Twitter could suspend the @realDonaldTrump account (Trump’s personal Twitter account) until the completion of Trump’s presidency? If Twitter could do it to Milo Yiannopoulos for hate speech, they can do it to Trump for his crazy conspiratorial rants, which can be deemed harmful to the greater public good?
6
Keep up the pressure.
8
He's our "Anti-President", and sadly, we own him. A lot had to happen for him to be hoisted into this role. I pray he's not the precursor of even worse leadership to come.
4
Another well written commentary which states exactly how I feel. Thanks for your courage during these difficult times. Your honest voice is needed now more than ever.
10
Not only is Trump spending taxpayer money on weekends in Florida and meetings outside the White House, but he is profiting off it all as well. He always ends up at one of his own properties. Those fiscally conservative members of Congress need to establish a Presidential expense account with reasonable limits, as the Trump's are fleecing us all. Taxpayers should only cover the cost of protection at the White House or at a grown child's primary home with a reasonable amount of vacation offsite. Any excess cost, any travel elsewhere, should be covered by the President or his family.
15
There is a significant public health problem that deserves the President's attention for more research funding.
“Between the 50 and 54, men were 2.2 times more likely to have children with a diagnosis of autism compared with the reference group; for men aged 55 and above, comparative risk was 4.4 times greater than the control.”
Source: Nicole Gray, “Father Time: Children with Older Dads at Greater Risk for Mental Illness,” Scientific American, on August 29, 2011. "Large parental age differences increase the risk for psychiatric disorders, whereas other environmental factors decrease risk. Is this a function of biology, environment – or both?"
Further, meta-analyses of the past 15 years of research have concluded that it is more likely that the greater the paternal age, especially if there is more than a ten-year difference between the paternal and maternal ages, the greater is the risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Studies of autistic children indicate the preponderance of autism in male children in ratios ranging from 2:1 to 16:1. More data need to be collected to understand the sex differential.
I hope that President Trump sees that more funding goes toward research as well as to treatment programs and educational resources. Many private schools have excellent support programs for their students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Public education would help spouses with a significant age difference who plan to be parents understand the underlying risks to their children.
“Between the 50 and 54, men were 2.2 times more likely to have children with a diagnosis of autism compared with the reference group; for men aged 55 and above, comparative risk was 4.4 times greater than the control.”
Source: Nicole Gray, “Father Time: Children with Older Dads at Greater Risk for Mental Illness,” Scientific American, on August 29, 2011. "Large parental age differences increase the risk for psychiatric disorders, whereas other environmental factors decrease risk. Is this a function of biology, environment – or both?"
Further, meta-analyses of the past 15 years of research have concluded that it is more likely that the greater the paternal age, especially if there is more than a ten-year difference between the paternal and maternal ages, the greater is the risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Studies of autistic children indicate the preponderance of autism in male children in ratios ranging from 2:1 to 16:1. More data need to be collected to understand the sex differential.
I hope that President Trump sees that more funding goes toward research as well as to treatment programs and educational resources. Many private schools have excellent support programs for their students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Public education would help spouses with a significant age difference who plan to be parents understand the underlying risks to their children.
1
His true motto is "Me First."
7
Thank you Mr. Blow. I wish that more journalists would expose Trump and his greed and hypocrisy. It is the responsibility of journalists to ensure that his supporters know the truth about him.
3
I am well aware Mr. Blow, that as someone who works for the NY Times, you can't just come out and say that Mr. Trump is a "sociopath". However, each of your Op-Eds each week points out another part of the sociopathic profile. The pathological lying, lack of remorse, lack of shame, lack of guilt, lack of empathy are key parts of that personality. In addition, parasitic lifestyle (todays column), is one of the pillars of that profile. At some point the old saying" if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck...." well, you get the point.
10
Excellent, Mister Blow.
You hit the bulls-eye on characterizing Trump. We native New Yorkers have known Trump his entire adult life. Every trait you ascribe to him are right on target. Two words stick out, gauche and greedy. I'll add garish, a word we who live in Midtown use to denote Trump architecture. His buildings tend to exemplify his personality, gauche, garish, and gold-plated. The guy thinks that everything looks better when wrapped in faux gold. That includes the decor in the Oval Office. Trump immediately had to rip out the distinguished deeper hues used by an austere, stoic, sophisticated President Obama. What Barack could teach the gaudy Trump about class and decorum could fill a book. But of course Trump does not read books, even his own, "The Art of the Deal". Trump did not write his own bio. He read only the sentences with his name in it so he would not be reading Barack's parable. In fact, knowing Trump's utter contempt and jealousy of Barack, a man who really did fight all the odds and come out on top, unlike Trump, who was born with a gold-plated spoon in his mouth and never lets anyone forget it, I envision Trump gathering all of Barack's books ,and having a massive bonfire on the White House lawn. With crowd chants of right-armed fists raised shouting: U.S.A., U.S.A....well you get the picture. A parasitic illegitimate dolt basking in the glory, until smoke and fumes engulf his flared nostrils, forcing his to retreat to the bunker.
DD
Manhattan
You hit the bulls-eye on characterizing Trump. We native New Yorkers have known Trump his entire adult life. Every trait you ascribe to him are right on target. Two words stick out, gauche and greedy. I'll add garish, a word we who live in Midtown use to denote Trump architecture. His buildings tend to exemplify his personality, gauche, garish, and gold-plated. The guy thinks that everything looks better when wrapped in faux gold. That includes the decor in the Oval Office. Trump immediately had to rip out the distinguished deeper hues used by an austere, stoic, sophisticated President Obama. What Barack could teach the gaudy Trump about class and decorum could fill a book. But of course Trump does not read books, even his own, "The Art of the Deal". Trump did not write his own bio. He read only the sentences with his name in it so he would not be reading Barack's parable. In fact, knowing Trump's utter contempt and jealousy of Barack, a man who really did fight all the odds and come out on top, unlike Trump, who was born with a gold-plated spoon in his mouth and never lets anyone forget it, I envision Trump gathering all of Barack's books ,and having a massive bonfire on the White House lawn. With crowd chants of right-armed fists raised shouting: U.S.A., U.S.A....well you get the picture. A parasitic illegitimate dolt basking in the glory, until smoke and fumes engulf his flared nostrils, forcing his to retreat to the bunker.
DD
Manhattan
9
This article is based on false premises. Our new president, a President unlike any other, exemplifies all that is right and good about our nation. President Trump is a leader extraordinaire and the Times consistently overlooks his majesty. He is America, and as Louis XIV said, "L'Etat, c'est moi."
2
This is a feeble attempt at humor, yes? What we have in the White House is not majesty, it's a Fox-News-addicted, bathrobe-clad, angry-tweeting grandpa.
2
I believe, with your last quip, you hit the nail on the head regarding what Trump believes. And you defined what we all believe is dangerous about this presidency.
The president is bigger than the person - the opposite of your historical quote. The office is supposed to be professional, above petty squabbles, dignified, and honest. We have had less than exemplary individuals in the office, and many who did good work despite behaving privately in ways Americans find deplorable.
Trump puts his bad behavior on public view. He brags about his abuses, assaults, and pettiness. He spends money on himself and his family while shafting everyone around him. He thinks government runs like a business, when government is not supposed to be about share holders and profit motives. He has lied repeatedly about his bona fides - no higher degree from Wharton.
Worst of all, he is dangerous in his economic vision, believes infrastructure spending should involve building a wall rather than dams and bridges, and incites our allies to irritation and our enemies to action against us. He doesn't take intelligence briefings, and gets news from InfoWars, Breitbart, and Fox.
Upon reflection, perhaps he is an accurate representation of our nation, as long as you're willing to accept the idea that Americans are overweight, blustering, bullying, no-nothings more inclined to pick fights over The Apprentice than battle for health care and clean water. But "L'etat, c'est moi" =/ democracy.
The president is bigger than the person - the opposite of your historical quote. The office is supposed to be professional, above petty squabbles, dignified, and honest. We have had less than exemplary individuals in the office, and many who did good work despite behaving privately in ways Americans find deplorable.
Trump puts his bad behavior on public view. He brags about his abuses, assaults, and pettiness. He spends money on himself and his family while shafting everyone around him. He thinks government runs like a business, when government is not supposed to be about share holders and profit motives. He has lied repeatedly about his bona fides - no higher degree from Wharton.
Worst of all, he is dangerous in his economic vision, believes infrastructure spending should involve building a wall rather than dams and bridges, and incites our allies to irritation and our enemies to action against us. He doesn't take intelligence briefings, and gets news from InfoWars, Breitbart, and Fox.
Upon reflection, perhaps he is an accurate representation of our nation, as long as you're willing to accept the idea that Americans are overweight, blustering, bullying, no-nothings more inclined to pick fights over The Apprentice than battle for health care and clean water. But "L'etat, c'est moi" =/ democracy.
2
Janet Flanner--Letter From Paris 1936
In her profile, titled "Führer," she wrote:
"Being self-taught, his mental processes are mysterious; he is missionary-minded; his thinking is emotional, his conclusions material. He has been studious with strange results: he says he regards liberalism as a form of tyranny, hatred and attack as part of man's civic virtues, and equality of men as immoral and against nature. Since he is a concentrated, introspective dogmatist, he is uninformed by exterior criticism. On the other hand, he is a natural and masterly advertiser, a phenomenal propagandist within his limits, the greatest mob orator in German annals, and one of the most inventive organizers in European history. He believes in intolerance as a pragmatic principle. He accepts violence as a detail of state, he says mercy is not his affair with men, yet he is kind to dumb animals. ... His moods change often, his opinions never. Since the age of twenty, they have been mainly anti-Semitic, anti-Communist, anti-suffrage, and Pan-German. He has a fine library of six thousand volumes, yet he never reads; books would do him no good - his mind is made up."
In her profile, titled "Führer," she wrote:
"Being self-taught, his mental processes are mysterious; he is missionary-minded; his thinking is emotional, his conclusions material. He has been studious with strange results: he says he regards liberalism as a form of tyranny, hatred and attack as part of man's civic virtues, and equality of men as immoral and against nature. Since he is a concentrated, introspective dogmatist, he is uninformed by exterior criticism. On the other hand, he is a natural and masterly advertiser, a phenomenal propagandist within his limits, the greatest mob orator in German annals, and one of the most inventive organizers in European history. He believes in intolerance as a pragmatic principle. He accepts violence as a detail of state, he says mercy is not his affair with men, yet he is kind to dumb animals. ... His moods change often, his opinions never. Since the age of twenty, they have been mainly anti-Semitic, anti-Communist, anti-suffrage, and Pan-German. He has a fine library of six thousand volumes, yet he never reads; books would do him no good - his mind is made up."
7
Yes we know Mr Blow. Everything what you are writing about is the truth.
How do we get rid of him and worse yet, his cronies.....??????
The question is not if, but when,,,,????
He is the worst that could have happened to us.....he will destroy everything and we will become another banana republic....
What to do....people are ignorant and even those are starting to care...they see that the abyss is coming.....
We are really scarred and the WH is laughing....horrible.....
The yellow clown has to go.....
But how....
Demonstrations are our only hope....
Common America wake up....
How do we get rid of him and worse yet, his cronies.....??????
The question is not if, but when,,,,????
He is the worst that could have happened to us.....he will destroy everything and we will become another banana republic....
What to do....people are ignorant and even those are starting to care...they see that the abyss is coming.....
We are really scarred and the WH is laughing....horrible.....
The yellow clown has to go.....
But how....
Demonstrations are our only hope....
Common America wake up....
6
Please Mr. Blow, don't insult parasites.
7
One begins to sense Mr. Blow is not a fan.
Do you have absolutely nothing else to write about except Trump?
4
He has to keep at it; our country is in peril, and Mr. Blow is doing the exact right thing: never letting us forget what lies ahead for us if this dangerous man is not impeached, and soon.
2
Blow should pound away at this parasite, day in and day out. Otherwise, Trump is normalized.
I first started to read you, Charles Blow, for your analysis of numbers. I am glad when the sidebar appears but I wish I could figure the simple arithmetic to make plain the "staggering nature of the hypocrisy of Trump." That he said one thing yesterday and another today doesn't seem to matter. Something shifted. But the numbers hold.
1
This sounds curiously like the same conversation I was having during the Primaries. So yes, Mr. Blow, nothing has changed with Donald Trump. And nothing ever will.
All the trademarks are still there. Greed. Vanity. Petulance. Arrogance. No change.
Still blamiing Obama. Still tweeting. Still lying. Still eeking out racist Executive Orders and tone-deaf to its effects.
Still signing backroom deals to expand his personal wealth, while pushing a health care act that will leave Americans sick and destitute.
We all knew he didn't want to be president.
We all knew his eye was always on the U.S. Treasury.
He'll take America "back" again, by making America White again. Isolated. No government. No friends.
That's how America will end.
All the trademarks are still there. Greed. Vanity. Petulance. Arrogance. No change.
Still blamiing Obama. Still tweeting. Still lying. Still eeking out racist Executive Orders and tone-deaf to its effects.
Still signing backroom deals to expand his personal wealth, while pushing a health care act that will leave Americans sick and destitute.
We all knew he didn't want to be president.
We all knew his eye was always on the U.S. Treasury.
He'll take America "back" again, by making America White again. Isolated. No government. No friends.
That's how America will end.
3
Everything Mr. Blow writes here is true. And yet, as many others have noted, the facts no longer matter to half of our fellow citizens.
As many commenters have also noted, we must continue to resist, and not to "normalize" this president. But how? I already sense a widespread fatigue from those of us who understand how seriously our democracy is in peril. And this is less than three months into this man's presidency.
We know there will be no meaningful investigations into Trump's Russian enablers. We know that this Congress will take no steps to impeach him. Members of his own party are afraid of him. We know that the likelihood of Democrats taking back Congress in 2018 is remote. This means he has four unfettered years to consolidate his power, something that he has begun at an alarming rate.
It seems the Framers didn't envision the effects of one party rule, when Senators could blithely ignore their responsibilities where the Constitution provided no "deadlines", or where one deranged man had the world's most powerful military at his personal disposal.
The fact is, there is nothing in our system of democracy that provides an answer for the situation in which we now find ourselves. Couple this with the fact that half of our citizens are just fine with this nation's embrace of totalitarianism.
It is this realization, I believe, that underlies the emotional exhaustion and disillusionment we on the Left are experiencing. We have few options, and none of them good.
As many commenters have also noted, we must continue to resist, and not to "normalize" this president. But how? I already sense a widespread fatigue from those of us who understand how seriously our democracy is in peril. And this is less than three months into this man's presidency.
We know there will be no meaningful investigations into Trump's Russian enablers. We know that this Congress will take no steps to impeach him. Members of his own party are afraid of him. We know that the likelihood of Democrats taking back Congress in 2018 is remote. This means he has four unfettered years to consolidate his power, something that he has begun at an alarming rate.
It seems the Framers didn't envision the effects of one party rule, when Senators could blithely ignore their responsibilities where the Constitution provided no "deadlines", or where one deranged man had the world's most powerful military at his personal disposal.
The fact is, there is nothing in our system of democracy that provides an answer for the situation in which we now find ourselves. Couple this with the fact that half of our citizens are just fine with this nation's embrace of totalitarianism.
It is this realization, I believe, that underlies the emotional exhaustion and disillusionment we on the Left are experiencing. We have few options, and none of them good.
10
Hey Charles, next time tell us how you really feel. Kidding, well said.
Seriously? Anyone who thought he would
magically evolve into Presidential? I have a unicorn
ranch to sell you... and Scooter and Goober,
out in the hinterlands who LOVE their
Medicaid and what comes with it? Shame on you,
low info voters who foisted this monster on us!!!
Charles Blow, keep on telling us like it is...
You are one of the main reasons I keep my digital
NYT subscription!!
magically evolve into Presidential? I have a unicorn
ranch to sell you... and Scooter and Goober,
out in the hinterlands who LOVE their
Medicaid and what comes with it? Shame on you,
low info voters who foisted this monster on us!!!
Charles Blow, keep on telling us like it is...
You are one of the main reasons I keep my digital
NYT subscription!!
4
There is more hatred in posts to Mr. Blow's column than there are at a Nuremberg rally. No wonder the President needs so much security.
Charles:
None of this would really be a problem if the Congress wasn't entirely controlled by the Republican Party. So, given that, what should we do about making changes?
Can the Democratic Party impel compelling candidates to run for office in 2018? It's been quite some time since a full slate of electable Democrats have come out of the woodwork to run?
So, instead of continually writing about the current, lamentable state of affair, perhaps you could devote some of your writer's energy energizing the population to find electable Democrats to run in 2018? Seems worthwhile, wouldn't you agree?
None of this would really be a problem if the Congress wasn't entirely controlled by the Republican Party. So, given that, what should we do about making changes?
Can the Democratic Party impel compelling candidates to run for office in 2018? It's been quite some time since a full slate of electable Democrats have come out of the woodwork to run?
So, instead of continually writing about the current, lamentable state of affair, perhaps you could devote some of your writer's energy energizing the population to find electable Democrats to run in 2018? Seems worthwhile, wouldn't you agree?
5
He's 70 years old. He is on the same career path. Mystery? Why would it be. He have America on sale to the lowest bidder. That's his MO. He will deregulate to the high Heavens. Ronald Reagan on steroids? Let's wait and see. I'm just counting the days airbnb will show White House Rooms.
1
With Trump it is a war of attrition. After a point one doesn't want to even read about him. He's our worst nightmare - incompetent, petulant, paranoid, solipsistic, and he's surrounded by a bunch of clueless sycophants. We need more columnists like Mr.Blow to keep reminding us that Trump is a misanthropic moron who needs to be jettisoned as president. I wish more reporters had his mettle. Spicer and Conway and Priebus are spineless prevaricators. They need to be interrogated not questioned. Take no prisoners with them, same with the Republicans. They know that Trump is mentally unqualified to be president, yet Ryan and McConnell support him. What a bunch of feckless, self serving, hypocritical losers.
6
You still aren't getting it, Charles, but it's understandable because we're all being duped. In trying to apply logic to this president, you normalize him and give him much more credit than he deserves. His one job is to divert while his diabolical minions (Bannon, Ryan, Sessions, Price, etc.) work in the background to produce the harmful orders which he then dutifully signs as president. Why don't you see him defending or explaining or educating about what his administration is doing? Because he can't! He doesn't understand very much of what is happening though you credit him for being the author, the organizer, the developer of what his minions are doing. He's none of those things, Charles. He's just the guy who reads the applause-o-meter and moves forward or back or left or right accordingly. Back off your anger, Charles, and stop normalizing this guy! Your attempts to hurt are actually helping!
1
One can only hope - you, Charles Blow, never find yourself remembered as a "vile, dishonest, incurious creature who got [published as a OP-COLUMINST]" !
Your rants & personal attacks on a sitting American president is unwarranted and completely meritless. All you're doing is flaming an all ready incendiary populist against an incumbent president who's only following through with what he promised during his campaign.
Perhaps if you, Charles Blow, were to shift gears; he might follow along! Just a thought - from a Clinton voter!!!
Your rants & personal attacks on a sitting American president is unwarranted and completely meritless. All you're doing is flaming an all ready incendiary populist against an incumbent president who's only following through with what he promised during his campaign.
Perhaps if you, Charles Blow, were to shift gears; he might follow along! Just a thought - from a Clinton voter!!!
2
"In February, numerous media outlets pointed out that Trump was spending on travel in a month nearly as much as what the Obamas spent in a year. This doesn’t even include the travel and security costs of Trump’s children or the cost of Trump’s wife and son remaining in Trump Tower in New York, at least for now, which is estimated to cost taxpayers hundreds of thousand of dollars a day."
Mr. Blow, the Times should have a monthly tally sheet of what Tweetle-Dumb is costing the American taxpayer in keeping his family, and himself, leeching onto our government. That is the sole reason he ran for president; his brand was tarnishing because he was running out of credit as a private citizen. Now he has the American people to leech from.
Thank-you for your wise columns.
Mr. Blow, the Times should have a monthly tally sheet of what Tweetle-Dumb is costing the American taxpayer in keeping his family, and himself, leeching onto our government. That is the sole reason he ran for president; his brand was tarnishing because he was running out of credit as a private citizen. Now he has the American people to leech from.
Thank-you for your wise columns.
3
Mr Blow I love your incites and your passion but we have come to the point where; even though all of your criticisms are valid and to the point, you are preaching to the choir. We all know what Trump is and the the ones who won't admit it, won't because they are ashamed to admit they have made a mistake. What we need now, is advice on what we are going to do about it. Trump doesn't care what you or any of us think of him. Trumpdoesn'care should be the name of his healthcare plan. How are we going to stop this with out a Congress that respects its constitutional responsibility?
2
Difficult to find words to describe how awful he is. Charles managed to accomplish this in is his column today. Bravo.
4
So, he [Trump] is Jabba the Hutt.
3
Trump has spent his life making money off of other people's money. We have no right to expect he'd behave any differently in the Oval Office.
1
This is a slur on Hutts everywhere.
1
Bravo, New York Times! Watching the rape of the US Treasury by this "president" is painful to all except the uber rich for whom the Republicans have given tax cuts in their "health" plan. And if the CBO gave Americans an accounting, the liar-in-chief and his Republican satellites would again demean that office.
Watch for the defunding of the CBO!
Watch for the defunding of the CBO!
"America elected a parasite."
Correction: The fools and haters of America elected a parasite.
Correction: The fools and haters of America elected a parasite.
13
I was working on Soviet-related matters in the national security bureaucracy during the 1983 NATO exercise "Able Archer," which brought the US and USSR close to the brink of a nuclear war.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Able_Archer_83
To say that I feel more apprehensive about the fate of our country now that a carnival barker has been elected "president" would be a colossal understatement.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Able_Archer_83
To say that I feel more apprehensive about the fate of our country now that a carnival barker has been elected "president" would be a colossal understatement.
8
I was not surprised to see so many americans applauding and enjoying Trump from day one to now. I used to say to my husband (rest in peace ). " if you give the opportunity for this selfish people , politicians , and voters they will destroy everything this nation has the best, like strong "Institutions" and , globe leadership. Now, If it becomes weak, we are in serious trouble, Actually it started already. Trump, if stay in power for 4 years, unfortunately will damage that very bad. We need to impeach before is too late."RESIST"
When Trump got behind "Make America Great Again," his supporters surely thought he meant to include them in the spoils of that effort. Clearly, they missed what 63 million American voters had not, what we heard was, "Make America Great Again... for Donald Trump."
Sad!
Sad!
9
This is not just about Trump. Republicans -- Republicans in Congress, in state houses, anyone who claims membership in the party -- own the brand Trump has created. All are now proudly, aggressively racist, mysogenist, xenophobic, mean spirited, anti-American promoters of an oligarchy/Putin run America.
10
And here we have, this morning Kellyanne (Thanks George Stephanopoulos and GMA) touting an addendum to the Wire-Tap conspiracy by adding Microwave-spying capabilities to the unhinged Trump Conspiracies: Maggots and Parasites.
8
"America elected a parasite" -- the logical latest expression of the ideology of the Republican Party: "More for me, less for you, screw the environment".
Nixon, Agnew, Reagan, Quail, Bush, Bush 2, Gingrich, Ryan, McConnell, et al., all prepared the ground for Trump. And most of the time, America loved it.
Nixon, Agnew, Reagan, Quail, Bush, Bush 2, Gingrich, Ryan, McConnell, et al., all prepared the ground for Trump. And most of the time, America loved it.
5
This administration has shown a level of incompetence that bodes ill for when things start to go wrong at home and in the World. Obama left him with a good situation and Trump sure looks like he's gone to screw it up.
4
Our last best hope, ironically lies with our intelligence services.
Godspeed!
Godspeed!
"America elected a parasite."
Don't blame the majority of voters; they voted for Hillary.
Don't blame the majority of voters; they voted for Hillary.
Didn't he once brag that if elected he would donate that salary to the US treasury? I seem to recall that from 1 of the debates, since mr. moneybags is really just doing this to MAGA?
He's already spent at least 5x that in just 7weeks golfing...how's that for reigning in spending mr + mrs deplorable?
He's already spent at least 5x that in just 7weeks golfing...how's that for reigning in spending mr + mrs deplorable?
5
Trump is Trump - the same as he was when he rode down the escalator into the race for president. But the ones Mr Blow should be calling out are the Republican senators and congressmen who are riding the coat tails of insanity to personal riches and power. These, including all talk & no walk, McCain & Graham, are the truly heinous ones for not stopping the destruction and rending of American morals or morale. Shame, shame, shame.
Exactly.
2
But what kind of parasite is he?
Is he a mosquito, who flits between hosts, or is he a tick, attaching himself to the host and getting ever fatter and fuller of blood?
Is he a mosquito, who flits between hosts, or is he a tick, attaching himself to the host and getting ever fatter and fuller of blood?
2
I would like to see one rebuttal to this column. Is there one coherent opinion out there that defends this president’s actions. I would be curious to hear that.
4
I suppose I should rebut. I am growing tired of the Times' deliberate, unrelenting approach to the news these days in which its first agenda - and raison d'etre - is to run the President of the United States out of office, and the second to see how many different articles it can stack on its front page to demean, diminish and ridicule the him as if the Times were trying to incite its readership into a myopic verbal coup of the government by gratuitously serving up the most sensational and salacious Trump fare. Please just report the news and leave the agendas to the politicians who were actually elected. For better or worse.
I would differ. America did not elect a parasite. Those who are accurately described as "deplorables" elected a parasite.
6
Trump is a big bad wolf - ravishing young women like Red Riding Hood; huffing and puffing to blow down the U.S.; donning sheep's clothing to warn of false dangers; a shapeshifting werewolf sucking dry the moral and economic wealth of this country.
3
Strong words; unfortunately for us, all true. Crooked lying Trump is a nitwit; a most unscrupulous and irresponsible thug when considering the damage inflicted by his brutish demeanor.
1
TeamTrump doesn't know what a tapeworm does. To be a successful parasitic species, the species has to evolve to nourish itself off a host without killing it too soon.
To understand TeamTrump, look at the German occupation of various European countries, and then see Pasolini's "Salò." To understand the collaborationist GOP Congress, read up on Vichy France.
To understand TeamTrump, look at the German occupation of various European countries, and then see Pasolini's "Salò." To understand the collaborationist GOP Congress, read up on Vichy France.
4
"America elected a parasite." And what about all of those who elected him and would again? What do you do with them? That is the most frightening aspect of this sad state of affairs.
1
Charles, another nice column but at some point we need to recognize that our Bozo-in-Chief will be gone in 4 years or less, but the American people elected this guy (with a little help from the Electoral college) -- what does that say about our country and its inhabitants?
2
I would like to see a Donald Trump-like person pushing Trump to show his taxes with the same obnoxious tenacity that he demonstrated with Obama's birth certificate. He must be hiding something.
1
Parasite or unwitting Traitor?
25 years ago, China established a 1 child/family policy
which led to a predominantly male population with higher testosterone levels in the general population -- and a greater propensity towards aggression.
Since then, it has greatly increased its military means and presence.
In my area, People are being offered $1,000/mo to house Chinese students who will be arriving in Jan & Aug.
In four years, when Trump is up for reelection, they will be of military age.
If so, an Army is already here, needing only leaders.
A Sun-Tzu war is a contest between order/planning/discipline and chaos.
Our country is currently leaderless amidst overwhelming chaos.
That will cause fatigue.
Its vital functions are paralyzed. And becoming more so.
A symbol of China is a constrictor -- not an eagle or bear, or bulldog.
A Sun-Tzu war would not begin with a Pearl Harbor, but with the construction of a Playboy Mansion in Chicago.
Erosion of character leads to an explosion of chaos.
25 years ago, China established a 1 child/family policy
which led to a predominantly male population with higher testosterone levels in the general population -- and a greater propensity towards aggression.
Since then, it has greatly increased its military means and presence.
In my area, People are being offered $1,000/mo to house Chinese students who will be arriving in Jan & Aug.
In four years, when Trump is up for reelection, they will be of military age.
If so, an Army is already here, needing only leaders.
A Sun-Tzu war is a contest between order/planning/discipline and chaos.
Our country is currently leaderless amidst overwhelming chaos.
That will cause fatigue.
Its vital functions are paralyzed. And becoming more so.
A symbol of China is a constrictor -- not an eagle or bear, or bulldog.
A Sun-Tzu war would not begin with a Pearl Harbor, but with the construction of a Playboy Mansion in Chicago.
Erosion of character leads to an explosion of chaos.
1
Republican criticism of President Obama was always based on the fact that he was a black democrat. It had nothing to do with facts such as his saving our economy or cutting our deficit from 2 trillion dollars to 500 dollars per year. So they are silent now as they raid the piggy bank for Trump excesses, give aways to military contractors and our to our wealthiest. This silence is deafening.
3
I am afraid that it is going to take many deaths by Trumpcare for America to wake up.
2
I wonder if jason chaffetz said the following how he'd be treated today:
"Well maybe don't buy the new AR-15 assault rifle and you could afford TRUMPCARE".
"Well maybe don't buy the new AR-15 assault rifle and you could afford TRUMPCARE".
3
Thank you. I cannot find a better word for this nematode.
2
Spot. On.
“Gauche” Thanks! Got it. I knew I was a word missing between “gatsenom” and “gawdacious” in my Trump lexicon.
Trumpcare/Ryancare/McConnellCare has the Death Panels Obamacare never had.
Now the Republicans have the Death Panels they always railed against but secretly craved.
Now the Republicans have the Death Panels they always railed against but secretly craved.
2
Well said. Keep it coming. This treasonous, ignorant buffoon inflicts damage every minute that he remains in office.
3
Charles, reading your column is like going to church: we've heard the same sermon many times but it never gets old and the comfort delivered is priceless.
Don't stop talking. As Bernie Sanders recently said in an interview: despair is not an option.
Don't stop talking. As Bernie Sanders recently said in an interview: despair is not an option.
1
Charles, please keeping pointing out the hypocrisy of our president and his goosestepping followers in the Republican Party. In my opinion our president is a mentally unstable individual who is being led by Steve Bannon and others into destroying our way of life.
God help us when the next crisis occurs. And a crisis will happen since this is an unpredictable world. It may be another war, a violent hurricane, a widespread earthquake, an invasion of an ally. We will then have to depend on this lightweight who is a few cards short of a full deck to respond.
God help us when the next crisis occurs. And a crisis will happen since this is an unpredictable world. It may be another war, a violent hurricane, a widespread earthquake, an invasion of an ally. We will then have to depend on this lightweight who is a few cards short of a full deck to respond.
1
Trump has already spent more time on the golf course than Obama. He has spent more money than Obama so far.
And we suckers get to pay $500,000 a day to keep his wife in NY.
And we suckers get to pay $500,000 a day to keep his wife in NY.
When Trump tweeted “President @BarackObama’s vacation is costing taxpayers millions of dollars — Unbelievable!” -- he wasn't tweeting it out of ethical outrage. The tweet was one of envy. All the better that all those supporters and well-wishers were outraged about it, as well. Didn't matter that it had the illusion of being about fiscal responsibility in the White House. It was only about Trump coveting the position, in order to become the oligarchic emperor of the world. When you run the world you get free stuff! Stuff like trips to resorts, golf outings and feting your kings, jester-celebrities and nobles -- all tax-payer funded, complete with high level security. "Unbelievable!"
Yeah, does sound too good to be true. Unfortunately, for democracy and the non-3% rest-of-society, unchallenged despotic use of the presidential office does appear to be the case.
Or, is it.
Yeah, does sound too good to be true. Unfortunately, for democracy and the non-3% rest-of-society, unchallenged despotic use of the presidential office does appear to be the case.
Or, is it.
Trump is having a ball. To him, the Presidency is the ride of a lifetime. All he has to do is spend the next four years partying and campaigning while his people do the work. Let's face it, he is set for life. Oh, and the candy store is open and handing out free samples of feel good lollypops. We are also selling great looking Power Ball tickets to supporters so they to will have a chance at greatness.
We are in this mess because we despise one another. That won't change, will it?
We are in this mess because we despise one another. That won't change, will it?
Excellent article. Keep writing. Keep exposing him for what he is and all that he is trying to destroy. We need. We need your in-your-face, honest journalism now than ever.
2
What is jarring in your column today are the stats. Sixty-two percent of Republicans approve of Trump's temperament? Fox News has certainly done its job as a propaganda machine. I want those 62% to explain just what they find so wonderful about this guy. In detail.
3
"Trump appears to view the Treasury as a personal piggy bank and the presidency as a part-time job" spending tax payer monies like he is one of those big lottery winners who blow through their windfall in short order. Except in this case he has access to unlimited funds and is taking full advantage. He is a taker and an exploiter of great magnitude.
Please force release of his tax returns.
Please force release of his tax returns.
5
Quote of the day, "America elected a parasite."
4
The NYT should run a tracker on the front page showing a running total of the amount the federal government has paid to the Trump organization since he started his campaign. The conflict of interest is mind-blowing and should be front and center EVERY DAY until something is done about it.
13
Sadly, he has reversed JFK'S inspiring quote... it seems as his version is...ask not what you can do for your country but what your country can do for you. Very scary what he and Bannon are doing....going great guns to dismantle the greatness of the US. A lot (more) can/will happen before the 2018 elections.
3
There is talk going around that Caroline Kennedy is exploring running for Senator and possibly running against Donald Trump. So talk of bringing the Kennedy back into our political sphere is hopefully a light at the end of the tunnel. We had the last of the Kennedy house Bernie Sanders we have Joe Kennedy the Third. Maybe we can bring back Camelot
This is no example for southamerica governments...I believe.
The Trumpcare plan, more commonly known as The American Health Care Act, isn't just deadly, it is MURDER. I am one of the poor-but-not-poor-enough and elderly. I face a long slow death when my insurance disappears. Trump & his congressional republican henchmen are displaying their true colors here. They are plotting intentional, preplanned homicide of millions of Americans. Some will die relatively quickly. Others of us will die more slowly.
I am at a loss for a better word than murder or homicide. What do you call it when someone promises that everyone will have coverage & that it will be cheaper & better insurance & then takes it away knowing it will leave millions without any medical care except an emergency room???
I had to rely on that before. It wasn't very helpful & made my conditions worse. The ER might have gotten me through an immediate crisis. But, that doesn't do much good when you can't buy the medicine or get the ongoing treatment you need to get well or manage chronic diseases.
I spent the last 7 years watching congressional republicans try to kill me. I did not vote for Trump! But, I hoped he was going to keep his word on healthcare and on jobs. The more he lied the more skeptical I became!
I think a lot of people in my position are afraid to speak out. We are labeled as the "TAKERS." WE are hated. I am not going to die silently. I will keep speaking out. The press had better start calling this what it is. MURDER.
Or the blood is on your hands too!
I am at a loss for a better word than murder or homicide. What do you call it when someone promises that everyone will have coverage & that it will be cheaper & better insurance & then takes it away knowing it will leave millions without any medical care except an emergency room???
I had to rely on that before. It wasn't very helpful & made my conditions worse. The ER might have gotten me through an immediate crisis. But, that doesn't do much good when you can't buy the medicine or get the ongoing treatment you need to get well or manage chronic diseases.
I spent the last 7 years watching congressional republicans try to kill me. I did not vote for Trump! But, I hoped he was going to keep his word on healthcare and on jobs. The more he lied the more skeptical I became!
I think a lot of people in my position are afraid to speak out. We are labeled as the "TAKERS." WE are hated. I am not going to die silently. I will keep speaking out. The press had better start calling this what it is. MURDER.
Or the blood is on your hands too!
Trump had already been a dictator for 50 years, so it's natural that he'd try to implement his rabid skills and style into his new career. Pulitzer Prize winner and investigative reporter, David Cay Johnston, didn't think the media had told the full story about Trump, so he wrote a book in 2016. "The Making of Donald Trump" is an excellent read, but the stories about our president's past dealings with violent felons, Russian and American mobsters, and all sorts of swinlers and crooks, life are extremely troubling.
I believe that it's quite possible that Putin has made a pact with Trump where the former trains the latter and Stephen Bannon on the finer points of political dictatorship as well as the establishment of a despotic rule in the United States. One of the main goals of the co-dictatorship arrangement would be to keep China under their control.
I believe that it's quite possible that Putin has made a pact with Trump where the former trains the latter and Stephen Bannon on the finer points of political dictatorship as well as the establishment of a despotic rule in the United States. One of the main goals of the co-dictatorship arrangement would be to keep China under their control.
3
Charles, one of your most hard-hitting and insightful columns, and much appreciated.
As a native New Yorker, I would strongly suggest that Mayor De Blasio and the City Council figure out a way to have the federal government reimburse the city for the gigantic costs borne by New York City taxpayers because Mrs. Trump wants to stay with her son in Trump Tower rather than join the President in the White House as First Lady.
Enough is enough. Why should New Yorkers have to pay to support this billionaire's every whim?
As a native New Yorker, I would strongly suggest that Mayor De Blasio and the City Council figure out a way to have the federal government reimburse the city for the gigantic costs borne by New York City taxpayers because Mrs. Trump wants to stay with her son in Trump Tower rather than join the President in the White House as First Lady.
Enough is enough. Why should New Yorkers have to pay to support this billionaire's every whim?
6
Mr. Blow, this piece is going to hand on my wall. You have simply and succinctly described and defined what is referred to as president of the United States. As always, thank you for your insight and your thoughtful, direct expression of what needs to be said.
2
Incessant commenter "Luettgen" suggests here that Obama golfed more than Trump in the first months of his presidency. While factually false, this claim - like Conway's comment today about microwaves being used as potential spy devices at Trump Tower, gets all the steam it needs simply by being said. It offers consolation to those who would otherwise have to face uncomfortable facts about the President they just voted for.
These throw-away, veracity-free comments are seriously clogging the culture's plumbing these days. It's important that Charles Blow and his colleagues continue to apply "liberal" doses of Plumber's Helper as needed.
These throw-away, veracity-free comments are seriously clogging the culture's plumbing these days. It's important that Charles Blow and his colleagues continue to apply "liberal" doses of Plumber's Helper as needed.
7
Charles, you consistently address this man's horrible flaws, short comings and obvious inabilities, but other than your readers, who is mounting a charge to get rid of or impeach him?
The flaws are very obvious, the solutions less so.
The flaws are very obvious, the solutions less so.
2
Parasites, two sorts, saprophytic and symbiotic. Mitochondria would not exist without bacteria, and sharks need Remora to deal with dangerous parasites. Our constitution needs tweaking, and the nation needs a good facelift. 45 symbolizes the critical need for fundamental change. Our infrastructure suits the mid 20th century, and need we look further than the Electoral College to understand the difficulties with the U.S. Constitution in present day USA. 45 defines all you say and more. Hearts harden. They may break on their own, but history says they must be broken. I dread the pain and suffering of innocents in the process. We need justice. We need freedom. 45 deconstructs and threatens both. Resistance without formal power falls short. We have power. We have people, the 4th estate, and the rule of law. When 45 so much as bends law, we must hold him to his actions. He has support because much blight exists in America. People crave to remove blight, real and imagined, and are willing to suffer to rid the nation of what they perceive destructive. Some seem to have wanted a parasite to do this work, like a rapacious saprophyte. Looking at the stats, even most people who wished drastic action did not count on an orange "blob" to accomplish the task. Calling Steve McQueen!
4
Charles - excellent perspective, as always.
Your usage of the word "creature" to describe Trump is particularly well-chosen, though perhaps you didn't realize it.
Merriam-Webster's second definition of "creature" is "one that is the servile dependent or tool of another". The reference to President Bannon could not be more clear.
Your usage of the word "creature" to describe Trump is particularly well-chosen, though perhaps you didn't realize it.
Merriam-Webster's second definition of "creature" is "one that is the servile dependent or tool of another". The reference to President Bannon could not be more clear.
6
Spot on mate !!
5
Think of the traits of an excellent leader. This man has none of them.
8
You have said it all. I am hoping the fired U.S. attorneys with their knowledge and skills, can now conduct a private citizens investigation of this psychotic president and save this country. In the meantime the rest of us who fear this presidency must continue to protest, boycott, and demand answers to the Russian connection. Our democracy is in danger.
9
Amen - I could not have said it etter myself - Either voters did not know his past history which as you pointed out so well or they did not care and their hate for HRC and President Obama caused them to vote for the petulant child.
Insulted Sen McCain saying he was not a hero, Mr Khan, gold star parent and intimated that soldiers suffering from PTSD were weak and could not cut it. On anyone of those three in a normal election cycle would have put him out, but here we are stuck with someone who has no idea what to do or how to govern. God help us and the USA.
Insulted Sen McCain saying he was not a hero, Mr Khan, gold star parent and intimated that soldiers suffering from PTSD were weak and could not cut it. On anyone of those three in a normal election cycle would have put him out, but here we are stuck with someone who has no idea what to do or how to govern. God help us and the USA.
8
What is scarier than Trump? The solid 40 to 45 percent who support him.
11
Repeal and Replace all Republicans - 2018. It is dumbfounding how the
"aren't we wonderful" Republican voters could have done this to America.
"aren't we wonderful" Republican voters could have done this to America.
'Then the Emperor has won'. Obi Wan
3
Frankly, the more time this guy spends on vacation, the better off we are.
At the very least, all news outlets on TV and the Internet should remind people every single day that while campaigning, Trump said that he "wouldn't have time to play golf," that he complained whenever President Obama played golf (although Obama do so quite infrequently), and that he has now played golf X times in XX days, costing taxpayers for his trips to Mar-a-Lago XXX millions of dollars, in addition to the XXXX millions spent to protect his wife and children.
4
Trump is getting a pass because the people that voted for him have the same disinterest in thinking as Trump. They did their job and they've tuned out. Will they ever notice? Unlikely.
5
Even though it is obvious that Republicans' repeal of Obamacare is bound to bring about the premature deaths of many thousands of people, Charles Blow is right to state this clearly now. Honest journalists must shine a light on the grotesque hypocrisy of Republicans who are thus prepared to sacrifice the old, infirm and chronically sick while claiming Christian belief. That focus must be maintained as the disaster unfolds.
7
"“President @realDonaldTrump’s vacations are costing taxpayers millions of dollars — What did you expect?”"
4
John Dean has pointed out that Trump's most loyal supporters are largely part of a group that doesn't take a lot of information in. So things will have to get pretty bad before they change their minds about him. Also, Trump has his "I tried to fix it but it was too broken already" to fall back on, a familiar Republican chant.
I'd like to see some clear messages on the Left. Like, bring back Sarah Pailn's chant about "Death Panels" because this time, Congress is actually and blatantly becoming one for many poor people. While Trump fiddles away millions on capricious travel and vacation. Makes me think of Trump's rejoinder: "Sad!"
I'd like to see some clear messages on the Left. Like, bring back Sarah Pailn's chant about "Death Panels" because this time, Congress is actually and blatantly becoming one for many poor people. While Trump fiddles away millions on capricious travel and vacation. Makes me think of Trump's rejoinder: "Sad!"
6
Why is Trump allowed to get away with lie after lie? The Republican Congress gives him a pass on everything and I hear nothing from the Democrats. Why is he allowed to waste so much taxpayer money with his weekend trips to Mar-a-lago? He said he would never leave the White House - another lie.
What happened to majority rule in this country? The majority hates him and his destroying strategies. No one seems to like the new "Health Care" plan, yet it is being forced down our throats. I sit back and wonder what has happened to our country. I love the people who get out and demonstrate, but what is going on with our Democratic representatives? Why are they not starting their own investigation of Trump's Russian links? Is he going to be allowed to get away with that, too? When does it end?
What happened to majority rule in this country? The majority hates him and his destroying strategies. No one seems to like the new "Health Care" plan, yet it is being forced down our throats. I sit back and wonder what has happened to our country. I love the people who get out and demonstrate, but what is going on with our Democratic representatives? Why are they not starting their own investigation of Trump's Russian links? Is he going to be allowed to get away with that, too? When does it end?
Trump and his 'administration' are the ergot infecting America's amber waves of grain. Ingest it and we turn mad.
4
the republican congress is far worse than the t.... they know and have known what he is and have chosen to support the "top thief of the US"... mr t cannot hid who he is so he just dares us constantly and we fold...
3
No full time gig yet on Rachel's and Lawrence's shows, Charles? I'm surprised. Keep up the venom, though, I'm sure the call will be coming soon.
Let's face it, the least destructive activity that Trump does is play golf. Keep flattering him about his handicap and his amazing putt and we might keep him on the course for 4 years.
He knows how to play golf and Monopoly. When it comes to work, he has never toiled a day in his life for anyone but himself.
He knows how to play golf and Monopoly. When it comes to work, he has never toiled a day in his life for anyone but himself.
8
In addition to continuing to write the truth about this vile, disgusting man is important, please write articles targeting specific Republicans who are empowering him. He can only destroy America with their help.
5
Stunning and horrible and the stuff of nightmares. There seems to be no end to this. It's become painful to just gaze at headlines. When will this go in reverse?
3
yeah, but he is a snappy dresser.....3 years,10 months,7 days.....
1
We all say the same thing over and over and it is true.What can be done? That is the next step. What does it take to impeach? The downward spiral is dizzying. What about the rest of the world situations that need attention?
More like a communica(ta)ble disease.
This article is "just locker room talk". "Mere puffery".
Well, the deplorable must certainly be happy now. The only problem is that conservative news sources don't report these matters and far too many individuals don't read -- other than the news feeds they get on FaceBook. We are certainly living in "interesting" times.
3
Great assessment. The issue is what to do about it. What can the "average person" do? It goes back a long way. Congress members' elections are funded by big business, finance and the super rich. Of course, they are beholden to them. Trump is the result. We have not had government "of the people by the people for the people" for a long time. It's time for the "sleeping giant" the american people, to wake up and take the reins of their own destiny. What about the "common good?" How do we get back to basics? Help! I know there's a huge untapped resource of good people who what the best for our Country. Where are you? How can we find one another and work together for that (sorry) old cliche "the common good?"
2
Right on, Charlie. You're calling it out as it should, in a time when I see veteran reporters trying to fathom the "depths" of the liar-in-chief's careless and unhinged statements. America must stand up for America when it's very essence is being chipped away by one crass person, masquerading as an Oracle.
3
Well written.
Emperor Donnie is great at slogans.
Emperor Donnie is terrible at substance.
Trump: ALL SIZZLE, NO STEAK.
Emperor Donnie is terrible at substance.
Trump: ALL SIZZLE, NO STEAK.
I suggest that we increase federal protection for the Trump family to the maximum possible - the supermax prison in Florence, CO!!
America elected a parasite is the most succinct, accurate portrayal of Trump yet. You have a wonderful way of taking the mechanisms of our political system and boiling them down so they make sense to everyone. Thank you for that.
My suggestion is your next column should be some sort of assessment of what we can do. Journalists are still affirming what a terrible choice we have made. But the "What has he done now," approach to Trump has to stop. A daily running total would be fine at this point. Throw ideas - I'm sure your readers have plenty of your own. And let us talk about them.
My suggestion is your next column should be some sort of assessment of what we can do. Journalists are still affirming what a terrible choice we have made. But the "What has he done now," approach to Trump has to stop. A daily running total would be fine at this point. Throw ideas - I'm sure your readers have plenty of your own. And let us talk about them.
2
George Washington: "I cannot tell a lie. I chopped down the cherry tree."
Donald Trump: "I cannot tell a lie. That cherry tree was out of control. OUT OF CONTROL. It was HUGE. You've never seen a cherry tree with limbs that strong. SO STRONG. The way it bent down, picked up the axe and swung it, over and over again, at its trunk was incredible. I did what I could to protect the tree, but it was a bad cherry tree. SO BAD. And the media is trying to blame it on me. FALSE NEWS.
Donald Trump: "I cannot tell a lie. That cherry tree was out of control. OUT OF CONTROL. It was HUGE. You've never seen a cherry tree with limbs that strong. SO STRONG. The way it bent down, picked up the axe and swung it, over and over again, at its trunk was incredible. I did what I could to protect the tree, but it was a bad cherry tree. SO BAD. And the media is trying to blame it on me. FALSE NEWS.
Well Mr T-Rump is looking older and fatter every day!
1
A Russian sponsored parasite is now gutting the state department, the one counter measure we have against Russian and Chinese aggression besides the military.
As always, thank you.
Very well said. Keep up the excellent work. The Grifter’s supporters might even agree in the future.
Anyone who really cares about how it is the communication machine behind everything coming out of the White House, including tweets, is being orchestrated needs to look hard into Cambridge Analytica and its connections to Bannon and a network of interconnected internet outlets. Seriously, it is "big brother" as a progeny of the far right.
Far too generous an assessment. He has surrounded himself with clones.
I have no problem paying for Trump's vacations......as long as they are permanent.
2
We have elected a leach and knew that when we did it.
Trump is just the result of the real problem. The inability of the average person to cast an intelligent vote--and worse-- a penchant to vote against his/her's best interest, has produced this abomination of a president.
It is ironic that the democratic right to elect representatives, might possibly be the factor which destroys that same democracy.
It is ironic that the democratic right to elect representatives, might possibly be the factor which destroys that same democracy.
2
May the negative results of trumpism stain and define the republican party and the gene-pool of its members, media apologists and fellow-travelers for 10,000 generations.
1
This is a 70-year-old man who has lived his entire life as the vile, dishonest, incurious creature who got elected. That election validated his impulses rather than served as a curb on them.
This spells it out very well. trump said what he said to be elected and to put down the DEM's. His hand is in the cookie jar now. Its surprising his GOP friends who want to cut back on every service the American people get do not talk about this. I hope the voters remember.
This spells it out very well. trump said what he said to be elected and to put down the DEM's. His hand is in the cookie jar now. Its surprising his GOP friends who want to cut back on every service the American people get do not talk about this. I hope the voters remember.
5
May I make a prediction? The voters won't remember. That assumes anybody will still be allowed to vote.
A reporter asked Paul Ryan : "How many people will not have health insurance with your health care bill?"
Summoning up his best big smile, choir-boy face, Ryan said" I don't know. That's up to the people." What he didn't add was "who can afford it".
The Republicans new mantra is they'll make "access" to health care available to everyone. And if you're too unhealthy or poor to buy it, well that's your tough luck.
As Utah's Jaffets dais: "Just don't buy a cell phone"
Summoning up his best big smile, choir-boy face, Ryan said" I don't know. That's up to the people." What he didn't add was "who can afford it".
The Republicans new mantra is they'll make "access" to health care available to everyone. And if you're too unhealthy or poor to buy it, well that's your tough luck.
As Utah's Jaffets dais: "Just don't buy a cell phone"
True Trump is a parasite, meeting the definition in Michael Hudson's Killing The Host. You could say this about Wall Street as well. Would that the Swamp had been drained but that would require a moral compass which The United States has forsaken for gold and War.
2
The President in concert with the Republican Congress have declared war on the American people in the sense that all of the executive actions, cabinet appointments, and actions by the Republican Congress all point total disregard for the environment, science, the working poor (which should be an oxymoron), middle class (although most whites in the middle still donate understand how they a re being shafted but they will soon), and total disregard for the future of our children and grandchildren. This is a dark and failed Republican administration and Congress. The choice in 2018 in clear. Let's vote thermal out of office and let's all move to a vision for the future and not try and push the clock back. We will only break the clock.
2
What the parasite has done to his supporters is remove their common sense, empathy, reverence for the truth, and critical thinking faculties. He might as well be Jim Jones. He could actually announce that Jesus appeared in the Oval Office to him and they would believe him.
4
"I don't mind a parasite. I object to a cut-rate one." - Rick from Casablanca
2
I know that this will not happen now, but it seems that rules need to be set as to vacation time and travel expences (just like any other employee) and also WHO gets security and WHERE. I feel that the secret service should cover the President, first lady, and children (as in youth). This coverage should apply to those who reside in the White House, period. Adult chidren, forget it! Also, a so called first lady who lives in NY and doesn't do the traditional first lady duties, isn't the First Lady. We really need to step up the process of getting rid of this so called president! And that would relieve us of his family, too. Get the tax returns!
Good summation of the first 50 days. They are just like his last 55 years.
I have been a pretty good sport by not attacking TRUMP supporters. I totally get the annoyance with the Democrats for becoming a party of bankers and lawyers. But to subject the country to this monster and his crew of moral degenerates is indefensible. The tourists who fall for Three Card Monte have elected a scammer, believing that they will somehow win big. He owns casinos for doG's sake! The suckers who play the slots are his supporters, and they are losers by statistical definition. They are losers so that TRUMP can be a winner. It is a zero-sum game in his world. TRUMP is like those people who try to sell you a timeshare, tempting you to go to some hard-sell clinic with a free watch or iPad. It's not only slimy, but he is so good at it... being slimy is who he is.
I support America. An existential threat is upon us. We must stand up and fight. There are no good options, just necessary evils. [No violence please.]
I have been a pretty good sport by not attacking TRUMP supporters. I totally get the annoyance with the Democrats for becoming a party of bankers and lawyers. But to subject the country to this monster and his crew of moral degenerates is indefensible. The tourists who fall for Three Card Monte have elected a scammer, believing that they will somehow win big. He owns casinos for doG's sake! The suckers who play the slots are his supporters, and they are losers by statistical definition. They are losers so that TRUMP can be a winner. It is a zero-sum game in his world. TRUMP is like those people who try to sell you a timeshare, tempting you to go to some hard-sell clinic with a free watch or iPad. It's not only slimy, but he is so good at it... being slimy is who he is.
I support America. An existential threat is upon us. We must stand up and fight. There are no good options, just necessary evils. [No violence please.]
5
Thank you for your column today.
RE: educated republicans who support Trump. A friend spoke of 'overlooking' Trump's character flaws. "He's a business man, not a politician". I believe that racist, xenophobic, misogynists, et al will use any excuse to express the ugliness of their views. And since there is no longer any 'shame' in our moral values, Trump gets away with anything and everything.....and rebuke and remain silent.
RE: educated republicans who support Trump. A friend spoke of 'overlooking' Trump's character flaws. "He's a business man, not a politician". I believe that racist, xenophobic, misogynists, et al will use any excuse to express the ugliness of their views. And since there is no longer any 'shame' in our moral values, Trump gets away with anything and everything.....and rebuke and remain silent.
4
I say it again, what Trump is doing with the public that 'worship' him:
"You can fool all the people , some of the time, but never, all the people, all the time.
"You can fool all the people , some of the time, but never, all the people, all the time.
4
They tell you that you can never tell what tomorrow will bring.
But they are wrong.
Tomorrow -- when the big storm hits -- Trump will be sitting in the White House or Mar-a-Lago or somewhere else -- worrying about the storm’s effects on him.
Not about you or me or anyone else but him.
But they are wrong.
Tomorrow -- when the big storm hits -- Trump will be sitting in the White House or Mar-a-Lago or somewhere else -- worrying about the storm’s effects on him.
Not about you or me or anyone else but him.
We are in serious trouble. There is a good chance that our democratic republic will not survive four years of ReTrumplican rule.
6
Sorry Blow, but those of us who elected him continue to support him and are looking forward to his continuing leadership. Tighten up your seat belt and enjoy the ride.
2
Perhaps you can explain why it's okay for your guy to spend every long weekend in Florida at taxpayers' expense, while leaving the wifey and the kid high atop a tower at taxpayer expense.
1
Chd, buy a real newpaper (not the Post) and turn Rush down for a second. Your man is in the pockets of the Russians, and they do not wish this country well.
1
I have just written on Barosso's facebook page a quotation from Politico: "After the release of the GAO report he requested, Barraso said Obama had “little regard for the taxpayer” and that the trip displayed “arrogance.” Barrasso’s office did not respond to a request for comment about Trump’s upcoming trip". I then called on him to respond. We all need to do this to alert their constituents of the hypocrisy of these republicans.
4
He and his family are parasites running government like it is their own personal casino rigged for constant payouts.
7
Now, Trump and congressional Republicans have locked arms in an effort to ram through a disastrous Obamacare repeal-and-replace plan
trump the tick...sounds about right.
4
Investigate ties to Russia and make his tax returns public.
4
Great column as always Mr Blow but if, as many increasingly believe, Trump is only serving at Putin's pleasure and not that of the American people, that makes him a Trojan horse first, and a parasite second.
2
I fear that things will need to get far worse before things might get better - David Frum in The Atlantic expressed it perfectly: the GOP / Ryan / McConnell have their agenda, and will allow Trump to do whatever he wants just so long as he doesn't interfere with their plans. At some point, however, Trump will do something that directly impacts their ability to get re-elected, and only then will they step in and put this dreadful presidency out of it's (and our) misery.
It looks as if Trump is confused by all his time on the links -- he thinks that a presidency that is "well below par" is a good thing!
4
Thank you for telling it like it is!
3
Considering the weather in Washington, D.C. is notoriously unpleasant in the summer, I have to wonder at which Trump property the so-called Summer White House will be located, and whether it will be in the continental U.S.
When will Americans shift from disapproving to finding Trump untrustworthy and unfit for office?
3
"...makes him look foolish, and unhinged" Better stated as "he is foolish and unhinged"
We need to change our election system so toddlers cannot be put in charge. IF we survive this god-awful presidency, we need to make sure this never happens again (because it could and will if we don't make serious changes).
Yes, I agree...but elections have consequences...a ratings mad media, those who sat at home during election day, those independents who at the last minute said, well, let's take a chance, those women who pulled the lever for someone they would not allow their daughter to date...well, we could have been sitting here with a different result...if...
1
Once again, Mr Blow distills the indisputable facts into indispensable truth.
3
Perhaps, when Trump leaves office he will donate all increases in his net worth attributable to his presidency? Maybe a Congressman/woman could introduce a Bill that would address Trump's ill gotten gains?
2
charles: you need to stop holding back. tell us what you really think. well done and well said. keep it up. thanks for doing it. free speech and a free press and a right to assemble.
not true and not true.
Nobody knew that running the government of the USA was so complicated!
If I had known, I would have started vetting appointees instead of doing a "Victory Lap" after the election.
If I had known, I would have started vetting appointees instead of doing a "Victory Lap" after the election.
1
Well said...sad, but true.
I don't know, but perhaps 45 won't release his tax returns because they will reveal that he is broke. So he went looking for a new job and got elected on false promises. Meanwhile, he and his family are being supported in the manner to which they have become accustomed.
2
Trump is shredding the fabric of the democracy.
Personally i think humanity's time is running out, he is patient zero.
You can fool some of the people all of the time. 62% of republicans approve of Trumps temperament? Sad!
His supporters still love him. How bad is it going to have to get before they change their minds? When they are forced to buy water too?
Trump is indeed who he is and always will be. He believes the last thing his awful advisors told him. The only chance to save the ACA is make him believe his supporters will be angry about it, but we already know Trump could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose a single vote.
America elected the ultimate capitalist.
Mr. Blow, I think we should mention the cabal of congressional republicans, and the right wing constituencies who elected them, are enabling his outrageous behavior.
1
A tic comes to mind, an orange deer tic spreading paralysis throughout the land.
1
He is indeed a leech, but what he is doing is continuing to leach personal financial advantage.
You hit it on the nail with the word, 'parasite'. What better way to get rid of the administrative state than to suck it dry and prevent any immune response from helping the host.
2
Scarier still is the fact that so many Americans don't have the capacity to see what is so patently obvious about this man.
2
A people get the government they deserve... Trump is a reflection of how crass America has become. As much as I dislike him, he has millions of supporters who love him.
1
The telling and incredible statistic is Republicans' 62- 27 approval rating of Putin's Puppet temperament. Indeed, that number will only grow when he, as promised on Meet the Press in June 2015, sends several Ohio class ballistic missile submarines to the Persian Gulf to unleash their nuclear Trident V nuclear missiles to destroy ISIL.
Many windows PC's have now a "system restore" function with time set points that allow you to reset your PC to an earlier time and thereby remove malfunctions that have appeared subsequent to that set time. Would it not be fantastic if America had a November 28th set point.
Look, if you have enough money for lawyers, loudest voice, of a certain gender and race, of a certain physical size you can say and do almost anything. Anyone not of a certain economic background, gender, religion or ethnicity knows the double standard. However now people are able to record the evidence and reach out to one another to resist together.
1
There is not one thing about trump** that his supporters do not have to make excuses for...not one. Snarling, malicious, vindictiveness is a terrible thing, and it is turning us into a Feral Republic.
Odd, but the behavior of the those who continue to support Trump (these 'educated, middle class voters') and will not turn from him (forget the craven GOP, we will know when it is over when those rats leave the sinking ship) remind me of Stalinists--refusing to acknowledge or even to see what was going on, and where it was headed.
2
"...this president and his family are burning through taxpayer funds like it’s Monopoly money."
Yes, and for the good of the country, let's hope he doesn't get lucky and draw the "Get Out of Jail Free" card.
Yes, and for the good of the country, let's hope he doesn't get lucky and draw the "Get Out of Jail Free" card.
2
The GOP is playing the part of Victor Frankenstein and Trump is their creature. There will be destruction. But, just as in Mary Shelly's book, things did not end well for Victor.
My heart is broken enough. Now, the only thing to write about, to think about, to plan for, to research, to implement, is his impeachment.
The truth could not have been better told.
In the trump presidency, we are watching a train wreck that we are powerless to stop.
Maybe Trump is broke so he is using the Presidentcy to refill his and his family's coffers.
1
time for people,not just the press,to hold his feet to the fire as well as the leeches who surround him. The safety of all Americans are at risk even though many who voted for him are clueless.
1
Anyone that knew about Trump before the election knew that he was a parasite He hired contractors and didn't pay them. That is parasitical behavior.
475
And he pays no taxes, and games the system to force other people to subsidize him; his scheme of a "non-profit" cemetery on one of his golf courses to insulate payment of his fair share of property taxes: yes, parasitical in the extreme.
Congressional Republicans have now become the once-fantasized "Death Panels".
Trump has turned the Presidency into a cheap and shallow reality show, and the US a laughingstock. Hard to believe a once great nation voted to commit suicide, but it did happen. Never been more ashamed, embarrassed and frightened of this nation. The gutting of America has begun.
2
Isn't is natural for those of a vainglorious and ego bloated mindset to become distraught at lifes ups and downs?
If the "comb-over" Presidency has a comeuppance that can't be fabricated away, then his handlers & minders failed abysmally?
If the "comb-over" Presidency has a comeuppance that can't be fabricated away, then his handlers & minders failed abysmally?
This is exactly what Putin wanted.
Congress needs to step up.
Doesn't the president have some sort of budget for personal travel and such?
Going home is not a travel reimbursement for most of us.
Doesn't the president have some sort of budget for personal travel and such?
Going home is not a travel reimbursement for most of us.
The GOP is digging their own grave, one teaspoonful at a time!
It really is hard to imagine a more unfit and unstable person for the job. trump is devoid of any moral compass, the ability for self reflection and the ability to have empathy for others. Additionally he is an intellectual light weight and lacks the humility to admit there is much about the workings of government that he does not understand. He lacks impluse control, boundary controls and has no filter. He has surrounded himself with the strangest cast of characters, some of which are just bizarre such as Kellyann Conway and Sean Spicer to those that are downright dangerous such as Stephen Bannon and Stephen Miller. I agree with Charles Blow that there is simply no hope for this presidency. I worry constantly on how much damage will be done to this country because of these people and how long it will take to repair it.
2
I am still stunned by this man-child being elected to lead our nation. The writing was on the wall from the moment he announced his candidacy. He is dangerous, dishonest, and delusional.
As usual, Charles, you've nailed it--Mr. Trump is enjoying living off the fat of the office: maintaining not one, but two regular extension offices, both of which benefit financially from his presence.
What you forgot to mention is the cost of "investigating" any insane tweet or charge the president makes in his regular fits of pique when he's not gaining the adulation he believes he deserves. The very fact he could make a spurious, malicious, and totally false charge against President Obama and then basically "order" his staff to substantiate it-- adding it to the various Congressional investigations into his ties with Russia-- is an outrage.
How many US presidents have purposefully lied then ordered the lies vetted" with taxpayer funds? Lord, at the rate he's going, the treasury will run out of money as surrogates attempt to normalize or defend Mr. Trump's many crude assertions.
I feel like I'm living in Alice in Wonderland: Trump is the Queen of Hearts, all contradictions and absurdities, and we not only get to watch this theater of the absurd, we have to pay for it.
I continue to wonder when Trump's supporters will see they've been conned? As explained by Sean Spicer, Mr. Trump is "only keeping his campaign promises." That may be true on immigration where he's living his xenophobia by creating an "immigrants crime bureau." But certainly not on healthcare, where the folks who would fare the worst on TrumpCare are his very own supporters.
What you forgot to mention is the cost of "investigating" any insane tweet or charge the president makes in his regular fits of pique when he's not gaining the adulation he believes he deserves. The very fact he could make a spurious, malicious, and totally false charge against President Obama and then basically "order" his staff to substantiate it-- adding it to the various Congressional investigations into his ties with Russia-- is an outrage.
How many US presidents have purposefully lied then ordered the lies vetted" with taxpayer funds? Lord, at the rate he's going, the treasury will run out of money as surrogates attempt to normalize or defend Mr. Trump's many crude assertions.
I feel like I'm living in Alice in Wonderland: Trump is the Queen of Hearts, all contradictions and absurdities, and we not only get to watch this theater of the absurd, we have to pay for it.
I continue to wonder when Trump's supporters will see they've been conned? As explained by Sean Spicer, Mr. Trump is "only keeping his campaign promises." That may be true on immigration where he's living his xenophobia by creating an "immigrants crime bureau." But certainly not on healthcare, where the folks who would fare the worst on TrumpCare are his very own supporters.
When do we get the new $$$ for infrastructure? Or is it all going to travel for the new boss?
Ronald Reagan emphasized, "America is a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere."
I fear for that light.
I see it dimming and hope it won't flicker out.
I fear for that light.
I see it dimming and hope it won't flicker out.
194
And it was Ronald Reagan who emphasized that "government is the enemy" and made it acceptable for people to have contempt for government, all the while giving tax cuts while increasing the federal budget.
As desperate as we are to understandably oppose Trump, please don't make "shining examples" out of Reagan or McCain or, apparently, even G.W. Bush now. They only stood/stand in opposition to Trump's crudeness -- not the essence of his desire to use power to transfer wealth to the wealthiest while using force to suppress vulnerable people. Research: 1) Bomb, bomb, bomb--bomb Iran; 2) the Contras, Grenada, suppression of unions, support of Afghan fundamentalists under Reagan --and of course the two trillion dollar, one million dead Iraq War under GW Bush.
Maybe I am deluding myself but I have to believe there are people working very hard, behind the scenes, on the Russian connection. And that this will take this house of cards down.
I would go mad if I did not believe this to be true.
I would go mad if I did not believe this to be true.
3
The country voted a President with exactly the same characteristics as some 50% of the population. The focus of the news and advertisements all show a country of low IQ, not interested in the world, and full of complaints. We have earned this man fair and square. We did it; not Trump.
5
Trump told us during the campaign if he stood in the middle of Fifth Ave and killed someone he could get away with it. What more does anyone need to know about this abominable man? I'm still aghast with all he has gotten away with so far. Why is there such a different standard for him? Senator McConnell and his despicable Republicans on the Hill are letting Trump trample our nation for all the world to see. I'm truly mortified by the choice so many people made by electing him president. I never dreamed there was so much corruption and hate brewing with Americans. At this rate do we as a nation have a chance to be a beacon of hope for the world or have we destroyed that for all. I'm no longer going to be silent into the night or day. Thank you Mr Blow for giving me the hope to go on with your column.
4
Donald Trump admires Vladimir Putin for many things. But probably the single most admirable trait to Trump is Mr. Putin's uncanny ability to build extraordinary wealth for himself while leading Russia, all while earning an officially salary of slightly less than $136,000 per year.
Mr. Putin is unofficially the wealthiest person on the planet, with estimated stores of $200 billion. He puts Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to shame in the category. And it has all been looted from the Russian treasury and oil resources. If you want to do business in Russia, Mr. Putin must be paid. Rex Tillerson, our new Secretary of State and former CEO of Exxon Mobile, understands this better than anyone.
That is Donald Trump's playbook.
Mr. Putin is unofficially the wealthiest person on the planet, with estimated stores of $200 billion. He puts Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to shame in the category. And it has all been looted from the Russian treasury and oil resources. If you want to do business in Russia, Mr. Putin must be paid. Rex Tillerson, our new Secretary of State and former CEO of Exxon Mobile, understands this better than anyone.
That is Donald Trump's playbook.
6
The ignorant fool will only continue to get worse. He is deranged. On must see a need to improve in order to change and this loonie-bird thinks he's perfect.
And history has shown how bad it can get.
And history has shown how bad it can get.
4
The country elected a bunch of neo-fascists and a mentally unstable ruler based on GOP created smear campaign against Hillary and playing on the schism Bernie created in the Democratic party. All it takes is one terrorist challenge on American soil or a foreign crisis and the neo-fascists will have their excuse to restrict liberties and justify their evil plans based on smears and fear mongering. The GOP sheep and the GOP anarchists will all follow their insane leader without any twinges of consciousness. Expense costs do not matter when we have elected a dictator and not a President. Is it any mystery how Hitler was allowed to accomplish what he did?
3
Again, in our "elected" Non-Servant, we have Normalized Abnormality.
It is, at least, assuring to have the persistency of Charles Blow in some public Statement of this President's chronic Insult to the People in his presence. Cynically, I hope his beautiful First Family can enjoy the
Absence of his Presence..
It is, at least, assuring to have the persistency of Charles Blow in some public Statement of this President's chronic Insult to the People in his presence. Cynically, I hope his beautiful First Family can enjoy the
Absence of his Presence..
2
There is only one way to get rid of this parasite: a purge. Americans must get off their duffs and show up at the offices of their legislators and tell those that support this wretch that when election time comes, they're through. Here is NC, showing up is the only option because Burr and Tillis are in hiding from the electorate, refusing to hold Town Halls or see constituents. Typical of parasites, no?
4
Up here in the great white north, we are still reeling from what seems a trip to another dimension. We fear our southern neighbours have lost their collective minds. To go from a peaceful, educated, widely admired and dignified President Obama to the disgraceful and dangerous laughingstock you elected is frankly stupefying.
Most of us now view America with as much distance and dispassion as we can. While we are certainly concerned for our friends and relatives who live there, we can't help but feel that the old adage, 'people get the government they deserve' sadly holds true. Numbers don’t lie and your electoral college, which is supposed to protect you from charlatans and foreign interference, has failed miserably.
That shining city on the hill is getting more tarnished and diminished every day. Party over country is poison and we hope that adults in the house and senate act soon to save their country and the well being (and sanity) of their constituencies.
P. T. Barnum, in this instance, was prescient - BLOTUS (in predictable form) is playing you for suckers and the world waits for you to wake up save yourselves (and us) from this catastrophic poseur and his craven henchmen.
Most of us now view America with as much distance and dispassion as we can. While we are certainly concerned for our friends and relatives who live there, we can't help but feel that the old adage, 'people get the government they deserve' sadly holds true. Numbers don’t lie and your electoral college, which is supposed to protect you from charlatans and foreign interference, has failed miserably.
That shining city on the hill is getting more tarnished and diminished every day. Party over country is poison and we hope that adults in the house and senate act soon to save their country and the well being (and sanity) of their constituencies.
P. T. Barnum, in this instance, was prescient - BLOTUS (in predictable form) is playing you for suckers and the world waits for you to wake up save yourselves (and us) from this catastrophic poseur and his craven henchmen.
8
To survive, a parasite needs a host body. Trump's approval rating is 40%. I guess four-tenths of a body is enough.
2
So very true. At some point he'll run out of executive decisions to revoke and then what?
The amount of money he's using for his golf trips is unbelievable as well as what it is costing the US to guard all of his children and his wife. Where is Congress's ire about this?
Maybe the camera filming microwave in trump tower will have some explosive information. Not that I think trump and Mrs trump ever microwaved anything by themselves ever. How Kellyanne Conway can put this stuff out there with a straight face is beyond me. Talk about making up fake news!
When will we get rid of this power mad president?
The amount of money he's using for his golf trips is unbelievable as well as what it is costing the US to guard all of his children and his wife. Where is Congress's ire about this?
Maybe the camera filming microwave in trump tower will have some explosive information. Not that I think trump and Mrs trump ever microwaved anything by themselves ever. How Kellyanne Conway can put this stuff out there with a straight face is beyond me. Talk about making up fake news!
When will we get rid of this power mad president?
3
Donald Trump is a strange case.
He know's a cheater and grabber. He's cheated on plenty of women and cheated many of his contractors out of fair payment for their work. He and his family (and administration) have doubtlessly colluded with Russian oligarchs and agents.
He knows. His lies, and his brazen escapes, fill up his private life. But he doesn't feel guilty. He's so stunted as a compassionate and thoughtful person that he can tell himself EVERYBODY cheats, and tries to hide it, but they're just not very good at it.
So the Clintons must have used their charitable Foundation to buy influence and pay bribes (since that's what Trump did). And Obama must have slithered under all legal restraints and ordered phones in Trump Tower to be wiretapped (since that's what Trump, as president, would do). And journalists generate biased, fake news (since that's what Trump does, with the help of Steve Bannon). And all elections are rigged (since Trump would rig them if he could ... and it's possible that he and his allies did.)
Lots of American writers and directors have portrayed monstrous, swollen, heartless characters like this. Twain (the King and the Duke aren't rich, but they are savvy cheaters), Wharton, Dreiser, Philip Roth of course. And there's always "Citizen Kane."
But I never expected to witness an American cheater, a big (yet very small) American caricature con enough voters to become President of the United States. Still don't believe it.
He know's a cheater and grabber. He's cheated on plenty of women and cheated many of his contractors out of fair payment for their work. He and his family (and administration) have doubtlessly colluded with Russian oligarchs and agents.
He knows. His lies, and his brazen escapes, fill up his private life. But he doesn't feel guilty. He's so stunted as a compassionate and thoughtful person that he can tell himself EVERYBODY cheats, and tries to hide it, but they're just not very good at it.
So the Clintons must have used their charitable Foundation to buy influence and pay bribes (since that's what Trump did). And Obama must have slithered under all legal restraints and ordered phones in Trump Tower to be wiretapped (since that's what Trump, as president, would do). And journalists generate biased, fake news (since that's what Trump does, with the help of Steve Bannon). And all elections are rigged (since Trump would rig them if he could ... and it's possible that he and his allies did.)
Lots of American writers and directors have portrayed monstrous, swollen, heartless characters like this. Twain (the King and the Duke aren't rich, but they are savvy cheaters), Wharton, Dreiser, Philip Roth of course. And there's always "Citizen Kane."
But I never expected to witness an American cheater, a big (yet very small) American caricature con enough voters to become President of the United States. Still don't believe it.
3
He's a true narcissist.
Stop whining and read Landon Thomas' article in todays NYT business section.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/12/business/dealbook/small-business-conf...
The president is actually doing a good job.