I'm off topic, but can I just say that the ads that splice up this column online are very distracting and they really interrupt the flow, especially the ad that effectively cuts off the last line of the column. Frank deserves better, and so do readers.
7
His 100 days? Turns out he's now down to his base-voters at this point. That would be the Kool Aid crew.
As for presidential history, it's the worst hundred day performance.
" If you’re an adviser to him, your job is to help him at the margins, to talk him out of doing crazy things," said one source Politico noted as a “Trump confidante.”
And a senior official said "You don’t walk in with a traditional presentation, like a binder or a PowerPoint — he doesn’t care. He doesn’t consume information that way.
You go in and tell him the pros and cons, and what the media coverage is going to be like.”
100 days of binge television watching, binge tweeting, binge golfing, binge escapes from D.C., binge executive orders, binge bragging.....
As for presidential history, it's the worst hundred day performance.
" If you’re an adviser to him, your job is to help him at the margins, to talk him out of doing crazy things," said one source Politico noted as a “Trump confidante.”
And a senior official said "You don’t walk in with a traditional presentation, like a binder or a PowerPoint — he doesn’t care. He doesn’t consume information that way.
You go in and tell him the pros and cons, and what the media coverage is going to be like.”
100 days of binge television watching, binge tweeting, binge golfing, binge escapes from D.C., binge executive orders, binge bragging.....
78
Schindler's comments to Amon Goth about the real use of power applies here.
This president is small and mean because that is what looks like being strong and powerful to his supporters who are also small and mean.
This president is small and mean because that is what looks like being strong and powerful to his supporters who are also small and mean.
87
My biggest fear is that people are starting to normalize him. I can see how they can't maintain the level of outrage that they need to. Why have people forgotten about the tape where he talked about grabbing women by their private parts? I'm disgusted by the women who voted for him and stop support him. Thanks to commenters like Frank Bruni who keep writing about the truth. Never stop even if people don't want to hear about it.
56
“Mother of heaven, regina of the clouds,
O sceptre of the sun, crown of the moon,
There is not nothing, no, no, never nothing,
Like the clashed edges of two words that kill.”
And so I mocked her in magnificent measure.
Or was it that I mocked myself alone?
I wish that I might be a thinking stone.
The sea of spuming thought foists up again
The radiant bubble that she was. And then
A deep up-pouring from some saltier well
Within me, bursts its watery syllable.
The first stanza of Le Monocle de Mon Oncle by Wallace Stevens.
"The clashed edges of two words that kill."
The words that Trump speaks are not mere mockery but real and evil. He can assault propriety but has no idea of what words mean and the consequences they might have.
O sceptre of the sun, crown of the moon,
There is not nothing, no, no, never nothing,
Like the clashed edges of two words that kill.”
And so I mocked her in magnificent measure.
Or was it that I mocked myself alone?
I wish that I might be a thinking stone.
The sea of spuming thought foists up again
The radiant bubble that she was. And then
A deep up-pouring from some saltier well
Within me, bursts its watery syllable.
The first stanza of Le Monocle de Mon Oncle by Wallace Stevens.
"The clashed edges of two words that kill."
The words that Trump speaks are not mere mockery but real and evil. He can assault propriety but has no idea of what words mean and the consequences they might have.
33
Every act of Trump's -- whether ethical or not -- is setting precedent for subsequent office holders. (Why should any fuure president release his tax returns, e.g.?) His impact on the office, I fear, will last much longer than his occupation of it.
43
Folks, what does one expect from a demagogue who has never failed, has never made a mistake, never had reason to ask for forgiveness, basks himself in the accolades he craves from those who adore him...
It reminds me of an event recorded in Acts 12:20-23 when Herod . wearing his royal robes sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted , "this is the voice of a god not of a man'...read on to se what happened to the pathetic dude!
It reminds me of an event recorded in Acts 12:20-23 when Herod . wearing his royal robes sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted , "this is the voice of a god not of a man'...read on to se what happened to the pathetic dude!
28
The issue is not his lack of "political etiquette" Mr. Bruni nor even his disregard for the Constitution, dear Bonnie, but his egotistical and utter contempt for humans and his—as yet untriggered— instinct for vengeful retribution: "If they screw you, screw them back 10 times as hard". These two personality traits describe tyrants.
What will happen when people march and he decides, in a whim, to stamp down a protest and people die? Do you expect domestic or international pressure will deter him from increasing repression? Does "An armed rebellion starts in the US" sound like an unbelievable headline? Wait a year and it might not.
Op-eds are having the effect of paper planes against a destroyer because people are dizzy by daily weird news. Also, for many folks the system was not working and they scorn (or do not read) the "serious" media.
But wait until the first blood is shed.
According to a 2012 congressional report, the US had 112 arms for every 100 inhabitants making it #1 in the world ranking. Runner up was Serbia with 75. Iraq is a tough guess, but the report ranked it #5 and estimated 34 guns per 100 inhabitants.
If a tyrant managed to bypass the balance powers, the founding fathers thought people should get organized into well armed militias to deter him. There would be historical justice in that turn of events, as the US was laboriously built by inmigrants escaping from tyrants that also showed an utter disdain for all humans and for their basic rights.
What will happen when people march and he decides, in a whim, to stamp down a protest and people die? Do you expect domestic or international pressure will deter him from increasing repression? Does "An armed rebellion starts in the US" sound like an unbelievable headline? Wait a year and it might not.
Op-eds are having the effect of paper planes against a destroyer because people are dizzy by daily weird news. Also, for many folks the system was not working and they scorn (or do not read) the "serious" media.
But wait until the first blood is shed.
According to a 2012 congressional report, the US had 112 arms for every 100 inhabitants making it #1 in the world ranking. Runner up was Serbia with 75. Iraq is a tough guess, but the report ranked it #5 and estimated 34 guns per 100 inhabitants.
If a tyrant managed to bypass the balance powers, the founding fathers thought people should get organized into well armed militias to deter him. There would be historical justice in that turn of events, as the US was laboriously built by inmigrants escaping from tyrants that also showed an utter disdain for all humans and for their basic rights.
19
Whether we like it or not, the world regards the POTUS as the premiere representative of the American people. Many of us do not wish to be represented by a crude, cruel, ignorant serial liar, braggart and con man, which explains the popularity of the phrase, "Not My President."
Just add vodka, and you've got an American Boris Yeltsin.
We don't like him, we didn't vote for him, we are appalled daily by his behavior and we dread the prospect of the crisis that will test his mettle as a leader. A grown man who is surprised to learn that health care is complicated and that China and North Korea have a tumultuous history has no place in the Oval Office unless he is carrying a ladder and a box of new light bulbs.
Just add vodka, and you've got an American Boris Yeltsin.
We don't like him, we didn't vote for him, we are appalled daily by his behavior and we dread the prospect of the crisis that will test his mettle as a leader. A grown man who is surprised to learn that health care is complicated and that China and North Korea have a tumultuous history has no place in the Oval Office unless he is carrying a ladder and a box of new light bulbs.
65
Re:in this article-"He was fashioning a new model of leadership."
"Napoleon was able to cut through all of the problems by manipulating public opinion through a controlled press, muscling through votes in a largely appointed Parliament and simply imposing diktats once he became emperor of France in 1804."
(NYT:April 28, 2017 France and the Benefits of a Little Dictatorship)
Trump hopes to cut through all the problems by manipulating public opinion through Tweets, muscling through with a large commingling of blood, business and government and simply imposing diktats now that he sees himself as emperor of the USA.
Plus les choses changent, plus elles restent les mêmes?
"Napoleon was able to cut through all of the problems by manipulating public opinion through a controlled press, muscling through votes in a largely appointed Parliament and simply imposing diktats once he became emperor of France in 1804."
(NYT:April 28, 2017 France and the Benefits of a Little Dictatorship)
Trump hopes to cut through all the problems by manipulating public opinion through Tweets, muscling through with a large commingling of blood, business and government and simply imposing diktats now that he sees himself as emperor of the USA.
Plus les choses changent, plus elles restent les mêmes?
19
I couldn't make it through the entire needy self-lovefest in Pennsylvania last night. How many adults besides Trump have to be the best and "win" every time? Mr. President makes me think of the old SNL "The Guest Who Wouldn't Leave" skits; only who's having the last laugh now?
18
"It’s quite another to step onto the inaugural stage, put your hand on the Bible and then go out of your way to belittle the past presidents who are sitting, respectfully, just a few feet away." [excerpt]
How would that compare to Barack Obama belittling the Supreme Court Justices sitting just a few feet away during that remarkable joint speech to Congress, televised around the world? Perhaps you could have expressed yourself on that infamous moment for perspective and context -- and to demonstrate some journalistic integrity.
How would that compare to Barack Obama belittling the Supreme Court Justices sitting just a few feet away during that remarkable joint speech to Congress, televised around the world? Perhaps you could have expressed yourself on that infamous moment for perspective and context -- and to demonstrate some journalistic integrity.
5
Governance! Puh-leeze! The press still does not get that below the comb - over is a ledger sheet. Across the top in upper case: "Is it good for the Trumps?"
38
I can't wait for the day when our long national nightmare is finally over.
And the book and the movie come out, called "Unpresidented".
And the book and the movie come out, called "Unpresidented".
50
The irony is in how much more a Bush, Rubio or Kasich would have likely accomplished for all of the republican agenda diehards by now. They would have probably had a similar Supreme Court nominee and several major bills winding through the process. There is nothing Trump has done so far that wasn't on their list too. Unlike Trump, they would be concentrating on the job far more than on themselves after coming out of the gate. Trump also refuses to reach out to the over fifty percent of the nation that weren't supporters, not even acknowledging their humanity. He then has the audacity to continuously complain about press coverage and protests? Trump wastes time hurling insults like a petulant twelve year old. Leadership and dignity elude him at every turn. The entire GOP has been reduced to his level through the actions of it's own constituents. Trump's fight is no longer against Hillary or Barack, it's against a fresh slate of energized democratic candidates and his own dysfunctional. No wall will save the Republican Party. The GOP has purposely plunged itself into the depths of self-delusional dishonesty, now adopting it as a governing philosophy.
34
At the end of the day – or more specifically, at the end of the day on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 - we will only have ourselves to blame if we reelect someone who does not share our regard for the office, for the principles this great country was founded upon.
We will have forever normalized the now.
We will have forever normalized the now.
17
It's all part of the Donald's plan. I've been saying it for weeks and everyone's still laughing at me. The man wants to take over. Completely. All this so called admiration for the world's foreign dictators has nothing to do with admiration and everything to do with picking their brains as to how to get control and keep it. The experiment of trying to turn the ICE into a federal police force in control of the states' local law enforcement was is still in the development stage but the idea is not going away. The destruction of established American traditions with the emphasis on showing no respect for them, plus the extreme animosity and constant degrading of the the press is of course the number one priority. He can't silence the press but he can sew distrust and disrespect for it on a constant basis. He's got 40% of the population willing to follow him wherever he goes and he knows it and constantly holds rallies whenever he can to keep them stirred up. I could go on but it's all there and I wish those who still have a means of stopping him would begin the process before they're all sitting around wondering what happened.
Just remember how you all laughed when he said he was going to run. Not so funny now is it.
Just remember how you all laughed when he said he was going to run. Not so funny now is it.
32
Trump seems not to have learned anything from his time in the white House except what he already thought he knew. that is, probably that leading the Nation is for him, mostly like running a bigger Hotel?
7
Trump's take on the office is simple. The Presidency is to be made Imperial in a new alt.reality empire.
Right now he's jet skiing on the largest DC Swamp ever. One of his making. His porkflake voters will be firm in support tucked behind their Fox News wall of alt.fact, immune from any real input. A bit like Germany in the 30s. It may be worse than most of us think, even in this forum.
In a way the silver lining is that by discrediting the office he will perhaps bring the Office down to earth. This is good in the sense that the US has never needed an Imperial Presidency, which is what it has become. Under these Imperial Presidencies permanent War has become our biggest export.
Next time we have a presidential election (auction), amidst the ruins, the porkflakes might ask hard reality based questions about why a billionaire casino capitalist would be even remotely concerned with bettering their lives and ask what he has done for them, other than entertain.
Right now he's jet skiing on the largest DC Swamp ever. One of his making. His porkflake voters will be firm in support tucked behind their Fox News wall of alt.fact, immune from any real input. A bit like Germany in the 30s. It may be worse than most of us think, even in this forum.
In a way the silver lining is that by discrediting the office he will perhaps bring the Office down to earth. This is good in the sense that the US has never needed an Imperial Presidency, which is what it has become. Under these Imperial Presidencies permanent War has become our biggest export.
Next time we have a presidential election (auction), amidst the ruins, the porkflakes might ask hard reality based questions about why a billionaire casino capitalist would be even remotely concerned with bettering their lives and ask what he has done for them, other than entertain.
15
We tend to understate Trump's behaviour and accept it because we constantly fear what he might otherwise do in those circumstances, and what the consequences would be. Let's say, for argument's sake, a serious terrorist attack occurs on U.S. soil and Trump declares martial law. The outcry, instant and cacaphonous, would overwhelm the nation but would it be enough to change the President's mind? And if not, what then? During Watergate and, I believe, in Reagan's second term the military was told to clear any Presidential orders with those other than the President, Kissinger and Hague. Would such a seemingly treasonous order be obeyed?
6
There is no point in trying to change the President at his core. It’s not going to happen.
The first real opportunity to act is on Tuesday, November 9, 2018. By voting, citizens can make a statement about what is and is not acceptable. By voting, those who disapprove can begin to put a check on the President’s power.
However, and to the extent that all politics is local, the work needs to start now (and many organizations are doing such work). It is important to build the bench, to elect officials and representatives who believe in the basic tenets of democracy, who embody the qualities of good governance and strong leadership, who mirror the community, who have vision.
With regard to Mr. Bruni’s concern that this President “has already succeeded in changing forever the expected demeanor of someone in public office.”
At the end of the day – or more specifically, at the end of the day on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 - we will only have ourselves to blame if we reelect someone who does not share our regard for the office, for the principles this great country was founded upon.
We will have forever normalized the now.
The first real opportunity to act is on Tuesday, November 9, 2018. By voting, citizens can make a statement about what is and is not acceptable. By voting, those who disapprove can begin to put a check on the President’s power.
However, and to the extent that all politics is local, the work needs to start now (and many organizations are doing such work). It is important to build the bench, to elect officials and representatives who believe in the basic tenets of democracy, who embody the qualities of good governance and strong leadership, who mirror the community, who have vision.
With regard to Mr. Bruni’s concern that this President “has already succeeded in changing forever the expected demeanor of someone in public office.”
At the end of the day – or more specifically, at the end of the day on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 - we will only have ourselves to blame if we reelect someone who does not share our regard for the office, for the principles this great country was founded upon.
We will have forever normalized the now.
16
I'll take Frank Bruni any day over Peter Baker.
11
It's not just 45; it's the GOP members in congress who are ignoring the Constitution and all ethical oversght. Are they hoping 45 can hang on for 2 years so that Sharia Mike can run twice?
31
My first 100 days of President Psychotic's days in office have been fantastically successful: I detest him more now than I ever did before The Great American Blunder of last November. Progress!
28
Perhaps worst of all - what president has ever so consistently & thoughtlessly belittled and demonized everyone who (even seemingly) disagrees with him. And his supporters wonder why the country *WON'T* come together?
28
I too worry about the sane public becoming too worn out to persist in fighting against Trump and his total lack of knowledge and sound judgment which he demonstrates day after day and hour after hour. Thank you, Mr. Bruni, for continuing to shine a light on the most incompetent person to ever gain access to the White House!!! I still think of President Obama as my president and will never recognize Trump as the legitimate occupier of the White House. Trump's behavior and language during the last year and a half, and probably during many years in the past, repeatedly demonstrates that Trump is nothing more than a jerk, who cashed in on the ignorance of many voters. I hope that we can find a way to get rid of him and his enablers, including Mike Pence. Demanding that Trump show his federal income tax reports is probably one sure way because he definitely doesn't want anyone to see them so there's something very damning in them.
24
Mr. Bruni
Unfortunately, your persistence in writing this sort of commentary is not helpful or even useful. Simply repeating the same thing over and over—he mocked a disabled person, for example—doesn't tell us anything about the details of the policy impact his Executive Orders have. Nor does repeatedly asserting that he is "illegally" profiting or even worse "unconstitutionally" profiting from the Presidency, help us understand the foreign policy implications of his meeting with Xi Jinping or Angela Merkel.
It seems that you and many other columnists just cannot get over the fact that you were dead wrong about your fervent hope—totally understandable—that he should lose the election. But he won. And you must grow up. You MUST get over the fact that you picked the wrong candidate and a flawed one at that.
Meanwhile, as you and your fellow writers keep spouting this useless nonsense, Trump is being co-opted by the Republicans. The Democrats have all but given up any chance of cooperating with him and seeing if they can use the enormous power of the Presidency to unite the country and get meaningful reforms to help Americans: health care, consumer protection, tax relief, etc. hang in the balance.
And as Trump issues Executive Orders to undo regulations that protect our air and water, that protect consumers, and that place limits on the damage rogue and greedy financial institutions can do, you are silent.
Frank, frankly, I couldn't care less about this sort of carping.
Unfortunately, your persistence in writing this sort of commentary is not helpful or even useful. Simply repeating the same thing over and over—he mocked a disabled person, for example—doesn't tell us anything about the details of the policy impact his Executive Orders have. Nor does repeatedly asserting that he is "illegally" profiting or even worse "unconstitutionally" profiting from the Presidency, help us understand the foreign policy implications of his meeting with Xi Jinping or Angela Merkel.
It seems that you and many other columnists just cannot get over the fact that you were dead wrong about your fervent hope—totally understandable—that he should lose the election. But he won. And you must grow up. You MUST get over the fact that you picked the wrong candidate and a flawed one at that.
Meanwhile, as you and your fellow writers keep spouting this useless nonsense, Trump is being co-opted by the Republicans. The Democrats have all but given up any chance of cooperating with him and seeing if they can use the enormous power of the Presidency to unite the country and get meaningful reforms to help Americans: health care, consumer protection, tax relief, etc. hang in the balance.
And as Trump issues Executive Orders to undo regulations that protect our air and water, that protect consumers, and that place limits on the damage rogue and greedy financial institutions can do, you are silent.
Frank, frankly, I couldn't care less about this sort of carping.
6
Do not ever "let it go"! Reporters like you are my only hope for making the American people see what a travesty Trump's presidency is.
17
Good column. But I think Trump may leave us with some other useful gifts, as well: Flip-flops don't matter; waffles don't matter; outright reneging on campaign promises don't matter either. Want to appoint a relative to a White House position? Go right ahead! Ignore conflicts of interest? Help yourself! In short: Trump has set the bar so low, it's on the ground (if not under it). It'll sure be easy for the next president to do better! And never again should a Democrat care what anyone thinks of a new, improved, position on any issue. We can say "Talk to the (scotch-taped, made in China, which is apparently not a currency manipulator after all) tie!"
12
So you are confirming my opinion of the guy, he is a doofus.
9
Good analysis. But I eagerly await Maureen's!
1
"Many readers will get this far in this column and wonder why I and other naysayers don't just let it go and gut him a break."
Not me, Frank. I say "Pile it on, and on, and on, and on."
The picture of Ted Nugent and Kid Rock in the Oval Office made me want to throw up.
45 is the worst thing to EVER happen to this presidency and this country.
Don't stop pointing out the horrible things this so-called President is doing.
Not me, Frank. I say "Pile it on, and on, and on, and on."
The picture of Ted Nugent and Kid Rock in the Oval Office made me want to throw up.
45 is the worst thing to EVER happen to this presidency and this country.
Don't stop pointing out the horrible things this so-called President is doing.
Here's Trump's lasting gift to America, and especially to the Democratic party:
Never again will "flip-flops" matter! Never again must we cringe, afraid of being accused of "waffling"! Have a new, better opinion? Full steam ahead! Already regretting a campaign promise? Forget it! Once we couple these innovations to an agenda which truly wins over the American people, we will leave Trump and his fake agenda in the dust. So long, Donnie, and thanks for all the fish!
Never again will "flip-flops" matter! Never again must we cringe, afraid of being accused of "waffling"! Have a new, better opinion? Full steam ahead! Already regretting a campaign promise? Forget it! Once we couple these innovations to an agenda which truly wins over the American people, we will leave Trump and his fake agenda in the dust. So long, Donnie, and thanks for all the fish!
6
On top of all the damage Trump and his henchmen are doing to the criminal justice system, the environment, health care, etc., etc., what adds insult to injury and is most infuriating — what sets him apart, in other words, from the rest of the 2016 GOP contenders, who would have done all of the same things — is his utter lack of decorum, his rudeness, his vulgarity, his ignorance, his obnoxiousness, his willingness to lie as blatantly as possible and get away with it. His victory is a victory for all those character qualities. Schools need to rethink their anti-bullying policies; bullying is now the way to get ahead, at least if you're rich enough.
11
Donald Trump's biggest accomplishment? Offending, shocking and scaring American citizens to take interest in politics and world affairs. The pubic's engagement in politics is at its highest point since the Vietnam war. People are realizing that voting matters! Pay attention to elections and vote for people that put the needs of the country above their own.
10
Once again, Trump IS NOT the problem. THE rPUBLICANS (with a small r because they are very small minded) ARE! There is probably enough evidence to impeach this lying, thieving, sexist, gas bag. If he were a Democrat with a republican congress there would have been several special investigations going all at once, and he would be out the door in the first 50 days.
republicans do NOT CARE if he sold his soul and ours to get elected. Their financial backers DON'T want policies that benefit all Americans. They only want policies that benefit THEM. Quit blaming Trump and start exposing the republicans for the frauds they are.
republicans do NOT CARE if he sold his soul and ours to get elected. Their financial backers DON'T want policies that benefit all Americans. They only want policies that benefit THEM. Quit blaming Trump and start exposing the republicans for the frauds they are.
17
Just curious: I'm sure that among the 1032 comments to this article (this excellent article) there were a few from Trump supporters who consider Bruni's comments typical of liberal, elitist attitudes towards this terrific president. Trump's impoliteness must have seemed irrelevant to at least a few commenters. (It's not irrelevant to me.) But here's my question: was there any commenter who felt that Trump's behavior has been good in itself -- that his speech at the CIA was a good speech? Anyone?
8
It's not just the traits of a good leader that Trump fails to display but the qualities of a decent human being of any rank or calling. I would be appalled if my spouse, child, sibling acted this way; I would not pursue a friendship or a business relationship with such a person.
16
How is it that so many morally wrong persons set their sights on political office and hoodwink voters? There ought to be an examination about the constitution if s/he is in the running. Pledging the oath assumes an understanding about it.
8
What is becoming boring and tiring are these constant anti-Trump articles that appear on a daily basis. He is far from perfect but I wonder how he is able to perform his duties with such hostility directed towards him. He must be made of steel and have the thickest of skins. Yet he continues to serve the American people and perseveres.
If at times he appears abrasive (and he does) is it any wonder that he must behave like this to defend himself. He has been dissected and criticized like no other president before him. He has kept a number of his promises during the campaign such as border control, creating employment and appointing a Supreme Court justice within his first 100 days. Other promises such as health care have not been fulfilled but that is not completely his fault. He has had opposition from his own party and they must sit down and prepare a plan that is beneficial for all Americans.
Hillary Clinton also made mistakes during her campaign and was far from perfect. She insulted the voters who supported Donald Trump who she referred to as deplorables and despicable and which may have even cost her the election.
Those who supported Donald Trump and still do overlook his shortcomings and feel he is accomplishing those things he said he would do. They are happy with the direction he has taken our country and many were once Democratic voters. They were forgotten and neglected by Hillary Clinton so they took a chance with President Trump.
If at times he appears abrasive (and he does) is it any wonder that he must behave like this to defend himself. He has been dissected and criticized like no other president before him. He has kept a number of his promises during the campaign such as border control, creating employment and appointing a Supreme Court justice within his first 100 days. Other promises such as health care have not been fulfilled but that is not completely his fault. He has had opposition from his own party and they must sit down and prepare a plan that is beneficial for all Americans.
Hillary Clinton also made mistakes during her campaign and was far from perfect. She insulted the voters who supported Donald Trump who she referred to as deplorables and despicable and which may have even cost her the election.
Those who supported Donald Trump and still do overlook his shortcomings and feel he is accomplishing those things he said he would do. They are happy with the direction he has taken our country and many were once Democratic voters. They were forgotten and neglected by Hillary Clinton so they took a chance with President Trump.
4
Maybe jaded ink-stained wretches "shrug and yawn" at the President's latest outrage, but that attitude doesn't describe me or many people I know. Because, on an almost daily basis, he continues to outdo himself. He continues to say things that no president would say and in a way that betrays that he either doesn't understand or doesn't care that he's president of the entire country. What other president explicitly says, when conducting official duties rather than campaigning, that he is looking after his base? What other president couches his viewpoints in how events and the statements and actions of world leaders make him feel rather than what such events and leaders mean for the United States?
10
Our Fake So Called President is a fascist who no doubt would see himself as a benevolent dictator but, something always goes wrong on the road to benevolence. Like those pesky facts and the tiresome journalists who report them. Those who are using the argument that the American democratic republic can withstand the evil idiocy of the Trumpies are kidding themselves. If he succeeds there will be hundreds if not thousands of Donald wannabes inflicting our governments with the overarching tenet of mob violence enforcing mob rule. America will be no better than Russia, just a very well armed authoritarian thugocracy run for and by oligarchs. Make no mistake, the man is exceedingly dangerous and must be removed from power immediately.
17
And the good news is that "Trump is being Trump" which will ultimately lead to his downfall, sooner than some may believe. In the Trump Organization, he is widely distrusted by most everyone, except family, because loyalty only goes one way, and that's up. It's not given in return. Organization executives are regularly thrown-under-the-bus after a short, tumultuous careers, with their reputations and integrities impugned.
And speaking about Kellyanne Conway... She hasn't been seen, or heard from, in weeks. Rumor has it that she's trying to untangle her dress from the muffler of the 7:00 am Peter Pan out of Union Station on its way to the city, currently located at exit 8 on the Jersey Turnpike.
Steve Bannon, it's been heard, is snagged on the front bumper of the 9:20 am Greyhound out of Union Station headed for Richmond, currently stuck in traffic on the Beltway.
What Donald Trump doesn't understand is that confidentiality agreements aren't enforceable in government positions, as they are in private business organizations. The combination of the Russian-election-tampering investigation and his disloyalty to associates is destined to lead to a total collapse of his presidency, resulting in a constitutional crisis of unimagined proportions.
And speaking about Kellyanne Conway... She hasn't been seen, or heard from, in weeks. Rumor has it that she's trying to untangle her dress from the muffler of the 7:00 am Peter Pan out of Union Station on its way to the city, currently located at exit 8 on the Jersey Turnpike.
Steve Bannon, it's been heard, is snagged on the front bumper of the 9:20 am Greyhound out of Union Station headed for Richmond, currently stuck in traffic on the Beltway.
What Donald Trump doesn't understand is that confidentiality agreements aren't enforceable in government positions, as they are in private business organizations. The combination of the Russian-election-tampering investigation and his disloyalty to associates is destined to lead to a total collapse of his presidency, resulting in a constitutional crisis of unimagined proportions.
16
Steve Bannon was all over the speech Trump gave at the latest rally.
That's one awful accomplishment all by itself.
That's one awful accomplishment all by itself.
9
The 62 million people who voted for this graceless man and his tacky family, less the 2 percent who regret it, are either woefully and/or gleefully ignorant of history and economics, or shamefully cynical and venal opportunists whose patriotism comes in a distant second to their pocketbook.
It doesn't actually matter which since both are fatal to the long term survival of a democratic society.
It doesn't actually matter which since both are fatal to the long term survival of a democratic society.
18
I'm Canadian and I watch from the safety and security of a country that, today, stands as a beacon of hope and pride in the democratic values that a civilized country such as mine can offer the world. As I gaze southward, I see a nation that once held the respect, if not the admiration, of most of the world's countries. Sadly, last November brought an end to all that when America was taken hostage by a reality tv celebrity and his minions who sit in the White House. Like the vast majority of my fellow citizens, I can only shake my head in disbelief at what has become for us and others around the world a nightmare become reality. The first 100 days of 45's presidency seem more like 100 years of one man's megalomaniacal assault against a once great country. For all Americans' sake and for the sake of the rest of the world, I can only hope we shall all survive long enough to see an end to what can only be described as a situation in which the lunatics are in control of the asylum.
30
Beautifully put. The President needs to either resign, which he won't do, or he needs to be removed from office before he causes irreparable harm. Your concerns are appreciated. Thank you.
15
This thin-skinned sociopath we call the 45th Commander in Chief is a disgrace to the office, a dangerous role model for our children, and the one person who, by his intentional misunderstanding of the vast destruction of nuclear war, could get us all killed at any moment.
I believe he has committed enough high crimes and misdemeanors to be impeached at the very least, and, more justly, jailed for a very long time. The sooner the impeachment or indictments begin, the better.
I believe he has committed enough high crimes and misdemeanors to be impeached at the very least, and, more justly, jailed for a very long time. The sooner the impeachment or indictments begin, the better.
24
God Bless the Three Branches of Government.
May the Courts continue to see themselves equal to the executive branch and may Congress begin to put country before party.
I am a patriot.
I believe this country is strong enough to withstand a full frontal assault from one branch on the other two, even if it's at the hands of the executive.
During crisis we are all called to remember our core values and act from them. May we all continue to support for three equal branches and support their being strengthened.
May the Courts continue to see themselves equal to the executive branch and may Congress begin to put country before party.
I am a patriot.
I believe this country is strong enough to withstand a full frontal assault from one branch on the other two, even if it's at the hands of the executive.
During crisis we are all called to remember our core values and act from them. May we all continue to support for three equal branches and support their being strengthened.
7
And now Deterte (sp) has been invited to the the White House. My my. . .
But that's another topic.
Well, to Frank's posit; Most lying, 99.9% of all lying is perfectly legal. For it to be a crime all depends on the venue; To the FBI, the IRS, under oath, etc., are the few places you can't lie. On the campaign trail, an interview, a speech, a letter to the editor, a Tweet, it's all good free speech fun.
This is why Trump and indeed the entire GOP leadership are avoiding all those afore mentioned venues like the plague.
But that's another topic.
Well, to Frank's posit; Most lying, 99.9% of all lying is perfectly legal. For it to be a crime all depends on the venue; To the FBI, the IRS, under oath, etc., are the few places you can't lie. On the campaign trail, an interview, a speech, a letter to the editor, a Tweet, it's all good free speech fun.
This is why Trump and indeed the entire GOP leadership are avoiding all those afore mentioned venues like the plague.
9
“For nearly four years you have had an Administration which instead of twirling its thumbs has rolled up its sleeves. We will keep our sleeves rolled up. We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace--business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering. They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.”
― Franklin D. Roosevelt
Much more is at stake then Trump disrespecting the office of President or not. Big Money has just what it wants, a weak and small man puppet. Big Money is smiling all the way to the bank. The more we focus on Trumps lies the more we, as citizens lose as we become more and more apathetic. We cannot afford to be indifferent. We must peacefully unite wor turn us into ld wide to promote responsive and responsible governments that will listen to its people. We must never accept manipulative fiction as truth. We must never
give up our quest for responsive government. We must discern between fact and fiction. What is going on is just plain Wrong! We must be ruled by a mega billionaire dictatorship
― Franklin D. Roosevelt
Much more is at stake then Trump disrespecting the office of President or not. Big Money has just what it wants, a weak and small man puppet. Big Money is smiling all the way to the bank. The more we focus on Trumps lies the more we, as citizens lose as we become more and more apathetic. We cannot afford to be indifferent. We must peacefully unite wor turn us into ld wide to promote responsive and responsible governments that will listen to its people. We must never accept manipulative fiction as truth. We must never
give up our quest for responsive government. We must discern between fact and fiction. What is going on is just plain Wrong! We must be ruled by a mega billionaire dictatorship
10
When I read the moving columns, the passionate comments on this surreal occasion, I feel we're eulogizing our country that has passed.
18
Last evening in Pennsylvania, Mr. Trump read a poem called "The Snake." This was the first time I had heard him regale an audience with this poem. I am sure it is not lost on a lot of people that the slithery creature is a great metaphor for "The Donald" himself. Gullible Americans didn't believe he would continue to be the crass huckster he was during the campaign. But he started acting snaky on day one. And he will continue biting until someone has the moral turpitude to defang him.
13
No matter how many explanations I read about his 'base' I still do not get it. I do not understand how a boastful and crude man with poor manners can get a 'base' and I wonder when the base will get tired of him. I watched a clip of his Pa talk last night and I paid attention to the faces in the crowd. They looked delighted, entertained, and glad to be there. For them I wonder if this is some new reality show. For me, not so much.
17
Spot on. Thanks. I do want to see his face on the cover of Time again. Only this time I think it should be upside down.
7
Yes, stupidity carries the shrewdness with it that instinctively feels where the felllas will support its boldness, and that can come off as candor, and this has been systematically emboldened by our collectively ingrained respect and reverence for the members of the Big Money elite and their mostly pathetically cherished tokens of wealth, regardless of how big the fraud and deception, how overt or sneaky the robbery and theft by which they were acquired. But mostly it is a strong instinctively adopted inauthenticity that Trump treats us all to.
The article is perfect except for granting Trump the merit of candor and where it states:
"Politicians who feigned rectitude didn't take the country where it needed to go. Why not give a shot to one who doesn't bother much with the pretense?"
Trump bothers like hell with pretense. There's pretense all over him. It is his whole make-up. Including that he don't pretend.
He pretends he's a Christian. He cares. Deeply. For jobs. He is a masterful, 'artful', deft and accomplished businessman. He's a winner and one who sees and knows.
But he's just another politician who pretends not to be one and who feigns the rectitude of being incorrect.
Politicians who lived ethics and goodness and rectitude were never allowed to accomplish much by their frenetically obstructing and destructive colleagues who have virtually always been in the majority or able to filibuster (or stop lawmaking early by threatening with the filibuster in the wings).
The article is perfect except for granting Trump the merit of candor and where it states:
"Politicians who feigned rectitude didn't take the country where it needed to go. Why not give a shot to one who doesn't bother much with the pretense?"
Trump bothers like hell with pretense. There's pretense all over him. It is his whole make-up. Including that he don't pretend.
He pretends he's a Christian. He cares. Deeply. For jobs. He is a masterful, 'artful', deft and accomplished businessman. He's a winner and one who sees and knows.
But he's just another politician who pretends not to be one and who feigns the rectitude of being incorrect.
Politicians who lived ethics and goodness and rectitude were never allowed to accomplish much by their frenetically obstructing and destructive colleagues who have virtually always been in the majority or able to filibuster (or stop lawmaking early by threatening with the filibuster in the wings).
9
Only 3 years and 252 days left...
6
An observation: Perhaps the recent increase in the readership of the NYT and the viewership at MSNBC, CNN, etc. may have something to do with Independents like myself tuning in to follow the tortured gyrations of the pundits like Bruni who labor to make rhetorical mountains out of molehills, (needless drama, insufficient deference toward "traits"?) Please! How about, ("you can keep your doctor"?). That was a real lie if that is what we're talking about.
The CNN/MSNBC pundits make Bruni seem almost calm and composed. I find myself spinning the dial (so to speak) to try and catch all of the interesting points of view. Perhaps, I am contributing to everyone's increased ratings! You're very welcome; it is fascinating and amusing.
BTW, I note that Bruni hasn't forgotten Lewinsky or the Lincoln Bedroom, but Obama goes unmentioned in Bruni's moral outrage. Hillary said some very un-nice things about Trump and his supporters during the campaign; free pass or selective memory?
Rest assured that my preferred outlet has to be the NYT. There is the bonus or scrolling through the commenters who take these op-eds as springboards to frankly astonishing levels of hysteria and high dudgeon.
Thank you!
The CNN/MSNBC pundits make Bruni seem almost calm and composed. I find myself spinning the dial (so to speak) to try and catch all of the interesting points of view. Perhaps, I am contributing to everyone's increased ratings! You're very welcome; it is fascinating and amusing.
BTW, I note that Bruni hasn't forgotten Lewinsky or the Lincoln Bedroom, but Obama goes unmentioned in Bruni's moral outrage. Hillary said some very un-nice things about Trump and his supporters during the campaign; free pass or selective memory?
Rest assured that my preferred outlet has to be the NYT. There is the bonus or scrolling through the commenters who take these op-eds as springboards to frankly astonishing levels of hysteria and high dudgeon.
Thank you!
6
Sweet Jesus, I can't believe I am living this nightmare.
154
To me, Trump's presidency is merely further proof that there is no god. Nightmare indeed.
8
There is nothing the lair in chief could have accomplished in 100 days or a thousand days. He is only interested in destroying the institutions of the United States government. He and his hoodlums gang are calling it deconstructing.
His gang of ignorant billionaires are only interested in enriching themselves ,stealing our natural resources and robbing every one out of their hard earned income especially those who voted for them all in the name of reform.
But we couldn't expect any thing but this from a spoiled brat who was taught at the lap of his criminal farther to grab and steal every thing in his reach because he can.
His gang of ignorant billionaires are only interested in enriching themselves ,stealing our natural resources and robbing every one out of their hard earned income especially those who voted for them all in the name of reform.
But we couldn't expect any thing but this from a spoiled brat who was taught at the lap of his criminal farther to grab and steal every thing in his reach because he can.
13
Frank nailed a central point in the damage done already. The hardest thing to turn around will be the expectation of decency and morality practiced by the President. The orange one has debased and soiled the office. The only solace in this is it has set a clear warning for how future presidents not to act. In time the US may regain the trust and respect of it's allies.
13
Trump is not just debasing the Presidency, he's also debasing the world of business, which values such traits as prudence, truth-telling, sensible risk-taking called courage, and fair-dealing called justice, among other valued character traits. A good businessman honors his contracts, doesn't lie to his or her clients, and provides reputable products at an honest price.
Fact is, he's quite simply a rotten businessman.
Fact is, he's quite simply a rotten businessman.
16
Trump, unlike every other recent president, has not increased his approval numbers since assuming office. He has no new followers. While most of his base has stayed with him so far, there has been a alight erosion which should be unthinkable so early. There is nothing on his agenda, even of realized, which is guaranteed to change that. This is a media based presidency where he is weaving a fictional story with lots of story elements like conflict and rising tensions that is having little impact on reality. Sooner or later. president as story teller will fall flat.
7
Trump reminds me of that friend, co-worker, relative, that nobody wants around. You know the type, they dominate the conversation/event, oblivious to the discomfort of those around them. They're rude, self-centered and unfamiliar with the norms of civility. When they leave, we all breathe a sigh of relief, appreciative of what life can be without them.
I, for one, will never accept Trump's actions as being normal and acceptable. He has disgusted me since day one of the campaign . . . you remember, when he ascended his golden escalator and then opened his mouth and then let loose a torrent of sewage that has continued to this day. I have not forgotten the quiet dignity of President Obama, and I know that one day, roughly 1,360 days from now, we will again elect a president who will make us proud to be Americans. After a good fumigating of the White House we will leave this sorry chapter behind and let us speak of him no more. And then, I will breathe a sigh of relief . . .
I, for one, will never accept Trump's actions as being normal and acceptable. He has disgusted me since day one of the campaign . . . you remember, when he ascended his golden escalator and then opened his mouth and then let loose a torrent of sewage that has continued to this day. I have not forgotten the quiet dignity of President Obama, and I know that one day, roughly 1,360 days from now, we will again elect a president who will make us proud to be Americans. After a good fumigating of the White House we will leave this sorry chapter behind and let us speak of him no more. And then, I will breathe a sigh of relief . . .
21
Mr. Bruni:
Everything that you wrote in your article is true. But let's don't forget that what we are seeing now, we sow it for many months during the Trump presidential campaign. Nevertheless, 60 miilion plus Americans voted for him. So, why do we blame Trump and not almost have of the American voters.
Everything that you wrote in your article is true. But let's don't forget that what we are seeing now, we sow it for many months during the Trump presidential campaign. Nevertheless, 60 miilion plus Americans voted for him. So, why do we blame Trump and not almost have of the American voters.
9
A number of presidents over the last century have kept a messy White House. Was it at all necessary to sting Monica Lewinsky again? Couldn't you have made your unnecessary point by naming the president who was the troublemaker?
9
Monica was the predator in that encounter. Just shows that nearly all men, myself included, are hormone driven. A spinoff of evolution.
8
Trump was definately not my choice for president....yet, there he is anyway.....I accept this fact of life.
I've lived thru worse presidents. In fact a whole string of sub=standard presidents.
Bush, Sr.
Clinton.
Bush,Jr...possibly the worst in history.
Obama....Lame, except that everyone thinks he's great because he's our "first black president"....he did NOTHING....nothing any different than Bush, Jr.
And this is why I am glad that despite all the stupid brainwashing and mytthology about the president being "the most powerful man in the world", he is in fact.....NOT>
He's just the president, beholden to exactly the same standards of conduct and obedience to the law as the other 300 or so million Americans. And , THANK G0D that the USA is the one nation on the planet that upholds and reinforces "checks and balances" and maybe we'll even learn to support "trial by jury of peers" once again.
I've lived thru worse presidents. In fact a whole string of sub=standard presidents.
Bush, Sr.
Clinton.
Bush,Jr...possibly the worst in history.
Obama....Lame, except that everyone thinks he's great because he's our "first black president"....he did NOTHING....nothing any different than Bush, Jr.
And this is why I am glad that despite all the stupid brainwashing and mytthology about the president being "the most powerful man in the world", he is in fact.....NOT>
He's just the president, beholden to exactly the same standards of conduct and obedience to the law as the other 300 or so million Americans. And , THANK G0D that the USA is the one nation on the planet that upholds and reinforces "checks and balances" and maybe we'll even learn to support "trial by jury of peers" once again.
5
Excellent and realistic perspective. Let's not forget Lyin' Lyndon; Tricky Dick; and Iran-Contra Reagan. Back and forth between whether LBJ or Bush, Jr. worst in history. There are whole areas of US history that the NY Times conveniently and routinely ignores, as if Trump is somehow unique. Although Obama was certainly better than Bush, Jr., with some areas, he continued way too many of the Bush-Cheney policies. He was elected to hold Bush-Cheney and the treasonous neo-cons accountable and instead insisted on "turning the page," letting them free, and even doubling-down on some of their nonsense by letting the intervention-first Hillary Clinton destroy and destabilize Libya while running guns to CIA "rebels" in Syria. Always have to butt our noses in where we don't belong to satisfy the military Keynesians (including, unfortunately, Bernie "F-35 Fighter Jet" Sanders). And ironically the Obama-Clinton destruction of Libya helped unleashed the refugee and illegal immigrant tide to Europe, with no Gadaffi left to stop them. Thereby helping cause the populist backlash and enabling Erdogan in Turkey, etc.
2
A great deal of news coverage both before and after the Trump election has focused, rightly, on how such a miserable, incompetent, nasty piece of work like Trump could have been elected to the highest office in the land. The words "white," "angry," "neglected," and "male" come up repeatedly, arranged in various orders like refrigerator-magnet poetry tiles.
What has been discussed less often though is why the same white-hot angry people who voted for Trump with the hope of "shaking things up" also voted back into power an obscenely partisan, unpopular, unproductive, obstructionist, and plutocratic GOP Congress and Senate.
Trump voters, whatever self-righteousness you may feel about "sticking it" to Washington and the American people, your down-ticket votes that returned the GOP Congress and Senate to power, thereby maintaining the pernicious status quo, show your motivations to be hypocritical at best.
What has been discussed less often though is why the same white-hot angry people who voted for Trump with the hope of "shaking things up" also voted back into power an obscenely partisan, unpopular, unproductive, obstructionist, and plutocratic GOP Congress and Senate.
Trump voters, whatever self-righteousness you may feel about "sticking it" to Washington and the American people, your down-ticket votes that returned the GOP Congress and Senate to power, thereby maintaining the pernicious status quo, show your motivations to be hypocritical at best.
15
Looking at the illustration by Mr. Wiseman, I see the candles are fully aflame in a kind of hidden or perhaps not so subtle blow-out homage to 45's hair. Will he, like these candles, "flame out" and the question is "how soon?" (Because, obviously, it can't be soon enough.)
The Republican Party sold out years ago and the Democratic Party no longer represents the average working class citizens that kept it in power for decades beginning with FDR.
Someone like Trump was an inevitability. And frankly it could have been worse. He has a very smart wife and a good family. They may keep him (and us) away from the precipice. Let's hope so.
Someone like Trump was an inevitability. And frankly it could have been worse. He has a very smart wife and a good family. They may keep him (and us) away from the precipice. Let's hope so.
1
My nephew was on the debate team in high school. He worked so hard and won awards and comported himself with such dignity, even while arguing with his opponents. When Trump was in the debates, and I thought he never stood a chance, I remember thinking what the man was modeling for young people interested in being on a debate team. The distain, the name calling, the cruelty, the lies, the interrupting, the snarky asides. "Gosh," I thought. "He is setting such a low for the art of debating." That terrible example is not only reserved for debates. It's how he comports himself in LIFE. Last night, at his "rally" I was in despair. He'll never be anything but the preening narcissist we have seen from day one. He is incapable of dignity. He's still the schoolyard fourth-grade bullly who knows deep down that he's dislikable and lacks intelligence and won't get invited to the other kids' birthday parties. I keep praying that this is a one-off and the next person to occupy the White House will be someone that understands that he or she is setting a high standard for our country and the world. This is such a very sad time to be an American.
22
I share Frank's concern that Trump has demeaned the office of POTUS and it will forever more be seen as tacky and gaudy and, worst, not deserving of respect. In my lifetime I have people hate whomever was in office. But they still respected the office. Now that respect is at risk, if not already gone, and that is very hard to accept.
7
Trump is an embarrassment. His lack of knowledge of our basic governing principles; checks and balances, constitutional law and any number of other basic civics knowledge is an embarrassment. His treatment of our allies, from our NATO partners, (particularly his pouting during his photo op with Merkel,) to our NAFTA partners, to the Australian PM are all horrifyingly embarrassing. His fawning over Putin and Erdogan again, an embarrassment for this nation. Finally, his constant proclamation that he himself is intellectually unprepared to lead (i.e. "Who knew Health Care was so complex?"; and his admission that 'governing is so hard', is more than embarrassing, it is horrifying.
Trump's unforced errors based on his narcissism and thin-skinned, bullying personality have done true damage in the first 100 days. It is unimaginable at this point, how disastrous the rest of these next four years will be for our nation.
Trump's unforced errors based on his narcissism and thin-skinned, bullying personality have done true damage in the first 100 days. It is unimaginable at this point, how disastrous the rest of these next four years will be for our nation.
16
I'm reminded of Leona Helmsley. "Taxes are for the little people..." I think it's possible Trump crossed the line in the past that could have led to his wearing an orange jump suit just as Leona did. I think he'd look good in orange.
12
Trump's sins as president are not his lewdness, lies, or other foibles but his lack of respect for the constitution he swore to uphold, the functions of the gouvernement for which he was chosen chief executive.
7
I will never get used to Trump’s meanness, vindictiveness, pettiness, petulance, rude and crude behavior and apparent jealousy of President Obama. His constant need for attention and approval makes one wonder of his childhood upbringing.
He’s a fake and phony to the core.
He’s a fake and phony to the core.
16
I'd like someone to explain the national amnesia we have about Bill Clinton's bad boy behavior in the oval office. Trump's bad boy antics were while he was a private citizen, not leader of the free world, and on the desk in the oval. It was never even mentioned during the election cycle. I've never seen the press so restrained as in not mentioning it. No apologies for Trump, but hey, get real. Omission is fake news too.
5
I don't excuse Clinton's behavior, but it was no big deal in the rest of the world, and not that uncommon among many of our past presidents.
11
It's clear that the majority, and no doubt many Republicans of good conscience, are mortified at such an appalling turn of events as a Trump presidency. However, it must be pointed out that people living in a democracy usually get the government they deserve. In view of that, I would suggest the real culprits here are those who didn't bother to vote, as well as those who didn't bother to inform themselves or are easily conned. Nonetheless, one can only hope that this puzzling aberration will serve as a wake-up call to those non-voters and dupes, and come the mid-terms the electorate will rally so as to ensure the political castration of the current administration, thereby limiting its ability to do further damage until 2020 finally rolls around.
5
Decorum, is there much of it left in Anerican society? Turn on the tube, we are now verbally assaulted with four letter words. Look at the media instead of Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow we get Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh. What passes for entertainment is vulgar "reality TV" and "stars" such as Mellisa McCarthy. I remember when not so long ago going to the opera or the symphony didn't mean being dress in ripped jeans and sneakers. We deface our public structures and monuments with graffiti and much contemporary music is short on melody and long on vulgarity. I could go on.
This is all somehow being "authentic". Our eyes and ears have grown blind and deaf to this constant stream of assaults to our social norms, etiquette and civility. Trump is nothing more than a disilation of what we as Americans have become, he is just dressed up better in a dark blue suit and red tie and parades around Mara Lago to give himself gravitas. We deserved him, he is us. America has become one endless childhood fart joke.
This is all somehow being "authentic". Our eyes and ears have grown blind and deaf to this constant stream of assaults to our social norms, etiquette and civility. Trump is nothing more than a disilation of what we as Americans have become, he is just dressed up better in a dark blue suit and red tie and parades around Mara Lago to give himself gravitas. We deserved him, he is us. America has become one endless childhood fart joke.
7
Was it really better when the words "pregnant" and "toilet" were banned on TV?
4
All this was well established well before November 8. And soon, to present yet again the lurid evidence will only reveal a wishful refusal to accept the capital fact that countless Americans weighed this overripe pimple of resentment, this schoolyard bully baked in transparent insecurities, this small handed small brained intellectual vacuum and still cast their votes for him. And, lo, he's still "one of them".
It's time to start reflecting instead on how the cultural relativism that was born on the academic left in the disillusion of the post-68 years was married to the cultural resentment long simmering on the nostalgic right then gave birth to Trump, and think of a future beyond.
I hope this clown remains ridiculous, that as Brooks put it he keeps pond-skating, but I'm not holding my breath. This will end badly.
It's time to start reflecting instead on how the cultural relativism that was born on the academic left in the disillusion of the post-68 years was married to the cultural resentment long simmering on the nostalgic right then gave birth to Trump, and think of a future beyond.
I hope this clown remains ridiculous, that as Brooks put it he keeps pond-skating, but I'm not holding my breath. This will end badly.
8
Could you imagine Mr. Trump speaking to the gentlemen who signed the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, or the Constitution? With the many faults those gentlemen had, our current President would have been roundly and rightly insulted and ridiculed out of the room.
And yet, here we are with a President and Administration that is the very antithesis of our Founders' intent.
Sad.
Think of the hundreds of thousands that died, and many more who sacrificed to reach a point where such a lying, vainglorious, narcissistic kleptocrat could be President to preside over such a kakistocracy.
Embarrassing. Tragic. Sad. The truth. Resist!
And yet, here we are with a President and Administration that is the very antithesis of our Founders' intent.
Sad.
Think of the hundreds of thousands that died, and many more who sacrificed to reach a point where such a lying, vainglorious, narcissistic kleptocrat could be President to preside over such a kakistocracy.
Embarrassing. Tragic. Sad. The truth. Resist!
12
I fear exactly what this article states: when something no longer provokes remark it becomes unremarkable. A short road to acceptance. I pray we do not lose our sense of outrage.
5
As your neighbour to the north, what troubles me most is that his base sees many, if not all, all of these short comings and character flaws not as deficiencies but as positives. Trump will at some time depart the stage, but this 40-some percent of the population will vote again...and they will likely be looking for someone with similar attributes.
12
Thanks for this post. We cannot afford to normalize this president. I wish there was a website so we who did not vote for him can apologize to Angela Merkel, Canada, the rest of the world, etc. for his behavior, and for the behavior of a craven Republican Congressional majority that could not care less about the bottom 99%. 2018 cannot come too soon.
8
" I’m heartened by occasional signs that he’s learning and by flickers of flexibility."
Now who is in danger of normalizing his behavior? His military attacks served to normalize him; it was akin to putting on a uniform.
Now who is in danger of normalizing his behavior? His military attacks served to normalize him; it was akin to putting on a uniform.
6
I think his One Awful Accomplishment -- from which everything else emanates -- is showing up in the first place.
6
Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! Now tell me Trump supporters, where are those infrastructure jobs he promised? Not even one jobs bill of any kind from the GOP since DJT took office. None. When will you figure out that DJT cares not one whit for you? I would say never.
4
Right on, RPH, 96% would still vote for Trump according to most polls and when these voters are interviewed on TV they all say the same thing, he's accomplishing all the things he said he was going to do, evidence to the contrary be damned!
4
Trump, is merely the tip of the iceberg. There can't be the tip without the iceberg itself. If the tip is so abhorrent, what about the whole iceberg?
The Republican Party, Congress and political pundits, and all of Trump's voters, who support, enable, indulge, tolerate, and, or are blind to his awfulness, are just guilty as he is.
So let's not fool ourselves, or should I say "console" ourselves by blaming our current predicament on this one man alone, so we should have the illusion that comes 2020, if we can vote him out of office then all our problems will be solved. As I see it, it takes a village to take us to hell.
What is American exceptionalism when logic such as "I don't want socialized healthcare, don't touch my Medicare" prevails for 7 years only for its holders to realize they can't actually get rid of this "socialized healthcare" without mass suffering? Is mass happiness ever even their intention?
Trump is merely the symptoms of our disease. He is not the disease itself, and certainly not the cause. The disease itself is in within us the American people in the form of our selfishness, laziness, stupidity and ignorance. We like a shiny thing, we react with emotions swayed by falsity, we don't think. We, want to be rich, like Trump. If he can do it, so he can do it for us! Hey?
Who said this, that we are our own worst enemy? Having a Trump White House with a Republican Congress, despite having a system of democracy and a free press, is certainly proof to that.
The Republican Party, Congress and political pundits, and all of Trump's voters, who support, enable, indulge, tolerate, and, or are blind to his awfulness, are just guilty as he is.
So let's not fool ourselves, or should I say "console" ourselves by blaming our current predicament on this one man alone, so we should have the illusion that comes 2020, if we can vote him out of office then all our problems will be solved. As I see it, it takes a village to take us to hell.
What is American exceptionalism when logic such as "I don't want socialized healthcare, don't touch my Medicare" prevails for 7 years only for its holders to realize they can't actually get rid of this "socialized healthcare" without mass suffering? Is mass happiness ever even their intention?
Trump is merely the symptoms of our disease. He is not the disease itself, and certainly not the cause. The disease itself is in within us the American people in the form of our selfishness, laziness, stupidity and ignorance. We like a shiny thing, we react with emotions swayed by falsity, we don't think. We, want to be rich, like Trump. If he can do it, so he can do it for us! Hey?
Who said this, that we are our own worst enemy? Having a Trump White House with a Republican Congress, despite having a system of democracy and a free press, is certainly proof to that.
14
Frank has nailed the myriad ways in which the presidency has been soiled, diminished and darkened for many years to come.
4
Let's face it. The only thing Don the Con is interested in is himself. The only reason he might change is to make himself look bigger, brighter and more important than before. He has no policy, no direction, no true beliefs. If it is good for Don at this point in time, then it is the best. Otherwise, it has no place in his universe.
4
Trump is the Tidal Wave we can America hopefully will dive under. The hard fought lesson is never again. Never let someone again say let me do that for you. Let's do it ourselves, thank you very much, so as not to annihilate every shred of decency in the process.
4
Putin is the most nefariously brilliant actor on the stage of this Trump drama. He has succeeded thus far in unraveling the social fabric of this country under an incompetent, divisive and malleable leader.
11
And here we sit hoping, waiting, agonizing, measuring when it might all possibly end. And as he praises and greets and invites foreign autocrats into the White House, another thumb at nose to all that's good in America, and a salute to his followers who are the least mature of our numbers, we watch as he and his administration test democracy's resilience, the president of our country no less doing this, and his followers actually cheering him on.
5
Two grifters do not an election make.
1
Well, you know, the Republican party for the past 40 years has pushed the idea that the basic legitimate functions of government are seditious treason. So Trump's breaches of etiquette are only an incremental step in this respect.
7
Poor Mr. Bruni. He told us he cried when casting his ballot for Ms. Clinton, and he's apparently been crying ever since. I also cast my vote for Clinton (dry eyed), and, while not a huge Trump fan by any means, have no problem with stock markets at an all time high and an illegal immigration rate down 72%.
4
And thank you, John. It's so great to hear you're doing well. Is there anything else we can do for you?
It's nice folks like you, John, who make America what it is today!! Enjoy your life!
It's nice folks like you, John, who make America what it is today!! Enjoy your life!
at the cia, he also stacked the audience to ensure enthusiastic applause.
he isn't president. he just plays one on tv.
he isn't president. he just plays one on tv.
5
virtues and Trump in the same sentence? How ridiculous! When a low class bully keeps getting away with bad behavior, he just continues and gets worse!!This ugly egomaniac will never get better and our only hope is his military people will realize that our country is in their hands and sooner or later they will have to completely disregard his orders to save the United States!
3
Frank hits the old nail right on the head. "It's old news by now."
But, what the hay. No sense in looking for something fresh and original with which to flog Trump. Might as well recap the last umpteen days of the eternal hell that has befallen our once great nation since the ascendency of madness.
It's obvious that the Choir likes the stale road kill served up by Mr. Bruni. The only reference missing from the horrible Trump menu was the awful accomplishment of seating the worst Justice in the history of the Supreme Court in the seat stolen from Judge Merrick Garland. Maybe Frank decided to serve up that bit of carrion in his next column.
The good news is that Frank is actually rooting for the Donald to govern wisely. Just not as POTUS.
But, what the hay. No sense in looking for something fresh and original with which to flog Trump. Might as well recap the last umpteen days of the eternal hell that has befallen our once great nation since the ascendency of madness.
It's obvious that the Choir likes the stale road kill served up by Mr. Bruni. The only reference missing from the horrible Trump menu was the awful accomplishment of seating the worst Justice in the history of the Supreme Court in the seat stolen from Judge Merrick Garland. Maybe Frank decided to serve up that bit of carrion in his next column.
The good news is that Frank is actually rooting for the Donald to govern wisely. Just not as POTUS.
As a president, Trump is terrible. As a human being, he is vile.
9
…humility, honesty, magnanimity, generosity…
Barack Hussein Obama surely fills the description:
Humility?
After he was given the Nobel Prize for achieving…nothing?
Honesty?
You can keep you own health insurance?
Magnanimity?
He surely apologized for backing Hillary Clinton and congratulated Trump for demolishing her?
Generosity?
Wonder how much of his recent Wall Street speaking fee of $400,000 he will give to charity. Not to mention his and Michelle's book advances of $60 million. The ClintonFoundation gives 5%. Now that's really giving.
When columnists like someone there is only praise.
When you hate someone there is only baseless contempt.
5
President Obama did not seek the Nobel Prize.
$400K is lunch money compared with what Reagan got while in dementia.
$400K is lunch money compared with what Reagan got while in dementia.
2
Talk about having baseless contempt!
7
Trump is a slimeball and that's why he's President. Go visit a real estate open house today. Shop for a ring for your loved one. Tour a school where you consider sending your child. Go to your therapist, your personal trainer. You're likely to meet someone who will-- without shame-- say anything they can in order to win your favor and benefit themselves. Trump is just who this country deserves.
5
My advise to all our neighbors, Canada, Mexica et all, please consider that Trump is nothing but bigly windbag, and his tweets are a way of releasing obnoxious gas. We have clown as president, so be vigilant, but also have fun at his stupidity, because the only thing he has achieved so far is to make me laugh at his total clownish believer, now for his base that goes to show that 70% of all people everywhere are morons, and they will buy Trumps pile of garbage, no matter how idiotic it is.
5
Nice piece, Frank.
Sadly, though there are Constitutional irregularities in which Trump has engaged as a candidate and as president (see "emoluments" suit filed by Larry Tribe's and Edwin Chemerinski's group), it will take a major, as yet unseen MOAB incident to get him impeached.
The most disturbing offenses perpetrated by DT have been those against what Yale Prof. Akhil Reed Amar accurately refers to as "The Unwritten Constitution". Trump has wiped his feet (and another part of his anatomy) on the spirit, the tone, the traditions, the protocol, the dignity of the United States Constitution - things virtually every president until now have honored and observed.
The Constitution is old, short and vague. Its tone and spirit are not, Mr Trump.
Sadly, though there are Constitutional irregularities in which Trump has engaged as a candidate and as president (see "emoluments" suit filed by Larry Tribe's and Edwin Chemerinski's group), it will take a major, as yet unseen MOAB incident to get him impeached.
The most disturbing offenses perpetrated by DT have been those against what Yale Prof. Akhil Reed Amar accurately refers to as "The Unwritten Constitution". Trump has wiped his feet (and another part of his anatomy) on the spirit, the tone, the traditions, the protocol, the dignity of the United States Constitution - things virtually every president until now have honored and observed.
The Constitution is old, short and vague. Its tone and spirit are not, Mr Trump.
6
We've been building to this sort of person for a number of years,with congressmen who are indicted or convicted of abuses of power, sexual transgressions, etc, continuing to be elected and hold office. Our standards seem to relax more and more each year. It's time for the pendulum to swing back on what is acceptable behavior.
8
Although it's natural to see President Trump as the main culprit in the transformation of the Presidency, the change really occurred when half of the electorate thought it was ok to elect someone with his temperament and character traits. Something deeper is going on culturally that is more than a little disturbing, What's going on when half he people think that it is now ok to have a leader who arguably has serious, dysfunctional narcissistic character traits that get in the way of his own goals and agenda. Our society is ever increasingly self-absorbed and these cultural changes have finally caught up with the Presidency and leadership standards.
13
“Well, he’s the president-elect,” she said. “So that’s presidential behavior, yes.” -- K. Conway
"But when the president does it, that means that it is not illegal." -- R.M. Nixon
The first statement is just as false as the second one was. Let's hope that the consequences also turn out to be similar.
"But when the president does it, that means that it is not illegal." -- R.M. Nixon
The first statement is just as false as the second one was. Let's hope that the consequences also turn out to be similar.
12
I've had enough. Yes, enough of this president, but even more so of the presidency itself. Why must we play this game of peacock feather spreading every four years for a position so important? Couldn't there be some smarter way to do what the president does, one that would never consider it appropriate to eat dinner with Duterte or proclaim lie after petty lie? Perhaps we could replace the presidency with a new body made up of civil society organizations. Where now we have one fallible human being in control of our very destiny we could have highly professional third sector groups, dedicated to what is right, formulate and preside. I've never been more right in my life when I say that the situation the United States is in right now is utterly ridiculous. To give all that power to one person is the height of absurdity.
7
Sadly, your proposal would wind up being just as corrupt and inefficient; that's just what human beings are like. And while the president has a lot of power, he isn't in full control.
3
Thank you for the truth. As everyone else moves on to praise the president for changing his positions, I think about the time wasted by someone who lacks the basic knowledge to govern. Someone who would say anything to divide the country and shore up hate and division. The constant lying is a sign of not only being small, but a lack of control. I agree that he has no qualities we'd like to pass on to our children and grand children. Let's hope this model of leadership is short lived and replaced by a person who loves democracy and understands the constitution.
11
This type of behavior got Trump elected.
He does not know how to govern.
This behavior is all he knows how to do.
Why should he change a behavior that has yielded voter support so far.
TRump won by giving hope to those who have been by passed by the economy.
HRC gave them no hope.
Telling [as HRC did] laid off miners to become call center operators at a fraction of their former wage is not giving them hope.
The Dems must explain why TRump's "solutions" will not yield results AND at the same time must present programs that will help displaced workers regain their previous economic well being.
HRC did not do this and she lost.
Criticizing TRump [whether deserved or not] without proposing such programs will not help Dems win in 2018 and 2020.
He does not know how to govern.
This behavior is all he knows how to do.
Why should he change a behavior that has yielded voter support so far.
TRump won by giving hope to those who have been by passed by the economy.
HRC gave them no hope.
Telling [as HRC did] laid off miners to become call center operators at a fraction of their former wage is not giving them hope.
The Dems must explain why TRump's "solutions" will not yield results AND at the same time must present programs that will help displaced workers regain their previous economic well being.
HRC did not do this and she lost.
Criticizing TRump [whether deserved or not] without proposing such programs will not help Dems win in 2018 and 2020.
5
There's nothing redeeming about the man or his first hundred days.
One can only hope that the dots will be connected and he will be removed from office through the constitutional process before he blows up the planet.
Each day brings fear and terror to millions in our country and around the world.
The freedoms we've taken for granted for all these years, the right to protest,
a free press, the progress we've made this past half century on issues of race, gender, a woman's right to choose, sexual orientation are all at profound risk.
Smaller things-the good feelings we've experienced at the grace and charm of the prior first family, the ability of the guy in charge to poke fun at himself, to shed tears at,the tragedies of children lost by insane gun violence, watching
Performance at,the White House and,sharing the humanity and decency of a diverse administration-gone.
One can only hope that the dots will be connected and he will be removed from office through the constitutional process before he blows up the planet.
Each day brings fear and terror to millions in our country and around the world.
The freedoms we've taken for granted for all these years, the right to protest,
a free press, the progress we've made this past half century on issues of race, gender, a woman's right to choose, sexual orientation are all at profound risk.
Smaller things-the good feelings we've experienced at the grace and charm of the prior first family, the ability of the guy in charge to poke fun at himself, to shed tears at,the tragedies of children lost by insane gun violence, watching
Performance at,the White House and,sharing the humanity and decency of a diverse administration-gone.
15
The man is not honest, he is neither consistent nor forthright, he is utterly ignorant of history and process, he is the one (and perhaps only one) who has concluded that being President is a harder than selling the rights to use the TRUMP name. To wish him a successful presidency for the sake of our short term 'comfort' is a short sighted wish. A complete failure of this presidency may be sufficient to stave off a recurrence of this phantasma and be best for the country and all of us for years to come.
16
trump is a fraud, a liar, a con-man, a thief, a sexual predator, a malignant narcissist, and a sociopath. he is, however, white, and his blatant and veiled racist statements are what got him elected. his current supporters and enablers in congress are complicit in treason, as much as Flynn, manafort, sessions, et al.
trump's voters are mostly one issue types: coal miners, Mexican-haters, gun-nuts, homophobes, and racists. they are ignorant and jealous of those with intelligence and education (the 'elites'). they relish the idea of a new confederacy, with all that that implies.
I will never acknowledge or support trump. he is illegitimate. and I will never condone the stupidity and racism of his supporters. they were wrong in 1860 and they are wrong today.
trump's voters are mostly one issue types: coal miners, Mexican-haters, gun-nuts, homophobes, and racists. they are ignorant and jealous of those with intelligence and education (the 'elites'). they relish the idea of a new confederacy, with all that that implies.
I will never acknowledge or support trump. he is illegitimate. and I will never condone the stupidity and racism of his supporters. they were wrong in 1860 and they are wrong today.
18
We've all known Trumps in our lives. School bullies. Incompetent yet vindictive bosses. Grifters. Con men. Lazy heirs to a fortune, the old "born on third base and thinks he's hit a triple" scenario. Outsized arrogance married to a lack of intellectual curiosity. Complete absence of the ability to think creatively. The rich man's son who never needed to be contemplative, because he believes everything he thinks and does is the most bigly-est thing ever.
What's saddest of all is that there are so many people out there who admire such a collection of sadistic, ignorant, dysfunctional personality traits.
Is there anyone among the billionaire class who will buy up media and re-introduce restraint, politesse, noble goals and intellectual curiosity to replace the hamfisted screamfest of political and socioeconomic hatred introduced to radio, television and print media since the early 1990s? And could new media owners abolish the lazy 'reality tv' formula that's been informing at least one generation of the American public for the past 25 years?
I don't think we're going to make it if our media largely rests in the hands of billionaire rightwingers.
What's saddest of all is that there are so many people out there who admire such a collection of sadistic, ignorant, dysfunctional personality traits.
Is there anyone among the billionaire class who will buy up media and re-introduce restraint, politesse, noble goals and intellectual curiosity to replace the hamfisted screamfest of political and socioeconomic hatred introduced to radio, television and print media since the early 1990s? And could new media owners abolish the lazy 'reality tv' formula that's been informing at least one generation of the American public for the past 25 years?
I don't think we're going to make it if our media largely rests in the hands of billionaire rightwingers.
23
Plain and simple, our partisanship has made us too comfortable with lies, and morally corruptible.
9
Mr. Bruni, you make good arguments, but I believe Trump's one awful accomplishment so far is his appointment of Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.
7
Sadly, the more I see of Trump's flagrant incompetence and his coterie of White House flunkies I am less repelled than embarrassed for our country. And his chest pounding with Kim Jong-in is cringe worthy but also dangerous -- two delusional macho wannabes. Has Trump no idea how ridiculous he looks? Guess not. It's gotten so bad that I skip over any newspaper headlong or TV segment about him because I already know the script of anger and resentment. Who needs that?
11
Well we can all argue, and we will - about the good and bad this president is doing and will do...but next time IF we seriously desire a serious person in the position, we damn better make the effort.
A lot of voters need to take stock and decide if their personal prejudices are served best by holding their noses and voting for the unqualified crazy, grabby guy, over the qualified but baggage laden other candidate.
Do we want a serious president, or a showman. Cause by the looks of those rallies, showmanship still attracts.
A lot of voters need to take stock and decide if their personal prejudices are served best by holding their noses and voting for the unqualified crazy, grabby guy, over the qualified but baggage laden other candidate.
Do we want a serious president, or a showman. Cause by the looks of those rallies, showmanship still attracts.
11
It is giving us a great list of those whom not to trust. Anyone who goes to a Trump Rally now is put on this list. When it is time to march they will be collected & will have front row seats at the hangings. Then given 2 options. Either become decent Americans (or at least fake it as they used to), or march right up to the gallows & say hang me. No other option allowed. If they take the first one, they will be watched, for life. Their children will have to do well in school in all subjects (math, science, history, government, geography, sex ed). If they can't read at a 6th grade level by the 8th grade they will be removed to special classes, interrogated about what their parents tell them about edukashun, & told, either learn or spend your life in the jobs the illegals did before your master kicked them out. Chemical filled fields, picking produce, without masks or gloves, cleaning the putrid (public toilets, sewers) by hand, taking meticulous care of dementia patients in low income nursing homes 24/7/365. Feeding, cleaning, hugging, making life as pleasant as possible. Fail in that & spend the remainder of your days in general pop at the worst state prisons in the country, after the inmates are told what you did, to their families.
1
2+2=4? The pre-politics Trump didn't know or care as long as it worked to his advantage. The campaigner and President Trump asks whether we're buying or selling. Ethics, morality, compassion and 'intelligence' do not enter into the equation. It is about his bottom line and he really doesn't care that good governance and talk about good governance has been reduced to the lowest common denominator: 2/T + 2/T = 4/T?... Trumpmath.
While picking the most offensive trait of idiot DJT is difficult (there are so many), I think his misogynistic comments/actions will be what ultimately causes his downfall (See: Women's March Jan. 21 2017, largest protest in US history). That Trump ignites his supporters' hatred of women and minorities (whose white men's dream of a return to an imagined American past of dominant white people and plundering of natural resources without consequence is delusional) may be his defining legacy. The photo of a (white) man with a T-shirt with the word RAPE and the face of Trump (In the style portrayed by the Obama HOPE T-shirt) at Saturday's '100 Days' Rally really made the Trump effect crystal clear. While working class voters who supported DJT are hurting and who (justifiably) do not see either Party legislating in their interests, the Don Con will only further deplete benefits to the poor/middle class while enriching the top 10%. Our country (and the Planet) are being held hostage by tiny minority of voters (88,000) who in voting for/ supporting Trump are going against their own best interests and those of our democracy. The united opposition to the ACA repeal by both Republicans and Democrats is a beacon of hope that our country can move on from the tragi-comic Trump. The resistance to DJT in both the courts and the streets is strong, ongoing, and will not be silenced.
7
Don't underestimate the self-hate of white American women. Fifty three percent of white American female voters voted for Trump.
4
This little man child has ushered in The Kardashian Presidency. The real blame goes on the hate-filled carny rubes who voted him in. If Trump molested their daughter, they would simply Blame the Girl. the only fear Trump has is that no one no longer talks about him. the only way to do that his to impeach him. this man has no shame or embarrassment so don't expect a certain Russian blackmail tape to do anything
10
You insult the Kardashians...
3
They deserve every insult they get.
1
The time has come to accept the reality (not normalcy) of the Trump presidency. It is what has been described here, and even worse--he blames the Constitution for his difficulties? With that in mind, I believe we also have to begin the process of uniting with as many others as possible around common principles and beliefs. Here's what I think we as a diverse nation of people can unite around: Unite around clean air and water. Unite around living wages, Unite around affordable health care for all (way better than what is in place now, btw). Unite around quality, affordable, post-secondary education which prepares people for good paying and fulfilling jobs. Unite around peaceful prosperity. Unite around a reasonable tax system. Unite around a safe and non-gmo food supply. Throw out the carpetbaggers, war mongers, and money changers. What else can we unite around? Color me optimistic because while we haven't hit bottom yet, unfortunately, there is only one way out and that is onward and upward. Aloha!
9
First you have to get rid of those already there. The only way to do that is to Unite by forming & organizing the Citizens' Army to take our country back. It's not as uplifting as all your suggestions, but, yours look like they will just make lots more, different, competing groups. Not one, with the goal of removing the traitors & working together on all these problems. More divisions we do not need. We are diverse, but, if a large portion of us cannot come together to rid this country of it's illegal, immoral federal government, & the state governments being given the ok to let their bigoted ideas free reign, this country is lost. Sweetness & light won't work against darkness, fear, & hate. All minorities of this country need to realize that while separate we are nothing with no power, if we all come together & work with each other WE ARE THE SUPER MAJORITY, & the bigoted are the minority. For they can't believe that everyone is a member of more than one 'minority' be it race, ethnicity, orientation, gender, age, disability, & fifty dozen more. I fit under race (2, white & Native American [1/4]), gender (female, old fashioned I know, but, I'm old), age (see gender), disability (lousy mobility). That's 4 with just a quick thought. Think how many you fit in. It's easier to come together as the majority, then split again into other minorities (which issue is important to you? All you listed are important to me). WE FIGHT TOGETHER OR DIE SEPARATELY. That's it.
1
Absolutely spot on! We would like to think of the president as a positive role model to inspire kids & young adults . What we have in 45 instead is an extreme negative role model reinforced by nearly 40% of the electorate. How can these young people not absorb some of this negative behavior as a means to get to the top?
7
Eh this too shall pass. When Trump is gone, the pendulum will swing back toward having a president who acts like one.
And one positive is that the myth of needing a businessman president will finally be put to rest as Trump's "deal making" ability continues to get him nowhere.
And one positive is that the myth of needing a businessman president will finally be put to rest as Trump's "deal making" ability continues to get him nowhere.
9
From your lips...
2
SO, another 'politics as usual' is heard from. He is not usual. His regime isn't. It isn't even politics, it's based solely on hate. How do you get rid of hate on this large a scale? Not with love. The Hippies tried that, some still hate them for it. It takes coming together. All the little minorities, who together are the super majority. We may not agree on everything. But, we can agree on one thing. Letting one small group who hates all who aren't just like them, in race, ethnicity, age, orientation, gender, religion (forgot that one in another post, drat!), morals, lack of discipline, believing that IS discipline, hate, rule us all (not govern, rule) is not the way. Trying to play nice/nice isn't either. We have a mad dog in front of us, squatting down to pet it will not save us. Just get our faces chewed instead of a leg. The dog must be put down. Killed. Destroyed. We are the only ones who will. We must organize & come together as the Citizens' Army. Arm ourselves & march on Washington. Remove this regime & it's followers, hangers on, & users in congress. They have all broken their oaths. That is treason. Punishment for this level of treason is death. Usually by hanging. It is our Obligation according to the Declaration of Independence. Put there because it could not be changed. Unlike the Constitution which can be, with a lot of hard work & years of following all the hoops. So, this Obligation can NOT be taken from us. We must obey it. NOW.
1
I find most frightening Trump's view of himself as monarch. He neither recognizes nor respects limits to his power. He believes that because he's president, no rules apply to him. This is where the threat is, and if he tries to tweak the Congress, and we just shake our heads, we will lose.
13
He is a 70 year old man who is not going to change. He is vain, thin-skinned, and intellectually incurious who would rather rely on his guts than facts. This makes him incompetent in this job. Had he cared to study up for the job instead of mouthing off insults about his predecessors, he would have known how hard the job is. He thought his previous bullying behavior would work on members of Congress. He has met his match in many of them.Of course, for McConnell and Ryan, he is the perfect foil for their agendas.
I think his one 'great accomplishment is to further cement the rift among the American people. The anti- trump people are astounded, dismayed, scared, and angry at his antics, rhetoric, behavior and lies. His supporters love him. When asked why, they believe he's on the right course. There seems to be no room for compromise. There seems to be no Jesus, Ghandi or Lincoln to help bind the divide. This is what worries me more.
I think his one 'great accomplishment is to further cement the rift among the American people. The anti- trump people are astounded, dismayed, scared, and angry at his antics, rhetoric, behavior and lies. His supporters love him. When asked why, they believe he's on the right course. There seems to be no room for compromise. There seems to be no Jesus, Ghandi or Lincoln to help bind the divide. This is what worries me more.
11
To borrow the Anonymous credo...we do not forgive, we do not forgive. Expect us. We are legion.
For this voter, Mr. Trump's behavior will never be normalized. If tomorrow he were to wake up with the dignity of Washington, the legislating prowess of Johnson, the instincts of Lincoln and the grace of Reagan, it would not wash away the damage he and his outlaw gang have done. It would only let me sleep better at night, less worried about the harm he might yet unleash.
For this voter, Mr. Trump's behavior will never be normalized. If tomorrow he were to wake up with the dignity of Washington, the legislating prowess of Johnson, the instincts of Lincoln and the grace of Reagan, it would not wash away the damage he and his outlaw gang have done. It would only let me sleep better at night, less worried about the harm he might yet unleash.
7
Thank you for a well thought out and expressed commentary.
Many of us worry along exactly these lines, and the effects on society, most especially our children , but have few outlets for expressing same.
Many of us worry along exactly these lines, and the effects on society, most especially our children , but have few outlets for expressing same.
9
The first real test of Trump's political power will come in the special congressional election in Georgia. If the Democrat wins that, there is hope for 2018. If not, I'm afraid you're going to see more of the same. The Republicans just barely winning, but winning nonetheless.
3
Ultimately, it is a demand side problem.
If people didn't vote for Trump, he would not be our president.
But then I never understood how more than 25% of Americans could have voted for W. Bush the second time.
If people didn't vote for Trump, he would not be our president.
But then I never understood how more than 25% of Americans could have voted for W. Bush the second time.
3
You said that " it was clear then that there would be no pivot to dignity which was either beyond his capabilities or outside his interests ". It is the former . He is unable to behave in a normal manner not because he does not want to , but because he is unable . He is a prisoner of his psychological needs . The man is sick and that is the most scary part .
8
Donald Trump is and has always been a wrecking machine and what he puts in the place of whatever stood is almost always inferior to what previously existed and even when superficially improved, has inevitably caused so much damage along the way due to his shoddy business practices that it hardly seems worth the new facade.
I place the blame for this abomination of a president solely on the Republican party, not because he attached himself like a barnacle to its underbelly, but because they allowed the vulture to get away with his grotesque behavior throughout the campaign and continue to enable him, presumably in both context out of short sighted ambition. It pains me to see that they have not yet realized what so many investors, banks, contractors, workers and tenants have learned the hard way, it is impossible to be associated with DLT and come out ahead except on the most superficial level. He simply contaminates and compromises everything and everyone he touches.
And, after at least half a century of getting away with every ugly form of behavior save murder, there is no reason to expect that he will change; like a disfiguring and destructive virus, the only cure is resistance.
I place the blame for this abomination of a president solely on the Republican party, not because he attached himself like a barnacle to its underbelly, but because they allowed the vulture to get away with his grotesque behavior throughout the campaign and continue to enable him, presumably in both context out of short sighted ambition. It pains me to see that they have not yet realized what so many investors, banks, contractors, workers and tenants have learned the hard way, it is impossible to be associated with DLT and come out ahead except on the most superficial level. He simply contaminates and compromises everything and everyone he touches.
And, after at least half a century of getting away with every ugly form of behavior save murder, there is no reason to expect that he will change; like a disfiguring and destructive virus, the only cure is resistance.
11
"He was consigning an entire roster of virtues to the junkyard of the quaint."
Brilliantly worded. Thank you, Frank.
Brilliantly worded. Thank you, Frank.
4
After reading accounts of the rally he held yesterday in Harrisburg, I fear that he will continue to hold rallies for the next four years. I have trouble imagining the amount of polarizing anger these rallies will stir up as his supporters repeatedly blame the Democrats and the news media for his failure to deliver on his campaign promises. Apparently, Trump’s ego will not permit him to pivot towards more conventional “presidential” behavior.
Tens of thousands of American lives were needlessly lost in the Vietnam War. At this point is his Presidency, I would not regard Trump as bad as Johnson and Nixon!
1
You will after he turns the US Army into his tool to get rid of us. Millions will die.
Or we can fight. Only two options there are. Die or fight. I choose to fight, even if it means my death. This is MY country, I will NOT let him ruin it. I will see him sliced into small bits & fed to the swamp alligators. After which I will see them get massive doses of Pepto Bismol. He deserves no less. With no media there, so no photos, no writeups, no news about his ignominious death. Then for 200 years no mention of his name. After that the true story will be told. There will be no more of his family left to act as he does when he hears his name.
Or we can fight. Only two options there are. Die or fight. I choose to fight, even if it means my death. This is MY country, I will NOT let him ruin it. I will see him sliced into small bits & fed to the swamp alligators. After which I will see them get massive doses of Pepto Bismol. He deserves no less. With no media there, so no photos, no writeups, no news about his ignominious death. Then for 200 years no mention of his name. After that the true story will be told. There will be no more of his family left to act as he does when he hears his name.
What Trump is doing can hardly be called "leadership." For leadership turn to General Mathis or General Kelly. In his life Trump has led nothing more than the fawning yes men of his real estate business. The man and all he stands for is fraudulent. I have yet to detect a word of truth in all of his foamy exhortations. Leadership is the exact opposite of what he is doing.
6
He brings out the worst in people. America will not profit. It will gain contempt.
5
The last line in your column...."but I hope not forever," is what we all hope for. It would be a terrible thing to live without hope. I hope he becomes honorable, qualified, and a humanitarian. It won't happen now or never. The man is psychologically unfit for any office let alone the top spot. Follow the money. Demand that he release his tax returns. I would "hope" that it clears him of all the evils that his insidious actions have perpetrated but it "ain't" gonna happen. I really "hope" so though.
3
Also, let's call his war-mongering with North Korea what it is: A not-so-subtle threat that if the Russia connections investigation proceeds, horrific things will happen to the U.S. and the world.
5
I am still trying to grasp the fact that there are actually a lot of people in this country who support Trump. You have got to be the lowest form of evil to be a supporter of Trump. This is not a partisan statement, but an ethical one.
6
"Many readers will get this far in this column and wonder why I and other naysayers don’t just let it go and cut him a break."
In this deep blue area, I have yet to hear a single person who voted for Clinton say "Let it go; cut him a break." On the contrary, people are more fired up than ever. We're not letting this go, believe me.
In this deep blue area, I have yet to hear a single person who voted for Clinton say "Let it go; cut him a break." On the contrary, people are more fired up than ever. We're not letting this go, believe me.
10
Ah, but, are you willing to do anything. I don't mean peaceful marches, I mean organizing a Citizens' Army & marching on Washington ARMED. With intent to arrest if the surrender, shoot if they run, or fight if they attempt that (doubtful, all are cowards). Try them for treason, sentence them to hang. Then have the guts to stand in front of the gallows & watch, or be one of those picked (I bet it will have to be a lottery) to pull the levers to drop the traps under the traitors. Millions will come to watch, many millions will watch on TV around the world. Students will watch in schools, the every year on the anniversary of that glorious day, students will watch. Never to forget what happens to anyone who tries to take this country away from it's true owners. WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Never to forget that elected officials are just our employees & may be removed for illegality, or treason at any time. That politics was at this point not an honorable career. It may never be again.
1
Wolfie, you say "Ah, but, are you willing to do anything. I don't mean peaceful marches, I mean organizing a Citizens' Army & marching on Washington ARMED. "
No, I'm not willing to do "anything." But what makes you think there are only two alternatives here: peaceful marches or anarchy? There are plenty of other choices that can be made and that will be effective.
No, I'm not willing to do "anything." But what makes you think there are only two alternatives here: peaceful marches or anarchy? There are plenty of other choices that can be made and that will be effective.
3
What truths can you say about President Trump and his Administration: that Ignorance is a valued virtue; that Ted Cruz was right – Mr. Trump is a pathological liar; that Putin is thrilled by Trump’s disparagement and weakening of the NSA, the FBI, the CIA, NATO, the EU, and most importantly, non-interference in the Ukraine. Putin is thrilled beyond expectations that Trump has given voice to Russia’s intent to weaken long held democratic values and institutions – e.g. a free and independent press, a free electoral process, judicial independence, and the checks and balances system of our Constitution,
Mr. Trump’s rhetoric has fulfilled Mr. Putin’s intention that Americans let their guard down about Russia’s intention to regain their power and prominence in the world. Make no mistake Mr. Putin is no friend of America and has no intention to Make America Great Again. In February 2016, a senior advisor to Mr. Putin openly warned that Russia was on the verge of deploying against the U.S. a new nuclear-level information warfare capability that would bring America down, make America recognize Russia`s strength, and make us see them as our equal. It’s time to take the blinders off and see the unintended consequences of Mr. Trump’s election.
Mr. Trump’s rhetoric has fulfilled Mr. Putin’s intention that Americans let their guard down about Russia’s intention to regain their power and prominence in the world. Make no mistake Mr. Putin is no friend of America and has no intention to Make America Great Again. In February 2016, a senior advisor to Mr. Putin openly warned that Russia was on the verge of deploying against the U.S. a new nuclear-level information warfare capability that would bring America down, make America recognize Russia`s strength, and make us see them as our equal. It’s time to take the blinders off and see the unintended consequences of Mr. Trump’s election.
4
Do not stop telling the awful truths that are Donald Trump. We must never grow weary, nor complacent.
Trump is and always will be the Republican stain on the United States fabric of democracy.
4
So, the answer to the question (except the "proudly rude" element):
"But who among the presidents of the last half-century has been so publicly cavalier about conflicts of interest, so blithe about getting away with whatever grifts he could, so lavishly meanspirited and so proudly rude?"
is: Bill Clinton
As for the gist of the piece, everyone who voted for Trump knew what they were getting up front. No subterfuge with him. Unlike Hillary Clinton, who works hard to conceal her real motivations and true character when in front of an audience - but then is a monster in private - Trump is just trump, 24/7.
The difference between him and all others recently presidential (except for Eisenhower) is that all the others were PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS who sought election on several occasions in the past, and who were members of the party machine, Rep. or Dem.
Trump is a real estate mogul now president. Those who expected instant transition to decorum are fools, including Our Author. Trump will grow into the office.
More important, he will also set about doing what he was elected to do: disassemble and dismantle the overreach of the radical progressive left, and, disassemble and dismantle the entrenched party hack bureaucracy that has inserted itself (unconstitutionally) into so many aspects of our lives.
I'm fine with all of that. Those of you who are howling hate about Trump just need to grow up. While you were howling, illegal border crossings dropped 75%. So far so good.
2
Illegal border crossings? To Massachussetts? Trump stiffed contractors, defrauded students, bribed attorneys and commissioned portraits of himself illegally from his foundation, tried to yank health insurance from his disabled infant nephew, assaulted women and exhibited so much more despicable behavior. You're fine with all of that. Well, that defines you to me.
4
Ready to send back the illegal Irish?
Ready to deal with rising sea levels in Boston?
Ready to deal with more lax oversight of the environment and its consequences (70's smog wasn't so bad...).
Border crossings were already down.
We are grown up, it's why we're mad. We will deal with it regardless (while Trump and buddies extract maximum profit off our backs before leaving us with the mess). If radical progressivism is caring for the only planet we have, caring for your follow citizens, then I shudder to think what you call our Constitution.
Ready to deal with rising sea levels in Boston?
Ready to deal with more lax oversight of the environment and its consequences (70's smog wasn't so bad...).
Border crossings were already down.
We are grown up, it's why we're mad. We will deal with it regardless (while Trump and buddies extract maximum profit off our backs before leaving us with the mess). If radical progressivism is caring for the only planet we have, caring for your follow citizens, then I shudder to think what you call our Constitution.
4
Briefly: Yawn...
In more detail:
I lived in Texas for a long time; you northeastern liberals are clueless about what it means to live along the southern border. That you willingly choose to remain clueless, is the mystery part.
Instead of addressing my points, you just parrot the CNN commentators, a predictable response from a brainwashed liberal. Cherry-picking a few examples out of a like more than seventy years along is just cheap theatrics. But you failed to address any of my points, also predictable.
I never said the guy was nice. He's from Queens, right ? But those of us who voted for him put effective far above nice, w/respect to our expectations for his achievements.
It doesn't really bother me one bit that you don't like him. I couldn't care less. The liberal elite have lost their stranglehold on power and won't get it back for a very, very, very long time.
In more detail:
I lived in Texas for a long time; you northeastern liberals are clueless about what it means to live along the southern border. That you willingly choose to remain clueless, is the mystery part.
Instead of addressing my points, you just parrot the CNN commentators, a predictable response from a brainwashed liberal. Cherry-picking a few examples out of a like more than seventy years along is just cheap theatrics. But you failed to address any of my points, also predictable.
I never said the guy was nice. He's from Queens, right ? But those of us who voted for him put effective far above nice, w/respect to our expectations for his achievements.
It doesn't really bother me one bit that you don't like him. I couldn't care less. The liberal elite have lost their stranglehold on power and won't get it back for a very, very, very long time.
1
I appreciate that Trump is not capable of dealing with the details. In other words, the man is egregiously lazy, by far the laziest man ever to be in the presidency.
7
But, he would just be some weird outlier – an anomaly – if the Republican establishment wasn’t backing him. If that’s not the definition of selling your soul to the devil, I don’t know what is.
5
I"m not ready to normalize this man in any shape or form. Every time I hear him speak, or see his face on T.V. I get a nausea's reaction. I wait for the next lie, or obnoxious comment he is about to make.
I can only hope that his inability to get anything done will continue and we will somehow survive for better days.
I can only hope that his inability to get anything done will continue and we will somehow survive for better days.
5
This says it so well! The Presidential Horror is continually portrayed as a clueless narcissist, which he is. He has the worst manners of any leader. These things create fog around the worst: He has a black heart and is proud of it. He has more nicknames than any leader ever, because so many of us cannot bear to use his name.
But I have a question: Why must this news source, and others, paste his image on every article? If writing about his war-mongering, why not use a photo or map of North Korea, for example? Some of us are barely able to open the news some days because of the clenching up of our insides when faced with his image.
But I have a question: Why must this news source, and others, paste his image on every article? If writing about his war-mongering, why not use a photo or map of North Korea, for example? Some of us are barely able to open the news some days because of the clenching up of our insides when faced with his image.
5
Very good idea Shadow. I call 'it' *45 (in history books his number will have an asterisk so you look down the bottom & see why he was hanged), Voldemort, or 'he who must not be named'. Not because I can not bear to see his malformed face (look at that birth defect of a chin, passed it & chipmunk teeth to his kids when he could have had them fixed. That should be child abuse, cause he could afford it), but, I don't say his name because he gets off on it. Every time he sees his name in print, or hears it on TV he rubs himself gleefully. I won't be a party to that. Sometimes when I write about his family I use that name, but, only because if I use one of my names for him, the sentence doesn't make sense.
Yesterday noticed that a building not 2 miles from me is named: Voldemort. Spelled t r u m p. I have a desire to remove that name, & substitute Voldemort. In runny painted letters. I won't. It would bring notice to the disgusting name. But, I clench when I see it, or hear about it.
Yesterday noticed that a building not 2 miles from me is named: Voldemort. Spelled t r u m p. I have a desire to remove that name, & substitute Voldemort. In runny painted letters. I won't. It would bring notice to the disgusting name. But, I clench when I see it, or hear about it.
Yes all of this is very familiar. Most of us are way beyond being sickened, astonished, depressed, frightened, ectcetra. We are deep into how to get rid of this noisome situation. Best bet so far is to take back the House and Senate while we are trying to get a prosecutor and independent commission to impeach Trump, Pence and Jeff Sessions, all of whom have lied to the FBI.
Steve Bannon may have been transferred to the basement, but Trump's dark, hateful speech yesterday to a fawning crowd of supporters in Harrisburg, PA was pure, unadulterated Bannon, direct from from the coal bin.
4
Watch, when the Citizens' Army marches, Bannon will run. Doing so will mean he doesn't get a trial. Running, proves guilt. He will be shot on sight. With the Army coming from every direction, there will be no way for him to escape. He may be in the basement, but, the coward he is, it is closer to the bunker. I see him locking *45 out of the bunker if a need for it arises. By then *45 will be worthless, Bannon will only want those who will be a help to him. I suppose he will let Ivanka in, but, probably not Conway. She's been looking a little long in the tooth lately.
1
Trump is a con man.
Why don't his voters see this?
Why don't his voters see this?
2
45 wears us down with his sheer lie-filled, crude and narcissistic outrageousness. Shame on us if that becomes the norm.
Trump`s 100 days is filled with deception and falsehood in one simple word "Lies".
He says he accomplished the most compared to any other sitting Presidents, and the crowd hissed and cheered.
Should we say we don`t hear from Kellyanne Convey or Steve Bannon, certainly a plus instead we see poker faced Ivanka and Jared Kushner both beautiful.
Being pretty face only can not run a Country, yes Jared was seen sitting in every meetings but do not know how his voice sounds like. Which is terrifying actually.
And here you are Frank, writing fromthe failed NYT which is getting smaller and smaller as 45 claimed and I give the President an F for his first hundred days accomplishments .
Which meas FAIL in every aspect !
He says he accomplished the most compared to any other sitting Presidents, and the crowd hissed and cheered.
Should we say we don`t hear from Kellyanne Convey or Steve Bannon, certainly a plus instead we see poker faced Ivanka and Jared Kushner both beautiful.
Being pretty face only can not run a Country, yes Jared was seen sitting in every meetings but do not know how his voice sounds like. Which is terrifying actually.
And here you are Frank, writing fromthe failed NYT which is getting smaller and smaller as 45 claimed and I give the President an F for his first hundred days accomplishments .
Which meas FAIL in every aspect !
1
On the other hand, for the secretary of state to use a private email server should be a hanging offense.
4
Do not despair. Donald Trump is an incompetent and boorish person of historic dimensions, which eventually will disgust all his supporters who possess even the most limited ability to think.
Yet, his vile personality, per se, will not be his undoing. No, he will be undone by his deep ties to Russia (financial and political) and his flagrant self-dealing which violates the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution.
Trump supporters are patriots and loath grifters. As a free media and Congress makes it clear what Trump really is, he will slink away as Nixon did. Grifters are akin to mythical vampires in that sunshine is deadly.
Fear not, our democratic institutions are strong and work. Keep the political sunshine coming.
Yet, his vile personality, per se, will not be his undoing. No, he will be undone by his deep ties to Russia (financial and political) and his flagrant self-dealing which violates the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution.
Trump supporters are patriots and loath grifters. As a free media and Congress makes it clear what Trump really is, he will slink away as Nixon did. Grifters are akin to mythical vampires in that sunshine is deadly.
Fear not, our democratic institutions are strong and work. Keep the political sunshine coming.
7
I'm looking at this safely ensconced behind the moat that is the Atlantic Ocean and I'm not much bothered by the proprieties of Trump's behavior. After all, in many ways he's no different now than before he aspired to the office that makes him commander-in-chief of what is arguably the single largest concentration of destructive power the world has ever seen.
I'm much more concerned by his complete, and to him apparently irrelevant, lack of insight in the workings of international diplomacy. What makes one a success as host of a reality TV show or as a wheeling dealing real estate magnate does not prepare one for the intricacies of dealing with the likes of Xi Jinping or Vladimir V. Putin. More worrisome still is his disregard for the professionals in the State Department and indeed his unwillingness to fully staff this crucial part of the Administration.
Whether it be peace or economic prosperity; it all stands or falls with smoothly operating relationships between peoples and nations. One ill-considered word in a press conference, a wrong gesture at the wrong moment can undo months or years of careful negotiations that aimed to create a win-win.
To have someone who looks at such negotiations as if they were a zero-sum game and who hence sees any win as producing a loser, is truly frightening, especially if this person is firmly intent on never being that loser.
Again, all this will not end well, but it may well end it all.
I'm much more concerned by his complete, and to him apparently irrelevant, lack of insight in the workings of international diplomacy. What makes one a success as host of a reality TV show or as a wheeling dealing real estate magnate does not prepare one for the intricacies of dealing with the likes of Xi Jinping or Vladimir V. Putin. More worrisome still is his disregard for the professionals in the State Department and indeed his unwillingness to fully staff this crucial part of the Administration.
Whether it be peace or economic prosperity; it all stands or falls with smoothly operating relationships between peoples and nations. One ill-considered word in a press conference, a wrong gesture at the wrong moment can undo months or years of careful negotiations that aimed to create a win-win.
To have someone who looks at such negotiations as if they were a zero-sum game and who hence sees any win as producing a loser, is truly frightening, especially if this person is firmly intent on never being that loser.
Again, all this will not end well, but it may well end it all.
6
“Well, he’s the president-elect,...so that’s presidential behavior, yes.”
So, if a man's default behavior is bullying, gratuitously insulting, self-aggrandizing, and in all other ways obnoxious to the norms of most of the people, that's now presidential.
If he is deluded, paranoid, apparently suffering from a massive, terminal case of inferiority complex on the one hand and a terminal narcissism on the other, that's presidential.
And if he is as insane as he sometimes appears, well ...
We used to honor the office, if not the man. Trump has so defiled the office in a mere 100 days, that we will never look upon it in the same way. He and his campaign and 100 days have so tainted the GOP [if that were even possible] that it is unrecognizable. The GOP is not just split, it is balkanized.
The party's intellectual bankruptcy, philosophical prostitution, and complete moral breakdown has been thrilling to watch and would be perversely enjoyable if it weren't for the fact that the GOP dominates government at every level and, no doubt, will prevail. Unless and until the American public has an epiphany or buyer's remorse.
There is no depth to which Trump, the GOP and their supporters will not sink, taking everything that was once precious and inspirational about the office of the presidency into the muck.
So, if a man's default behavior is bullying, gratuitously insulting, self-aggrandizing, and in all other ways obnoxious to the norms of most of the people, that's now presidential.
If he is deluded, paranoid, apparently suffering from a massive, terminal case of inferiority complex on the one hand and a terminal narcissism on the other, that's presidential.
And if he is as insane as he sometimes appears, well ...
We used to honor the office, if not the man. Trump has so defiled the office in a mere 100 days, that we will never look upon it in the same way. He and his campaign and 100 days have so tainted the GOP [if that were even possible] that it is unrecognizable. The GOP is not just split, it is balkanized.
The party's intellectual bankruptcy, philosophical prostitution, and complete moral breakdown has been thrilling to watch and would be perversely enjoyable if it weren't for the fact that the GOP dominates government at every level and, no doubt, will prevail. Unless and until the American public has an epiphany or buyer's remorse.
There is no depth to which Trump, the GOP and their supporters will not sink, taking everything that was once precious and inspirational about the office of the presidency into the muck.
14
I agree with the author.
But those of us who decry the damage that Mr. Trump is doing to the presidency and to the country may focus too little on why his supporters turn a blind eye to, even revel in, his insulting, norm-destroying, conduct.
Happy, people don't feel compelled to insult, villify, or bully others. People who feel in control of their own choices and able to provide for themselves and their families don't need scapegoats to blame for their troubles. People who feel well represented in government don't elect demagogues to rip the status quo to shreds.
We on the left care about the plight of the oppressed. We don't dismiss raw, impolite expressions of pain and accusation from the victims of injustice, because we believe that their truths must be be told and felt by all, in order to stop the injustice. Shouldn't we extend that caring to Trump supporters?
When people will sail into any port to shelter from the storm, no matter how corrupt that port is, it's the storm we must focus on more than the harshness of the voices of the people trapped in it. We must never stop fighting Trump's agenda, or allow his behavior to become normalized. We must also stop ignoring the real hardships experienced by his supporters. The best way to fight Trump and return reason and civility to our political discourse is to do what we can to drain the swamp ourselves, admit to inconvenient truths, and make the government representative of all of the American people.
But those of us who decry the damage that Mr. Trump is doing to the presidency and to the country may focus too little on why his supporters turn a blind eye to, even revel in, his insulting, norm-destroying, conduct.
Happy, people don't feel compelled to insult, villify, or bully others. People who feel in control of their own choices and able to provide for themselves and their families don't need scapegoats to blame for their troubles. People who feel well represented in government don't elect demagogues to rip the status quo to shreds.
We on the left care about the plight of the oppressed. We don't dismiss raw, impolite expressions of pain and accusation from the victims of injustice, because we believe that their truths must be be told and felt by all, in order to stop the injustice. Shouldn't we extend that caring to Trump supporters?
When people will sail into any port to shelter from the storm, no matter how corrupt that port is, it's the storm we must focus on more than the harshness of the voices of the people trapped in it. We must never stop fighting Trump's agenda, or allow his behavior to become normalized. We must also stop ignoring the real hardships experienced by his supporters. The best way to fight Trump and return reason and civility to our political discourse is to do what we can to drain the swamp ourselves, admit to inconvenient truths, and make the government representative of all of the American people.
10
I continue to fail to comprehend the frequently stated mantra, expressed near the end of this article, ..."I continue to root for him to govern wisely, because we're the real losers if he doesn't". Wrong! We have to root for him to fail, miserably and quickly, because that's what will save what is left of our democracy. Rooting for him to succeed means rooting for racism, sexism, corruption, the destruction of the administrative state and incompetence. Resistance to this illegitimate Presidency is the only path. Active, constant resistance on every front.
10
I agree with what Bruni has stated so brilliantly, as well as the writings in the many comments. What concerns me deeply is the "Why should I care? Why does it matter? Haven't all those things happened before?" attitude that so many Americans display nowadays.
Like Trump, many have compounded ignorance with hubris, incivility with disdain. Reckless repudiation of honesty and excellence has become the mantra.
I wish Trump well in his presidency. We all need it.
Like Trump, many have compounded ignorance with hubris, incivility with disdain. Reckless repudiation of honesty and excellence has become the mantra.
I wish Trump well in his presidency. We all need it.
2
I admit, I had trouble thinking of "Donald Trump's One Awful Accomplishment" -- there are so many to choose from. And it's only been 100 days.
But if I had to restrict it to just accomplishment, it would be what he has done to the office of the Presidency, and by that, the entire country.
In all truth, I cannot remember a time when we were all as much against each other, as we are now -- And this is due in great part to a president who not only foments chaos, but thrives on it.
In this short amount of time, Mr. Trump has done everything to undermine and devalue every single thing that his predecessor accomplished, and stem every hard-fought-for progress this country has attained -- either by attacking its validity himself, or by appointing those who will do it for him. As a result, it's not only groups like NATO, the United Nations and Planned Parenthood that are in danger, but the E.P.A. and entire Scientific community as well.
If Trump has managed to sow so many seeds of discord and discontent in only the first 100 days, the future, our future looks bleak.
But if I had to restrict it to just accomplishment, it would be what he has done to the office of the Presidency, and by that, the entire country.
In all truth, I cannot remember a time when we were all as much against each other, as we are now -- And this is due in great part to a president who not only foments chaos, but thrives on it.
In this short amount of time, Mr. Trump has done everything to undermine and devalue every single thing that his predecessor accomplished, and stem every hard-fought-for progress this country has attained -- either by attacking its validity himself, or by appointing those who will do it for him. As a result, it's not only groups like NATO, the United Nations and Planned Parenthood that are in danger, but the E.P.A. and entire Scientific community as well.
If Trump has managed to sow so many seeds of discord and discontent in only the first 100 days, the future, our future looks bleak.
9
All of this hand-wringing over the failure of Trump to conform to political norms is superfluous. Trump is not a politician and he is far too old a dog to learn that new trick. Trump only knows one cheap trick and it is his only operational mode. Trump is a con man. That's all he's ever been and all he'll ever be.
Trump is a low class grifter who lucked into a big bankroll and he's been winging it ever since. He's been monumentally unsuccessful at everything but self-enrichment via self-promotion. For Donald Trump the con is everything - and the con is on.
All of the inane histrionics that seem to define this presidency only make sense in that context. Their only purpose is to distract attention from the ongoing looting. The Trump family is gorging at the public trough. The tweets, lack of decorum, blizzard of lies, etc, are all cover for the con. Nothing else makes sense.
So, there is no more important role for journalism at this critical juncture than to shine a clear light on the Trump family finances. It's the same old story - follow the money! Whining about Trump's social and political improprieties is a just gift to the grifter-in-chief.
Trump is a low class grifter who lucked into a big bankroll and he's been winging it ever since. He's been monumentally unsuccessful at everything but self-enrichment via self-promotion. For Donald Trump the con is everything - and the con is on.
All of the inane histrionics that seem to define this presidency only make sense in that context. Their only purpose is to distract attention from the ongoing looting. The Trump family is gorging at the public trough. The tweets, lack of decorum, blizzard of lies, etc, are all cover for the con. Nothing else makes sense.
So, there is no more important role for journalism at this critical juncture than to shine a clear light on the Trump family finances. It's the same old story - follow the money! Whining about Trump's social and political improprieties is a just gift to the grifter-in-chief.
20
You got it!!
2
But the Times has been doing this. The Trumps are brazen and don't care if their finances are exposed, because they just brand it as fake news by a hateful, jealous media that hates America. Trump uses a few dog whistles and the Midwest and the former confederacy rise up to defend him against the evil wine-sipping, Brie-eating, BMW-driving, pointy headed East Coast elites (the dog whistle for "Jews" resides in that description). They don't care that it is Trump who is the elite. They just know that he is from NY but not Jewish, that he has a bachelor's degree but is not really educated, his children and grandchildren attend expensive private schools, but the girls wear dresses, like girls should.
The old business school advice was "If you're going to steal, steal big. Make a convoluted money trail that will cost millions of dollars for a DA's office to properly trace. Make it so difficult to explain that the hoi polloi becomes bored and distracted." That is exactly how the Trumps and Kushners do things, They run hundreds of businesses that duplicate each other just to make it difficult to trace and explain the cash flow. And it works. Look at Paul Manafort. Some of his shady business dealings were exposed by the Times and Trump's fans were unmoved. It was too complicated for them to understand, so they didn't care.
I don't think following the money will sway half the population.
The old business school advice was "If you're going to steal, steal big. Make a convoluted money trail that will cost millions of dollars for a DA's office to properly trace. Make it so difficult to explain that the hoi polloi becomes bored and distracted." That is exactly how the Trumps and Kushners do things, They run hundreds of businesses that duplicate each other just to make it difficult to trace and explain the cash flow. And it works. Look at Paul Manafort. Some of his shady business dealings were exposed by the Times and Trump's fans were unmoved. It was too complicated for them to understand, so they didn't care.
I don't think following the money will sway half the population.
2
We must turn our attention to the Republicans in Congress. Trump is the elephant at the head of the parade. He is followed by the conniving, chortling,
grasping, greedy Republicans who seek to cash in for all their patrons while our attention is diverted. I so wish the eminent writers here would focus on these weasels.
I can only pray that the Democrat leadership is working on better messaging for 2018 than they had for 2016. I hope more women and people of all colors and cultures are involved and it is not a bunch of old white guys in a back room.
grasping, greedy Republicans who seek to cash in for all their patrons while our attention is diverted. I so wish the eminent writers here would focus on these weasels.
I can only pray that the Democrat leadership is working on better messaging for 2018 than they had for 2016. I hope more women and people of all colors and cultures are involved and it is not a bunch of old white guys in a back room.
15
With Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and Tom Perez. three of the most hyperbolic politicians that have ever existed, as the leading spokespeople of the Democratic Party, I don't think that the Democrats have much of a chance of coming up with a message that will resonate with The People in 2018.
And, if they can't come up with something successful by 2020, it will be close to 2030 before the Democrats get themselves out of the irrelevancy that Barack Obama gifted them for his eight years in office.
And, if they can't come up with something successful by 2020, it will be close to 2030 before the Democrats get themselves out of the irrelevancy that Barack Obama gifted them for his eight years in office.
2
Instead of continually emote about Trump, we may want to ask ourselves some simple questions. On a planet on the march to a new chemical balance that we may not be able to adapt on short notice, our ultimate goal is nevertheless to make this place livable. It is, after all, the only base of operation we have so far.
This goal will not be accomplished if our mentality is that everything is an enemy to be subjugated. There are forces we really never talk about (the press does not seem to have the desire needed to take that road) but the military establishment, the private sector armement companies, everything that has to do with show of force and wielding a big stick to scare everybody is going to be our downfall.
There are people in this country and elsewhere who will tenaciously fight this approach and we will lose this battle. It may take 50 years or 100 years but we will lose it.
Building consensus, use economic shame, make respectful alliances is what will, in due time, get us where we need to go. This country always had a fascist bend and it is going to become more and more visible with time.
Look at the numbers. We are only 320 millions and we spent (on armement) more that the next 7 countries put together. We have more guns in this country per capita (by a large margin) than anywhere else on the planet.
We seem to be really good at making plastic, weapons, and trash and we are actively killing the planet.
We are ignoring certain realities at our peril.
This goal will not be accomplished if our mentality is that everything is an enemy to be subjugated. There are forces we really never talk about (the press does not seem to have the desire needed to take that road) but the military establishment, the private sector armement companies, everything that has to do with show of force and wielding a big stick to scare everybody is going to be our downfall.
There are people in this country and elsewhere who will tenaciously fight this approach and we will lose this battle. It may take 50 years or 100 years but we will lose it.
Building consensus, use economic shame, make respectful alliances is what will, in due time, get us where we need to go. This country always had a fascist bend and it is going to become more and more visible with time.
Look at the numbers. We are only 320 millions and we spent (on armement) more that the next 7 countries put together. We have more guns in this country per capita (by a large margin) than anywhere else on the planet.
We seem to be really good at making plastic, weapons, and trash and we are actively killing the planet.
We are ignoring certain realities at our peril.
4
It turns out that by now, even the oil companies are willing to admit that Global Warming is real, caused by man and our emissions of CO2.
It is not really surprising since those executives have children and grandchildren.
However, there are still right-wing media types making money off of climate change denials who don't seem to care about their children and grandchildren.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-11/climate-change-denier...
For people who are not familiar with the Exxon findings over the years, read the whole article. It shows that Exxon scientists recognized climate warming and the human connection as far back as 1980.
It is not really surprising since those executives have children and grandchildren.
However, there are still right-wing media types making money off of climate change denials who don't seem to care about their children and grandchildren.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-11/climate-change-denier...
For people who are not familiar with the Exxon findings over the years, read the whole article. It shows that Exxon scientists recognized climate warming and the human connection as far back as 1980.
5
I'm hoping that we learn something about this dreadful time in this country's life and begin now to prevent future remorse. Look at how little is actually constitutionally required to be president: be at least 35 years old, be born in America, and have physically resided here for 14 years, period. No other vetting required--at least by the Constitution. This means even mentally ill people, who fulfill these three essentials, can be president. Immoral bullies without conscience or even common courtesy qualify.
I'm a clergyperson and before I was accepted for ordination, I was REQUIRED to have a psychological exam not once, but twice, during the three years before actual ordination. I had to pass a series of nationally required scholastic and practical exams, and then be vetted by a committee of lay and clergypersons before finally crawling over the finish line.
And yet, the President of the United States is required to do nothing to prove his/her abilities, personal character, emotional balance or mental health to hold the most important position in our country and maybe the world. I strongly believe that we should start now to make constitutional changes to ensure that w never again are subjected to this intolerable situation in which we allow so much to hang on so little. The standards for holding the office of president must be equal to the demands of the position.
I'm a clergyperson and before I was accepted for ordination, I was REQUIRED to have a psychological exam not once, but twice, during the three years before actual ordination. I had to pass a series of nationally required scholastic and practical exams, and then be vetted by a committee of lay and clergypersons before finally crawling over the finish line.
And yet, the President of the United States is required to do nothing to prove his/her abilities, personal character, emotional balance or mental health to hold the most important position in our country and maybe the world. I strongly believe that we should start now to make constitutional changes to ensure that w never again are subjected to this intolerable situation in which we allow so much to hang on so little. The standards for holding the office of president must be equal to the demands of the position.
10
Should we worry that Trump has "succeeded in changing forever the expected demeanor of someone in public office?" It is highly unlikely that successors will want to go down this dark, unprincipled path. Trump is one of a kind. His presidency is off to one of the most horrific starts in the history of our nation. He is held in low esteem by an ever increasing majority of citizens. It will not be surprising to look back after his first, and, hopefully, last term and see a terribly flawed and failed presidency. Not exactly a path anyone would find attractive to follow.
3
We all knew who Donald Trump was. We thought we knew Congress. They enable Donald and support him because they are more invested in re-election than in national security or service. Our whole government is responsible but the Republicans are complicit.
12
The Republicans have their eyes shut with fingers in their ears singing " la la la la". I still wait for the tipping point to impeachment. So far republicans are afraid to act, but, I believe, that day will come. It is a continuing trickle of evidence against the people of this whitehouse. The pressure will continue to build.
We must continue to resist and protest. Never normalize. The situation is not normal; never was, and never will be.
We must continue to resist and protest. Never normalize. The situation is not normal; never was, and never will be.
9
Trump: iconoclast
Please re-write and change pronoun, "I", to "we".
To be frank, please Mr. Bruni do not mention Monica or the Lincoln Bedroom in the same article about a vainglorious little man who is dragging our country into a pit we may or may not climb out of.
7
The type of person Trump is should never ever by any measure be considered acceptable in any public leadership forum. As Americans when push comes to shove we have almost always taken pride in taking the high road. I understand that there is a faction of people in this country who do not and maybe never have taken pride in decency, compassion and integrity. Most of them live in the world of ME as though THEY are all that matters. THEY are responsible for only THEM and be damned with everyone else. Trump and his ilk belong to that cesspool of shallow openly aggressive predators who somehow believe they should be admired for their singular obsessive selfishness. In more common terms it is referred to as survival of the fittest. It is what separates human decency from animal behavior. Trump simply belongs to the latter and will never be a person that should be admired by compassionate caring human beings.
I like that you mentioned "public comportment", an old fashioned term, but still important and relevant. Mr. Trump still does not seem to realize that his words matter and excessive overexposure to his words will diminish their effectiveness. He also seems to have a dismissive and unappreciative attitude towards the history and pride all Americans have for the White House-- it's the people's house. He's only impressed with the opulent aspects of it, bur acts like it's such a dump that he has to escape every weekend. It's also kind of sad that we don't really have a First Lady, and nobody seems to care.
1
So, I guess that Hillary's "deplorables" comment was brilliant politics, eh, Mr. Watt?
1
If "character is destiny" for an individual, and "culture is destiny for a country", then culture is composed of the character of those individuals. In school there is a tremendous effort to raise scores and graduation rates as if that will remediate our educational deficits. However, character is never a part of this discussion, as it is supposed to be taught at home. Well, many homes are broken. There needs to be a concerted effort to model and teach character. Schools can be part of the solution, but all institutions and individuals should part of the process. I think our country depends on this. There is no easy fix.
1
Sadly, there are no "glimmers of merit". This is a man who, in endorsing a bill that never should have made it to his desk, has enabled states to remove access to healthcare for millions of citizens.
Yes, that's what allowing states to not pay Medicaid claims from a single provider, Planned Parenthood, does.
Yet I hear so little about this. It's just about the only thing he DID legislatively in these past three-plus months. The rest are effectively dubious declarations or fiats.
Yes, that's what allowing states to not pay Medicaid claims from a single provider, Planned Parenthood, does.
Yet I hear so little about this. It's just about the only thing he DID legislatively in these past three-plus months. The rest are effectively dubious declarations or fiats.
10
Gad, 2020 can't come soon enough. Trump has to go, he's screwing everything up.
4
Given the prospects of the Democracts in 2018, the prospects for the Democrats in 2020 is somewhat clouded.
See: Larry Sabato's recent survey that suggests that 98% of the voters will go for the Republican candidate in their district, with only 2% going for the Democrats.
That's not encouraging, now, is it?
See: Larry Sabato's recent survey that suggests that 98% of the voters will go for the Republican candidate in their district, with only 2% going for the Democrats.
That's not encouraging, now, is it?
2
No. It's gerrymandering.
1
And to top it off, he has invited Philippine president Dudarte to the WH.
6
Can this President read?
His briefings are mostly oral.
He hates teleprompters .
He doesn't read books .
His briefings are mostly oral.
He hates teleprompters .
He doesn't read books .
6
...And still does a better job, Anna, than Barack Obama did.
And as you are appear to be a German, opining on our domestic political affairs, I would suggest that you are gratuitously interfering with our affairs.
It is our business, not yours. I find your remarks offensive.
And as you are appear to be a German, opining on our domestic political affairs, I would suggest that you are gratuitously interfering with our affairs.
It is our business, not yours. I find your remarks offensive.
3
Me thinks he read like he talk. He read bigly.
I suddenly realized with horror, that Trump’s tricks are exactly how Hitler came to power. He fed on people’s ignorance; he hypnotized the weak of mind and they turned him into a monster.
When the weak of mind and ignorant of heart reach a critical mass, no basic human decency, no plain human common sense, no scientific truth, no religious sacred or universal principles can stop them. And because they have reached a critical mass their number become their asset, their irrational unchecked beliefs become the truth. To many of them true knowledge has no value because they do not know the value of knowledge, and so those who have spent their life developing expertise and greater understanding, those who have devoted their intellect to genuine service to humanity are the enemy. We have seen what this has done during the cultural revolution in China, in Cambodia, and now in Turkey.
When the weak of mind and ignorant of heart reach a critical mass, no basic human decency, no plain human common sense, no scientific truth, no religious sacred or universal principles can stop them. And because they have reached a critical mass their number become their asset, their irrational unchecked beliefs become the truth. To many of them true knowledge has no value because they do not know the value of knowledge, and so those who have spent their life developing expertise and greater understanding, those who have devoted their intellect to genuine service to humanity are the enemy. We have seen what this has done during the cultural revolution in China, in Cambodia, and now in Turkey.
13
Pity us, because Donald Trump does represent
His supporters. They glorify all that is bad about Trump. Is is a reflection of the thinking of at least 62 million voters, and the staff that surrounds him. And his behavior is not going to change. A leopard does not change his spots
His supporters. They glorify all that is bad about Trump. Is is a reflection of the thinking of at least 62 million voters, and the staff that surrounds him. And his behavior is not going to change. A leopard does not change his spots
7
"They glorify all that is bad about Trump. "
He is going to stuff the Supreme Court with conservatives who will establish DC v. as more than settled law. I can feel your pain.
He is going to stuff the Supreme Court with conservatives who will establish DC v. as more than settled law. I can feel your pain.
He found his base by fueling hatred and seems intent on continuing to do so. His adoring public feeds his insatiable ego and his pocketbook is being stuffed at a rate that would make Boss Tweed smile.
Finding comfort in his retreats from inexcusable positions reminds me of Stockholm or Battered Wife Syndrome. "He's not really so bad because..."
Finding comfort in his retreats from inexcusable positions reminds me of Stockholm or Battered Wife Syndrome. "He's not really so bad because..."
9
When are the people of America asking him to resign?
4
Here is the problem I have. This is a puff piece in my opinion that is shocked, shocked I tell you and Sad! that DT is not Presidential and incompetent.
I am seeing repeatedly and supposedly verified by multiple sources that two grand juries are now convened, with one almost complete on the Russian collusion by this entire administration from the top down. There is no way the NYT does not know about this. Where is this story?
If that is not verifiable enough to print, here is what is: I have seen four pictures of White Supremacists in front of the Presidential Podium in the White House briefing room flashing "Whites Only" signs proudly and defiantly. One of them is a government employee and Presidential Advisor Stephen Miller.
Why isn't the NYT putting those images on the front page, demanding an explanation and the GOP leadership from McConnell and Ryan on down to state unequivocally if they agree with this? Where is your outrage and hard reporting on these two items along with so many others?
Do your job.
I am seeing repeatedly and supposedly verified by multiple sources that two grand juries are now convened, with one almost complete on the Russian collusion by this entire administration from the top down. There is no way the NYT does not know about this. Where is this story?
If that is not verifiable enough to print, here is what is: I have seen four pictures of White Supremacists in front of the Presidential Podium in the White House briefing room flashing "Whites Only" signs proudly and defiantly. One of them is a government employee and Presidential Advisor Stephen Miller.
Why isn't the NYT putting those images on the front page, demanding an explanation and the GOP leadership from McConnell and Ryan on down to state unequivocally if they agree with this? Where is your outrage and hard reporting on these two items along with so many others?
Do your job.
14
Ashamed of myself for writing this, and maybe it won't get published, fine. But I can no longer find a politically correct way to express how much I loath the jerk that is our so called President. I hate him with every fiber of my being. Every day, I wake in fear what he's going to break, besmirch and destroy next. The first 100 days - nothing but damage to everything he touches. This can not go on. And every day I hope this will be the day that the FBI, CIA - whoever - pulls the plug on his seedy, sleazy, fake presidency.
24
Heartfelt... very much in agreement
Deb, that something that should pull the plug is all of us. The good people of this country. It will not be a pleasant job. Killing those who run from us (running proves guilt), sentencing convicted traitors to hang, in public, actually hanging them, on the Mall, with millions there & billions watching around the world on TV. Jeering at these less thans who never should have been allowed to take a tour at the WH, let alone work there. Cheering each pull of the lever, of each gallows. Watching the trash sneaking around the outside of the crowds gathered all over the country to watch this spectacle of citizens' action, together on big screens in front of their cleaned out statehouses. Knowing that these people will have to go back to hiding their true thoughts, or face consequences. We must not let them think they can hide. They must be watched. Their children MUST be taught how to be decent citizens, in school they must learn the things their parents abhor, but, are true, & needed. English, math, science, geography, history, sex ed, government. With no social promotions. If anyone cannot pass any grade, after 2 tries, they will be moved into 'special' classes. If those don't help, they will be graduated at 18 with a national ID stamped with NOT EMPLOYABLE without close supervision, & very hard work. Yes National IDs. The time has come. The tech is here. States MUST learn their place in this country. Or we will still keep on not being a unified country. NO STATES RIGHTS.
1
Glad you wrote this. It’s a big mistake to think manners are just a surface phenomenon. But I wish you— and many others — would stop referring to U.S. presidents as “OUR commanders in chief.” They are commanders in chief of our military, period. The citizens of a republic are under nobody’s command.
9
And the government works for US, not the other way around.
2
Amen, Frank. Amen.
1
Small man born on Third Base, is elected President then caught in a suicide squeeze....
3
It disturbs me no end that Frank Bruni seems to have developed an air of near resignation in putting up with Mr. Trump's buffoonish, spiteful behavior and overall ignorance as Commander in Chief. As with many Americans, Mr. Bruni admits to a surfeit of Trump day in and day out with ever more discouraging news hitting the front page of The Times and the constant drone of disturbing news in the media. Charles Blow seems to be the true Angry Voice of the paper, and I hope he never stops his ranting and yelling. Gail Collin's snarky wit is often a great antidote to the shenanigans emanating from The White House but even she seems to have dialed it down considerably. I can understand up to a point: we've passed these 100 Days as though it were an eternity. Trump's childish habits of upending everything good President Obama contributed ;constant tweeting, self-indulgent rallies, weekend golfing and visits to Mar-a-Lago are numbing the nation to a near catatonic state, it seems.
9
I was a poll worker on election night, Doing Civic duty.
My worst moment was on my way home at 10:30 pm when I heard people in the street. All of the future horrors , days of future past, flashed through my brain.
Based on what I've read of his nasty rally last night, it's all unfolding as it seemed it would that November night.
I'm still so distraught, I can't imagine as of now , working another election.
My worst moment was on my way home at 10:30 pm when I heard people in the street. All of the future horrors , days of future past, flashed through my brain.
Based on what I've read of his nasty rally last night, it's all unfolding as it seemed it would that November night.
I'm still so distraught, I can't imagine as of now , working another election.
7
Trump is a gold-plated con artist, and I don't understand why his avid supporters don't see this.
What in the world has he done for them--other than shoot his mouth off and hold rock-star rallies to make his weak ego feel better when anyone points out how incompetent he is and what a mess he is making of everything.
To me the entire fiasco of Trump University was a cautionary tale that continues during his presidency. Like the corrupt subprime mortgage marketeers, Trump gets where he is by viciously preying on the weak and hopeful, who want a better lives for themselves..
Trump stiffed his contractors, lied to his investors, but the most craven of Trump's schemes was Trump University, where he took advantage of and bilked working class people by promising them better jobs, taking their hard-to-come-by money, and giving them flimflam in return.
Coal mining jobs are not coming back for lots of reasons--automation being a big one. Building walls along borders is a stupid waste of money and won't really won't give Americans jobs--unless they want to work for less than minimum wages picking pesticided crops and cleaning up America's polluted messes.
Most of us get scammed and bilked at some point but learn from the experience to be wary of false promises and unrealistic schemes. I can see why the rich, money-obsessed crowd likes Trump, who is giving them the keys to the candy store. But, how long it take for his working-class supporters to realize they have been had?
What in the world has he done for them--other than shoot his mouth off and hold rock-star rallies to make his weak ego feel better when anyone points out how incompetent he is and what a mess he is making of everything.
To me the entire fiasco of Trump University was a cautionary tale that continues during his presidency. Like the corrupt subprime mortgage marketeers, Trump gets where he is by viciously preying on the weak and hopeful, who want a better lives for themselves..
Trump stiffed his contractors, lied to his investors, but the most craven of Trump's schemes was Trump University, where he took advantage of and bilked working class people by promising them better jobs, taking their hard-to-come-by money, and giving them flimflam in return.
Coal mining jobs are not coming back for lots of reasons--automation being a big one. Building walls along borders is a stupid waste of money and won't really won't give Americans jobs--unless they want to work for less than minimum wages picking pesticided crops and cleaning up America's polluted messes.
Most of us get scammed and bilked at some point but learn from the experience to be wary of false promises and unrealistic schemes. I can see why the rich, money-obsessed crowd likes Trump, who is giving them the keys to the candy store. But, how long it take for his working-class supporters to realize they have been had?
12
"I’m heartened by occasional signs that he’s learning and by flickers of flexibility."
I am horrified by this man, #45. Why does the world have to sit and watch his abominable behavior and utter unpreparedness, his narcissism, his nastiness, his lack of intelligence, and on and on while "he's learning"? He has put the world at risk, not just the US. I suppose it's fine to learn on some jobs; but I can't think of many of importance where you can be so completely ill suited and destructive. Come on. Stop giving him a break. He's proven himself enough to show how awful he is.
I am horrified by this man, #45. Why does the world have to sit and watch his abominable behavior and utter unpreparedness, his narcissism, his nastiness, his lack of intelligence, and on and on while "he's learning"? He has put the world at risk, not just the US. I suppose it's fine to learn on some jobs; but I can't think of many of importance where you can be so completely ill suited and destructive. Come on. Stop giving him a break. He's proven himself enough to show how awful he is.
12
Trump inviting Duterte to visit the White House is
unconscionable. The mere thought of that man
walking over the White House threshold is sickening and
disturbing. This is not normal.
unconscionable. The mere thought of that man
walking over the White House threshold is sickening and
disturbing. This is not normal.
12
It's not that I disagree with you. So he calls you all 'poopy heads' and pushes you off the teeter totter. Who cares about that other than pundits.
Do your job. Investigate the corruption. Call out the white house on its incompetence and provide facts that substantiate it.
The press spends too much time on punditry and useless opinions when what we need is tireless and top-notch investigative journalism from all sectors of the news media.
Do your job. Investigate the corruption. Call out the white house on its incompetence and provide facts that substantiate it.
The press spends too much time on punditry and useless opinions when what we need is tireless and top-notch investigative journalism from all sectors of the news media.
16
Investigations take time, lots of it. Sometimes years. Some are fruitless no matter how crooked the person being investigated. To make you happy I suggest that the NYT keep the top half of the front page blank. Until one of the investigations actually finishes & deserves a story. In that area should go nothing else. Not about NKorea firing off missiles, or detonating nukes underground, or about Britxet, anything in Europe, or any sports championships. Nothing about the economy, the stock market, or any weather, wild or not. Nothing. Blank. Only investigative pieces on *45 can go there. How long before you complain about the blankness? Or will you just ignore it. Then when something is there, you'd be so used to ignoring it, you'd not notice the article there.
Besides time, investigations take lots of money. Often money that would seem wasted as it didn't lead to what you wanted. So, really you only want them to investigate things already known to be important. Which isn't investigation at all. We know about what he does. He tweets enough about it to drive any sensible person nuts. But, it is important as then we can see the difference between what he tweets, his evil minions say, & then see somewhere in the middle the truth. If any. Might just be 2 sets of lies. You seem to be the type who read the last 2 pages of a mystery, before going to page one. But, that is not how things work in the real world. Sorry.
Besides time, investigations take lots of money. Often money that would seem wasted as it didn't lead to what you wanted. So, really you only want them to investigate things already known to be important. Which isn't investigation at all. We know about what he does. He tweets enough about it to drive any sensible person nuts. But, it is important as then we can see the difference between what he tweets, his evil minions say, & then see somewhere in the middle the truth. If any. Might just be 2 sets of lies. You seem to be the type who read the last 2 pages of a mystery, before going to page one. But, that is not how things work in the real world. Sorry.
1
Who knew that being a decent human being would be so hard?
8
Trump is the low/no class slob that New Yorkers have known well since his rise to "prominence" in the 80's. Why is anyone even remotely surprised at all this? Thanks again for electing him, basket of deplorables.
11
This is ridiculous. You keep rooting for him to govern wisely? People say "Give him a break? You're in deep denial. He's a grifter conman who is now a Kleptocrat.He stole the election with the help of our enemies. Everything that flows from his "election; Gorsuch in particular is illegal. His likely impeachment due to the emoluments clause is not enough. There is a way out of this. It would involve a lot of disruption and and we don't have the guts or enough smart courageous people to go there. Thomas Jefferson knew this would happen and had a solution. This country is based on our constitution. That constitution apparently no longer applies."Root for him to govern wisely", Frank? Really?.Really? That's delusional. Anybody with a modicum of intelligence shows that will never happen. You do too. So face it. Our government is lawless. What country do we still have? Lights of liberty are going dark all over the country and won't be lit again in our lifetimes at the rate we're going.The wealth gap, among other things, guarantees that. When all the illegal wars happened, I was angry. Now I feel like vomiting.
8
For eight years Obama blamed Bush for everything he could not accomplish. He was disdainful and mean spirited as were the opinion pieces on these pages. Bill Clinton damaged the office of the presidency far more than President Trump's mockery of #FakeNews prompted by Obama's #FauxNews of Fox which the press thought, "Oh so clever." This continual outrage is the non stop sputtering of sore losers.
3
Revisionist history. The GOP obstruction of Pres O stopped him from governing. Anything else is a fact free opinion. Nice try though. Go back to Fox and Rush and live in your hard right bubble.
"Now he has his shot, and I continue to root for him to govern wisely..."
Boy, that is a lie.
Boy, that is a lie.
4
A bore, a boor, and a boar. Seriously.
7
You're absolutely right about this. There is so much about Trump that is beyond disturbing but high, high on my list of his repulsive qualities: gleeful coarseness, thoughtless cruelty and, especially, prideful ignorance. Six months later and I still have a hard time believing that this creature ended up on top and that now, amazingly, his outlandish vulgarity simply draws a shrug. The end of the Trump era can't come soon enough for me but, then again, he may have permanently lowered the bar of civility to a meaningless level.
6
Making normal the obscene, bullying, lying, greed, and the mis-use of power against those that have none is a crime - you have hit the horror of his Presidency right on the head.
Going on as though nothing has happened is another crime. We will find out soon enough if we are guilty ourselves as citizens of letting this country down by our acceptance of evil that is banal.
Going on as though nothing has happened is another crime. We will find out soon enough if we are guilty ourselves as citizens of letting this country down by our acceptance of evil that is banal.
5
If the Citizens' Army doesn't march soon, it never will. He will finagle some sort of disaster & declare martial law with a suspension of the Constitution. No more elections. Just him, then either a son or even our first female 'president' (read dictator) in Ivanka. He will do what all dictators do, make a gun grab, so no one can march against him. He will have every officer investigated for democratic tendencies & the ones he finds will disappear. He will do away with the nuclear football & institute him saying on TV or even twitter, 'FIRE'. They will. Enlisted will be kept on base, away from civilians including family & indoctrinated. Until they will follow him anywhere & do anything. Mysteriously both the Declaration of Independence & the Constitution will disappear. He will declare both void. But, many of us have both engraved on our hearts. The war he will start against us will be a million times worse than what will happen if the Citizens' Army marches. Pacifists will be mowed down with the fighters. His base will be destroyed, because they are like him, wanting everything without having to do the required work. He will find himself ruling a country with no economy, no manufacturing, no service companies, no large corporations, no one to buy, so his buddies can sell. We will all be dead. He will blame us, for daring to die. From the afterlife we will all laugh so loud he will be able to hear us, it will drive him so insane he must be put down like a mad dog. By Ivanka.
1
Thank you for this. It perfectly articulates what I and many like me feel.
3
Frank Bruni expresses a glimmer of optimism about Trump. I feel none.
8
Yes, he is disgraceful and insults all of us with his behavior. But he's not alone. I find it unfathomable that there are no Republicans standing up to him - standing up for us. They watch his insane posturing with North Korea and do nothing!? We have to rely on the Pope to speak out for us and the rest of the world? Keep the pressure on, Mr. Bruni, so we can stop him in in 2018 with a democratic congress...If we survive that long. With an approval rating in the 40's, he's not invulnerable.
7
We are not yawning. We are not bored. We are outraged and reliant on journalists like you, Mr, Bruni, to call out every despicable action and bring it into the national consciousness.
Last night was another outrage: at Trump's Pennsylvania rally, he made it clear, yet again, that the majority of Americans are his enemy.
The Republicans in Congress will not step in to end the madness. We need our voices, our votes, and the free press to help ensure that a person like this never resides in the White House again.
Last night was another outrage: at Trump's Pennsylvania rally, he made it clear, yet again, that the majority of Americans are his enemy.
The Republicans in Congress will not step in to end the madness. We need our voices, our votes, and the free press to help ensure that a person like this never resides in the White House again.
7
Excellent article, but it misses the point. Trump correctly recognized that voters with modicum and honesty, education and culture would see that he is "WYSIWYG' (what you see is what you get), and would not expect him to become "presidential" when elected. However, he recognized also that the qualities you describe here will appeal to many poor, uneducated, racist voters who would delude themselves that he was like them (trashy) and would believe his promises and become his "base". The tragedy is that they are becoming newest victims of his snake oil salesmanship and as reported in New York Times, are facing loss of health insurance, loss of jobs in "clean" coal (even the coal museum went solar) and decent public education. I am sorry for them (and for the rest of us).
5
The one that makes me cringe is his lack of respect for Chancellor Merkel. At a photo op in March when prompted by the press, Chancellor Merkel asked President Trump if he wanted to shake hands. He ignored her and later said he did not hear her. That was a lie. He heard her. Seeing that makes me cringe.
6
You forgot to mention that he offered to pay the legal bills for people who assaulted protesters at his rallies. This was the defining moment for me, and something he should have been prosecuted for.
But he isn't the only one who is setting a bad example for parents who might consider raising moral children while praising this president. The Republicans showed that if you lose a school election you should do everything you can to make sure the winner doesn't succeed and should vow to undermine everything he or she does--even if you agree with it. Awful role model material here. It turns those parents into hypocrites or turns us into an amoral society.
But he isn't the only one who is setting a bad example for parents who might consider raising moral children while praising this president. The Republicans showed that if you lose a school election you should do everything you can to make sure the winner doesn't succeed and should vow to undermine everything he or she does--even if you agree with it. Awful role model material here. It turns those parents into hypocrites or turns us into an amoral society.
4
I'm afraid Mr. Bruni's excellent essay omits one vital element: the continuing support by Independent voters of Deceiving Donald, as well as the usual consumers of the GOP brand of Kool Aid. Despite any lack of empirical evidence to support their theses, "Conservatives" trot out failed concepts, uttering false bromides & axioms about "Supply Side" or "Deregulation" to free the "job creators" & Captains of Industry to line their pockets & befoul our Nation & Planet.
Democrats & Bernie voters must develop a new paradigm to penetrate the haze of Frank Lutz-style, focus group-tested words & phrases, if they want anything comparable to the glory days of FDR, JFK, & LBJ.
If they want to return to the Majority in the US, they must develop new ways of explaining to ordinary working citizens & Middle Class that they are the faction that will actually work in the self-interest of our Nation, its Citizens, & yes, its Businesses-especially the Mom & Pop "small businesses", as well as multinational American corporations.
Democrats & Bernie voters must develop a new paradigm to penetrate the haze of Frank Lutz-style, focus group-tested words & phrases, if they want anything comparable to the glory days of FDR, JFK, & LBJ.
If they want to return to the Majority in the US, they must develop new ways of explaining to ordinary working citizens & Middle Class that they are the faction that will actually work in the self-interest of our Nation, its Citizens, & yes, its Businesses-especially the Mom & Pop "small businesses", as well as multinational American corporations.
3
I want the normalizing of trump to stop. I want the press to call him out every time he lies. Mostly I want trump to return to private life because he sickens me everyday.
10
No, we are not shrugging and yawning. Many of us are digging in, seeking like-minded compatriots and doing everything we can, from organizing to rallying to calling our electeds and writing letters. Please keep up the outrage, and use your pulpit to hold this administration's feet to the fire. When you stand up, you give us courage to keep carrying on.
4
I learned from 3 news reports (one from the Times) that Trump has a repetitive business history of cheating people who relied on him out of what they were owed. It pains me that so many voters weren't aware of that, of if they were, discounted the fact, or claimed such reports came from a biased, untruthful media.
3
I still think I'm going to wake up from this nightmare. What has this country done? And will we ever be able to un-do it?
4
"Many readers will get this far in this column and wonder why I and other naysayers don’t just let it go and cut him a break. As if we’re stuck on piddling things and his bearing is nothing more than peculiar"
Please Frank, please don't stop writing about this. Please encourage, cajole, goad your fellow journalists to continue calling out Trump's abhorrent behavior. Please don't allow it to become normal, not noticed, mainstream. Columns like this one encourage the rest of us and strengthen our link to reality. No it's not just me, it IS insane what's going on, what this man is being allowed to get away with. Yes, history will eventually show him for what he really is, but we can't wait that long. We can't wake up the masses who voted for him and still like him. But we can wake up our other elected representatives.
I hope.
Please Frank, please don't stop writing about this. Please encourage, cajole, goad your fellow journalists to continue calling out Trump's abhorrent behavior. Please don't allow it to become normal, not noticed, mainstream. Columns like this one encourage the rest of us and strengthen our link to reality. No it's not just me, it IS insane what's going on, what this man is being allowed to get away with. Yes, history will eventually show him for what he really is, but we can't wait that long. We can't wake up the masses who voted for him and still like him. But we can wake up our other elected representatives.
I hope.
3
I hope Mike Flynn lives to tell what he knows. That should bring the Trump presidency to a quick end. What comes after that is anybody's guess, unfortunately. The GOP has revealed itself to be as despicable as their leader.
5
Classroom teachers across America, parents, counselors, coaches, and anyone else working towards raising our young Americans now have the horrifying task of trying to negotiate the chasm between the values and behaviors everyone hopes to instill and the arrogant, dark, greedy, selfish, dishonest, vindictive, narcissistic, cruel and dangerous behavior our president demonstrates with a strut and a shrug and a sense of entitlement that makes good people cringe.
5
So. Trump is terrible. He was terrible before he was elected. He is terrible now. He is 70 yrs old. He will not change. This is his normal. It should not be our normal.
Stop writing this stuff. We get it. We see it every day.
Write about his connections to Russia, write about the money connections, write about the tax returns, dig deeper into what he has actually done. I know he's without a moral core. Now as a journalist take him down legally. Please.
Stop writing this stuff. We get it. We see it every day.
Write about his connections to Russia, write about the money connections, write about the tax returns, dig deeper into what he has actually done. I know he's without a moral core. Now as a journalist take him down legally. Please.
5
"Hypocrisy is the tribute that Vice pays to Virtue."
When this tribute is not paid, we enter a time of savage de-civilising self-interest. A 'Gordon Gecko' world.
This is going to be a dreadful four years. Already physical attacks by bigots of all stamps are increasing across the country.
When this tribute is not paid, we enter a time of savage de-civilising self-interest. A 'Gordon Gecko' world.
This is going to be a dreadful four years. Already physical attacks by bigots of all stamps are increasing across the country.
2
#Trump is a petty small-minded man in a job that requires skills & characteristics that exceed his comprehension & self-awareness - sadly no one around him has the integrity, fortitude or desire to elevate his gravitas or refine his comportment - when has it ever been a question or thought about a president acting or not acting 'presidential' - even those who support Trump cannot and should not be satisfied with his conduct and his shambolic administration - America deserves better and the world needs more
4
I have three reactions to T. at this point in our history, one is fatigue, one is disgust, the third is anger. The one I'm most concerned about is the first, because that might lead me to cancel my subscription to the NYT, unplug my TV, and turn my back on the whole mess. The idea is appealing. I have a life to lead and I resent it being jerked around by this travesty of a president. But I think about the people who have far more to lose than I do and I can't do it. I have to remain engaged.
What I most despise about this travesty of a president is that he has made it abundantly clear that far from being the president of all citizens, to which other presidents i remember have at least given lip service, he is the president of none, except himself and his deplorable family; his toadies, his supporters, the republican-led congress, are all being played. Every day it seems there is a new attack upon the values, traditions and beliefs of the American people.
For the rest, there is insufficient room in this box, and i am, as I said, tired of it all. But I will stay angry, and look forward to the day this travesty of a president resigns, is impeached and removed, or finishes his term of office, and hope, not for some miraculous change in the man, because I think that's impossible, but that the damage he does every day in office can somehow be redeemed.
What I most despise about this travesty of a president is that he has made it abundantly clear that far from being the president of all citizens, to which other presidents i remember have at least given lip service, he is the president of none, except himself and his deplorable family; his toadies, his supporters, the republican-led congress, are all being played. Every day it seems there is a new attack upon the values, traditions and beliefs of the American people.
For the rest, there is insufficient room in this box, and i am, as I said, tired of it all. But I will stay angry, and look forward to the day this travesty of a president resigns, is impeached and removed, or finishes his term of office, and hope, not for some miraculous change in the man, because I think that's impossible, but that the damage he does every day in office can somehow be redeemed.
4
Even Hillary in the heat of a debate declared what outstanding children Trump had sired and raised, despite the temptations of wealth and the challenges of blended families. His children may feel even more loved than you have in your own family. Sure he's a showman with bluster but your bias has obscured your judgment here Frank.
3
Yowza. Reaching for straws here? To say nothing of the likely fact that these children were raised by their estranged mothers while trump was catting around with the next vessel for his life force.
3
The worst thing that could appen to President Trump is the legitimate media avoid grandisement by refraining from op-ed pieces and simply report the truth. After a period of time the man will begin to retreat to an echo chamber of right-wing media supported by a dwindling voter base waiting for those jobs and healthcare promises to bear fruit.
One important benefit of the Trump presiency appears to be guidance on constitutional reform, especially electoral reform. Eliminate the Electoral college and end redristicting. If constitutional electoral reform isn't on the table after Trump leaves office it will give license to future decadent unqualified individuals to lie their way into the highest electoral office on the planet.
One important benefit of the Trump presiency appears to be guidance on constitutional reform, especially electoral reform. Eliminate the Electoral college and end redristicting. If constitutional electoral reform isn't on the table after Trump leaves office it will give license to future decadent unqualified individuals to lie their way into the highest electoral office on the planet.
3
Today, Frank Bruni focuses of what others, including Mr. Bruni, have said before about the most important difference between Donald Trump and all other American presidents. In recent analyses of Trump’s young presidency the media seem to have lost sight of this difference.
Donald Trump is not just the worst at being president, compared to his predecessors. He’s not just nastier than previous presidents. He’s not just more ignorant and more impulsive. He’s not just more corrupt.
President Donald Trump, most significantly, is such an abnormal person that he is completely different in type and kind from anyone who has ever occupied the White House.
He cannot change. As long as Donald Trump is in office, people will continue to suffer needlessly, and national disaster will be only a tick of the clock away.
Donald Trump is not just the worst at being president, compared to his predecessors. He’s not just nastier than previous presidents. He’s not just more ignorant and more impulsive. He’s not just more corrupt.
President Donald Trump, most significantly, is such an abnormal person that he is completely different in type and kind from anyone who has ever occupied the White House.
He cannot change. As long as Donald Trump is in office, people will continue to suffer needlessly, and national disaster will be only a tick of the clock away.
8
It is a failure of vision to create any suggestion of equivalence between, on the one hand, Monica Lewinsky and the Lincoln Bedroom, and on the other hand, Watergate, the lies that led to the Iraq War, even The Teapot Dome Scandal, and our current administration of traitors, helped into office by a foreign enemy. Republicans have indeed seemed to keep their eye on the political ball better than Democrats. They also seem, in that successful obsession, to have lost the key idea that all of this political behavior is supposed to be for the good of the country. Republicans now seem to be either covering up for traitors, or traitors themselves.
6
Donald suffers from Gratuitous Afluenza - or is it depraved indifference?
Thanks for reminding us of that grotesque exhibition of 45 at the CIA. Fences to mend with the CIA - AND the majority of American people who did not vote for him. That has not and never will happen.
One can always hope that he will retire early - as soon as his tax giveaways to himself are passed by his ilk in Congress - but he won't. He enjoys all the tax payer freebies he gets flying around on the tax payer's 747, taking him to his various wealth bubbles around the country, and the fantastic global business opportunities that are just too attractive for him to ignore.
It seems like all of his executive actions are done more out of spite than ideology - especially against someone he secretly knows is an infinitely better man than he is. He is not just obnoxious - he is out right noxious. ["obnoxious" - great word Frank - first new word I learned at Loomis!]
Don't forget how 45 has made "a lot of sacrifices" for this nation - as he responded to Gold Star Father - http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-father-fallen-soldier-ive-ma...
If 45 succeeds, we all lose. So no, I will not give him a chance to succeed.
Donald has proven one thing - "anyone" can become POTUS. Sadly.
Thanks for reminding us of that grotesque exhibition of 45 at the CIA. Fences to mend with the CIA - AND the majority of American people who did not vote for him. That has not and never will happen.
One can always hope that he will retire early - as soon as his tax giveaways to himself are passed by his ilk in Congress - but he won't. He enjoys all the tax payer freebies he gets flying around on the tax payer's 747, taking him to his various wealth bubbles around the country, and the fantastic global business opportunities that are just too attractive for him to ignore.
It seems like all of his executive actions are done more out of spite than ideology - especially against someone he secretly knows is an infinitely better man than he is. He is not just obnoxious - he is out right noxious. ["obnoxious" - great word Frank - first new word I learned at Loomis!]
Don't forget how 45 has made "a lot of sacrifices" for this nation - as he responded to Gold Star Father - http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-father-fallen-soldier-ive-ma...
If 45 succeeds, we all lose. So no, I will not give him a chance to succeed.
Donald has proven one thing - "anyone" can become POTUS. Sadly.
8
On a day when so many demonstrated against the administration's willfully ignorant, vicious, and vengeful policies on climate change and the environment, it is unfortunate that Mr. Bruni ruminates yet again on Trump's violations of expected norms of presidential behavior. It's not that those violations are unimportant; it is that they are arguably the journalistic low hanging fruit.
Whether on seeks an explanation in the DSM Manual or elsewhere, the fundamental problem is that DJT is, although a consequential man, not a serious man; he is, at most, only haphazardly engaged by facts and evidence, discarding or denying them if they do not suit his purposes. Why would anyone expect such a person to respect the rule of law or democratic principles, let alone conform to standards of deportment?
Mr. Bruni should not fall for the Republican trick so colorfully described by Bill Maher here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7OH3ae7Wtg at 4:12
Instead of focusing on the low hanging fruit, Mr. Bruni should turn his attention to the tree on which it grows, the soil that nourishes the tree, and the fauna that eat the fruit and spread the seeds, such as pachydermous congress critters.
Whether on seeks an explanation in the DSM Manual or elsewhere, the fundamental problem is that DJT is, although a consequential man, not a serious man; he is, at most, only haphazardly engaged by facts and evidence, discarding or denying them if they do not suit his purposes. Why would anyone expect such a person to respect the rule of law or democratic principles, let alone conform to standards of deportment?
Mr. Bruni should not fall for the Republican trick so colorfully described by Bill Maher here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7OH3ae7Wtg at 4:12
Instead of focusing on the low hanging fruit, Mr. Bruni should turn his attention to the tree on which it grows, the soil that nourishes the tree, and the fauna that eat the fruit and spread the seeds, such as pachydermous congress critters.
2
In his first 100 days (has it really only been 100?) he has shown US and the world that he can be a schoolyard bully and con the other kids out of their lunch. If anyone is waiting for him to "grow into the job", they are in Never-Never Land with Peter Pan, who flies high and won't ever grow up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiW-kWFz_5I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiW-kWFz_5I
5
Bruno went to press with his op-ed a few hours too early. Trump's complimentary call to the murdering Phillapean president Duterte and his invitation to the visit the White House is an affront to every ethos we cherish as Americans. All of the taunts he has barked at his political opponents, the press and those who disagree with his agenda and rhetoric pale in comparison to embracing a leader who believes that drug addiction is worthy of a "final solution." Trump admires the fact that Duterte has some degree of popular support, which probably was the barometer Trump consulted in offering his comments and invitation. Our constitution, the rule of law and standimg as beacon of hope and decency are beyond his comprehension.
Trump's embracing of this murderer is revolting and unworthy of the esteemed office he occupies.
Trump's embracing of this murderer is revolting and unworthy of the esteemed office he occupies.
12
Donald Trump is a despot wannabe in the truest sense of the word. He'll try if we let him.
3
"But when something no longer provokes remark, it becomes unremarkable, and the road from there to acceptable is a short one." Perfect, Mr. Bruni. Simply perfect.
The few Trump supporters I have met mimic his idiocy verbatim. The "fake media" are not acknowledging how stupendously wonderful he is. He has had the most successful inauguration crowd/votes/military actions ever in the history of the USA. He is brave and nothing like typical politicians.
And, yet, their "not-typical" politician filed papers to run again in 2020 the day he took office. No one in the media, fake or not, seems willing to reiterate that. His campaign rallies are absurd exercises in "mommy, mommy, look at me." Then he goes home to Mar-A-Lago because he couldn't possibly live somewhere that doesn't recognize him as King of Everything.
There is nothing presidential about him. There is nothing about him except greed, the enrichment of his business, the promotion of his business, himself and his children, and, quite possibly, treasonous act(s) against this country with Russia. He is the largest international embarrassment this country has ever produced.
We can never be silent because silence is construed by the rest of the world as acceptance. We need to make America "America" again somehow.
The few Trump supporters I have met mimic his idiocy verbatim. The "fake media" are not acknowledging how stupendously wonderful he is. He has had the most successful inauguration crowd/votes/military actions ever in the history of the USA. He is brave and nothing like typical politicians.
And, yet, their "not-typical" politician filed papers to run again in 2020 the day he took office. No one in the media, fake or not, seems willing to reiterate that. His campaign rallies are absurd exercises in "mommy, mommy, look at me." Then he goes home to Mar-A-Lago because he couldn't possibly live somewhere that doesn't recognize him as King of Everything.
There is nothing presidential about him. There is nothing about him except greed, the enrichment of his business, the promotion of his business, himself and his children, and, quite possibly, treasonous act(s) against this country with Russia. He is the largest international embarrassment this country has ever produced.
We can never be silent because silence is construed by the rest of the world as acceptance. We need to make America "America" again somehow.
8
Watching Hillary's expected landslide victory slowly slip away, waiting for her to win with each late vote count, and then realizing the unthinkable. DT the next president. Devastation. Moping. Depression.
Then the stock market rallied. And kept rising to all time highs. Why? Quite a few experts say it's because uncertainty was removed and would have gone up even if Hillary had won. Maybe not as much, because Trump was more pro-business, especially reducing/eliminating regulation which would improve operating results and profits.
The punch line is if you're in the stock market you are winning big time. That eases the pain of Trump's social issues. He hasn't had his way on the real issues: immigration, repeal & replace "Obamacare", tax cuts, wall. Those battles are worth fighting for and are winnable. He's finding out it's not so easy to pass legislation on the first day in office, and in fact, alternate or true fact, that they may never be enacted. We can almost feel sorry for him whining that he's working so much harder as president than his former life in business.
His one victory, the Supreme Court appointment was unstoppable. Let's hope that may not be so bad in the long run.
Then the stock market rallied. And kept rising to all time highs. Why? Quite a few experts say it's because uncertainty was removed and would have gone up even if Hillary had won. Maybe not as much, because Trump was more pro-business, especially reducing/eliminating regulation which would improve operating results and profits.
The punch line is if you're in the stock market you are winning big time. That eases the pain of Trump's social issues. He hasn't had his way on the real issues: immigration, repeal & replace "Obamacare", tax cuts, wall. Those battles are worth fighting for and are winnable. He's finding out it's not so easy to pass legislation on the first day in office, and in fact, alternate or true fact, that they may never be enacted. We can almost feel sorry for him whining that he's working so much harder as president than his former life in business.
His one victory, the Supreme Court appointment was unstoppable. Let's hope that may not be so bad in the long run.
5
Brilliantly written. Trump is indeed the quintessential bully, the big baby. The one who wants nothing more than to be the center of attention and have things his way. He is the most over compensated ego, and the office of president only feeds this. Because he cannot see far beyond the parameters of this ego, it is a small platform from which he leads, one that demeans the presidency and us all in the process, reminding the world just how ugly "power" can be.
13
No anti-bullying law applies to the White House, not that it would change anything. History shows us time and again that the only a bigger bully puts down another bully--and then it's near anarchy after that until the power void is filled.
Mr. Trump is such a terrible president and person that I find great difficulty ever listening to anything he has to say. The lack of respect for anything or any one not Trump is stunning. I am probably not alone in my feelings since the polls show Trump is quite unpopular. My hope is that the next election sends a firm showing of just how angry voters are that so many of our gains under President Obama are now history. The president of the US in a not a dictator, but Trump has not realized that as yet while he show such glee in reversing all the policies which helped so many of the voters and public.
11
In every aspect of his presidency -- national security, foreign affairs, healthcare, the environment, immigration, women's rights, civil rights, education, ethics, the budget, taxes, Social Security, and, yes, presidential deportment -- it's clear that Trump's motto is, "If it ain't broke, break it!"
10
Look in the mirror, America: our presidents tend to reflect at least part of our national mood and character. Really how much character do we have left as a nation where money equals free speech, where corporations have the same, if not more, rights as individual citizens, and where profit is the ultimate arbitrator of public life?
The only way forward is acknowledge that our leaders' words and actions do debase us all (or in a better world, elevate us). The hard part is, do we as a country have enough character left to hold our leaders accountable? Sadly, I think not.
The only way forward is acknowledge that our leaders' words and actions do debase us all (or in a better world, elevate us). The hard part is, do we as a country have enough character left to hold our leaders accountable? Sadly, I think not.
9
I will never be normalized. All I need to do is think about my children and grand children. How this animal an chief behaves has an effect on my own legacy, my children and grand children. They see this behavior, the are exposed to other children and adolescence who believe that behavior is okay. He is setting a horrible example for our next generations. And then I think about my own situation as a woman. With no visible affiliation, I go shopping or take a walk or drive into Trump territory and feel the eyes of predators who are emboldened by Trump's behavior. Gone is respect and decency in these people. I merely need to walk out my front door and am reminded that this is not normal.
18
Thank you for that
4
I agree with the general consensus of opinion in the comments section here. For me, this whole scenario has become a nightmare peopled with so-called politicians who are not working for the people who elected them- save Mr. Trump who is still consistently working for his base and not even trying to broaden his appeal to other groups. This used to be a democratic government inclusive of everyone. At this point frankly, the man and his presidential power frightens me. His worst and most dangerous trait is his attacks on everyone and everything that threatens his superiority. I hope there is a light at the end of this very dark tunnel!
10
Trump, I would say, is _playing to_ his base more than _working for_ them.
He's certainly working for himself.
He's certainly working for himself.
4
Decorum is dead. And its about time.
I've been reading up about "society" - mainly the antics of the monied class here in America - since the founding of the Republic up until the mid-1930's. So, it should be duly noted that Trump is no anomaly. Trump looks semi-civilized (just) when compared the déclassé nature of Jefferson and the down right hill-billy going ons of Andrew Jackson and his Administration. More currently, the tawdriness of JFK's behind the scene dalliances (and lets not forget his father's bootlegging background) and the Clinton's unseemly behavior all are of a kind with Trump.
If anything, Trump has been a groundbreaker by bringing in full bore the new paradigm of the 24/7 news cycle and the alt-reality of current TV to the White House. Why, he's probably paved the way for the just as unseemly, if somewhat more PC, Andrew Cuomo and his boorish style to actually be taken seriously for a presidential run in 2020. America should shudder at the thought.
Sorry, Frank, but your high falutin concept of the Presidency is so yesterday.
I've been reading up about "society" - mainly the antics of the monied class here in America - since the founding of the Republic up until the mid-1930's. So, it should be duly noted that Trump is no anomaly. Trump looks semi-civilized (just) when compared the déclassé nature of Jefferson and the down right hill-billy going ons of Andrew Jackson and his Administration. More currently, the tawdriness of JFK's behind the scene dalliances (and lets not forget his father's bootlegging background) and the Clinton's unseemly behavior all are of a kind with Trump.
If anything, Trump has been a groundbreaker by bringing in full bore the new paradigm of the 24/7 news cycle and the alt-reality of current TV to the White House. Why, he's probably paved the way for the just as unseemly, if somewhat more PC, Andrew Cuomo and his boorish style to actually be taken seriously for a presidential run in 2020. America should shudder at the thought.
Sorry, Frank, but your high falutin concept of the Presidency is so yesterday.
1
The Trump supporters I know never once considered Barack Obama to be their president or viewed him as presidential--chiefly because of his skin color. If our president was a black man, these supporters seemed to believe, then the way he was performing his duties had to be the wrong way. Believe me, these people--my fellow red staters--mocked Obama incessantly, no matter what the man did. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to me that President Trump can now do whatever he wants, and his base will see him as completely presidential--because he is white, just like them.
26
The take-away then, is that while politically ill-advised, Hillary Clinton was completely correct to characterize Trump supporters ( at least those of whom you speak) as "deplorable."
3
Ditto that, from central Iowa. And, add in that bc he is a man (and not an evil, uppity female), he deserved to win no matter his policies or demeanor.
2
Ronald Reagan thought he could call back the missiles after launch. Trump is more ignorant of all aspects of the job with no real capability to learn. He is a useless, distracting, dangerous fool. Just get an independent prosecutor and pursue a public investigation including making his tax returns public. Then Impeach. This situation is both intolerable and dangerous.
28
Trump reminds me of an angry child, bent on random, malicious destruction. He seems to have no real plan except to destroy what generations of Americans have built. I do not care for Mr. Pence but the sooner Trump is removed the better for everyone, except, perhaps, Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin.
13
People grappling to understand this bad dream none of us can wake up from should watch the BBC documentary about the collapse of Yugoslavia and the rise of Slobodan Milosevic, who shares so many character traits with Trump, it's scary. Milosevic was an egomaniacal, former businessman-turned politician whose stunning disregard for the truth was not challenged until it was too late, a master manipulator who rose to power by exploiting a national mood of anxiety with manufactured reports of violence and discrimination being inflicted on his base, and a leader who stood before his supporters and assured them they would never again be ignored, which is almost down to the word what T. said during his inaugural speech. M. also surrounded himself with a coterie of comrades who kowtowed to him at every turn. You see generals and politicians restlessly standing beside him, affirming his nonsensical rhetoric, the same way Pence and these other clowns cower behind Trump, nervously chuckling in agreement, fatuous smiles plastered across their faces. I loved this article (thank you!) and other Times op-ed columnists, but I don't want to see the headline, "100 days of Trump Style," or any other piece that normalizes the situation. How about a "100 days of the people-who-are-sick-with-worry-over-losing-their-healthcare." Let's see what they're wearing!
37
And then Misolevic died and an ethnic war broke out in the Balkins. Not sure what lesson that holds for us after the demise of The Donald.
What a thoughtful lament. Fortunately for us, Trump cannot write his own history. He can go to bed believing whatever narrative helps him sleep at night. However, 50 years from now he will be judged by his conduct rather than his fiction. Unlike so many great families of our nation, the Trump family will be an immortal disgrace to anyone with the grave misfortune to bare the name. His children and his children's children will be the laughing stock of our society. Comfortable in their misbegotten wealth certainly but a humiliation to themselves and the nation entirely.
Ask not what your country can do for you, ask why your ancestor was making penis jokes on national television.
Ask not what your country can do for you, ask why your ancestor was making penis jokes on national television.
19
The American voters got sloppy, and forgot what they wanted from their president. And elected Trump. But he is going to revitalize an American interest in politics, and good government, through his repulsive buffoonery. The next round will be better.
Like the old biker saying goes, "I'm bound to go to heaven, because I've served my time in hell."
Like the old biker saying goes, "I'm bound to go to heaven, because I've served my time in hell."
12
Friendly fire helped us to get here.
Including from you, Frank.
You and other NYT writers-- Dowd especially (who interestingly has disappeared from the NYT now that her old friend was elected)-- annihilated Clinton regularly.
And look what we've got.
One of the spectacles of Trump has been how the media has adjusted to him. First, they elevated him with non stop coverage because he was amusing... then they peddled false equivalences that elevated stupid emails to the level of sexual assault. Now they're alarmed and it's TOO LATE! The most unqualified president of our lifetimes to date is in the White House.
Hopefully the NYT will stay alarmed and call this charade what it is... a grifter's paradise, a cesspool of depravity, the robber barons' dream. And don't let up on Russia!
Including from you, Frank.
You and other NYT writers-- Dowd especially (who interestingly has disappeared from the NYT now that her old friend was elected)-- annihilated Clinton regularly.
And look what we've got.
One of the spectacles of Trump has been how the media has adjusted to him. First, they elevated him with non stop coverage because he was amusing... then they peddled false equivalences that elevated stupid emails to the level of sexual assault. Now they're alarmed and it's TOO LATE! The most unqualified president of our lifetimes to date is in the White House.
Hopefully the NYT will stay alarmed and call this charade what it is... a grifter's paradise, a cesspool of depravity, the robber barons' dream. And don't let up on Russia!
Per Twitter:
We went from Obama nation to an abomination!
We went from Obama nation to an abomination!
16
With Trump as commander in chief, we will be fortunate to even have a nation!
There once was a President made small
By showcasing decorum's downfall
A huge vulgarian
And would-be caesarian
He's an executive branch foul ball
By showcasing decorum's downfall
A huge vulgarian
And would-be caesarian
He's an executive branch foul ball
10
There once was a President made small
By showcasing decorum's downfall
A huge vulgarian
And would-be caesarian
He's an executive branch foul ball
By showcasing decorum's downfall
A huge vulgarian
And would-be caesarian
He's an executive branch foul ball
3
He deports Chaldean Christians back to Iraq and plans to invite Duterte of the Philippines to the White House. Can he go any lower?
18
All chiefs of state lie, r guilty of deceits, some grand, some small." Et alors?"They lie often for reasons of state,and dissembling goes with the territory. Wasn' t Churchill deceitful when he deliberately did not inform Coventry of an impending attack by Luftwaffe in order not to let Germany know that GB had deciphered its secret codes? Was not De Gaulle lying when he reassured pieds noirs in Algeria in 1958 "Je vous ai compris, " then gave Algeria away to the FLN?See nothing wrong with a little hyperbole, and why is the CIA considered above criticism?Was HELMS above criticism when he backed the right wing coup, "golpe de estado" in Chile in 1970, leading to deaths of thousands and a dictatorship lasting a generation? R not colleagues at Times newspaper guilty of hyperbole, of lying when they write that Trump is an imbecile, a buffoon, that his supporters are "useful idiots?" "Sauce for the goose!Sauce for the gander!" No doubt Bruni has his supporters, his echo chamber of commenters who thank him for his "sagacity!"But as I wrote yesterday, many of them reason like grammar school drop outs, and I have heard more sophisticated opinions from retired Mafiosos during my interviews in social clubs throughout the city than I have ever read from liberal elitists, mostly school teachers I wager,whose blurbs dominate the Comments section. Have a heart, Mr. BRUNI, let our well intentioned c-in-c do his job.He's working on behalf of all of us!
If with the "us" in "working on behalf of all of us" you mean his family and the members of the 1% you may be right, although I think the only person Trump is working for is himself.
1
Not me... He's working for the top 1%. Not working for me... Letting the environment I live in being slowly eroded. Not working for me... Ignoring the many species endangered by loss of habitat due to climate change. Not working for me... Limiting the creative minds of those who contribute to the American Dream by limiting entry to gifted individuals. Not working for me... Wasting my taxes on a wall. If walls work, then why is there a drug problem in prisons. Not working for me... Not at all and not working for the good of the nation.
2
Wow. Well-intentioned? For whom? He's removing safeguards that protect the very air you breathe. That you think that could be a good thing is staggering.
Trump's pettiness and lack of decorum are the least worst of his behavioral sociopathy. The criminal acts including Fraud, Tax Evasion, Theft of Services, and Treason are far greater dangers left un-punished
He is inviting Duterte to the White House. When is Erdogan coming?
He likes bullies, nationalists, and other violent thugs.
He likes bullies, nationalists, and other violent thugs.
8
He's interviewing them as potential members of a new cabinet for after he takes over the world. He doesn't get that he may not be the ultimate head of that coup even if he leads it now.
No problem inviting Duterte to the White House. You only have to start worrying when he invites Dictators tonMar-a-Logo.
It is not too much to say that he sullies the sacred ground consecrated by American sacrifice. This was not to be touched, much less insulted by radical or anarchist, much less by the commander-in-chief. That the Republicans in Congress stand for it shows how much they stand for the values which supposedly guide their service.
6
Mr. Bruni, Come on now. How can you put hope in this person who is our president (I refuse to mention it by name) ? He has heaped praise on the eroder of Democracy from Turkey and just invited a murderous villian from the Phillippines to have Big Macs at the White House.
9
He has disrespected the office of The Presidency beyond repair with his corrupt racist sexist misogyny shuffling onto the world stage . He is an embarrassment without equal and is an equal opportunity offender of allies and enemies alike. His boastful attitude that he alone can solve the problems of the world is frightening and terror inducing enough to keep Americans awake at nights. He is mentally ill and doesn't remember what he has said or done most of the time. God Save The United States of America.
You people have have lost your minds somewhere in NeverTrump hysteria. Most of us just don't care what you think anymore because it isn't thoughtful, it is simply ugly. Petulant whining doesn't get you a seat at the table.
1
"isn't thoughtful", "simply ugly", "petulant whining". Most descriptive of the president.
Frank Bruni grew fainthearted mid-column - the task of describing where we are with this infant tyrant is so immense only the Clinton/Lewinski dalliance (or the Lincoln bedroom (?) could compare? Come on, Frank!
16
Trump is a foul mouthed, coarse, ignorant 8th grade school yard bully and it makes me ashamed to be an American knowing this is what the rest of the world sees.
15
Has anyone else noticed how rude DT is to his wife? He rushes ahead of her, never waiting for her to catch up. He exhibited this behavior when he & Melania visited the Obama's. He has been photographed rushing ahead of Melania off of Air Force One, while she tries to catch up. If he can't show respect and be polite to his wife what can we expect?
17
"We pummel him and pummel him in a widespread, left-wing media conspiracy and the dirty rotten scoundrel keeps fighting back. Why won't the guy just let us achieve our goal of beating him into oblivion without all the resistance? What a coward." - Frank Bruni on President Trumpi
Until he's impeached, I don't want to read another word about that so-called man who occupies the White House. In 2018 the decent people in this country are going to turn out the vote in numbers rarely seen before in this country of lazy voters. Every congressperson who has been complicit in allowing this vainglorious poser to pretend to be "presidential" is going to be out of a job. And then maybe we can get that dangerous, orange-furred creature out of the White House and send him back to the Mar-a-lago swamp in Florida. If the Floridians will have him back.
15
We don't want him--at least not in Palm Beach County.
This column is too kind to Trump.
11
I want to strongly object that no comments were allowed on "The Women Who Still Like Trump". Times, you're tone-deaf and discriminating. Who cares what women think, right? You allowed comment on the two men who like Trump. I can comment on this nowhere else, I did a separate comment for Bruni's editorial.
9
Trump is the apotheosis of the Ugly American. The US might as well choose a warthog to preside over it.
12
Frank, it's forever.
4
The apologia of sorts among Trump supporters that he is "authentic" or "doesn't care what anybody else thinks" or "says what's on his mind" is simply remarkable.
Just say whatever pops into your head or onto your tweet finger at any time. Truth be dammed. Civility be damned. Leadership be damned.
Confusing filter-free "authenticity" with truth and merit is both foolish and dangerous. History has learned this lesson already. Why haven't we?
To Trump supporters who seem to love him no matter what he says, I would ask that you follow the advice of a GOP hero, Ronald Reagan, who said, when describing the basis for a nuclear disarmament treaty with the Russians, "Trust but verify."
If you want to give him the benefit of the doubt, fine. But do your homework. Check the facts. Understand the issues.
If you don't hold your leader accountable to tell the truth, "authenticity" becomes just another word for consequence-free lying.
Just say whatever pops into your head or onto your tweet finger at any time. Truth be dammed. Civility be damned. Leadership be damned.
Confusing filter-free "authenticity" with truth and merit is both foolish and dangerous. History has learned this lesson already. Why haven't we?
To Trump supporters who seem to love him no matter what he says, I would ask that you follow the advice of a GOP hero, Ronald Reagan, who said, when describing the basis for a nuclear disarmament treaty with the Russians, "Trust but verify."
If you want to give him the benefit of the doubt, fine. But do your homework. Check the facts. Understand the issues.
If you don't hold your leader accountable to tell the truth, "authenticity" becomes just another word for consequence-free lying.
4
Yes! Do not go gently into Trump's psychosis.
3
Trump succeeds because he has emotional appeal and stardom.
The US needs a liberal Trump - a loud mouthed bully who will take on the corporate overlords and the NRA, and fight for the little guy, despite their support for little Trump.
The US needs a liberal Trump - a loud mouthed bully who will take on the corporate overlords and the NRA, and fight for the little guy, despite their support for little Trump.
4
LBJ anyone?
1
My, oh my. You are "fearful that he has already succeeded in changing forever the expected demeanor of someone in public office." LOL!
How are people supposed to act, Mr. Bruni? By your standards of demeanor we shall all proudly go forward? Who made you czar of presidential demeanor? What is next? He doesn't do up his tie with a full hitch? Call Calvin Klein! Call Ralph Lauren! Send him to presidential finishing school!
How are people supposed to act, Mr. Bruni? By your standards of demeanor we shall all proudly go forward? Who made you czar of presidential demeanor? What is next? He doesn't do up his tie with a full hitch? Call Calvin Klein! Call Ralph Lauren! Send him to presidential finishing school!
1
I hardly think it is too much to expect that the head of state treat citizens with respect. Only people who lack self-respect would accept being treated with such cynical contempt.
2
@miner with a soul: He doesn't. That's just a media frame. It's actually the other way around: the press treats him with cynical contempt - which is obvious to anyone who reads the Times. But that's just a side issue here, anyway. When Abe Lincoln was elected in 1860, there were plenty of establishment types like this present one who were "appallled!" that this "ape!" from the back woods of Illinois was in the White House. He just didn't have that presidential demeanor of the aristocrats who inhabited the place before him.
1
Investigate the Russian connections - as quickly as possible.
It is our only hope of removing this blight from our nation.
It is our only hope of removing this blight from our nation.
10
I believe the best way to drive this nut case out of office is for the media to stop covering his every word, tweet and scowl. A mainstream media boycott of all things Trump. No pictures, no quotes, nothing. This is not to say that coverage of important events should cease, but the endless press coverage just feeds his twisted ego. He thrives on it.
Cover the investigations and leave his name out of it as though he didn't exist. And I wish to god he didn't!
Cover the investigations and leave his name out of it as though he didn't exist. And I wish to god he didn't!
7
There's a metaphor of political leaders as the drum major who continuously looks behind to see where the band is going. From that perspective, Trump's demeanor is simply a reflection of where our culture has gone. I remember how horrified I was that the "Jerry Springer" show was popular. That seems tame today. It seems to me the height of naievte to think that Trump has somehow managed to change the culture. It had already changed. We can argue about what caused it and how to address it, but we should not give Trump credit for it.
2
The electorate has placed an incompetent, "reality" TV actor, child in the Presidency. This 70 year old will not change, diplomacy is way beyond his capabilities. His goal, is and will always be only, one to enrich himself and his family at the public trough.
The only hope is that we can save ourselves as this Democracy from one very foolish step that he is bound to make.
The electorate voted from someone to shake up Washington, this is guaranteed but at what cost?
The only hope is that we can save ourselves as this Democracy from one very foolish step that he is bound to make.
The electorate voted from someone to shake up Washington, this is guaranteed but at what cost?
2
I have long thought that Bart Simpson was the worst influence on our young boys. But I was wrong. It's now our President.
And Howard Stern, how does it feel to lose your spot at the most crass, insulting and obnoxious creature in America? Kinda stings, right?
God help us.
And Howard Stern, how does it feel to lose your spot at the most crass, insulting and obnoxious creature in America? Kinda stings, right?
God help us.
I was convinced, all through the campaign, that Trump really didn't want to be president; he only wanted to have his ego stroked. I was wrong, I think. Perhaps the lunacy that continues, now in the White House and Mara Lago, is still a plea from Trump that he wants someone to say: "all right, enough is enough. Go home now." I can't imagine this can go on without spectacular tragedies.
3
Every hour of every day for the past 22 months, the TV Media and print Media talk about Trump. It is like Trump invented the idea of "bait and switch." All Media follows whatever he says. Trump got two billion dollars in free advertising since June 2015. Turn on any news channel and within seconds, there is talk about Trump. Open any newspaper and the front page has something about Trump.
Maybe it is time the Media simply quit talking about the guy and focus on news that most reasonable people require.
Maybe it is time the Media simply quit talking about the guy and focus on news that most reasonable people require.
6
Frank, in yesterdays NYT, Peter Baker your colleague speculated on how donald changed the presidency and how the presidency changed donald. The summation I concluded was that just maybe this man's occupation of the Oval office will in time not be as terrible as many now assume or live in fear of.
Acceptance is slowly on the rise. Despicable behavior is advancing itself to be the new normal. Looking for that silver lining in this presidency is acknowledging that many are slowly giving in and willing to accept the consequences.
donald,s past "awful accomplishments" may look trivial in comparison to what could happen in the near future. Acceptance of this presidency by the Congress and far to many of this nation citizens does not portend well for our future.
Even impeachment of this man may be satisfying for many, it still leaves the issue of why a deplorable person was so attractive to so many in this country. Looking into the history of the worlds demagogues one has to wonder.
Acceptance is slowly on the rise. Despicable behavior is advancing itself to be the new normal. Looking for that silver lining in this presidency is acknowledging that many are slowly giving in and willing to accept the consequences.
donald,s past "awful accomplishments" may look trivial in comparison to what could happen in the near future. Acceptance of this presidency by the Congress and far to many of this nation citizens does not portend well for our future.
Even impeachment of this man may be satisfying for many, it still leaves the issue of why a deplorable person was so attractive to so many in this country. Looking into the history of the worlds demagogues one has to wonder.
3
Disagreement turns to loathing: never good.
Loathing turns to nihilism: much much worse.
Loathing turns to nihilism: much much worse.
I wouldn't let this president come within 50 years of my children, and that saddens me deeply.
6
I am very surprised, you can garner hope that Trump might become a good boy after 100 days. I for one had lost hope on Day One especially after the prelude of the primary. And did Harvard include Kellyanne Conway in their forum? Was it for her unbelievable spin prowess?
1
This man has abased the Presidency. I had hopes that he would rise to the office, but no, he stays down in the gutter of self-love.
2
Perhaps the most "un-presidential" behavior is the embrace of the world's thugs, Putin, Erdogan, Duerte, while disrespecting leaders of countries dedicated to the rule of law and the protection of human rights. Most appalling to me is the invitation of Duerte to the White House. How much more degrading to the people's house could it be than to welcome a man who brags about the extra-judicial murder of thousands of his citizens?
5
Donald Trump admires despots. He claims they are "strong" leaders that get respect. The Donald would love nothing better than to be one too. Watch him closely because he's going to try.
1
Sorry for the misspelling, should be "Duterte".
presidential:occupant 45, a true oxymoron.
1
Trump is a vulgar bigoted narcissist, and beyond that he is not very smart. His approval ratings hover around 40% and still he has not reached out, but prefers instead to bask in the adulation of his rapidly shrinking base. There is no way his base is going to grow of its own accord, and In a few months the Republican Congress will have fully absorb that message and turn to saving themselves. Any chance of repealing Obamacare, revising the tax code, or initiating infrastructure projects, are rapidly fading. In short, Trump is exactly what he fears most; he is a loser.
11
Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Look it up. In future dictionaries, there'll be his picture next to the definition.
9
What's more troubling -- that a buffoon occupies the Oval Office, or that nearly 63 million Americans voted him in?
Will you ever not vote again?
1
"Boldness and authenticity"? Mr. Bruni, I am not ready to drift into acceptance of a dangerous, inept, piggish, unbalanced sexual predator president whose conflicts of interest are beyond measure. I cannot cut him a break. He lies, nearly constantly; he debases everything good people aspire to. He's an embarrassment who thinks nothing of insult, duplicity and fits of temper. I realize GOP leaders are kowtowing to him because after all, "you have to go along to get along" (or is it the reverse?). But why is no one challenging his behavior? The more his mendacity goes accepted, the greater his sense of entitlement grows. He is disgusting.
8
How about Trump's invite to Rodrigo Duterte?
Is this a prelude to police shooting people for drug possession?
Is this a prelude to police shooting people for drug possession?
8
Trump's meth addicted base think all other drug users should be killed.
After all hypocrisy is the coin of the realm in trump nation.
After all hypocrisy is the coin of the realm in trump nation.
Steve Bolger: They (We) already do.
Thanks for a couple of things. You did not label his appointing a Supreme Court judge that every Republican supported as an "accomplishment."
And thanks for not calling his rapid swings of opinion "evolution." MSM is so easily led by these created memes.
HIs one accomplishment is to disgrace his office beyond what has ever been seen in history. And to leave those of us who kept believing right up to his election and first craziness over the size of his inauguration that maybe his supporters were seeing something we were not. They weren't. He has gotten worse and is deserving of no respect. That he is still supported by his base, while a bunch of spiteful "democrats" are still claiming their withholding their votes for Hillary was the righteous thing to do makes me want to crawl in bed and suck my thumb for the foreseeable future.
And thanks for not calling his rapid swings of opinion "evolution." MSM is so easily led by these created memes.
HIs one accomplishment is to disgrace his office beyond what has ever been seen in history. And to leave those of us who kept believing right up to his election and first craziness over the size of his inauguration that maybe his supporters were seeing something we were not. They weren't. He has gotten worse and is deserving of no respect. That he is still supported by his base, while a bunch of spiteful "democrats" are still claiming their withholding their votes for Hillary was the righteous thing to do makes me want to crawl in bed and suck my thumb for the foreseeable future.
5
Donald Trump is America's worst nightmare.
3
Frank, unlike Bush, Donald will not let your lies go unchallenged. Get used to it for the next eight years.
3
You're wrong about one thing, Frank. You said Trump was "fashioning a new model of leadership." It's only new here in the United States. We've seen that model many times--in the past in Mussolini's Italy and Hitler's Germany, all over Africa and the Middle East today, in the Philippines, in Latin America . . . The only thing new is that this ugly model turned up in OUR showroom, and we bought it. We own it. And now that it's on the road, we're heading for a monumental crash.
5
"I am afraid Mr. Trump is not so much leading us to a place we haven't been before, as he is reflecting where we already are as a nation." Well said below by WDL in New York.
Hopefully Trump will wake our citizenry from its political slumber and effect the change we so badly need, i.e. everyone of us paying attention to politics, taking the time to learn and to be informed and to some extent participating in governing our great nation. Getting everyone to vote would be a good step in the right direction.
Hopefully Trump will wake our citizenry from its political slumber and effect the change we so badly need, i.e. everyone of us paying attention to politics, taking the time to learn and to be informed and to some extent participating in governing our great nation. Getting everyone to vote would be a good step in the right direction.
4
Bob, with due respect, I think you've missed the most salient point of the elections: We the People, or at least 50% of us, are not about to "learn and to be informed and to some extent participating in governing our great nation." we are a shallow thinking, overly emotional, easily influenced group of nitwits whose participation in the democratic process is limited to shouting "USA,USA!!!" as loudly as possibly. The people who voted for Trump are not going to suddenly reverse course and start to think and question and reason. They simply don't do that. Rather they follow the same thought process, if you can call it that, that they do with their religious beliefs: believe what consoles you and don't ever probe those beliefs for rationality or validity. This election revealed to us that this is how fully half of America "thinks."
A country that could elect Donald Trump to the presidency has some very serious systemic problems with how it educates it's populace. We do a particularly poor job of it and the results of this election are Exhibit A.
A country that could elect Donald Trump to the presidency has some very serious systemic problems with how it educates it's populace. We do a particularly poor job of it and the results of this election are Exhibit A.
4
I agree. This is a huge national lesson in what happens when when half the populace does not even vote, and when significant numbers in the other half do not foresee what they are wishing for.....
1
1. I don't root for him to govern wisely; your entire column makes it clear that he simply cannot. I root for him to be held in check.
2. He hasn't fashioned a new model of leadership; examples of nascent autocracies and plutocracies are abundant throughout history and present day. He clearly wishes to establish a Trump monarchy.
3. Yes, he's bold and authentic because he knows only the power of confrontation; he's completely unsubtle and has no capacity for nuance, tact or diplomacy.
4. One must credit him for achieving his goal, but at what cost? None to him, but at great cost to our nation.
5. Having won the presidency, his only real purpose is to win the admiration and acceptance of the social class that has long mocked him and denied him entry into their circles. He is failing in that endeavor; the office can't hide the man. The results are closer ties to his presumptive "base," an unchecked mocking of everyone and everything he can't convince or obtain, and a tendency to wield his petulant anger.
6. His "One Awful Accomplishment," as others have said, has been to make very clear the fault lines within our own country and to muster opposition to both him and the increasingly obvious moral bankruptcy of the Republican Party.
2. He hasn't fashioned a new model of leadership; examples of nascent autocracies and plutocracies are abundant throughout history and present day. He clearly wishes to establish a Trump monarchy.
3. Yes, he's bold and authentic because he knows only the power of confrontation; he's completely unsubtle and has no capacity for nuance, tact or diplomacy.
4. One must credit him for achieving his goal, but at what cost? None to him, but at great cost to our nation.
5. Having won the presidency, his only real purpose is to win the admiration and acceptance of the social class that has long mocked him and denied him entry into their circles. He is failing in that endeavor; the office can't hide the man. The results are closer ties to his presumptive "base," an unchecked mocking of everyone and everything he can't convince or obtain, and a tendency to wield his petulant anger.
6. His "One Awful Accomplishment," as others have said, has been to make very clear the fault lines within our own country and to muster opposition to both him and the increasingly obvious moral bankruptcy of the Republican Party.
17
Yet why has the Republican Party won in so many states and counties across this great land of ours was it just a tumbing of the nose to our first black president or a tumbing of the nose to the Democratic Party? History shows that the republican base never votes in their best interest so maybe they should turn away from there party to a more liberal party and let the tea party and the Conservative party and the religious party and so one have a free for all claiming there piece of the pie. How many Trump voters would love to have a job in green energy, lead water clean up, just pot holes fill up? We'll never know because he's a WLB!
I can't live long enough to see Trump change his ways because it will never happen. He has an incessant need for constant adulation. When he can't derive it from staff and Congress, he holds another rally to laud what he still, foolishly, thinks he can accomplish.
He is not a man of great intellect or great ideas. Rather slogans and demeaning of those who would question his agenda and/or methods are his method of governing. To date, the elected GOP members have largely agreed with him, refusing to condemn his irrational approach to governing. The result of no legislative accomplishments and his poor polling numbers are telling.
Trump is and will be with us for the next three years and nine months. Our one and only salvation is to elect new Congressional Representatives who can hold us harmless from his assault on the environment, workers, immigrants, education, and our neighbors to both the north and south.
He is not a man of great intellect or great ideas. Rather slogans and demeaning of those who would question his agenda and/or methods are his method of governing. To date, the elected GOP members have largely agreed with him, refusing to condemn his irrational approach to governing. The result of no legislative accomplishments and his poor polling numbers are telling.
Trump is and will be with us for the next three years and nine months. Our one and only salvation is to elect new Congressional Representatives who can hold us harmless from his assault on the environment, workers, immigrants, education, and our neighbors to both the north and south.
13
Not only is he a supreme narcissist constantly telling us how wonderful he is, but he is the most mean spirited, negative person ever to be elected in the US. Last night's speech featured his usual self-congratulation, and rancour and hatred towards others. It was a fitting example of his vision for America, that he will make into a large, powerful country with a small mind and mean spirit.
And now he invites his soul brother, Duterte, to the White House.
And New York Times and other responsible media, you can wear the badge of "enemy of the people" with pride. It's proof you're doing your job.
And now he invites his soul brother, Duterte, to the White House.
And New York Times and other responsible media, you can wear the badge of "enemy of the people" with pride. It's proof you're doing your job.
7
Trump reminds me of a 6th grade bully, pushing, shoving and insulting other kids on the playground.
6
You miss the point. They are all pigs( and I don't mean to give our swine a bad name.) Just some hide it better than others. Melania says it best . Stay away. We can only stand so much. She does what her pre nup says. We have a 4 year pre nup - grin and bear it.
4
he's as small as his hands. If there were a brain we'd need a microscope to find it
Trying to normalize this freak is an insult to the office.
Trying to normalize this freak is an insult to the office.
9
Bushyboy and Cheney fabricated the reasons for a war, sent them into combat with hill billy armor and weapons that jammed in the sand and inferior body armor. Lied about WMDs.
But Trump has lowered the bar so much they are now below sea level for Presidential truth and decorum.
Let's see if he starts a nuclear war with North Korea and the Chinese again come to NKs aid.
But Trump has lowered the bar so much they are now below sea level for Presidential truth and decorum.
Let's see if he starts a nuclear war with North Korea and the Chinese again come to NKs aid.
4
Well, you folks in the media (including the ones that supposedly are fair, like NPR) could have supported Bernie, and discuss the issues he was calling out. Instead, you folks decided you were either going to ignore him or diss him. Now you are whining about the clown you helped elect, who you gave an obscene amount of free airtime. How quaint! You guys get to keep your jobs, and the nation goes to the toilet. Fair bargain?
4
He's a sorry excuse for a human being and those who not just voted for him but who continue to support him are sorrier still.
But what's really, really sad and scary is that there are tens of millions who fall in that camp. Just how blind, ignorant, fear-filled and want-filled can you be to not see through this pathetic, self-absorbed, fear-mongering loser?
But what's really, really sad and scary is that there are tens of millions who fall in that camp. Just how blind, ignorant, fear-filled and want-filled can you be to not see through this pathetic, self-absorbed, fear-mongering loser?
9
The man defiles everything he touches.
3
I think that it was the rage and backlash of the essentially or latently large White Supremacist segment of the American population, who tried for 8 years to demean and obstruct the work of President Obama, no matter how his work benefited them, that brought this clown to power. Look at our country, de facto residential segregation, school segregation, job segregation, the list is too long to enumerate. And these people could not take seeing a mixed black and white man in the Oval Office The world has come to an end. So they decided to hit back and they put this clown in the oval office to get even.
2
Who are we? To be an American was something I cherished. We stood for opportunity for all and compassion for the less fortunate. The world looked to us as leaders of science, industry, education and the arts. What happened to the country I cherish? To my astonishment, 46% of us have elected as our representative to the world a narcissist with a 5 minute attention span who has no moral compass and who is only capable of 140 character expressions absent of any thought. This isn't the America I love.
4
The problem, Frank, is not as simple as that. It goes far beyond a 'fault' of character, of upbringing, of manners, of decent conduct.
The problem is much more likely one that, in the increasing view of many, is one that is 'at best' a significant character disorder, and at worst a more severe form of mental illness.
What Trump, and the country, needs is not just 'learning by experience'. What he needs is a full, professional, competent, impartial, assessment of his mental health, with the appropriate consequences to follow wherever the clinical data leads.
The problem is much more likely one that, in the increasing view of many, is one that is 'at best' a significant character disorder, and at worst a more severe form of mental illness.
What Trump, and the country, needs is not just 'learning by experience'. What he needs is a full, professional, competent, impartial, assessment of his mental health, with the appropriate consequences to follow wherever the clinical data leads.
12
I am disgusted by Trump. He is ignorant, mean, petty, vain and a classic narcissist. My immediate problem is that I can't bear to read about him anymore. I call it Trump overload. My state of mind scares me, because I believe we have to be especially vigilant or we will be complacent like the Europeans before WWII. For example, over the weekend Trump cow-towed to the NRA and was visited by Duterte, a merciless leader who allows his people to be murdered in the street. Both of these stories seem buried and the 100 day foolishness gets the headlines. Trump scares and horrifies me. I can't believe that we are going to survive his presidency unless we are ever vigilant. We need to bolster one another up to keep up the pressure on this administration and to keep reading the articles, even though we are tired of them. Information is crucial to defeating Trumpism.
16
When will he accept the fact that he has to switch from a campaign mode to an elected mode? Question is can he ever change and try to work with HIS party? President Truman used executive orders to accomplish items in his first 100 days. He had a hostile congress and worked around or with to began our conversion to a peace time economy. This person used over 50% of his to destroy programs that were started by President Bush and were working. He acts like a child and does not really want the job, so I wish him a speedy resignation he can get back to making his deals in world wide real estate
6
Brilliant piece, as always.
No one could be in greater despair about Trump than I, but this I believe: just as the imperative of our survival instinctively compels us to seek a leader who can keep order and to promote the common good, it makes us drive dangerous solipsistic disrupters out of the cave.
Trump may foolishly believe he is on top of the world, as his desparate followers expect him to turn water into wine. But what tyrant didn't feel the same...and how many of them met a kind end?
No one could be in greater despair about Trump than I, but this I believe: just as the imperative of our survival instinctively compels us to seek a leader who can keep order and to promote the common good, it makes us drive dangerous solipsistic disrupters out of the cave.
Trump may foolishly believe he is on top of the world, as his desparate followers expect him to turn water into wine. But what tyrant didn't feel the same...and how many of them met a kind end?
13
Conflicts of interest? Call it what it is: corruption.
22
Tomahawk Missiles and The Best Chocolate cake ever about sums up this guy.
It's not a game, being president. If anyone else was caught lying about their qualifications for a position or claiming a knowledge set they did not possess in order to gain employment, they would be dismissed.
10
Let's break from this latest fake news laden hit piece from the Fake News Times and go back to a more idealistic time, the daze of Occupy Wall Street. Remember when Obama would wax poetically about the "spirit of Occupy "? He's still got the spirit and he's even going to personally occupy a piece of Wall Street. For about an hour, for $400,000. Twice the Clinton rate. That's the true "spirit of Occupy".
3
Sigh. That rate is what Wall Street offered. Would you turn it down?
1
"It was really ugly."
A refresher on just how awful that "speech" really was.
Narcissistic disrespect, endless petty grievances, bragging about himself, all while creating yet more self-serving alternative facts.
Former CIA director John Brennan called Trump's speech a “despicable display of self-aggrandizement in front of C.I.A.’s Memorial Wall of Agency heroes,” and further said Trump “should be ashamed of himself.”
Former ambassador Ryan Crocker was “appalled”-- “Whatever his intentions, it was horrible. As he stood there talking about how great Trump is, I kept looking at the wall behind him—as I’m sure everyone in the room was, too. He has no understanding of the world and what is going on. It was really ugly.”
A refresher on just how awful that "speech" really was.
Narcissistic disrespect, endless petty grievances, bragging about himself, all while creating yet more self-serving alternative facts.
Former CIA director John Brennan called Trump's speech a “despicable display of self-aggrandizement in front of C.I.A.’s Memorial Wall of Agency heroes,” and further said Trump “should be ashamed of himself.”
Former ambassador Ryan Crocker was “appalled”-- “Whatever his intentions, it was horrible. As he stood there talking about how great Trump is, I kept looking at the wall behind him—as I’m sure everyone in the room was, too. He has no understanding of the world and what is going on. It was really ugly.”
11
I am waiting for someone within the CIA to be a real patriot and end this insanity in a split second.
The superlatives of negativity that are accurate descriptions of Trump are gobsmackingly awful. But my recent New Yorker put one bit of it in a brief summary in Trump's own words:
"The day I realized it can be smart to be shallow was, for me, a deep experience."
If you wish a literate summary of your worst fears realized, here:
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/01/a-hundred-days-of-trump
Danger ahead, rocks ahoy!
"The day I realized it can be smart to be shallow was, for me, a deep experience."
If you wish a literate summary of your worst fears realized, here:
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/01/a-hundred-days-of-trump
Danger ahead, rocks ahoy!
8
Donald Trump's style-behavior-decorum as President is the equivalent of going to one's House of Worship and having a Rabbi, Priest, Pastor or Cleric light up a cigar and crack open a can of beer while leading worship.
1
Frank, you, Krugman and Blow continue to be the few voices of reason, focus and persistence.
These Reader Comments are brilliant and spot on. Please- copy and paste these and FLOOD the faxes of McConnell, Ryan, your MsOC, the Intelligence Committee (his incompetence threatens our security), Justice, Ethics, etc. Send a copy everyday. It can be the paper equivalent of taking to the streets.
These Reader Comments are brilliant and spot on. Please- copy and paste these and FLOOD the faxes of McConnell, Ryan, your MsOC, the Intelligence Committee (his incompetence threatens our security), Justice, Ethics, etc. Send a copy everyday. It can be the paper equivalent of taking to the streets.
3
I read the other day that 87% of the media's coverage of this president is negative. 87%. And when you consider that over 80% of America distrusts the media, there is your disconnect.
Columns like this, articles like this, is a mere echo chamber. And no one pays attention to Bruni and his ilk.
Columns like this, articles like this, is a mere echo chamber. And no one pays attention to Bruni and his ilk.
3
Only 87% negative? The rest must be bending over backwards searching for something not totally reprehensible.
Actually, Bruni is spot on. The reason 87% of coverage is perceived as negative is because Trump's actions, lack of actions, behaviors, lack of behaviors, incessant/pathological lying, and more, are newsworthy. Perhaps if he did not disparage groups of people all the time and actually attempt to unify, positive coverage would take place. Distrust for media has been high for decades, although if you research it, you might just find that people will claim to distrust media, but when presented with specific stories (including Trumpian) they will claim to appreciate the story reaching the public...
I do. And my guess is that millions of distraught Americans do. We don't understand why the Republicans who were so critical of Obama's every move are accepting of this oaf who makes them (and the rest of us) look so bad. I disliked almost every one of George Bush's policies, but I didn't question his sanity or ethics. I disagreed, I didn't like the way he destroyed the economy and hated the way he dragged us into war, but I didn't question his sincerity or his interest in America. Trump is only interested in himself and his money. That means stepping on everyone else.
2
You can not be the winner if you cheat.
Little donnie and the RNC colluded with the russian government to attack the American political process.
This is a treasonous act.
Show us the tax returns. And lets not forget about Mitch the turtle man himself, the master of corruption himself.
Little donnie and the RNC colluded with the russian government to attack the American political process.
This is a treasonous act.
Show us the tax returns. And lets not forget about Mitch the turtle man himself, the master of corruption himself.
4
The trump family are grifters. The trump administration are carpetbaggers. Americans are the suckers born every minute. Congress? Who knows.
5
The Clintons are the real grifters.
One of the worst moments of November 9th, for me (and there were so many, and so many since then) was when my 24 year old son turned to me and said: "All the things you and Dad taught us, about how to be a responsible person a--not lying, respecting others, caring about the world, all this seems now to count for nothing." It was remarkable to me that that morning my twenty-something children called me, in tears. My friends told me their children called them too: it was a kind of death of what we hold dear, in the country we were brought up to love, and which we brought our children up to love, too.
493
Yes -- I will never forget the text I received late on election night from my daughter in college: "Mom, is it going to be okay?" For the first time in her life I didn't think I could answer yes to that question. And things are so much worse than I even imagined they would be.
2
I could not agree more with both of you. My overwhelming sense of despair is deeper and more widespread than I felt after the days and months since 9/11. I am less confident now that everything will be okay than I was in 2001.
1
I feel sorry for people in the middle of raising their children. The example Trump sets is disgraceful whether or not any of his policies are successful.
Unfortunately, Trump was inevitable. His crude, selfish behavior and immature values reflect those of many in the country these days, so we shouldn't be surprised. Saddened and concerned for the future? Most definitely.
4
In the 1950s, Frank Muir and Denis Norden, British comedy writers extraordinaire, decided they were tired of all the happy families on the radio (one in particular they had in mind was the show "Meet the Huggetts"), so they decided to create the Glums, a really horrible family headed by a man (played by Jimmy Edwards) who was the epitome of crass. Among other things, he pawned his wife's teeth, and once mashed potatoes with the sink plunger.
Donald Trump is Pa Glum, but with more money.
Donald Trump is Pa Glum, but with more money.
9
Demeanor aside, can anyone tell me what is his agenda.
It seems to be whether he hears last.
It seems to be whether he hears last.
2
Frank, you are expressing a preference for Kabuki over pantomime.The so called norm you yearn for is the show previous presidents put on, the public face "unmasked",by The Washington Post in the case of Nixon and more broadly through Frank Underwood in House of Cards.Trump is lacking in virtually every dimension of character, knowledge or leadership but he is authentic.By lamenting his shortcomings in the way you are in this piece you are showing the Democrat's major failing.More and more Americans have very tangible and close to home concerns these days.To them, the norms of presidential behavior are an abstract topic they don't have the luxury of paying attention to.The sooner Democrats come to terms with today's reality the more likely they are to regain political relevance and the opportunities that comes with it.
4
Don't have the luxury? Do they have the luxury of paying attention when a con man tries to soak them for investments in a worthless scheme? Before 2008, a lot of people believed what aggressive real estate agents told them about how a bigger house or a refinanced mortgage would be a smart move. Shouldn't they have invested the time in finding out whether those claims were trustworthy, before they ended up on the street, homeless and broke? Trump and his family are nakedly profiting off of their public office, openly selling access, using the White House to hype their merchandise brands, and stuffing taxpayer money into their own pockets every time the President* takes a weekend at his own resort and charges us for all expense. Trump's fans may realize someday that it wasn't a luxury to question the motives of the guy who's now robbing them blind.
3
This is the most cynical comment I've seen on here. I imagine similar attitudes were quite commonplace amongst self professed "Aryan" germans in the 30s.
Trump's an "authentic" con-man.
Fool us once, shame on him. Fool us hundreds of times, and eventually we'll see the shame is collectively on us.
When will you see it?
Fool us once, shame on him. Fool us hundreds of times, and eventually we'll see the shame is collectively on us.
When will you see it?
The CIA speech was just the beginning. It was stunned. After that I began reading, daily, everything I can get my hands on related to Trump. Like an obsession, I find myself hunting for a just a hint of the traditional presidential behavior that might lead me to conclude that he is learning, and adapting his behavior and he really does respect for the office and the enormous power and tradition . As yet I have seen no hint of that. But I keep hunting. Everyday brings new evidence that he is beyond hope. And we're only 100 days in. If past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior this, I'm afraid, is as good as it's going to get...which is very bad. Now, the trick is to not let it keep me awake at night.
Shorter version: He's immature, crass, astonishingly insecure and badly raised, and one of the reasons many people voted for him is that they liked the idea of him sticking his finger in the eye of the "elites" -- you know, those of us who are educated and polite enough to behave like adults.
16
Thank you, Frank; spot on. You are rapidly becoming my favorite NYT columnist for your way of distilling and articulating the essence of this disgrace to the office and the nation.
8
Trump wantonly shoots off his mouth and his voters shout "YEAH!" Why is that?
How do they look beyond facts and see their truth in his words? Is it validation of their anger? What is the anger against that makes them align with the lie? Is it their economic situation and he will fix it with his "jobs,jobs,jobs"? Is it that they just feel so politically left behind by the dynasties of Bushes, Kennedys and Clintons that any usurper will do?
I don't understand it but I hope we start to figure it out by the 2018 midterm elections so truth can be back in vogue by 2020. It takes a long time to turn a battleship, especially a sinking one.
How do they look beyond facts and see their truth in his words? Is it validation of their anger? What is the anger against that makes them align with the lie? Is it their economic situation and he will fix it with his "jobs,jobs,jobs"? Is it that they just feel so politically left behind by the dynasties of Bushes, Kennedys and Clintons that any usurper will do?
I don't understand it but I hope we start to figure it out by the 2018 midterm elections so truth can be back in vogue by 2020. It takes a long time to turn a battleship, especially a sinking one.
4
Please keep these issues in all of our minds as long as that man remains in the White House. Already the media has stopped reporting on the investigation of Russia's ties to Trump's campaign. It will be a sad day for our country when the media no longer calls Trump out on his lies and childish behavior--when the outrageousness of his behavior becomes normal.
7
It sounds like something Trump would do. He is an ignorant man, who even as we write is bandying abouta nuclear war with North Korea. He has no idea that nuclear wars are not like Iraq or WW2 - they are NOT localized - they affect the whole world and kill millions of people. The killing radiation hangs around for hundreds of years, if not thousands, yet he treats it as nothing. What an ignorant leader we have put in place. And a very dangerous one.......
6
Frank, We forgive you for having to fill volume after column about this guy. it's your job. And, like many of us. you better do your job to keep your health insurance. But, really, there's only one thing to say about this guy: he's not a mensch.
Nailed it, Bruni. But sadly Trump will always be Trump, Damaged Goods.
2
Americans are experiencing what it must be like to,live in some far distant dictatorship where the 'boss' puts his family in charge (the only people he trusts) and then brazenly siphons the public coffers into his own accounts while using the levers of power to reward those loyal to him. He does it because he can and those who might profit from his naked corruption stand alongside him and smile. The mendacity, the mockery of rectitude, the malignant narcissism are all of a piece.
We have seen this thievery and incompetence in governing in emerging countries all over the world. And it is tirelessly denounced by the media. But now that it has come our way, it is somehow the new normal.
We have seen this thievery and incompetence in governing in emerging countries all over the world. And it is tirelessly denounced by the media. But now that it has come our way, it is somehow the new normal.
4
Regarding Monica Lewinsky, I've tried to forget that creepy episode in Clinton's presidency, but not because I sympathize with or excuse Bill. Monica Lewinsky was a very smitten young woman who ended up being publicly humiliated, but she never tried to destroy Bill or break up his family. She has rebuilt her life and doesn't deserve to be a punch line for eternity.
10
" She has rebuilt her life and doesn't deserve to be a punch line for eternity."
Maybe not, but the Clintons certainly do.
Maybe not, but the Clintons certainly do.
1
Appropriate commentary from the Analects of Confucius, the Master, on governance:
[4:11] The Master said: “The noble man cares about virtue; the small (petty) man cares about material things. The noble man seeks discipline; the small man seeks favors.”
[4:16] The Master said: “The noble man is aware of fairness, the small man is aware of advantage.”
[12:16] The Master said: “The noble man brings out the good in others, not their worst. The small man does the opposite.”
[13:17] Zi Xia, who was serving as governor of Jufu, asked about government. Confucius said, “Don't be impatient, and don't look for small advantages. If you are impatient, you will not be thorough. If you look for small advantages, you will never accomplish anything great.”
[15:17] The Master said: “When a circle of people can spend the whole day together without their conversation ever touching on justice, and they like to act according to small-minded wisdom, what can be accomplished?”
[4:11] The Master said: “The noble man cares about virtue; the small (petty) man cares about material things. The noble man seeks discipline; the small man seeks favors.”
[4:16] The Master said: “The noble man is aware of fairness, the small man is aware of advantage.”
[12:16] The Master said: “The noble man brings out the good in others, not their worst. The small man does the opposite.”
[13:17] Zi Xia, who was serving as governor of Jufu, asked about government. Confucius said, “Don't be impatient, and don't look for small advantages. If you are impatient, you will not be thorough. If you look for small advantages, you will never accomplish anything great.”
[15:17] The Master said: “When a circle of people can spend the whole day together without their conversation ever touching on justice, and they like to act according to small-minded wisdom, what can be accomplished?”
6
Thank you for writing Donald Trump so I don't have to delete the word president when I copy-and-paste your excellent op-ed to send to my friends. I wish the New York Times would never refer to Trump with the title of president. He does not deserve that respect. President Obama earned and deserves the title.
3
Here is a man I wouldn't spend five minutes with at a cocktail party, a backyard BBQ, a friend's wedding or funeral, a business meeting, or a college reunion. And yet he's the president of the United States.
How did that happen? How did millions of Americans accept the vanity, the dishonesty, the bullying, the lack of humility and compassion? This was the man BEFORE he became president. Who expected him to be anything different?
How did that happen? How did millions of Americans accept the vanity, the dishonesty, the bullying, the lack of humility and compassion? This was the man BEFORE he became president. Who expected him to be anything different?
4
"“Well, he’s the president-elect,” she said. “So that’s presidential behavior, yes.”"
It is because he is.
God help us.
It is because he is.
God help us.
2
He lies. He blames others for things he does and says. He insults. He bullies. He obstructs. He pits one set of Americans against the others. Donald Trump is not presidential. Donald Trump is not fit to be my president.
4
Decorum won't get him impeached, but something will.
4
This is a great piece, although I suspect the last six paragraphs or so ("I continue to root for him to govern wisely") will turn off that part of the Times' readership that is threatening to cancel subscriptions over Brett Stephens joining the Times. I wish the left wing media would use this piece as a touchstone for how to cover Trump: no need for hysteria--just call it like it is. It's not populist, but it's a much more effective form of resistance!
1
There are no signs that Trump is learning. His "flexibility" is better termed not remembering what he'd said the previous day. You cannot be serious, Mr. Bruni, when you say that you continue to root for this utter nonentity.
Donald Trump is that horrible boy whom I loathed in grade school. That lumpish, loud, beady-eyed, brat who never had an answer to a question, but always shouted out something moronic or filthy then brayed at his witticism. That evil child who couldn't manage to acquit himself in a single physical exercise, but who had no trouble knocking our books off our desks or dumping our lunches on the floor. That kid whose parents, we knew, didn't like him either.
Donald Trump is a big fat lying bully. He's never going to be anything better.
Donald Trump is that horrible boy whom I loathed in grade school. That lumpish, loud, beady-eyed, brat who never had an answer to a question, but always shouted out something moronic or filthy then brayed at his witticism. That evil child who couldn't manage to acquit himself in a single physical exercise, but who had no trouble knocking our books off our desks or dumping our lunches on the floor. That kid whose parents, we knew, didn't like him either.
Donald Trump is a big fat lying bully. He's never going to be anything better.
2
I'm mostly with you, except for the part a out hoping trump might inprove. trump is a jerk. he will never improve and the media needs to wrap their collective heads around that. As for the trumpoholics, they are simply fooling themselves or worse.
1
Obama had the decorum, but still droned civilians with no admission of guilt or shame - as did, in their own murderous ways, his predecessors. Bruni's outrage is shallow and superficial, and implies that the CIA is somehow noble, when it is not.
2
We are forever --- stained.
2
Only 1,360 more days to go . . .
1
A headline during the election concerning one of Trump’s earlier insanities was - Trump’s plan to seize Iraq’s oil: “It’s not stealing, we’re reimbursing ourselves” The word “reimbursing” is now being used in context with Trump’s assertion that he will force Mexico to pay for the wall. Trump reiterated that he would have seized Iraq’s oil recently at a speech to the CIA. This raises the prospect of Trump using military force to seize Mexican gulf oil assets to reimburse the cost of the wall. In terms of the worst things that could ever happen to the USA, military conflict with Mexico when at least 10% of the American population is of Mexican heritage has to be high on the list.
A war with Mexico over payment for the wall is not the only potential war Trump might cause.
“…The question then becomes what did Putin hope to gain by aiding Trump? For argument's sake, assume that Trump had agreed to do Putin's bidding. What Russia and Putin desperately need is money. Even if Putin asked Trump to have the American Treasury transfer $200 billion to Russia, that is not going to happen. Even Kellyanne could not spin that one into anything that would be acceptable to the American people. Absent writing Russia a big check, how could Trump cause Russia to gain $200 billion? The answer would be a $50 increase in the price of oil.
We know what has caused most of the oil price spikes in the last 50 years. That has been wars in the Middle East. ..."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4034048
A war with Mexico over payment for the wall is not the only potential war Trump might cause.
“…The question then becomes what did Putin hope to gain by aiding Trump? For argument's sake, assume that Trump had agreed to do Putin's bidding. What Russia and Putin desperately need is money. Even if Putin asked Trump to have the American Treasury transfer $200 billion to Russia, that is not going to happen. Even Kellyanne could not spin that one into anything that would be acceptable to the American people. Absent writing Russia a big check, how could Trump cause Russia to gain $200 billion? The answer would be a $50 increase in the price of oil.
We know what has caused most of the oil price spikes in the last 50 years. That has been wars in the Middle East. ..."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4034048
1
For me, Donald Trump's one awful and dubious accomplishment is making so many Americans feel less empowered and more afraid than all of the former presidents combined. History will be the final arbitrator as to how much damage he actually created while in office, but in the meantime, he is doing a bang up job of scary so many people. How I long for a restful night's sleep.
167
Resistance is the best sleep-inducer. Town halls, demonstrations, and marches are heavy exercise.
1
Oh my gosh, you are so right! Constant vigilance, marching and demonstrating, albeit peacefully, will and does make a body and soul long for sleep and rest, if only to fight another day. So obvious! Thank you for resetting my mindset.
1
trump cannot make us less empowered and I refuse to be afraid. The response is not to be scared; it is to make certain that his false promises (and so many are just that) do not happen. Stand up fearlessly and make the system accountable. It is we, not him, who will keep America great--but only if we refuse to accept his ugly rhetoric and reckless schemes.
1
Sorry, but Trump's viciousness is here to stay; he has no manners to speak of, no scruples either. I bet he'll remain our "liar-in-chief" until the last minute, when a salutary impeachment sends him packing.
1
To sum it up: The Emperor has no clothes.
Frank Bruni nails it.
Frank Bruni nails it.
Please, remind me, when does the winning begin?
He's Russia's president, not ours.
Close your eyes for a moment and imagine that Trump was a sports figure. This man would have no endorsements and likely cut from the team for the type of low brow name calling and belittlement he casts upon others. He would not be allowed to be a role model for others. He has achieved nothing that remotely helps mankind. Now open your eyes. This same man is president. Representing the United States of America on the world stage. It's simply incomprehension. Let's send a message in 2018.
1
While there is no doubting he's an abomination, he reflects the ugly side of America, armed to the teeth, subtly racist, three strikes yer out, open carry, gated community, mortgage swap derivatives, drill baby drill. You had a decent, eloquent man in the White House and now you have a lesser man who reflects the more base attitudes, winner take all, zero sum game. Good luck.
408
@Barry Larocque: All true, and that ugly side of America can be found everywhere, including the coasts, where I've lived the past 18 years. As Trump has made boorishness normal, there will be no going back to civility.
You might add profoundly ignorant and amoral, both to a degree beyond what is found in most of the worst of us that you describe.
"Character is destiny" -- Heracltus (535 – c. 475 BC)
What a quaint standard, as "values voters" have totally rejected the above to bring Trump to the White House.
But it wasn't just those voters. It appears that "give the other guys a chance" is the deep thought enough swing voters had in place of judging character. That's why Obama won after the Bush debacle. That's why Trump won after hearing so many years of Fox News alarmist slagging of Obama and Clinton ("Where there's smoke there's fire....except when Republicans get in bed with Putin"). If Hillary was so baaaad, how did she not get nailed for it? The simple conclusion should be that: 1. She is an evil genius that we need to fight the World's Bad Guys or, 2. There was thin to no evidentiary basis for the attacks.
For those who think that there was no racial component to Trump's election:
Can you imagine swing voters awarding Barack Obama the presidency had he said or done just one of the sexually abusive things attributed to Trump? Oh, and a black businessman declaring bankruptcy 6 times and hiding his tax returns?
Yeah, right.
What a quaint standard, as "values voters" have totally rejected the above to bring Trump to the White House.
But it wasn't just those voters. It appears that "give the other guys a chance" is the deep thought enough swing voters had in place of judging character. That's why Obama won after the Bush debacle. That's why Trump won after hearing so many years of Fox News alarmist slagging of Obama and Clinton ("Where there's smoke there's fire....except when Republicans get in bed with Putin"). If Hillary was so baaaad, how did she not get nailed for it? The simple conclusion should be that: 1. She is an evil genius that we need to fight the World's Bad Guys or, 2. There was thin to no evidentiary basis for the attacks.
For those who think that there was no racial component to Trump's election:
Can you imagine swing voters awarding Barack Obama the presidency had he said or done just one of the sexually abusive things attributed to Trump? Oh, and a black businessman declaring bankruptcy 6 times and hiding his tax returns?
Yeah, right.
327
Political correctness has been the whipping boy of our politics for quite some time now, it just isn't cool to be politically correct and politicians, like Hillary Clinton, have been punished for it. I fear for the future of our social and political discord, like Hillary said in her ads, your children are watching but apparently the Trump voter just doesn't care or see any value is being polite and respectful of someone you may disagree with. We are heading into a future where people are heavily armed with sophisticated weapons of death and destruction managed by the mind and mentality of a sociopathic five year old with a potty mouth vocabulary.
4
One of my favourite movies was "The American President", because it gave an intimate look at the elegance, pageantry and honour of the presidency.
I doubt I'll ever watch that movie again. It's not realistic anymore. Trump Dynasty killed it.
I doubt I'll ever watch that movie again. It's not realistic anymore. Trump Dynasty killed it.
3
But that spurious phantasmagorical portrayal was alive and well under Bill Clinton? Under GW Bush? Trump's ascendancy is part of their legacy
"But he chose to be small"...that one phrase will characterize who Trump is both morally and intellectually. No matter what the issue he will always walk down the small path with his base in tow. What Trump will never understand is great leaders--FDR, Lincoln, Washington, Churchill---all had opportunities to chose the easier wrong of smallness, but, managed, under terrible conditions, to take the harder right of bigness. But the traits of bigness---listening, comprising, empathizing, sometimes eating crow---could never fit well into the small mind and character of our new President.
12
"But he chose to be small" Trump didn't choose that. Small is what he IS. There was no other option.
Right after 9/11 Trump was interviewed; he observed that he now had the tallest building in lower Manhattan. That's not just small, that's microscopic.
Right after 9/11 Trump was interviewed; he observed that he now had the tallest building in lower Manhattan. That's not just small, that's microscopic.
I am the American who has worked every day of my adult life to give my family a better life. I respect the law, I respect education, I am patriotic and I like my neighbors (domestic and foreign). I want a peaceful life for those who come after me and I am willing to share my resources with others who have less. I am a nobody and I am definitely no saint but after almost seventy years of breathing in and breathing out, I realize it is not about me, it is about us. Donald Trump, his family, his cohorts and his supporters are the antithesis of me, my family, and my friends. Yes, it has come down to us or them. Demand the truth, demand to see the tax returns, shout down the prejudices, place honesty above greed; and, keep the pressure on your Senators and Representatives to represent us and not them.
58
Excellent comment!
4
Lingonberry....you are not a 'nobody'.
You are a thoughtful, compassionate human being, infinitely richer than the spiritually and morally bankrupt Cipher-In-Chief.
You are a thoughtful, compassionate human being, infinitely richer than the spiritually and morally bankrupt Cipher-In-Chief.
5
Lingonberry, agreed with everything you said, except one thing. You're not a "nobody". Thank you for speaking out.
4
A well written, though completely depressing, editorial; thank you. As someone who has studied, read extensively, and taught American history, I agree that our Presidents have all had flaws and vices; however, none has gloried more in his own crassness, ignorance, lack of humility, and untruthfulness than Donald Trump. While heartened by his recent statement that he was not equipped for the difficulty of being president, I am convinced that his laziness and self-satisfaction will stop him from actually learning anything. I can only hope that losing every battle becomes too much for his fragile ego and he resigns.
20
President Trump is a beautiful example of what happens in a democracy when the powerful and political elite become enamored with themselves and forget all those that actually pay taxes and expect government that is responsive to their needs. It appears that the writer of this piece and the readers via their comments are oblivious to this. It is not Trumps presidency that worries me, it's that his opponents ignore the mistakes we have made in our trade treaties and wars at the expense of these people. In general they are not racists, they are not anti immigration, they are not isolationists, they are not luddites, they are not anti-trade. They want a government that stops giving away Americas wealth to the average citizens disadvantage. We must learn this lesson or expect another populist president ...... or worse.
2
=====
Sorry, but have to disagree with you!
Most of Trump's supporters, in fact,
"are racists, they are anti immigration, they are isolationists, they are luddites, they are anti-trade."
Plus, even most of Clinton's supporters, like Trump's,"want a government that stops giving away Americas wealth to the average citizen's disadvantage."
The problem isn't populism per se -- it's rightwing, authoritarian, white nationalist, Know Nothing populism! That's what Trump, his minions, and supporters are all about.
We could use, though, a presidency and a government that again that reflects progressive, Social Democratic populism!
=====
Sorry, but have to disagree with you!
Most of Trump's supporters, in fact,
"are racists, they are anti immigration, they are isolationists, they are luddites, they are anti-trade."
Plus, even most of Clinton's supporters, like Trump's,"want a government that stops giving away Americas wealth to the average citizen's disadvantage."
The problem isn't populism per se -- it's rightwing, authoritarian, white nationalist, Know Nothing populism! That's what Trump, his minions, and supporters are all about.
We could use, though, a presidency and a government that again that reflects progressive, Social Democratic populism!
=====
1
At some point, Congress will have to ignore this president and put together presidential veto-proof coalitions. Perhaps taxes. Maybe environment. Possibly
infrastructure.
infrastructure.
2
Trump's one truly awful accomplishment will remain with us long after he, and many of us, will be gone: Neal Gorsuch.
28
To me he is the quintessence of insincerity. I find him playing President, not being President. A million years ago Jimmy Breslin reviewed his Trump Tower as shabby, showy in the worst sense. That describes the man. I am frightened by the number of decent people who think he's just marvy! We have a President with absolutely no sense of history. His grasp of world affairs equals that found in any sport's bar during a heated season! It is obvious that initial impression was that he was elected King. I have been around since the great depression and confess I have seen the likes of this poser before, but not as President. I am not shocked, I am disillusioned by his idiotic performance. He so resembles that North Korean madman. Both came to power because of their fathers and both have moronic hairdos.
21
While I get the point of this column and agree with it, I think it's too generous to Trump and too easy on the people who chose him.
You write, "The other presidents in my lifetime have at least done a pantomime of the qualities that we try to instill in children...." At least? Is that the difference between them and Donald Trump, in a nutshell? Further on, you grant some merit to the argument that Trump voters decided to "give a shot to one who doesn't bother much with the pretense [of rectitude]." Is that the difference between Donald Trump and other historical or potential presidents? That he doesn't bother?
No, Donald Trump is a disgrace in office because he's a disgrace wherever he's found. It's the nature of the man, whether he bothers or not. We're seeing this degradation of the presidency because the electoral process coughed up a president who was bound to degrade it at every level, and not only on the surface.
Donald Trump was a thoroughly unfit candidate, and sixty-odd million Americans voted to substitute that unfitness for presidential style and presidential substance. Trump is the brush with which those people have scrawled graffiti on the White House.
http://thefamilyproperty.blogspot.jp/2017/02/demagoguery-in-america.html
You write, "The other presidents in my lifetime have at least done a pantomime of the qualities that we try to instill in children...." At least? Is that the difference between them and Donald Trump, in a nutshell? Further on, you grant some merit to the argument that Trump voters decided to "give a shot to one who doesn't bother much with the pretense [of rectitude]." Is that the difference between Donald Trump and other historical or potential presidents? That he doesn't bother?
No, Donald Trump is a disgrace in office because he's a disgrace wherever he's found. It's the nature of the man, whether he bothers or not. We're seeing this degradation of the presidency because the electoral process coughed up a president who was bound to degrade it at every level, and not only on the surface.
Donald Trump was a thoroughly unfit candidate, and sixty-odd million Americans voted to substitute that unfitness for presidential style and presidential substance. Trump is the brush with which those people have scrawled graffiti on the White House.
http://thefamilyproperty.blogspot.jp/2017/02/demagoguery-in-america.html
22
The first paragraph of the Declaration of Independace alludes to " a decent respect for the opinions of mankind" as a factor in publishing that document. The current administration, led by a person of remarkable ignorance ,is obviously indifferent to such concerns.
15
trump has made a mockery of the office and demeaned it in every way. The only thing we can hope is that we have hit bottom and everything after this man-child is going to get better. When he leaves, for his treason or conflicts of interest or whatever crimes, we have to be on the path toward recovery.
NY Times -- keep focus on Russia inquiry and tax returns.
NY Times -- keep focus on Russia inquiry and tax returns.
17
Mr.Bruni, you " continue to root for him to govern wisely" ? Don't waste your energy. He is incapable .
18
President Trump had some big shoes to fill in the oval office. The community organizer who had the job before him attacked America and the middle class at every turn. Bombing Libya and taking out Khadaffi and ISIS takes over, removing all troops from Iraq and ISIS takes over. Removing any reference to Radical Islam from the army training manual, ordering US border guards to "stand down" and practice "catch and release" immigration policy. Lecturing the American people on Islamaphobia after Radical Islamic terrorist events here in America. Mr. Obama's rule was one of lawlessness and anti-Americanism while Mr. Trump's is the exact opposite.
But the media's coverage of Trump IS boring. That's why we're yawning at yet another silly article that attempts to explain to us as if we're five that Trump is a bad, bad man.
1
You just announced your short attention span to thousands of people while fulfilling everyone's judgment that Trump fans are lacking in mental capacity.
Congrats!
Congrats!
We have a president who has ZERO "class"
and supporters who chose him for that reason
Dignity? Respect for anyone who is not a fan? Restraint? Manners?
we don't need those stinkin' virtues
and supporters who chose him for that reason
Dignity? Respect for anyone who is not a fan? Restraint? Manners?
we don't need those stinkin' virtues
4
On his tombstone "Totally lacking in simple decency"
Only-NeverIn Sweden.Blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
Only-NeverIn Sweden.Blogspot.com
Dual citizen US SE
9
Kim Jung Un and he have a lot in common: it's all about ME! Fortunately, he is constrained in things he can do to those who disagree.
2
And who was the midwife at the birth of this creature?
I hold the executive staff at NBC responsible for giving this monster his power. No, not Fox news it was NBC.
I hold the executive staff at NBC responsible for giving this monster his power. No, not Fox news it was NBC.
1
I could not agree more. NBC gave this conman a television show that created the myth that he was a tough and smart businessman, a master negotiator, a capable and strong leader. Well, he's none of those things - but he played them on TV! And apparently a very large group of the American people bought into the fantasy.
1
Don the Con cannot even keep the government open for more than one week, so his response was to waste even more money by flying to Pennsylvania to meet with his "followers"! Pathetic!
7
This incompetent and unprincipled man will put us all out of our misery soon enough as he and the North Korean leader continue to resolve: who has the bigger hands?
5
It's not just Trump. Look at the entire Republican party. Do you see anyone in the House or Senate consistently rejecting the obvious lies, bigotry, hatred, narcissism, etc?
Sorry if my math is bad, but I'm really furiously working on (365*4)-100 all day. Can't wait....
Sorry if my math is bad, but I'm really furiously working on (365*4)-100 all day. Can't wait....
15
Let's face it, you folks at the Times were a major factor in electing him. During primary season, you elevated Hillary and trashed Bernie. During the general election campaign, you treated Trump as a series candidate and kvetched at Hillary. I did not see a Times executive brag about Trump bringing revenue, as Mr. Moonves did at CBS. But your behavior was consistent with his.
7
Dear Frank,
You might reconsider your statements below:
"Now he has his shot, and I continue to root for him to govern wisely, because we’re the real losers if he doesn’t. I’m heartened by occasional signs that he’s learning and by flickers of flexibility."
And your concluding remark:
"He was consigning an entire roster of virtues to the junkyard of the quaint.
They remain there 100 days later — but not, I hope, forever."
Do NOT cut this sorry excuse for a human being any slack whatsoever.
Do not trifle with idle thoughts that Trump has it within himself to change anything about his dangerous, damaging, and malicious outlook and demeanor.
His many faults are solidly in place and will never change given his age of 70. His basic genetic nature is firmly in place forevermore.
This person is incorrigible in every sense of the word.
(Note Webster's definition of the word. It fits Trump like a very tight glove.)
In addition this person holds everyone else in total contempt as losers who deserve to be exploited to the nth degree by the Master-in-Chief.
It would be far better for us all to focus on everything that can be done to bring about Trump's resignation from Office.
We have a free press and you and your colleagues must devise a plan to move Trump in the above direction.
Hound the man into submission. It can be done.
I strongly urge you to take note of Woodward and Bernstein's remarks made tonight at the WH Correspondents Dinner.
Consult with them and GO.
You might reconsider your statements below:
"Now he has his shot, and I continue to root for him to govern wisely, because we’re the real losers if he doesn’t. I’m heartened by occasional signs that he’s learning and by flickers of flexibility."
And your concluding remark:
"He was consigning an entire roster of virtues to the junkyard of the quaint.
They remain there 100 days later — but not, I hope, forever."
Do NOT cut this sorry excuse for a human being any slack whatsoever.
Do not trifle with idle thoughts that Trump has it within himself to change anything about his dangerous, damaging, and malicious outlook and demeanor.
His many faults are solidly in place and will never change given his age of 70. His basic genetic nature is firmly in place forevermore.
This person is incorrigible in every sense of the word.
(Note Webster's definition of the word. It fits Trump like a very tight glove.)
In addition this person holds everyone else in total contempt as losers who deserve to be exploited to the nth degree by the Master-in-Chief.
It would be far better for us all to focus on everything that can be done to bring about Trump's resignation from Office.
We have a free press and you and your colleagues must devise a plan to move Trump in the above direction.
Hound the man into submission. It can be done.
I strongly urge you to take note of Woodward and Bernstein's remarks made tonight at the WH Correspondents Dinner.
Consult with them and GO.
20
What is so disturbing is he has given permission to his devoted followers to be just as vicious and mean as he is. Anything less than petty snarling is deemed "politically correct" and is tossed onto the pile of bad manners.
24
I will never forget the words of the journalist Jonathan Alter after Trump's election victory: "Decency lost last night." Nothing that has happened in the past 100 days has made Alter's statement any less true.
22
You forget to mention his implicit threat to purge the government of anyone who didn't vote for him, disguised as a joke in his CIA speech.
Something that is already happening at EPA and the Justice and State Departments.
Something that is already happening at EPA and the Justice and State Departments.
9
Last night he continued his ongoing attack on the media as he skipped the events in Washington. D.C. and the crowd loved it; it was a spectacle of self-adulation mingled with the love of the applause; not the love of the people or even America, just himself.
Earlier this week he met with the NRA and once again was bolstered by the adulation; crowing about his love of the Second Amendment of the Constitution...oh that he would give a quarter of that love and admiration to the First Amendment.
Earlier this week he met with the NRA and once again was bolstered by the adulation; crowing about his love of the Second Amendment of the Constitution...oh that he would give a quarter of that love and admiration to the First Amendment.
Despite being 100 days into his presidency Trump can't help but continue to revel in his electoral college win at every opportunity. Reminds me of Al Bundy - even 20 years later he can't resist the opportunity to remind everyone how he scored the winning touchdown at Polk High. Sad.
8
Even you, Mr. Bruni, in your own way are struggling to normalize this presidential miscreant. Don't bother as other pundits in the center and on the Left are trying their darnedest to do so. It makes matters worse. Just look at his appointees, yes even the Generals, (never understood the reverence we automatically show the generals, just read some of the things issuing from Kelly, or Mattis, or McMaster---creativity and imagination is not, nor has ever been, nor will ever be their strengths). They're second rate hucksters, yes men and women, ideologues or just straight out grifters. Get back to basics, will ya. He's a pox on our nation and if the 62 million who 'voted' for him don't know it yet, that's their problem.
Will we ever be able to raise the bar again...or has he set a new model for generations?
2
Mr. Bruni, you have successfully answered the question "Do the times make the man, or does the man make the times?" Trump has been Da Man.
Sadly, the one man who could, still, restore sanity and dignity to the office lacks the personality to do it.
The one man who has been insulted, and indeed libeled, by Da Man is - as he should be formally addressed - President Barack Hussein Obama.
He remains in his protective cocoon of passive-aggressive vengeance, wherein he refuses to discuss his successor with a wink and a nod and accepts cash for his reticence.
The question arises, "What does he have to lose?" Does he have something to hide, some unknown scandal? Or is he just too afraid that, even if he did confront Da Man, he would not win?
Hoping that he would change his mind and confront and expose and sue Da Man is as pointless as hoping that Trump will change his behavior.
Freud was right: character is formed by the age of six, and what is lacking in the child will remain absent in the man. Obama is, as Da Man would tweet it "SAD"!
Sadly, the one man who could, still, restore sanity and dignity to the office lacks the personality to do it.
The one man who has been insulted, and indeed libeled, by Da Man is - as he should be formally addressed - President Barack Hussein Obama.
He remains in his protective cocoon of passive-aggressive vengeance, wherein he refuses to discuss his successor with a wink and a nod and accepts cash for his reticence.
The question arises, "What does he have to lose?" Does he have something to hide, some unknown scandal? Or is he just too afraid that, even if he did confront Da Man, he would not win?
Hoping that he would change his mind and confront and expose and sue Da Man is as pointless as hoping that Trump will change his behavior.
Freud was right: character is formed by the age of six, and what is lacking in the child will remain absent in the man. Obama is, as Da Man would tweet it "SAD"!
1
No. You cannot in good faith blame Obama for not attacking Trump every day and in every way. Obama does not have the power to eradicate Trump's stain on the office. And your castigating him for not "confront and expose" is neither fair nor appropriate.
Stop trying to redirect the blame for Trump's words and actions. Trump and Trump alone is to blame!
Stop trying to redirect the blame for Trump's words and actions. Trump and Trump alone is to blame!
When I try to wrap my mind around the depths to which we have sunk by electing this crass con man to our highest office, many emotions come to the fore. Those which burn the brightest-- anger, disgust, fear -- exhaust themselves, but that which renews itself, day in day out, is shame. Of course, I didn't vote for him, but I am a patriot and my roots are in the very hills and river valleys where so much of his persistent support emanates. So, my shame is for my country, but also for those who cheer mindlessly at his every move, wear his red hats and, against all reason and decency, continue to believe. I think that they like Trump himself reflect the athlete in the old coach's story who, upon continually repeating the same errors, was asked, "Are you ignorant or just indifferent?" Like the player and Trump himself, they must surely answer, "I don't know and I don't care!"
10
Trump is not just an embarrassment to Republicans. He is not simply a shameful representation of Americans. He is the worst form of a human being imaginable. He embodies everything low, petty, vulgar, ignorant, arrogant, selfish, ignoble, thuggish, parochial, and more. It is impossible to over-estimate the damage he is dong to the world and to the image of the Presidency, our country and humanity. Those who support him and enable him should also be held responsible for this dangerous fool. I think it is not exaggeration to say that Trump should be declared moral and political Enemy #1. It's a notorious distinction that he has earned not only after 100 days but after 70 years on Earth. He's not gong to change, ever. Pathological narcissists do not do so. Perhaps in a 100 more days he will be gone. At least we can hold forth hope and work toward that goal.
People deserve the leaders they vote into office. We are Trump. American exceptionalism in so many ways: stupidity, ignorance, arrogance, bigotry, greed.
I hate trump. No other word for it. It is OK if other Americans think it and say it aloud.
14
FDR's 100 days was of in a country probably a third the size of this one, with much more homogeneity, and quite a few aspects we are glad to be done with.
The various newbies in office, have described the job, as trying to drink from a fire hose
In one corner of my conservo world, T's Greatest Achievement, is keeping Ms Clinton out of office,
the first female POTUS will be a conservo, and women and their toadies will hate her
The various newbies in office, have described the job, as trying to drink from a fire hose
In one corner of my conservo world, T's Greatest Achievement, is keeping Ms Clinton out of office,
the first female POTUS will be a conservo, and women and their toadies will hate her
small? I believe "petty" would be a more appropriate word! smallness is descriptive word for "petty."
1
Just remember this: Trump is a criminal, and he is now freely directing his criminal enterprise from the White House. The truth is out there, and the amount of evidence in plain view to incarcerate Trump is beyond overwhelming.
The ONLY thing preventing this thuggish authoritarian from being impeached are a group of individuals that are actually more deranged and unscrupulous than the fake President himself.
Republicans.
The ONLY thing preventing this thuggish authoritarian from being impeached are a group of individuals that are actually more deranged and unscrupulous than the fake President himself.
Republicans.
14
Good article. We cannot accept this behavior as the new normal. You and Charles Blow keep reminding us of this betrayal of basic human decency and that just as their are sore losers, there are poor winners, and he is one of the poorest.
The Master said, “The gentleman understands what is right, whereas the petty man understands profit.”
(Analects 4.16)
(Analects 4.16)
I take from this column that Frank Bruni is appalled by President Trump, a title he refuses to use. He cites, briefly, the shortcomings of other presidents using Bill Clinton as an example, but expeditiously avoids Barack Obama and his cabal of liars. Does Benghazi ring bell, Frank?
President Trump was the result of a perfect political storm. I think most readers know the analogy. The difference is that I never expected anything more than what I'm seeing from Trump. I did, however, expect more from Barack Obama. I never thought that he and his cabal would lie about the death of four Americans and blame it on a video. Eight weeks before the election, the truth would have damaged him, so they concocted the video. It got him him by the election, but later proved untrue. I ask you, Frank, which us more venal? The behavior of a jerk named Trump, or a lie about how your loved one died for political purposes?
Frank Bruni, I know you're not wearing rose colored glasses. It's just your use of comparison that needs a tweak when it comes to mortal sins.
President Trump was the result of a perfect political storm. I think most readers know the analogy. The difference is that I never expected anything more than what I'm seeing from Trump. I did, however, expect more from Barack Obama. I never thought that he and his cabal would lie about the death of four Americans and blame it on a video. Eight weeks before the election, the truth would have damaged him, so they concocted the video. It got him him by the election, but later proved untrue. I ask you, Frank, which us more venal? The behavior of a jerk named Trump, or a lie about how your loved one died for political purposes?
Frank Bruni, I know you're not wearing rose colored glasses. It's just your use of comparison that needs a tweak when it comes to mortal sins.
It boggles my mind that any one can compare a man credibly accused by at least 12 women of sexual assault (lets leave aside the credible claim of statuory rape when he was with his friend Jeff Epstein), who has sanctioned actions by --Russia to interfere in our election--as well as those of his appointees who met Russia, and who lied about not knowing he appointed a person who supports Putin head of national security, and who has a white supremicist advisor and who is violating the emoluments clause in ways probably never before see..to any other President. We could add his other character flaws of being a con man who has business dealings around the world with the lowest common denominators becuase he can't get a US bank to give him a penny anymore. Ane because, he probably enjoys the company of fellow criminals.
1
Trump's bluster when he's talking (yammering?) about a nuclear response to North Korea is frightening. There should be outrage throughout the country when he does this. Korea is as unstable as a boiling pot on the front burner. Maybe we've hacked the--with all their missile launch failures being the proof, but we're talking about using missiles with nuclear warheads, NUCLEAR MISSILES. Where's the outrage, 'running around with our hair on fire' outrage? And all in Trump's first 100 Days. Trump's so way in over his head, his having to pound his chest and threaten North Korea with a NUCLEAR RESPONSE to make up for his 100 Day record of ho-hum and failure?
3
Unfortunate the left cannot accept they lost the election. It is over.
Q: How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb.
A: First of all, the light bulb really has to want to change?
When you're starting with a 70 year old, narcissistic and seemingly dim bulb, the odds of that happening are slim to none, and slim just left town.
A: First of all, the light bulb really has to want to change?
When you're starting with a 70 year old, narcissistic and seemingly dim bulb, the odds of that happening are slim to none, and slim just left town.
4
I remember when the assault on academia and the liberal arts began, in the '80's.
It came from two directions: one -- the useful and credible assault -- was against the "hallowed halls" as a bastion of white male privilege. The canon of truth, knowledge, ethics, philosophy, even the sciences, was entirely determined by a small, self-elected fraternity of the self-righteous, and it was good to see them exposed to the light of day as the hypocrites they were.
The other -- the more dangerous one -- was from the right, who, once they saw their bastions of privilege under attack, immediately began a systematic campaign, active until this day, to undermine the legitimacy and credibility of academia entirely.
You see, they figured if Jews, Blacks, Women, Asians, outed LGBT (secret gay love affairs were okay back then, in academia) and so on started to gain access, and voice, inside their hallowed institutions, well then the most important thing to do would be to discredit the relevance of those institutions entirely, make them a laughing stock in the public's eye.
You can tell when an institution under change is a threat when those threatened by the change make a mockery of the institution.
Once you realize this, you realize that what is at stake now is not just manners, but the entirety of our political system.
While the thieves and traitors are busy using those institutions to steal every dollar they can, they also seek to utterly destroy them along the way.
It came from two directions: one -- the useful and credible assault -- was against the "hallowed halls" as a bastion of white male privilege. The canon of truth, knowledge, ethics, philosophy, even the sciences, was entirely determined by a small, self-elected fraternity of the self-righteous, and it was good to see them exposed to the light of day as the hypocrites they were.
The other -- the more dangerous one -- was from the right, who, once they saw their bastions of privilege under attack, immediately began a systematic campaign, active until this day, to undermine the legitimacy and credibility of academia entirely.
You see, they figured if Jews, Blacks, Women, Asians, outed LGBT (secret gay love affairs were okay back then, in academia) and so on started to gain access, and voice, inside their hallowed institutions, well then the most important thing to do would be to discredit the relevance of those institutions entirely, make them a laughing stock in the public's eye.
You can tell when an institution under change is a threat when those threatened by the change make a mockery of the institution.
Once you realize this, you realize that what is at stake now is not just manners, but the entirety of our political system.
While the thieves and traitors are busy using those institutions to steal every dollar they can, they also seek to utterly destroy them along the way.
4
Trump* is the quintessential Ugly American. And the 'ugly' in this case refers to his character.
A Trump* voter told me yesterday that his was a vote to 'shake things up, even if made worse'. Well, mission accomplished on that count.
A Trump* voter told me yesterday that his was a vote to 'shake things up, even if made worse'. Well, mission accomplished on that count.
3
Donald Trump is "unpresidented," so crass, boastful, transparent, and selfish that he continues to shock his critics, who are legion.
He is also just plain stupid.
He thought acting as President would be easy compared to trademarking his name on towers and hotels? He thought NAFTA, China, a national health-insurance plan, were all simple challenges? He never learned that there are three branches of government here, including what's called a "judiciary"? He thinks his son-in-law, another real estate guy, can solve disputes in the Middle East, negotiate with China, and reorganize the government, and that Ivanka can keep selling her name-brand stuff while sitting in on negotiations with foreign leaders? He still believes that taking a baseball bat to a caricature of Obama and smashing it every time he or his staff has been exposed as dishonest works as a strategy. He figured the press would fall in line if he held them in pens during his rallies and then bullied and insulted them, and tried to cover windows in Florida with black plastic to prevent reporters from seeing him out in his golf cart again. He thinks bombs are a kick and he is ready, at any time, to threaten nuclear war. He thinks War is manly and cool and it won't touch him, and getting a "Purple Heart" is so way cool.
Stupid.
He is also just plain stupid.
He thought acting as President would be easy compared to trademarking his name on towers and hotels? He thought NAFTA, China, a national health-insurance plan, were all simple challenges? He never learned that there are three branches of government here, including what's called a "judiciary"? He thinks his son-in-law, another real estate guy, can solve disputes in the Middle East, negotiate with China, and reorganize the government, and that Ivanka can keep selling her name-brand stuff while sitting in on negotiations with foreign leaders? He still believes that taking a baseball bat to a caricature of Obama and smashing it every time he or his staff has been exposed as dishonest works as a strategy. He figured the press would fall in line if he held them in pens during his rallies and then bullied and insulted them, and tried to cover windows in Florida with black plastic to prevent reporters from seeing him out in his golf cart again. He thinks bombs are a kick and he is ready, at any time, to threaten nuclear war. He thinks War is manly and cool and it won't touch him, and getting a "Purple Heart" is so way cool.
Stupid.
4
There is not actually a lot that's new in the Trump "model of leadership". Its been practiced by Chavez, Putin, Saddam, Assad Sr and Jr., and many throughout history. The summary executions and jailings haven't started yet, but today he's invited Duterte to the White House....
3
If this is all we can expect from a President, why do we need a President? What's the point? Moreover, if this is all we can expect from the United States, why do we need the United States?
Feels like it's time to start thinking about moving on.
Feels like it's time to start thinking about moving on.
1
The Conman is truly an "ugly American", just as are all of his supporters. We can no longer hide our ugliness from each other or the world.
Thank you for this wonderful column on the true Tragedy of Trump. Character matters. Always has.
2
Thank you, Mr. Bruni, for reminding us that this inexcusable behavior should never be considered normative, much less excusable. I could not agree more. I sometimes - well, often - worry that Trump has done irreparable harm to the presidency . . . and to the notion of truth / empirically knowable itself.
1
All I know is that this is the LONGEST 100 days of ANY president I have been witnessed to (and I've been around since Eisenhower). I feel as if I've aged 100 years since President Trump took office. I am thankful for Mr. Bruni's articles and others like him. They provide the necessary ballast that keeps folks like me afloat.
5
When a reporter asked retired President Eisenhower what Richard Nixon added to his administration, Ike replied "Give me a week and I might think of something".
The Republican Party has been a write-off ever since.
The Republican Party has been a write-off ever since.
3
I'm sickened by his supporters, who seem to love him for those traits, not despite them.
(And please, can we stop equating Bill Clinton with Bill O'Reilly and Donald Trump, i.e.: the Lewinsky mention here? For one thing, I could care less if Donald has a girlfriend - in fact it's hard to believe he doesn't have something available to him), but a huge difference is that BC didn't broadcast his private personal failures, never mind point fingers at others who'd done the same. Trump makes public, and on a daily basis, his vulgarity, his childish petulance, his egomania, etc. It's all on display, by him. For another, BC not only never sexually harassed someone, but the one case accusing him was tossed by the judge because the accuser could not show any kind of harm or harassment).
I'm frightened by the power someone like Donald Trump has, because I don't see him using it safely or wisely. But I'm more frightened by what has happened to so many in our electorate, that we have had the likes of a Bush/Cheney Admin. and now Trump, brought to us by the same side of the political aisle and toxic right-wing media. "I like Trump/Bush because he talks like me."
Really? Stop talking like that. It's actually not a good thing.
(And please, can we stop equating Bill Clinton with Bill O'Reilly and Donald Trump, i.e.: the Lewinsky mention here? For one thing, I could care less if Donald has a girlfriend - in fact it's hard to believe he doesn't have something available to him), but a huge difference is that BC didn't broadcast his private personal failures, never mind point fingers at others who'd done the same. Trump makes public, and on a daily basis, his vulgarity, his childish petulance, his egomania, etc. It's all on display, by him. For another, BC not only never sexually harassed someone, but the one case accusing him was tossed by the judge because the accuser could not show any kind of harm or harassment).
I'm frightened by the power someone like Donald Trump has, because I don't see him using it safely or wisely. But I'm more frightened by what has happened to so many in our electorate, that we have had the likes of a Bush/Cheney Admin. and now Trump, brought to us by the same side of the political aisle and toxic right-wing media. "I like Trump/Bush because he talks like me."
Really? Stop talking like that. It's actually not a good thing.
6
Mr. Bruni - I hope excellent observers and writers like you will not get "bored" or tired and disinterested in writing these articles. One worrisome side effect of this tragedy is the effect it is having on students. In the school where I teach, there is an entirely new culture among middle school kids. It has become 'cool' to be rude, crude, disrespectful of rules and of the adults in the building. There is a breakdown in school discipline, which I'll admit includes another factor besides this election, but the comparison of behaviors in our kids and in the White House is quite remarkable, worrisome. And it's entirely new in this particular group.
2
The GREAT day in my life would be a day when I glanced at the news with the refreshing realization that THAT face, the red tie, and the word Trump appeared nowhere. The press had done the right thing and ceased to acknowledge his presence. He would be crushed!
2
When politicians give lip-service to truth, at least that suggests the possibility that there is truth. But when your (and I mean Trump, not you, Frank) goal seems to be to destroy truth, we are in serious trouble. If Somebody Out There (Russia? Aldebaran? assembled a mighty weapon with the solely purpose of destroying our (and I mean yours and mine, Frank, not Trump's) nation, I think it would look exactly like Trump. We are rapidly moving (or have rapidly moved, I should say) into a world where there are no ethics, no decency, no kindness, no politeness. No goodness. Could it be that the Rapture has happened when we weren't looking and we are all the rejects crawling about in a post-Apocalyptic world?
1
Thank you Frank. The toddler in chief is a threat to our democracy, to the climate, and to economic stability everywhere. I see his fans are much like those who follow and watch pro wrestling. How do we convince them that it is phony, false, and just crude?
By pounding on him and the GOP congress as often and as harsh as the truth allow us. The mid terms cannot come soon enough.
By pounding on him and the GOP congress as often and as harsh as the truth allow us. The mid terms cannot come soon enough.
2
President Trump is "THE UGLY AMERICAN" stereotype come to life and with enormous power. Is that us? It's not me. And maybe I'm not one of us.
If we continue this slide in 2020 I will be moving to a civilized country.
If we continue this slide in 2020 I will be moving to a civilized country.
2
Where is a meaningful political opposition? I see absolutely no sign of it.
Donald Trump reminds me of that angry, racist Governor George Wallace, who was also quite popular with certain segments of our society. Its a bit like a resurrection of the Jim Crow era. We must remember the words and deeds of the Reverend Martin Luther King, and always take the high road. That doesn't mean we won't get a few lumps along the way, but we'll never regret our behavior.
1
Only in Bruni World, where most of the commenters here apparently live, can you focus solely on Trump's "complete and consistent rejection of the conventional etiquette of the office" without commenting on (or noticing) the mainstream media and entertainment world's "complete and consistent rejection of the conventional etiquette" shown toward the Presidency.
Never has the press gone after the President so consistently, savagely, and in unbalanced measure in his first 100 days as they have against President Trump. And the likes of Colbert, the Daily Show, and SNL are OFF THE CHARTS with their constant deluge of insults, ridicule, and mockery of the President, both on his job and against him personally, his entire administration, and of his wife, of his children, etc. There are no boundaries that impede this legion.
But, let's just ignore all of that avalanche of rejection of conventional etiquette and again attempt to find a way to attack President Trump about it. A completely transparent and pathetic attempt!
Never has the press gone after the President so consistently, savagely, and in unbalanced measure in his first 100 days as they have against President Trump. And the likes of Colbert, the Daily Show, and SNL are OFF THE CHARTS with their constant deluge of insults, ridicule, and mockery of the President, both on his job and against him personally, his entire administration, and of his wife, of his children, etc. There are no boundaries that impede this legion.
But, let's just ignore all of that avalanche of rejection of conventional etiquette and again attempt to find a way to attack President Trump about it. A completely transparent and pathetic attempt!
They were also very hard on Hurricane Katrina. Very little about the good things the storm brought, like nice long vacations for some of New Orleans' residents.
If the shoe fits.... Trumps behavior and demeanor deserve all the negativity they inspire. This would be the case no matter who it was because behavior like his should never, ever be normalized. For it to stop HE needs to change. The likelihood of that happening being zero, I think you'd better get used to it.
As others have said, he reflects something in our Country that we ignore at our peril. There are those willing to take up his cudgel and beat others to death, there are those willing to follow his call to demean and debase others, there are those who are willing to treat women as chattel and as prey to the desires of men, to treat all who disagree with him as enemies to be killed.
He is not alone.
He is not alone.
1
Donald Trump is a real-estate guy and he knows how to win the most expensive real-estate in the world: people's short-term memory.
Beautiful, Mr, Bruno. We must never, never accept the unacceptable. Trump is a disgrace of a man.
2
Stop comparing him to other presidents. While you are trying to make it seem a negative, that he doesn't act like past Presidents, you are actually bolstering the reason his supporters voted for him. He's not like past presidents.
Trump is a child who acts out. After a while, you ignore the child. The thing the child really can't stand is to be ignored. In fact, ignoring this evil buffoon is the best course of action. It means he is small, unimportant, irrelevant. And that, my friends, will be the end of him. He will end in a whimper, not a bang.
1
"...there would be no pivot to dignity, which was either beyond his capabilities or outside his interests."
Or both.
Or both.
1
Thank you, Frank Bruni, for adding another panel of truth to the fresco which your fellow journalists and historians are painting for the world to see.
It is hard to stand proud of this country when led by Trump. It is a huge collective embarrassment. I don't see him having a come to Jesus moment.
Bruni
Trump ran his campaign the same insulting, demeaning, way he runs the Presidency. He won because 46% of the US voters wanted him (although 48% wanted Hillary). Trump is a problem. The 46% are the problem.
Trump ran his campaign the same insulting, demeaning, way he runs the Presidency. He won because 46% of the US voters wanted him (although 48% wanted Hillary). Trump is a problem. The 46% are the problem.
What you see is what you get! It is not going to change without serious intervention. To witness such inappropriate, immature, narcissistic, objectionable, vulgar, and dishonest behavior in a president is a shock to behold. This goes way beyond bullying, name-calling, and rudeness. His followers call it authentic; it is authentic mental illness, and the president needs serious help as does our nation.
2
This isn't about manners, any more than Pol Pot was about failure to focus on political compromise. Trump stands for an all out assault on truth as distinguished from opinion. Destroy that shared idea and you can take down any person, organization, or institution that opposes you.
Really alarming is when he's in self-defense mode - crazily lashing out like a cornered beast.
And the encouragement of his base at rallies really brings out the worst in him - totally off the rails.
And the encouragement of his base at rallies really brings out the worst in him - totally off the rails.
Yeah, acts by a president are presidential by definition. Trump just lowers the standard and the international status of our country along with it.
Thank you so much, Frank Bruni. You put words to exactly what has been troubling me since this oaf stepped onto the political stage. The media discuss his blundering tactics and lack of policy achievements as though he were a normal human being who simply happened to be woefully unsuited for his job. In fact, he is woefully unsuited for his job because he is not a normal human being. He has no compassion, no empathy, no dignity or graciousness, no moral center. His lack of filter cannot be described as honesty, for in order to be honest one must have some sense of the difference between truth and falsehood, and he has none. He is animated by little more than self-interest and pathological self-regard. Parsing out the meaning of his "accomplishments" distracts from this fundamental aspect of his being, which is by far the most horrifying thing about him.
1
Spot on Mr. Bruni! "But when something no longer provokes remark, it becomes unremarkable, and the road from there to acceptable is a short one." This is indeed the one to watch out for.
The NYT has been fair and supportive with the new president both during the campaign and during the first 100 days. Mr. Bruni's current column is representative of the fine NYT commentary and reporting on new president. Mr. Bruni is a strong supporter of the president, clearly, but manages to list President Trumps many accomplishments without letting his obvious admiration for the president and his approach to politics become too passionate. Fine work.
None of his supporters care about his utter lack of professionalism. All they care about is that he echoes their narrow minded view of the world. He can be mis-informed and ill-formed and outright rude, it is okay as long as he keeps on spouting their bigoted views. He'll have an ignorant base he can go get adulation from even if he can't speak in complete sentences or use more than two syllable words. But that is only a third of the electorate, how long will the rest of us put up with his crude, rude, lack of talent behavior?
1
From up here on Mars, what looks like the worst outcome of the current situation in Washington is the corruption of America's young people. Look around down there and see the things the observant teens and tweens can learn by watching the Trump Show. Here are a few of the most egregious:
• Getting what I want is the most important thing. How I do it doesn't matter.
• It's ok to cheat if I don't get caught.
• If I do get caught I should never admit i am wrong.
• It's ok to lie to get what I want. Or just because I feel like lying.
• It's not ever necessary to tell the truth.
• If the truth is bad for me, I should make believe it's a lie.
• Other people's lies are very bad. My lies don't count because they're true.
• Never trust anyone I can't control.
• There is no such thing as 'fair' - like, 'playing fair'. Winning is everything.
People who complain about the "moral decay of our country" had better look at the country's current leadership. Corruption is what's trickling down from them, not progress.
• Getting what I want is the most important thing. How I do it doesn't matter.
• It's ok to cheat if I don't get caught.
• If I do get caught I should never admit i am wrong.
• It's ok to lie to get what I want. Or just because I feel like lying.
• It's not ever necessary to tell the truth.
• If the truth is bad for me, I should make believe it's a lie.
• Other people's lies are very bad. My lies don't count because they're true.
• Never trust anyone I can't control.
• There is no such thing as 'fair' - like, 'playing fair'. Winning is everything.
People who complain about the "moral decay of our country" had better look at the country's current leadership. Corruption is what's trickling down from them, not progress.
1
I'm going to Europe next week. I know I will be asked to enlighten them on how Trump got elected. What can I say?
Sorry not a response to this article, precisely anyway.
Sorry not a response to this article, precisely anyway.
Donald, there is a reason for "political correctness". It saves lives.
He has a lot of -less's attached to him.
Shame-less.
Class-less.
Clue-less.
And we could all do with much, much less of him.
Shame-less.
Class-less.
Clue-less.
And we could all do with much, much less of him.
Come on Frank, you don't even begin to capture the essence of his disrespect for the presidency. Nor the bizarre fanaticism of the people who voted for him. He has slimed the executive branch of our government. He has begun an outright war on citizens of the United States, especially those who are of a different color and race. Every day in office he makes a mockery of our democracy. There is no merit in any explanation that normalizes the mean-spirited, vindictive, irresponsible, possibly treasonous behavior. Period.
Sorry man, we all knew this would happen. The more you talk about this guy, the more we begin to accept that his behavior is the new norm. We actually feel relieved when he says or does something only moderately stupid - oh, oh, he's improving. Launching missiles over chocolate cake at the club - oh, oh, he's so presidential.
He is not presidential. He is not a leader. He is not a reflection of American values. Unless he actually is and this is worse than I thought.
Sorry man, we all knew this would happen. The more you talk about this guy, the more we begin to accept that his behavior is the new norm. We actually feel relieved when he says or does something only moderately stupid - oh, oh, he's improving. Launching missiles over chocolate cake at the club - oh, oh, he's so presidential.
He is not presidential. He is not a leader. He is not a reflection of American values. Unless he actually is and this is worse than I thought.
1
You are so right about this.
And the worst part is that he denigrates the office while still expecting all of the perks that come along with it.
If you are going to disrespect past Presidents for example, perhaps you don't deserve Air Force One.
And the worst part is that he denigrates the office while still expecting all of the perks that come along with it.
If you are going to disrespect past Presidents for example, perhaps you don't deserve Air Force One.
Just seen some of his rant and rage in PA. Had to stop the whole thing as I can't bear to watch or hear his lying and hypocrisy to his base. I cannot understand his desire to divide us as a nation. To outright lie to his base to deny the first amendment and fourth estate. He must be deranged or so malicious to do so.
Days ago his one page tax plan sought to fill his pockets and his friends coffers with money. He plans to steal from funding a healthcare plan he promises to his base. He profits daily from his office. His children and family profit also, yet he continues to lie lie lie to his base. He cultivates hate and fear directed towards those who don't support him. He comes a cross as a rabble rouser, and frankly a nut. But he's a cunning man using Fox and the Murdoch empire to double talk his base. I'm so sadden at this charade we are living through. The Republicans care nothing about this dear country just making more dollars and keeping a deranged reality star as their spokesman.
Days ago his one page tax plan sought to fill his pockets and his friends coffers with money. He plans to steal from funding a healthcare plan he promises to his base. He profits daily from his office. His children and family profit also, yet he continues to lie lie lie to his base. He cultivates hate and fear directed towards those who don't support him. He comes a cross as a rabble rouser, and frankly a nut. But he's a cunning man using Fox and the Murdoch empire to double talk his base. I'm so sadden at this charade we are living through. The Republicans care nothing about this dear country just making more dollars and keeping a deranged reality star as their spokesman.
1
I think the worse thing is knowing that we're surrounded by tens of millions of people who brought us this monster and continue to be proud of it.
2
But by far the worst is just that his so aptly named "base" adores him for doing precisely all the things you name; they love the release his vandalism gives them; they love that he's shoving it to "those people" and they don't care any more whether that's actually good for them than does any other zealot in a tribal war, which is really what this is at the moment.
1
Sadly Frank, it is forever, or until we can remove him from office. That day cannot come too soon.
1
It's true that he's a small man in so many ways. What troubles me, though, is that my country elected him, as flawed as the election may have been.....
While I essentially agree with the author's criticisms of Trump, I disagree with him that it is better that: "other presidents in my lifetime have at least done a pantomime of the qualities that we try to instill in children: humility, honesty, magnanimity, generosity. Even Richard Nixon "
I think we are worse off to have presidents who present us a fraudulent image of someone who is a much better human being than any of them ever were. Of course, we all wish our presidents worked for policies with which we agree. I am not here endorsing (or criticizing) any of Trump's policies. But I think we would all be better off having less phony people be our leaders. I think we would all be better off if we had less trust and confidence in our leaders.
Prior to Trump, I used to say that I wish all of our presidents presented a public face like that of Richard Nixon, a man I have always loathed. We would avoid many unwise government actions if had less respect for and confidence in our leaders. And we would tolerate much less corrupt behavior by our politicians.
Look at the pages of the Times since Trump was elected. They have carried a relentless daily campaign against nearly every aspect of Trump behavior and action. I think this is a good thing, even though I sometimes disagree with the particular Times' criticism. The failure of the Times is that it intentionally avoids as intense a picking apart all of our leaders, not that it does so to Trump.
I think we are worse off to have presidents who present us a fraudulent image of someone who is a much better human being than any of them ever were. Of course, we all wish our presidents worked for policies with which we agree. I am not here endorsing (or criticizing) any of Trump's policies. But I think we would all be better off having less phony people be our leaders. I think we would all be better off if we had less trust and confidence in our leaders.
Prior to Trump, I used to say that I wish all of our presidents presented a public face like that of Richard Nixon, a man I have always loathed. We would avoid many unwise government actions if had less respect for and confidence in our leaders. And we would tolerate much less corrupt behavior by our politicians.
Look at the pages of the Times since Trump was elected. They have carried a relentless daily campaign against nearly every aspect of Trump behavior and action. I think this is a good thing, even though I sometimes disagree with the particular Times' criticism. The failure of the Times is that it intentionally avoids as intense a picking apart all of our leaders, not that it does so to Trump.
In one poll last year, more than 60% said they could make better decisions than the elected people in DC. This confidence is based on utter ignorance of government and the complexities of having governing in a nation of more than 340 million with vast international responsibilities. Trump said this week that he thought "it would be easier", but his supporters still think it is easy, just be rude and crude in a way that pleases them and shout down anyone who disagrees.
Trump's most ardent supporters would like to believe that it is easy to "straighten out the mess" in Washington. That way, they wouldn't have to think about it, they could just continue their role as cheerleaders and then go home.
Trump was not the people's choice. Almost 11 million more people in total voted for others. He is there because of a quirk in the Electoral College system, the undemocratic imbalance in the allocation of electors that favors smaller, more rural states (is that complicated enough to consider on a Sunday?). His nomination, too, was the result of a bigger quirk in Republican primary rules that gave all the delegates to him in the early primaries, even though he didn't win a majority of the votes. These are compound errors that presented us with a president entirely unprepared and unqualified by character and comportment to the office.
Those who drank the Trump kool-aide are a minority within the minority. The rest of the nation is watching this disaster unfold and will respond.
Trump's most ardent supporters would like to believe that it is easy to "straighten out the mess" in Washington. That way, they wouldn't have to think about it, they could just continue their role as cheerleaders and then go home.
Trump was not the people's choice. Almost 11 million more people in total voted for others. He is there because of a quirk in the Electoral College system, the undemocratic imbalance in the allocation of electors that favors smaller, more rural states (is that complicated enough to consider on a Sunday?). His nomination, too, was the result of a bigger quirk in Republican primary rules that gave all the delegates to him in the early primaries, even though he didn't win a majority of the votes. These are compound errors that presented us with a president entirely unprepared and unqualified by character and comportment to the office.
Those who drank the Trump kool-aide are a minority within the minority. The rest of the nation is watching this disaster unfold and will respond.
9
Doug, there are many arguments both for and against what you call a "quirk" that are the electoral college rules. But you seem to have an absolutist position that only pure, absolute counting of human beings is legitimate. I suggest that, in reality, even you do not support that extreme position. If you did then you would insist upon counting the preference of every human (or at least every adult human). Instead you limit yourself to counting only the individuals who cast ballots. Why do you limit your democracy so?
Democracy is not inherently good, it is not worthy of being a goal for humanity. Democracy is a tool which can be used for good or ill. It is generally a less bad method of governing than most alternatives. Our Constitution recognizes that Democracy is not a perfect tool, that it has many dangerous risks. That is why our Constitution did not establish a democracy. It established a democratic republic. And it placed limitations on the democratic processes in an attempt to avoid some of the risks that a pure democratic process presents. I do not contend that the electoral college structure is perfect. Certain changes could improvement it. But it does serve a positive purpose to avoid some of the risks posed by pure democracy.
Democracy is not inherently good, it is not worthy of being a goal for humanity. Democracy is a tool which can be used for good or ill. It is generally a less bad method of governing than most alternatives. Our Constitution recognizes that Democracy is not a perfect tool, that it has many dangerous risks. That is why our Constitution did not establish a democracy. It established a democratic republic. And it placed limitations on the democratic processes in an attempt to avoid some of the risks that a pure democratic process presents. I do not contend that the electoral college structure is perfect. Certain changes could improvement it. But it does serve a positive purpose to avoid some of the risks posed by pure democracy.
Emperor Donnie is a low class buffoon, who thinks gold plate makes something beautiful and high class. He has no understanding of his position, or how to do his job, so he insists on the political and social equivalent of overlooked steak smothered in ketchup as the height of good taste and decorum. Actual accomplishments? Not a concern. Just claim to have done something, even if it is not true. What a fool. And the whole world knows it.
In the end, the concern that he will "normalize" bad behavior should fail as long as people are repulsed and disgusted by this charlatan, and work to get him politically neutered by electing as many Democrats as possible in 2018.
In the end, the concern that he will "normalize" bad behavior should fail as long as people are repulsed and disgusted by this charlatan, and work to get him politically neutered by electing as many Democrats as possible in 2018.
12
Trump got elected for three reasons: First, because he is the last great white hope to many. Immigration, religious bias, borders, are all part of our white exceptionalism culture hence he carried the rural areas. Secondly, he promised lower taxes and the repeal of Obamacare for the wealthy and corporations, hence he pulled in the upper classes who think only of their pocketbooks. Finally, Clinton was a good person but a woman who is assertive, agressive and vocal - not qualities that mid-western, rural America appreciates. The Russian supported fake news and Comey's inuendos about her possible corruption didn't help.
As H.L. Mencken said almost a decade ago: "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard." Well, we are getting it good and hard now! Hopefully we will learn from this and grow stronger.
As H.L. Mencken said almost a decade ago: "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard." Well, we are getting it good and hard now! Hopefully we will learn from this and grow stronger.
9
The very latest outrageous headline is that he has invited the Philippines murderer Duterte to the White House. He does think, or at least react, I am certain, to the potential of offensive outrageous acts to raise attention and ire. He is squandering what dignity and respect the office held. We may reach a point - as long as he holds the position - where foreign leaders with clout will not respond to him, recognizing that he is a petty would be tyrant whose words mean nothing.
One of his actions - firing missiles at the airport target in Syria - worked. I think it holds up as a warning, one which was calculated - not by T but by his military advisors - to put the Russians on notice, ( literally because reports indicate that warnings were provided, to avoid bloodshed). But the sense one has is that this was a random win; accidentally effective.
Never have I hope an America president would suffer some accident, some catastrophic stroke or heart attack, before he caused a disaster - until now.
One of his actions - firing missiles at the airport target in Syria - worked. I think it holds up as a warning, one which was calculated - not by T but by his military advisors - to put the Russians on notice, ( literally because reports indicate that warnings were provided, to avoid bloodshed). But the sense one has is that this was a random win; accidentally effective.
Never have I hope an America president would suffer some accident, some catastrophic stroke or heart attack, before he caused a disaster - until now.
11
Trump is trying to lower the bar of the presidency to subway levels but he is not changing expectations. Au contraire, he is and will be the textbook of what a president is not supposed to be.
He will be impeached and some of his appointees will have their day in court. The fact that he no more friends with Putin do not fool the investigations and, his conflict of interests are on our faces. He will not get away with it.
He will be impeached and some of his appointees will have their day in court. The fact that he no more friends with Putin do not fool the investigations and, his conflict of interests are on our faces. He will not get away with it.
11
Today (and tomorrow and the next...), some more Filipinos will be tortured and then shot dead in the street, as per Dutuerte administration policy, and they will join the nameless thousands before them in shallow graves. Yesterday Trump praised this mass murderer and invited him to the White House.
An American president must be a standard bearer of American values. Every president before Trump has managed to articulate those values and attempt to uphold and advance them. Even when their policies were dead wrong or foolish, they understood the values part of the job.
Under Trump, I see that the old American values are dead. The oppressors are elevated over the oppressed, and justice belongs to he who can afford it. That is the new American way. Trump has made it so, and will not be easy to reverse this damage.
An American president must be a standard bearer of American values. Every president before Trump has managed to articulate those values and attempt to uphold and advance them. Even when their policies were dead wrong or foolish, they understood the values part of the job.
Under Trump, I see that the old American values are dead. The oppressors are elevated over the oppressed, and justice belongs to he who can afford it. That is the new American way. Trump has made it so, and will not be easy to reverse this damage.
17
Bruni has touched here on one of the most important distinctions that sets Trump apart from any other "bad" president to ever set foot in the Oval Office.
There will always be presidents whom some people don't like, presidents with policy ideas and governing ideas that some people find revolting, and presidents who seem to lack the decision-making ability that is required to successfully lead the country (there's some moderate subjectivity to this one too, if the President makes a decision that you love, you're less likely to be critical of the poor basis behind it).
What it ultimately comes down to is that up until this point, nearly every American respected the office of the presidency even when they didn't like the person holding that office. Even when they were deeply opposed to the policy, beliefs, or actions of the a president, they still honored the fact that they were the president.
Trump does not respect the office of the president. He holds this office, and still does not respect it. And this is a radical departure from all other presidents. Even now, 100 days in, as he starts to realize what the job actually requires and make motions to do it, he still shows an utter disregard for the history and honor of his office. If the president himself does not respect the office of the president, how can the citizens?
There will always be presidents whom some people don't like, presidents with policy ideas and governing ideas that some people find revolting, and presidents who seem to lack the decision-making ability that is required to successfully lead the country (there's some moderate subjectivity to this one too, if the President makes a decision that you love, you're less likely to be critical of the poor basis behind it).
What it ultimately comes down to is that up until this point, nearly every American respected the office of the presidency even when they didn't like the person holding that office. Even when they were deeply opposed to the policy, beliefs, or actions of the a president, they still honored the fact that they were the president.
Trump does not respect the office of the president. He holds this office, and still does not respect it. And this is a radical departure from all other presidents. Even now, 100 days in, as he starts to realize what the job actually requires and make motions to do it, he still shows an utter disregard for the history and honor of his office. If the president himself does not respect the office of the president, how can the citizens?
14
Thank you, Mr. Bruni, for telling it like it is. So sad, so true. I hope, as you do, that those virtues you extol, and which our president so sorely lacks. will not be consigned forever "to the junkyard of the quaint."
12
This column is a breath of fresh air, as it so clearly expresses the thoughts of so many regarding, what could be argued, is the most dangerous of the many concerns of this man's time in office. Thank you.
18
When Trump maintained he did not need "intelligence briefings," he quickly turned to his refrain that he is "very intelligent." I think reporters missed the obvious fact that Trump was taking literally the title of "intelligence," meaning in this case, nothing related to individual brightness, but to the search for secret information in the world. There are obviously many details of such a briefing that any President would do well to know.
But here we run into another of Trump's limitations. He cannot seem to take the more passive role of student, and absorb knowledge by listening or reading. His image of the world seems to come entirely from TV, where he imagines one can negate or create facts by interjecting his own contrary script.
The implications of his approach to knowledge and learning do a tremendous disservice to those who take him seriously, especially children, for whom the problems of learning are very real, and not best handled by short-circuiting. To be star of one's own "reality show" does not necessarily mean you know anything of use to anyone else, Mr. Trump. That is why, yes, you are required to back up everything you say, and to give accurate references when questioned. You have resources to hire as many helpers as you need in this capacity...but being a trustworthy source is "of the essence" in relation to every single aspect of being President.
But here we run into another of Trump's limitations. He cannot seem to take the more passive role of student, and absorb knowledge by listening or reading. His image of the world seems to come entirely from TV, where he imagines one can negate or create facts by interjecting his own contrary script.
The implications of his approach to knowledge and learning do a tremendous disservice to those who take him seriously, especially children, for whom the problems of learning are very real, and not best handled by short-circuiting. To be star of one's own "reality show" does not necessarily mean you know anything of use to anyone else, Mr. Trump. That is why, yes, you are required to back up everything you say, and to give accurate references when questioned. You have resources to hire as many helpers as you need in this capacity...but being a trustworthy source is "of the essence" in relation to every single aspect of being President.
13
I agree with your assessment, but where were you pointing this out during the election? It was on full display then, and nothing has changed. The rest of the media is guilty as well for not pointing out his real failings and being taken in by his bluster and ratings.
4
The media did report exactly what he said and did. Evidently, it was not enough and never would be. Trump supporters (and I include Hillary haters that voted for 3rd parties) would have voted for Hitler or Putin as long as they were going to punish immigrants, women, LBGTQ persons, and Muslims.
1
Cheer up! Even with the worst imaginable president for as far as anybody can see (even as far as a few hundred years from now) the American democracy is still functioning. Its institutions are solid, its deficiencies are visible to all and sharply analyzed and commented upon. Despite ruthless oligarchic pressures, the people hold their own fiercely and their courts and ballots will eventually hold to account everyone of the sleazy characters who have hijacked seats they don't deserve next to the most undeserving of them all. Thank you, Mr Trump for shining a light on all that is not you - the real America.
As I was half asleep, half awake this morning, I was trying to understand how a country that was so fervently behind John F. Kennedy, his vision of a brighter future for all, his much admired Camelot administration, so utterly devastated by his assassination, could come to where someone with the exact opposite characteristics to be it's champion. What happened to "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country"? What happened to "science will lead us to a better world"? Many of those who support Trump were fervently supporters of Kennedy in their youth. Now it is all failure and destruction and fear of others that wins the people's support. I don't remember life in Kennedy's time being that much different than it is now. There were great problems then, but there was hope and the belief that truth, justice, personal responsibility and actions taken for the benefit of all, and a firm commitment in the future was the answer to those problems, not reversal of all those achievements gained by previous administrations. Where did we go wrong?
8
I personally saw my neighbors in New Oreans cekebrating Kennedys assassination. I bet they voted for Trump. We have to come to terms with the crowds which frenetically applaud and support Trump, who so readily respond with the racist hatred he elicited in his campaign speeches. That is the dark underside of American culture.
1
We went wrong with Vietnam and Watergate. Those events were the beginning of a half-century of American political cynicism, which begat Reagan, who begat Clinton, who begat Bush, who begat Obama, who begat T----. Encouraged and abetted by the mind-melting scourge of television corporatists. The President of the United States, then and now, is us.
Being a son of an American dad and Canadian mom I always believed that people from both countries were the same. We were taught to be respectful of others and to be proud of our heritage but to act humbly. Almost all of my American friends and relatives still live this way.
But today there appears to have risen a large number of American citizens who support a bully and are not afraid to publically display anger towards others. How did this happen? What will it take to change?
But today there appears to have risen a large number of American citizens who support a bully and are not afraid to publically display anger towards others. How did this happen? What will it take to change?
13
I'm not sure it is good for our mental health to sustain the disgust and fear generated by Donald Trump's election. My doctor tells me that patients' problems with anxiety and insomnia have risen since November. Better to redirect these feelings of outrage into constructive actions: speaking up, contacting members of Congress, acting locally and on the state level, pushing back. He is not the new normal. More than ever, it is time to trust our Constitution and act accordingly.
11
Trump is a blot on the history of America's body politic. Whether he is a temporary aberration or the forerunner of a new kind of politician will, in the grand scheme of things, be up to us.
To the extent I have anything to do with it, he will be gone but not forgotten no later than 2020. And I'll be keeping a much closer eye on my own Democratic Party. Ultimately, the fact that Trump is where he is, rests with the horrible candidacy and campaign of Hillary Rodham Clinton.
To the extent I have anything to do with it, he will be gone but not forgotten no later than 2020. And I'll be keeping a much closer eye on my own Democratic Party. Ultimately, the fact that Trump is where he is, rests with the horrible candidacy and campaign of Hillary Rodham Clinton.
2
The most disturbing thing about this new standard you describe in presidential behavior is that his supporters still seem to think it's just fine. Mr Trump defined this himself when he said he could 'stand in the middle Fifth Avenue and shoot someone and not lose voters."
Despite all his gyrations in the last 100 days--including changes in policies that, in some cases, go against the interest of his base--polls show a surprisingly large number of those who voted for him still support him.
His style--so off-putting to a good chunk of the electorate--is exactly what another chunk of the electorate finds highly attractive. And to me, that's ominous for the fate of the nation, because basically anything he says and does, non-matter how offensive or self-contradictory, is okay with them.
Despite all his gyrations in the last 100 days--including changes in policies that, in some cases, go against the interest of his base--polls show a surprisingly large number of those who voted for him still support him.
His style--so off-putting to a good chunk of the electorate--is exactly what another chunk of the electorate finds highly attractive. And to me, that's ominous for the fate of the nation, because basically anything he says and does, non-matter how offensive or self-contradictory, is okay with them.
13
His supporters mistake crudeness and bombast for an ability to govern differently, but he governs not at all. And we'll continue to get more of the same after his term is up. At that point, we will be relegated to years and years of "I was the best president ever" and "I was president. I know more than anybody" and "Nobody knows more than I do about government". We will be saddled with him until he dies. He'll never give any future presidents (if there are any) a moment of peace to do their job.
11
Great column. We all know that every trait, every behavior, every petulant outburst and thin-skinned reaction will be repeated over and over as long as DJT and his family and friends are in the WH. His behavior and his decisions must continue to outrage us. We are better than this. At some point, the American people will have had enough and he will be impeached.
4
I'm thinking about the call to "Make America Great Again" and wondering if it was misunderstood, that it was actually what we'd be calling for after this catastrophe exposed the sad degraded state of a nation that could choose such a leader. Even if 45 does have a trademark on that saying, I am all for those words now. We've got a deep hole to climb out of.
4
Frank, I hear your frustration, but you in the media have got to stop focusing on the shiny objects Trump drops to distract you and start asking the right questions. Follow the money. Fame and adulation may be what Trump seeks, but money is what fuels him and is his first badge of respect. Follow the money. Ask the questions. Do not let him off the hook, and ignore his complaints, just keep up the drumbeat. He will fold like the cheap gold-embroidered suit that he is.
14
For heaven's sake, don't even think about cutting Trump a break. Stay on him like skin and keep his foolishness in the public eye.
I am sick and tired of awakening every morning to wonder what foolishness our "leader" has perpetrated.
Learning on the job is not for a world leader and it is even worse for those he leads.
I am sick and tired of awakening every morning to wonder what foolishness our "leader" has perpetrated.
Learning on the job is not for a world leader and it is even worse for those he leads.
12
Our political life, which was already unhealthy, has been further debased by this small-souled man. Sadly, he will have his imitators, and some of them will triumph. But I do believe many Americans feel a hunger for honest, intelligent, generous leadership. Better people will eventually rise.
4
Nice opinion piece, but all it does is strengthen the resolve of the resistance. I already want him impeached.
The problem is how do we get through to those millions who voted for him and still support him. How do we build some kind of a bridge over the chasm that separates us? Because if we can not I for one do not want to live in the same country as them.
The problem is how do we get through to those millions who voted for him and still support him. How do we build some kind of a bridge over the chasm that separates us? Because if we can not I for one do not want to live in the same country as them.
5
Just wait for him to repeal their cheap healthcare and replace it with something more expensive and less helpful. And for coal country to realize trump cant help them anymore
1
I'm with you, Frank. My memories of campaigns and politics go back to the early 1960s, and I've followed and/or worked as a volunteer in campaigns since 1968. I've never seen anything remotely like this. Not Nixon, not (either) Bush, not Clinton -- not anybody. They've all had their quirks and failings, sometimes going beyond the merely embarrassing, but none have so thoroughly and consistently debased the dignity of the office as this bloviating buffoon.
9
He had his 100 day rally tonight in PA and had a good go at the press, eh? And now, I bet, the only thing of concern in his world is getting home and frantically pacing waiting for the ratings to come out...did more people watch me or the Correspondents' Dinner?...not that it really matters, he'll soon enough be tweeting that his was the most watched 100 day rally ever (query: has there ever been a 100 day rally before?)
Mr. Bruni, thank you for a further reminder that anti-trumpers are normal and he is not. Too many of your colleagues this past week are displaying a "need to normalize" and it's not healthy.
Mr. Bruni, thank you for a further reminder that anti-trumpers are normal and he is not. Too many of your colleagues this past week are displaying a "need to normalize" and it's not healthy.
A voice crying in the wilderness. But if enough voices begin crying from the wilderness, the wilderness becomes a suburb. Go, Mr. Bruni.
Dr. King pointed out “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” Trump (and America) will eventually find out that this is true. It may not be in my (mercifully short) remaining years.... but eventually truth and justice will prevail.
In the meanwhile, I loathe everything Trump represents.... and can only weep for a nation that would choose him to lead it.
In the meanwhile, I loathe everything Trump represents.... and can only weep for a nation that would choose him to lead it.
3
Yes, indeed, by placing his own self-image and commercial interests before those of the nation Trump has managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
2
We all know the problems Trump has. We've all been researching and studying psychology, learning about Cluster B personality disorders and sociopathy and psychopathy and pathological lying and narcissism and histrionic behavior and anti-social behavior. And we have learned that Trump could brag about the fact that he may have more psychological problems than any President ever.
However, we all learned at our mothers' knees that if we cannot say something nice about someone, we should not say anything at all. I have really tried to think of something good to say about Trump and I cannot. He does seem to wear nice suits but he does not even know enough to button his suit coat. More interesting is that Trump is one of these no publicity is bad publicity guys. He craves the media's attention even as he denounces the media, and the media rarely says anything nice about him.
Maybe the media should just obey our mothers. Stop writing and talking about him. Or if you must, just a short column everyday listing the meaningless but stupid or offensive things he might say or do in a particular day with no further comment and no photos or film. It will make him crazy and will be very restful for us.
Do let us know when something important happens, though.
However, we all learned at our mothers' knees that if we cannot say something nice about someone, we should not say anything at all. I have really tried to think of something good to say about Trump and I cannot. He does seem to wear nice suits but he does not even know enough to button his suit coat. More interesting is that Trump is one of these no publicity is bad publicity guys. He craves the media's attention even as he denounces the media, and the media rarely says anything nice about him.
Maybe the media should just obey our mothers. Stop writing and talking about him. Or if you must, just a short column everyday listing the meaningless but stupid or offensive things he might say or do in a particular day with no further comment and no photos or film. It will make him crazy and will be very restful for us.
Do let us know when something important happens, though.
4
I try to think of ways to describe my feelings about Trump. Feelings with historical perspective and context, more eloquent descriptions and analysis. But when all is said and done, it simply boils down to the fact that he is an ignorant, pompous, self-centered liar that I'd never bring home to meet my mother or want as my president.
6
Among all of the ridiculous statements, tweets and bluster from #45, his most heinous offense is his complete disrespect for the Office of the Presidency.
This man fails to recognize that the Office is bigger than he. He disgraces the position of Chief Executive by promoting and profiting from the various and rather questionably reputable family enterprises while pretending to identify with the forgotten and disenfranchised. Even the hint of foreign interference and possible financial connections to despots should have sent out alarms . Any wiser political figure would have expressed deep concern and want to clear up any further doubts of his integrity.
Alas we have a maniacal ego who still believes he can continue the charade as though he was still on that moronic reality show or strong arming some investor into a deal.
The shouting and campaign rhetoric isn't working. Time for this show to be cancelled!
This man fails to recognize that the Office is bigger than he. He disgraces the position of Chief Executive by promoting and profiting from the various and rather questionably reputable family enterprises while pretending to identify with the forgotten and disenfranchised. Even the hint of foreign interference and possible financial connections to despots should have sent out alarms . Any wiser political figure would have expressed deep concern and want to clear up any further doubts of his integrity.
Alas we have a maniacal ego who still believes he can continue the charade as though he was still on that moronic reality show or strong arming some investor into a deal.
The shouting and campaign rhetoric isn't working. Time for this show to be cancelled!
3
In your column you write:
"Trump’s fans can excuse and explain all of this, and there are glimmers of merit in some of what they say:
He is owning up to, and not laboring to disguise, the emotional currents that move most politicians. He has honed his vanity into a kind of weapon, so it’s useful if not honorable. There’s a candor to the way he does things; a boldness and an authenticity, too."
The people who say this and, worse, the people who voted for him and don't hold him to account for pledging certain actions, only to reverse himself for the betterment of the Trump Brand, are bigots....pure and simple. They don't care about the issues; rather, they care more about their superiority to "others".
"Trump’s fans can excuse and explain all of this, and there are glimmers of merit in some of what they say:
He is owning up to, and not laboring to disguise, the emotional currents that move most politicians. He has honed his vanity into a kind of weapon, so it’s useful if not honorable. There’s a candor to the way he does things; a boldness and an authenticity, too."
The people who say this and, worse, the people who voted for him and don't hold him to account for pledging certain actions, only to reverse himself for the betterment of the Trump Brand, are bigots....pure and simple. They don't care about the issues; rather, they care more about their superiority to "others".
1
What happened to the Republican party?Trump is the culmination of 30 years of bluster and hubris by right wing news and right wing politicians. It attracts people who would rather be right than do the right thing
3
Once again, this leads to the movie Idiocracy, where in the future, a professional wrestler is elected President (Oh, yeah, we've already had Jesse Ventura as governor)- anyway, teachers need to start to reinforce the idea that maybe we shouldn't take "anyone can grow up to be President" too literally- or HL Mencken's quote "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard"
1
I, hopefully, believe 45 will leave a bit of a positive enduring legacy. When the next conman shows up, America will now know it, and will not ok it, no matter how desperate they are, nor how frustrated they are with their current politicians.
Last week I was walking through an airport concourse and found myself behind two police walking a young Hispanic guy to...somewhere. I walked quickly to pass them, stopped and turner around to see what was up. Nothing violent or unusual, just two cops escorting a Hispanic person who wasn't resisting but wasn't real happy either. Thought was that they were taking him in, for something. Even if that wasn't the case this is where we've ended up, in a nation full of people wondering who's being arrested, who's being walked away into custody.
A local high school band has for the past 16 years gone to Canada to play a concert to their biggest audience of the year. Called it off this year because in a sanctuary state we don't ask about citizenship and they didn't want to leave band members behind, either at home or at the border coming home.
This is where Trump has taken us, a nation worrying about who is being taken away to face charges, even if they aren't. This is living in eastern Europe before 1989, when secrets were everywhere and guilt was in the eye of the beholder, not proven, just alleged, watching people taken away, watching people unable to participate in a full and inclusive life.
I really don't care about Trump and his ego, his narcissism, his neuroticism. What I do care about is that he's taken us to this ugly place where we wonder where the people we're seeing escorted are going, where our friends can't leave the country because they may not be allowed back in.
A local high school band has for the past 16 years gone to Canada to play a concert to their biggest audience of the year. Called it off this year because in a sanctuary state we don't ask about citizenship and they didn't want to leave band members behind, either at home or at the border coming home.
This is where Trump has taken us, a nation worrying about who is being taken away to face charges, even if they aren't. This is living in eastern Europe before 1989, when secrets were everywhere and guilt was in the eye of the beholder, not proven, just alleged, watching people taken away, watching people unable to participate in a full and inclusive life.
I really don't care about Trump and his ego, his narcissism, his neuroticism. What I do care about is that he's taken us to this ugly place where we wonder where the people we're seeing escorted are going, where our friends can't leave the country because they may not be allowed back in.
2
Don't worry America, Trump's time will come. In his first 100 days he has already reduced the Usa's respect in the world , caused a loss in tourism, caused a loss in trust by other nations with whom the US trades. His claim to put America first will soon become America ALONE. The US has been a bastion against totalitarian behaviour, but that has rapidly vanished in just 100 days. He will either self-destruct or be impeached. It just takes a little time.
Most of America is not growing numb to the grotesque behavior of Donald Trump. Thousands are marching. Most express their disdain in every poll since his election. But Trump is immune to all that. What we have to do is vote out his GOP apologists in Congress and state houses, beginning right now with a dollar, $5, whatever we can afford, to anti-Trump progressive Democrats in every state now and in advance of the 2018 elections.
Sure, we're up against the Koch Brothers and their ilk, but if we learned anything from 2016, a la Bernie Sanders, it's that those paltry little donations from the common people do add up. If you're in a reliably Democratic-leaning urban area, volunteer in a reliably GOP-voting rural area. If you're unsure where to begin, go to websites like SwingLeft.org and start typing in zip codes where you live, where your cousin in Montana lives, where your outnumbered progressive friends in Texas live.
We can despair, or we can get busy. March, yes. Shout, yes. Vote, yes. Help get out the vote everywhere, yes.
Sure, we're up against the Koch Brothers and their ilk, but if we learned anything from 2016, a la Bernie Sanders, it's that those paltry little donations from the common people do add up. If you're in a reliably Democratic-leaning urban area, volunteer in a reliably GOP-voting rural area. If you're unsure where to begin, go to websites like SwingLeft.org and start typing in zip codes where you live, where your cousin in Montana lives, where your outnumbered progressive friends in Texas live.
We can despair, or we can get busy. March, yes. Shout, yes. Vote, yes. Help get out the vote everywhere, yes.
1
We see only the tip of the iceberg that is Donald Trump and we only have to see it when we stop to watch and listen. It has always been difficult but since last year I have been delaying new until I can read news accounts or broadcast news reports. I avoid people like him in my ordinary life and when able let my distaste be know in my own way. I cannot change the man but I can let my beliefs and feelings be known. He is extraordinarily dangerous. Any one of his many insults, threats, blunders could have life and death consequences. He does not try to prepare himself and shoots from the hip. He has said he respects very few people. Most do not deserve his respect he says. What does he think of the ordinary man and woman? He insults us many times daily so obviously lying and manipulating wherever he can. He has no respect for the office he holds and I have yet to hear or see anything that shows he understands our political system. He seems to think the presidency is the beginning and end of governance and that the legislature and judiciary are bothersome obstructions to his grand plan whatever that might be. He is boorish and looks us right in the eye, lies, attempts to gain our confidence and uses whatever reactions emotional and otherwise for his ends. He subjects us to people like Stephen MIller and Jeff Sessions. All of this I fully expected. He makes me long for the days of Richard Nixon. Barry Goldwater, where are you when we need you?
1
He didn't, unfortunately choose to be small. He IS small. A small, afraid, tiny little man. And we will bear the burden of the consequences.
2
I heard a reporter on CNN describe the boorish remarks of our president as "vintage trump." I turned off the news. Thank you Mr. Bruni for this article to remind us trump's behavior is an abomination to us all and the office he holds.
3
Frank, one the one hand (the first part of this piece before the Colon), you accurately call out Trump's horrendous, ill mannered behavior. Accurately pointing out the dangers or ignoring- thus normalizing: There is nothing normal about an individual without the ability to self-censor oneself.
Unfortunately, you do- exactly what you lament: Giving cover to behavior that simply cannot- and should never be justified. Hence your determination that (because) he willingly engages in the unconscionable- it is therefore "Honorable" and Authentic; cancer is also Authentic- Frank every role we take on has an accompanying decorum.
Twitter rages and blatant lying isn't to be praised when it comes from a 70 year old man. You say that all politicians have an unseemly side (my paraphrase). What was Barack Obama's counterpart behavior to Donald Trump's: Obama's Professorial countenance- on occasion? Is that really a comparison Frank? You want it both ways Frank- and it simply cannot be so unless you are willing to ignore your own advise.
Unfortunately, you do- exactly what you lament: Giving cover to behavior that simply cannot- and should never be justified. Hence your determination that (because) he willingly engages in the unconscionable- it is therefore "Honorable" and Authentic; cancer is also Authentic- Frank every role we take on has an accompanying decorum.
Twitter rages and blatant lying isn't to be praised when it comes from a 70 year old man. You say that all politicians have an unseemly side (my paraphrase). What was Barack Obama's counterpart behavior to Donald Trump's: Obama's Professorial countenance- on occasion? Is that really a comparison Frank? You want it both ways Frank- and it simply cannot be so unless you are willing to ignore your own advise.
1
And none of those CIA officers stood up and told him to cut the nonsense out, right away. WHY?
We are not going to save the country from this man without showing far more courage in our resistance.
We are not going to save the country from this man without showing far more courage in our resistance.
1
I'm supposed to teach leadership and ethics. It has never seemed more futile. Imagine talking to young people about the virtues of truth or authenticity, with this goon as a back drop. Imagine suggesting that selfless service is a component of leadership to students who watch what the Republican party has done to us. With this man in office our world is turning toward an ethical darkness, and once in it, I'm not sure we'll ever find our way out. This is a leadership armageddon.
Petulant rudeness, brattiness and in-your face assaults are what Trump's supporters seem to crave. They are mad at a world that seems to have left them behind, and they want to slug someone, anyone.
Trump is their surrogate, and he's the president, so he is seemingly immune from punishment or censure. The recently semi-employed Midwest folks would love to punch those snooty Democratic elites and media folks in the snoot. That'll show 'em,
Trump does that and more. He eats fast food like they do, doesn't read anything and pops off on the attack without knowing anything, out of pure prejudice, just like his followers would like to do, but can't.
It is too bad Trump doesn't also understand that middle America is also all about community, compassion and kindness. If he only patterned his behavior on those qualities. our political life would be very different.
Trump is their surrogate, and he's the president, so he is seemingly immune from punishment or censure. The recently semi-employed Midwest folks would love to punch those snooty Democratic elites and media folks in the snoot. That'll show 'em,
Trump does that and more. He eats fast food like they do, doesn't read anything and pops off on the attack without knowing anything, out of pure prejudice, just like his followers would like to do, but can't.
It is too bad Trump doesn't also understand that middle America is also all about community, compassion and kindness. If he only patterned his behavior on those qualities. our political life would be very different.
1
I keep thinking of this remark by Francois de La Rochefoucauld: "Hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue."
Trump's distinction is that he's incapable of hypocrisy because he doesn't even know what virtue is.
Trump's distinction is that he's incapable of hypocrisy because he doesn't even know what virtue is.
1
"the most distinctive aspect of Trump’s presidency is his complete and consistent rejection of the conventional etiquette"
Heck, no.
Look, casually saying to the British Prime Minister, "If you travel to the US you should let me know": that's an etiquette slip.
The most distinctive aspect of Trump’s presidency? It's hard to pick just one; there's the ignorance, the inconstancy, the venality, the dishonesty. There's the effusive praise for every human violator he meets, the attacks on the free press, the gratuitous deportations hurting American families, the neglect of the environment people have to live in.
The distinctive aspect is the all-round badness.
Heck, no.
Look, casually saying to the British Prime Minister, "If you travel to the US you should let me know": that's an etiquette slip.
The most distinctive aspect of Trump’s presidency? It's hard to pick just one; there's the ignorance, the inconstancy, the venality, the dishonesty. There's the effusive praise for every human violator he meets, the attacks on the free press, the gratuitous deportations hurting American families, the neglect of the environment people have to live in.
The distinctive aspect is the all-round badness.
5
This is a good moment to start thinking seriously about removing Trump out of office.
After all it was only a 100 days ago that we had a president who galvanized us with the phrase
Yes We Can!
After all it was only a 100 days ago that we had a president who galvanized us with the phrase
Yes We Can!
1
Well, if a Mobutu or an Idi Amin, or a Marcos of the Pilippines lifted their countries, I guess US may fare likewise under Trump. But right now I don't feel like a self-respecting, dignified citizen. I feel my country has fallen under the jackboot of an unabashed, shameless authoritarian who rather than suppressing our liberties is instead interested only in abusing his position to enrich himself and his family. And whenever he feels criticism of opponents is becoming too much, he just runs back to his supporters to ensure their support by giving them a fresh load of falsehoods and lies. I have no doubt that he would meet the end that he deserves, but would the country recover and recoup it lost dignity and self-respect, I can only make a wish for it.
Why is it inconceivable that a civic-minded, highly intelligent public servant like Elizabeth Warren who has devoted her life to the service of others cannot be considered to have a realistic chance of being President but Trump has been elected? How did we go so far off track that our country has come to this? Perhaps we need to stop pretending that corporations are people and start treating people like human beings again.
1
One can argue whether the elevation of Donald Trump represents the beginning of the end of the American Empire, an idea that has less to do with maps then ideas, but he has irrevocably changed the conversation. Trump will not, indeed because of his personality, cannot be an effective president but that may not be our biggest problem. i worry about the next, president and the ones after that who blithely say, "No, I will not release my taxes, avoid nepotism, conflicts of interest, or personal self-aggrandizement. No, I will not properly staff government agencies, certainly not with professionals who believe in the mission of those agencies. No, I will not respect checks and balances, accepted modes of public comportment, or even the rule of law as I will vilify any federal judge who dares rule against me." Trump is and will remain on the "liabilities" side of history's balance sheet, but if our next few presidents follow his lead, we are truly finished as a nation of consequence.
1