Where is Harry Truman when we need him? He knew, as have all presidents before Trump, that the buck stops at the President's desk and nowhere else.
12
As Trump becomes more isolated and desperate, loyalty will become the only qualification that matters. His inner circle has already shrunk to mostly family. Talented, accomplished, decent people can see the obvious: joining the Trump team now is career suicide.
17
The Trump campaign and presidency has to be the worst written episode of House of Cards in history. Frank Underwood is a shark always on the move as a predator. He knows politics is about killing or you will be killed. He welcomed the Death of Reason and our new "post-truth" age where anything goes. Trump is a blowfish who has lived his life in a protected shallow pond who just thinks he is a shark because all of his sycophants tell him he is The Great White. He thought he knew the "Art of the Deal" but it has turned out that the political world is far different from being a real estate scam artist and reality show star. Vladamir Putin (definitely a shark) has played Trump brilliantly. Trump's ego will never admit it was the Russians who put him in office. Now he is floundering in the big boy ocean because he has no clue how to operate when surrounded by actual experienced political opponents. His shtick played well when he was running his family business but it is disastrous when on display in the Oval Office. The questioned of when he will be fished out of this ocean and tossed back into his little pond is not a matter of if but of when. Just how much damage will have to happen before the Republicans in Congress realize that Trump's threat to our Republic is greater than their desire to ram their radical agenda through before he self-destructs? The clock is ticking, the world is laughing and Putin is thrilled to have Russia's revenge for the fall of the USSR.
30
The day Trump won the election, a colleague of mine told me "Trust the system". Well let's see if the system finally powers up and balance the folie of this new presidency with Comey's testimony done on Thursday AM.
I want to believe.
I want to believe.
20
Despite everything that has happened over the past months, and despite whatever incriminating or damning testimony James Comey provides tomorrow, I wonder if Trump will squeak by, tweeting and prevaricating energetically, attacking Comey with his tasteless epithets:"such a nasty man." His supporters and enablers have an almost messianic fervor, and the Republicans still can use a damaged and damaging president to try to impose their agenda. Get ready for a long haul, but Comey's testimony will definitely contribute to the catalogue of Trumpian, Republican misdeeds. The best hope lies in a judiciary and in the next election cycle.
13
Is this any way to run a country?
3
Some great analysis here, most common theme is business is not government, the skill sets and attitudes do not transfer. And I believe some who have succeeded bigly by working their buts off building a company, taking risks with their own money, sacrificing time with their families to build something bigger than themselves, see the suited politicians making fabulous but unconvincing promises and think, damn - that looks easy!
Rightly so. But most would recognize the difference between the decisions they make, and those of the leader of the free world. You can bankrupt a business, recover and move on. Bad decisions at world leader level may affect billions of lives, with no coming back. Monumental hubris unattached to reality, backed by small minded, self interested enablers, is not a winning recipe in any business, let alone the business of government.
Rightly so. But most would recognize the difference between the decisions they make, and those of the leader of the free world. You can bankrupt a business, recover and move on. Bad decisions at world leader level may affect billions of lives, with no coming back. Monumental hubris unattached to reality, backed by small minded, self interested enablers, is not a winning recipe in any business, let alone the business of government.
6
Tomorrow, and the Next day, will be fantastic. Twitter will be BROKEN,
" hair" will be pulled out, and the entire White House staff will be on red alert. The smarter folks will be out " sick", polishing their resumes. Will make a great episode of must -see TV.
" hair" will be pulled out, and the entire White House staff will be on red alert. The smarter folks will be out " sick", polishing their resumes. Will make a great episode of must -see TV.
3
Look at the bright side.
If our system and constitution survives this in tact, which I believe it will as long as the resistance doesn't get carried away and start ignoring the constitution itself. It is fine to point out just how unconventional, ineffective and strange this administration is, but it might be counterproductive to turn this into the mirror image of the Clinton/Lewinsky fiasco.
This uproar has consequences when it goes over the top. I can see a lot of people are buying into it, and they shouldn't be. We have seen one descent person commit a major crime in becoming a 'whistleblower' for essentially no good reason. There's no whistle to blow except perhaps on the idea of using the intelligence agencies to undermine a democratically elected 'president'.
It would be a huge mistake to allow the mere overblown outrage to replace the rule of law. If no major crime can be proven, it is time to move on. This witch hunt is damaging our system and causing good people to get overly nervous. Whistleblowing is a very serious move, and it is a shame it probably happened because of a false belief in this witch hunt media frenzy.
Let's not confuse popular outrage for evidence. Let's not encourage good people to criminalize themselves to feed this kabuki.
I think the Democrats are starting to realize that the current approach is unlikely to swing things their way. Only a real agenda can do that.
Voters entrench in the face of deceptive media. It doesn't help.
If our system and constitution survives this in tact, which I believe it will as long as the resistance doesn't get carried away and start ignoring the constitution itself. It is fine to point out just how unconventional, ineffective and strange this administration is, but it might be counterproductive to turn this into the mirror image of the Clinton/Lewinsky fiasco.
This uproar has consequences when it goes over the top. I can see a lot of people are buying into it, and they shouldn't be. We have seen one descent person commit a major crime in becoming a 'whistleblower' for essentially no good reason. There's no whistle to blow except perhaps on the idea of using the intelligence agencies to undermine a democratically elected 'president'.
It would be a huge mistake to allow the mere overblown outrage to replace the rule of law. If no major crime can be proven, it is time to move on. This witch hunt is damaging our system and causing good people to get overly nervous. Whistleblowing is a very serious move, and it is a shame it probably happened because of a false belief in this witch hunt media frenzy.
Let's not confuse popular outrage for evidence. Let's not encourage good people to criminalize themselves to feed this kabuki.
I think the Democrats are starting to realize that the current approach is unlikely to swing things their way. Only a real agenda can do that.
Voters entrench in the face of deceptive media. It doesn't help.
1
Wouldn't Mike Pence also rubber-stamp the regressive, destructive, heartless Republican domestic agenda as well as Donald Trump without destroying all our democratic institutions, alienating our European allies and destabilizing the world? Republicans in Congress have nothing to lose by impeaching this unstable man and if they don't, it means they are just as crazy as he is.
8
I believe that the USA's fiascos of the Trump administration demonstrates the strength and resiliancy of the Parlimentary style of government that we have in Canada. It now appears that the so-called separation of powers does not exist but is a myth that relied on the good will of the participants. Just look at Trump thumbing his nose at the American people over the issue of conflict of intetest. And no one can do anything about it. Look at the latest fraud..the St. Jude's Children's Charity. In Canada charities are audited by the income tax. This is especially egregious as you have no free cancer treatment in USA like we do.
18
In the past 50 years Republicans have given us Goldwater, Nixon, Reagan, Bush, Palin, Quale, Agnew, Cheney, Trump and Pence. When a B grade actor with altzheimer's is your star politician it's time for some self examination. For one thing the primary process is an ugly mess that seems designed to eliminate anyone remotely competent. Also, conservatives have to stop being a "movement" and start being rational. They are turning into a movement in a different sense of the word. Ideology is not a replacement for thought. America needs a sane conservative party. It also needs a proper socialist perty but that's another story.
19
It bothers me not the less that an utterly unfit man occupies the White House, but it bothers more that so many millions of us voted for such a man. It's not that we live in a poor, backward country where masses of people can be herded to the polling booths by musclemen of the Maximum leader to ratify his claim to leadership for life. No one is keeping us in the dark - excepting perhaps Fox News and right wing town village barkers on radio waves. We have 24/7 news cycles, ubiquitous cell phones, ever vigilant social media that never goes to sleep. We have a choice of a number of radio, tv channels giving straight news as well as news shaded by all and every manner of partisan angles. When the world laughs at Trump, how can they not pay think of people who chose such a man. What is our excuse? What was not known to us about this man? His vile, vulgar background? His compulsive, nonstop lying nature? His ignorance and incompetence? His parrot-like repeating of propaganda, publicity lines lifted from Russian RT TV? His amplifying fake news that he knew, or should have known, was coming from Russian backed fake news sources. We have done no honor to our country by choosing such a man. What price we'd have to pay for our folly, only time will tell. I only hope it is not as bad as we have reason to fear.
15
Interesting comparison between the proverbial "rats leaving a sinking ship" and walking out of the White House being seen as a "privileged one."
2
Sad to state he still has his base or band of no brains which is the Republican Party. As long as they continue to win by elections nothing is going to change. Like the old Hollies song "It is a road of which there is no return." He will destroy the US and the Republicans will blame anyone else. The patriotism runs as far as how much money they can make by selling their country out. The man plain and simple is crazy and stupid a bad mix. He pats himself on the back that the Saudis and other butcher states like Egypt have stuck it to Qatar. Then today he back tracks when it is mentioned we have a giant military base there that is used for the war on ISIS. Never a dawning that almost all the 9/11 killers were rich Saudi kids. The reality is intelligence indicates that the Saudis provide the funds for ISIS which is not connected to Iran. But, the Saudis want a war with Iran so who better to have in the White House a clown who knows everything. When he visited Saudi Arabia they treated him and over inflated ego royally and he loved it. Iran is on our side in the war against ISIS and funny the Saudis are not involved at all. By the way I wonder he asks Comey for loyalty and to drop the Flynn investigation then fires him, but I keep hearing this is not obstruction of Justice or Impeachable. Of course if it was me I would be in jail already. Anyway Pence is no better. This is a movie that is going to end badly. Jim Trautman
6
A one-note bully-child cannot take responsibility for anything. 45 must blame everyone in his reality show presidency so he can pretend to be in charge.
Why are we playing moral "chicken" with this soulless charade?
#impeachtrump
Now. Before it's too late for all.
Why are we playing moral "chicken" with this soulless charade?
#impeachtrump
Now. Before it's too late for all.
5
He could not rest until every woman, man, child and beast of the fields paid to him the unlimited homage, love and loyalty due to him as the greatest man who had ever lived. A god among us. "Love me" he roared. "Are you so stupid you cannot see that you must love me".
4
Comey says in his written testimony that Trump wanted a public statement that he was not under investigation “because I have been very loyal to you, very loyal; we had that thing you know.’ I did not reply or ask him what he meant by ‘that thing.’”
Perhaps Trump, or his lawyer, can explain what he meant by “that thing”. Was it that moment when he singled out Comey for a hearty handshake during a White House reception?
Or was it just another covfefe moment?
Perhaps Trump, or his lawyer, can explain what he meant by “that thing”. Was it that moment when he singled out Comey for a hearty handshake during a White House reception?
Or was it just another covfefe moment?
6
Well written piece, Mr. Bruni. President Trump has reveled and quite nicely prospered in the past with scum and garbage originating from him and WILL manage to prosper into the future. It's the sad underlings who took blows, continue to, and will, so long as there is a steady supply of these underlings supporting him for whatever reason. Sadly, in the process, time-tested institutional checks and balances will be severely stressed since he somehow managed to become our President. The hope is, these checks and balances we have are resilient enough to withstand the on-going grand abuse and once again come out ahead and shine through as the beacon of hope and sanity. God bless us all!
2
p.s. still waiting for the Bengazi-style investigation into the botched Yemin raid Trump authorized on a whim, without planning, support, or intelligence that killed a navy seal along with civilians, destroyed a multi-million dollar helicopter, hospital, and village. Where are the congress people who hounded Clinton?
10
I think we may have to start something akin to a witness protection program for Trump administration employees - that way they can live under another name, bury or burn their tainted resumes and start afresh, as if their association with Donny Two Scoops never happened! Otherwise further career advancement is going to be problematic to say the least.
7
Not to worry. Walker in Wisconsin and Brownback in Kansas will always be available to petition for jobs - so long as they are in state governorships.
5
Cheeky! And thoroughly enjoyable, thank you. Mar-a-loco issued a laugh out loud. ... If those who leave are the privileged few, they better get a move on PDQ. Maybe they can renegotiate those deals they made with the devil.
7
Oh my AG Sessions not th "nimbelist newt" but still "Donald in a dixie cup" !
Mr Bruni, your pen is mighty indeed!
Mr Bruni, your pen is mighty indeed!
8
Trump is like Reagan and the main MAD comic character: "What? Me worry?" All three "characters" are able to let stress roll off them like water off a duck's back.
4
Mr. Trump reminds me of Colonel Tom Parker. Huckster extraordinaire... but Trump doesn't have an Elvis to help reel in the suckers. Even his base must be having their moments of doubt. Looks like Heartbreak Hotel to me.
Well said, Frank.
The president is a dog with a skirt on.
The president is a dog with a skirt on.
3
Most fascinating train wreck to behold.
5
My baby, he's alright
My baby, he's clean outta sight
He's Some Kinda Wonderful.
Some kinda Wonderful
We have a very ill man in the Oval Office,and he is getting worse.
The longer this festers and he is in strange territory the sicker he will continue to get. The President is cornered, paranoid, medicating, and oh so very alone. He is killing himself and no one can get him the massive amount help he needs. He is beyond the point of ever being saved. It's torture that resembles suicide at times. He is unloved as much as person could bear and the intervention that is required is not accessible. He is actually the President of the United States, in real life, this is a true story. There is no acting, no script, no director and he running the Greatest Country in the History of mankind. We sit at home, or chat on the beach, in car, at the ball park or hairdresser's waiting area waiting, and waiting some more. It seems surreal that there is no one worried enough about the country and surprisingly worried enough about him.
This continues with no end in sight but, I don't know about you but this doesn't have an end that looks anything but awful to me.
My baby, he's clean outta sight
He's Some Kinda Wonderful.
Some kinda Wonderful
We have a very ill man in the Oval Office,and he is getting worse.
The longer this festers and he is in strange territory the sicker he will continue to get. The President is cornered, paranoid, medicating, and oh so very alone. He is killing himself and no one can get him the massive amount help he needs. He is beyond the point of ever being saved. It's torture that resembles suicide at times. He is unloved as much as person could bear and the intervention that is required is not accessible. He is actually the President of the United States, in real life, this is a true story. There is no acting, no script, no director and he running the Greatest Country in the History of mankind. We sit at home, or chat on the beach, in car, at the ball park or hairdresser's waiting area waiting, and waiting some more. It seems surreal that there is no one worried enough about the country and surprisingly worried enough about him.
This continues with no end in sight but, I don't know about you but this doesn't have an end that looks anything but awful to me.
5
Trump won the election playing to his base. They have stood by him, with 80-90% of Republicans supporting him in any given week according to Gallup polling. There is little daylight between a Trump supporter and a Republican.
In other words, he can do no wrong, provided he keeps raising the proverbial middle finger to "The Establishment." Despite no legislation, his symbolic executive orders are keeping the Republican base well-fed.
It doesn't take much research to find that real source of economic problems in the U.S. is too much conservative economic policy, from a weak government unable to stop the rise of oligopoly and monopoly, to policies like the ridiculous AHCA, which attempted to cut benefits for the poor to fund a large tax cut for the rich.
To be a Republican these days means you ignore the consensus view of climate scientists (yes, climate change is risky and man-influenced), economists (yes, tax cuts increase deficits and debt and are less effective per dollar than spending at boosting GDP and jobs), and the lessons of our history (yes, inclusiveness makes for a more productive society).
It's up to the fact-based media to combat this with a focused intervention, with banner headlines debunking conservative economic mythology. It's not OK to be a Republican anymore.
In other words, he can do no wrong, provided he keeps raising the proverbial middle finger to "The Establishment." Despite no legislation, his symbolic executive orders are keeping the Republican base well-fed.
It doesn't take much research to find that real source of economic problems in the U.S. is too much conservative economic policy, from a weak government unable to stop the rise of oligopoly and monopoly, to policies like the ridiculous AHCA, which attempted to cut benefits for the poor to fund a large tax cut for the rich.
To be a Republican these days means you ignore the consensus view of climate scientists (yes, climate change is risky and man-influenced), economists (yes, tax cuts increase deficits and debt and are less effective per dollar than spending at boosting GDP and jobs), and the lessons of our history (yes, inclusiveness makes for a more productive society).
It's up to the fact-based media to combat this with a focused intervention, with banner headlines debunking conservative economic mythology. It's not OK to be a Republican anymore.
16
More like " Lord of the Fleas". And bedbugs.
6
So sad. United States of America has a tough democratic challenge ahead.
Ignore him. He is hopeless. Just report in a non-emotional way what he does and
concentrate on America's problems. He has been elected, that is the question.
Medias have ignored some Americans or demonized them. We know he is crazy and will carry on. How your democracy has become what it is ? That is America's deep problem not Trump who is the obvious result. America has lost her soul why ?
Ignore him. He is hopeless. Just report in a non-emotional way what he does and
concentrate on America's problems. He has been elected, that is the question.
Medias have ignored some Americans or demonized them. We know he is crazy and will carry on. How your democracy has become what it is ? That is America's deep problem not Trump who is the obvious result. America has lost her soul why ?
11
sorry, but i can't laugh any more. Donald is making a mess of foreign and domestic policies I care about. We can't just sit on the sidelines, knitting.
time for the tumbrels to rid us of the scalawags.
time for the tumbrels to rid us of the scalawags.
7
Thank you for this Mr. Bruni. "Mar-a-loco" will get me through the next few dark days.
9
Meanwhile the economy is booming. Leading economic indicators continue to advance. Houses sell before they hit MLS, housing construction is advancing very strongly and the stock market at an all time high. How then do we explain the booming US economy? That the job creators like Trump? That he instils confidence in the people who count?
1
The economy was already booming before he took office, and he hasn't yet enacted any significant economic initiatives. In the first six months of a new administration, the credit or blame belongs mainly with the predecessor.
Of course the stock market is up; an all-Republican govt is a boon to those who live off investments rather than working. They expect a tax windfall.
Of course the stock market is up; an all-Republican govt is a boon to those who live off investments rather than working. They expect a tax windfall.
16
Sorry, Awake in San Diego the economic growth was anaemic so was job growth. I can see the housing activity with my own eyes and so can you. I grant what you say about the stock market, but the leading indicators all indicate real, recovery type growth that we've all been looking for but haven't seen until now.
1
Like many people around the world, I've been watching the Trumpverse with something approaching obsession. It's just so gratuitously awful, but utterly compelling at the same time as we watch an ignorant buffoon of a man teeter on the abyss and have the potential to take us all with him if ... when more likely ... he falls.
I absolutely love Frank Bruni's take on Trump and thought the opening paragraph in this column is as good as it gets. The exquisiteness of wordcraft of this columnist and others at the Times is in stark juxtaposition to the 160 character mindset elsewhere which just underlines the problem.
I absolutely love Frank Bruni's take on Trump and thought the opening paragraph in this column is as good as it gets. The exquisiteness of wordcraft of this columnist and others at the Times is in stark juxtaposition to the 160 character mindset elsewhere which just underlines the problem.
31
Frances,
It is much worse to be witnessing trump's insanity from inside once was trying to be a great nation. Now we are a nation of paranoid gun obsessed deplorables who are easily brainwashed by Fox News propaganda. How the mighty have fallen. I just hope their is a way back to democracy but I am not overly optimistic when the 1% can easily control the minds of half of the country to vote republican against their own interest.
It is much worse to be witnessing trump's insanity from inside once was trying to be a great nation. Now we are a nation of paranoid gun obsessed deplorables who are easily brainwashed by Fox News propaganda. How the mighty have fallen. I just hope their is a way back to democracy but I am not overly optimistic when the 1% can easily control the minds of half of the country to vote republican against their own interest.
5
Let’s be honest with ourselves. The US of A is now a one-party state. Republicans and Democrats are simply branches of the much larger "Business Party". Its control is rooted in Corporate and financial interests. Donald Trump is just the malevolent manifestation of everything this party positions itself for. He is a reflection of all that is wrong with our current system of government. Every four years our choices are limited to two talking heads the Business Party chooses to elect to front for both branches. Different window dressing - same greedy pig. What really matters, at the end of the day, has nothing to do with who we chose and everything to do about who our choice works for. Here’s a little hint: it’s not you.
11
The false equivalence just keeps on coming. Yes, the Dems are too beholden to business interests. How can they not be, in the wake of Citizens United? But it's unfair to deny that virtually every pro-worker, pro-middle-class initiative, and essentially all regulations that protect our environment, safety or civil rights are the exclusive product of the Democrats.
15
Lets cut to the chase President Trump is doing exactly what Putin wants him to do - that create chaos, disrupt our treaties and relationship with our allies, further divide the country with his Lies and Fake News. This is NOT On the Job Training and a "learning curve" as the Republicans insist. If anyone believes this they are probably a part of the Trump base. The Republicans need to step up, speak out and either broker a deal and put Pence in or impeach Trump. Our country can not stand much more of his inane antics and TWEETs - For sure our allies are fed up with his antics and tweets. Angla Merkel has had to step up to become the leader. We are in a downward spiral with Trump as our leader.
16
If this administration has proven one thing, and one thing only, it's that complete incompetence and utter buffoonery can't sink the United States...at least not in six months. Here's hoping for an impeachment before the midterms.
6
Herr Trump is a classic case of arrested development.
He acts like a child, maybe a very immature adolescent.
Whatever is responsible for his inability to develop into a mature thoughtful adult, the way most of our leaders. regardless of political affiliation, appear to have achieved is irrelevant. The issue is that our president is destroying our day to day government as well as our international relationships.
At what point do we stop this freak show.
There are too many talented patriots in our country to allow this to go on much longer.
He acts like a child, maybe a very immature adolescent.
Whatever is responsible for his inability to develop into a mature thoughtful adult, the way most of our leaders. regardless of political affiliation, appear to have achieved is irrelevant. The issue is that our president is destroying our day to day government as well as our international relationships.
At what point do we stop this freak show.
There are too many talented patriots in our country to allow this to go on much longer.
4
I have seen some but not all Trump videos (I try to avoid them because they make me cringe) and have carefully examined photographs of Trump behavior and his facial expressions. After viewing the latest bunch (from May through early June), I recognized that his behavior and facial expressions reminded me of something I had seen before.
Trump's behavior problem: he resembles a two year old who is going through the terrible twos. Not all children have them. Some have them but eventually recover. (my son's terrible twos lasted six months). Then there are the people who, like Trump, never get over the terrible twos. My father in law is like that and has always been so. Trump is 70 years old; he is too old, at this point, to expect him to outgrow his terrible twos behavior.
Being around a toddler going through the terrible two is excruciating. One has to keep them at home all the time until they recover from the (hopefully) passing phase in order to avoid continual public embarrassment.
It must be very stressful in the White House for Trump's staff, stressful for the diplomatic professionals, stressful for Congress, and |*ì stressful for other world leaders, to cope with a grown adult perpetually stuck in the terrible twos. This presidency is not going to end well with an emotional two year old in the driver's seat.
Trump's behavior problem: he resembles a two year old who is going through the terrible twos. Not all children have them. Some have them but eventually recover. (my son's terrible twos lasted six months). Then there are the people who, like Trump, never get over the terrible twos. My father in law is like that and has always been so. Trump is 70 years old; he is too old, at this point, to expect him to outgrow his terrible twos behavior.
Being around a toddler going through the terrible two is excruciating. One has to keep them at home all the time until they recover from the (hopefully) passing phase in order to avoid continual public embarrassment.
It must be very stressful in the White House for Trump's staff, stressful for the diplomatic professionals, stressful for Congress, and |*ì stressful for other world leaders, to cope with a grown adult perpetually stuck in the terrible twos. This presidency is not going to end well with an emotional two year old in the driver's seat.
4
It has been suggested in several articles (and I believe it) that Trump has Frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Maybe it's time to make more fuss over this, stop targeting him (since he may not be able to help much of his behavior), and go after his enablers.
7
I don't think that is his medical problem.
I do think MNPD IS and although I am not a professional, I am highly qualified to recognize MNPD and he is the poster boy, epitome, and exact manifestation of it.
Several articles I have read, suggest that's the case.
It fits.
I do think MNPD IS and although I am not a professional, I am highly qualified to recognize MNPD and he is the poster boy, epitome, and exact manifestation of it.
Several articles I have read, suggest that's the case.
It fits.
1
Trump's tweets during Comey's testimony tomorrow are sure to be shameless and embarrassing. Ughh.
In most cases the buck stops at the top. In Trump's case if he did indeed accept accountability it would absolutely be stopping at the bottom. The bottom of the swamp where all the muck predators feed. Flawed shallow and ignorant persons often spend more time running from accountability than dealing with their issues. They are weak minded types with little regard for anything that doesn't paint them in the limelight. I have often wondered how Trumps minions manage to reckon with the loss of personal pride it takes to defend the top muck feeder. I personally could never lower myself or forsake my self esteem just to defend the defenseless. Oh well, their prob not mine.
3
Hey! I'm a Dixie. Don't put Sessions or Trump in the same sentence as me okay?
They need to go.
Every voter needs to tell his or her US Rep that either Trump loses his job or the Rep loses his or hers in 2018.
http://www.house.gov/htbin/findrep
They need to go.
Every voter needs to tell his or her US Rep that either Trump loses his job or the Rep loses his or hers in 2018.
http://www.house.gov/htbin/findrep
9
Trump almost makes Bush seem competent.
5
But look at the money he is saving the nation. Posts unfilled, benefits and wages unpaid.And we are surviving. Is this proof that the bureaucracy had grown too big and needed to be replaced by a few Fascists, businessmen, and cronies as well as a Royal Family? Or will the country implode losing it's leadership and stature in the world as a result? Don't touch that dial, we'll be back tomorrow, same batty time, same batty channel!
2
I thought that Mr Bruni was referring to Hillary Clinton
2
Every act, every statement, and every gesture from President Trump is a stain on the human race. He was sent here by Satan as an act of mercy, showing us that we need to prepare for the fact that we may not head into anything resembling a pleasant future after all.
7
One is put in mind of H.L. Mencken:
“As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
“As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
8
Democratically elected, he was given his dues. But the constitution and public opinion of human decency is closing in on the ridiculous Il Duce with his puffery and spite. America just may be stronger than Il Duce II
7
During my long haul in the corporate world, I had some pretty bad bosses, but two of them were memorably horrendous--I mean, a nervous break-down and a heart attack horrendous (not me--co-workers). It's a terrible situation to be in when you need your paycheck (and the higher-ups won't listen to you). I know there's a big difference between the private sector and public service--a difference in purpose, the public scrutiny, etc., but I wonder if my hell of working for a truly horrible boss is what Trump's people are experiencing? It certainly doesn't inspire the best work from people. But one thing that was true in both my situations, was that co-workers became very closely bonded and had each other's backs. Doesn't sound like this is happening in the Lord of the Flies White House. I would always say to my co-workers, all bad things must eventually end, and eventually they did.
7
It's been nearly 71 years now. Has Donald Trump ever taken responsibility for any of the countless failures during his long trail of destruction? Even once?
29
The Trump of the Celebrity Apprentice was the master, a truly organizational genius, the confident businessman who could quickly identify the most important factors needed for success and weaknesses which would doom to failure. Now we see the genius at work, and it's not someone who can manage a large and complex organization. He simply does not know how to do it. His reality show persona was a fiction. He's frustrated and he knows not how to get his head around the problem and to work the problem through to a solution, instead he whines and tries to blame others. When his top level advisors like Tillerson, McMasters, et al, who have succeeded well in demanding government and corporate jobs give him advice, he fails to take it. When his team gets behind him and communicates the message which he gave them, he may publically contradict or dismiss what they say -- undermining their credibility and making them wonder whether he's going to do it again and so make them uncertain about anything that he asks of them. This is a man who does not have a calm mind nor a sense of what is going on so that he can calm his mind.
11
"Lord of the Flies"--perfect! Read it in tenth grade, never realized how relevant it would be someday.
9
"Trump’s quickness to deflect blame, readiness to designate scapegoats, unpredictable tirades and stinginess with the loyalty that he demands from others aren’t just character flaws. They’re serious and quite possibly insurmountable obstacles to governing."
The question came up before he was elected... there's no longer any doubt that Trump would run the government like he ran his campaign.
The question came up before he was elected... there's no longer any doubt that Trump would run the government like he ran his campaign.
11
Instead of analyzing Trump's inadequacies, his pathological inability to hear anything else than his own twisted thoughts, and his insane tweets, the Democratic party needs to get its act together and energetically pounce on the Republican candidates running for governor, the Senate, and the House. The Republican Party is outfoxing the Democrats with its corporate contributions and control of the narrative (Montana...). We need a return to Tip O'Neil's "All politics is local" in order to deal with the gerrymandered districts that enable Republican control of Congress. As convincing as this argument is, all of us, who have despaired of Trump's election and work to resist it, read the news and we know all of this. Let's get out of the funk and get to work.
48
Not only is Trump never to blame, neither are his children. Eric, the hapless Fredo Corleone figure, just said that those who criticize his father are "not even people," which gives you an idea of the humanity these kids were taught by daddy.
43
Indeed, the old axioms apply: "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree";
"As the twig is bent, so goes the tree".
Let's hope the future Trump generations don't share the same degenerate DNA
and can compensate for their past generational history.
"As the twig is bent, so goes the tree".
Let's hope the future Trump generations don't share the same degenerate DNA
and can compensate for their past generational history.
4
DT reminds me of what my mom used to say about handling "difficult people". She would say tell them to do the opposite of what you want and they'll end up doing exactly what you want. Perhaps that's a new way to manage this poor excuse for a leader til his impeachment
16
Shall we talk about who IS to blame? The millions of people across the country who cast their corrupt vote for the Charlatan-in-Chief? Shall we start with West Virginia, the worst culprit in percentage terms, and work our way through Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Mississippi et. al.? Not enough time has been spent on these "fellow Americans" I hear live under various types of rocks who, this past election cycle, crawled out long enough to corrupt our political process and put the fate of the world into the hands of someone totally capable.......of destroying it.
43
Who's to blame? Comey, Putin, the news media, Hillary? How about the Jill Stein voters, Bernie or busters, or the "progressives" who just couldn't vote for Hillary? If they hadn't bought the Republican (and Russian) propaganda, with a little help from Bernie, we wouldn't be going through this nightmare. Thanks for "saving us" from the "evil" woman.
38
We won't have to wait 500 years for idiocracy to come to America. The republic may be collapsing but we've got electrolytes!
7
Donald Trump is a black hole.
The only way to be safe is to stay far enough away. James Comey recognized that. He is a big man. The rest of them, Huckabee, Spicer, Conway, Bannon, etc., are little people in a big place. They are lost. They don't know what to do, so they'll just keep throwing things against the wall and hope they stick.
There is no strategy, no design, no forethought and no communication. This is the essence of Trump, and why his existence is such a disaster for those who did not know enough to stay far enough away from the black hole.
The only way to be safe is to stay far enough away. James Comey recognized that. He is a big man. The rest of them, Huckabee, Spicer, Conway, Bannon, etc., are little people in a big place. They are lost. They don't know what to do, so they'll just keep throwing things against the wall and hope they stick.
There is no strategy, no design, no forethought and no communication. This is the essence of Trump, and why his existence is such a disaster for those who did not know enough to stay far enough away from the black hole.
36
The reason Trump blames others is because what he know's about governing couldn't fill a thimble. And the GOP are morally bankrupt so he fit's right in. As I've said before, in 2018, the mainstream Republican voter who voted the ticket, Trump just happened to be on it, warned their elected representatives, they didn't heed the sound of their own constituency. I'm hoping that this wakes (though I'm not holding my breath) up the public to the fact that our political system is so corrupt that those in power will do whatever it takes, say whatever needs to be said, take whatever they want whenever they want to. All we can do is vote them out make examples of them the rest will fall in line out of fear of losing that seat their butts have become accustomed to.
14
Come on! Let's be honest. The dude would throw his mother under the bus before he admitted culpability on anything.
43
Always wondered about the Mom. She sent him away to reform school when he was 13 and tried to forget about him.
2
As a Yank that was living down under during the years of Abbott I had not thought of this analogy but spot on mate! Can you believe my luck I returned to the states literally on the morning after the election, I spent Election Day winging from Sydney to L.A. Only to find out in customs what had occurred. I remember thinking I need to boomerang back down under quickly. With an Aussie partner at least I have that option.
9
Nailed it! That's our esteemed leader, the paragon of (no) virtues and legend in his own mind. Well done.
14
Donald Trump is always to blame.
TTP would allow corporations to sue national governments if the corp. believed they do not want to abide by the laws of that nation.
Obama supported the TTP with this included. It is his ultimate act of corruption to do so.
To state this as simply as I can I offer you this; Corporation and militaristic countries with authoritarian leaders want to take over the world and control the natural resources and the human beings on this Earth. They want to do this and they are on their way to accomplish this without massive intervention.
This are the leaders and the countries that Trump favor and support.
The Human Beings of the world have a choice: allow the current corporate/militaristic/authoritarian destructors stay in place, including Trump, or decide to support our financial/economic systems support the ending of violence as the way of the world and share our natural resources and intelligence and technology to allow the Planet and human beings survive for millenniums.
The way of nationalism is dead.
TTP would allow corporations to sue national governments if the corp. believed they do not want to abide by the laws of that nation.
Obama supported the TTP with this included. It is his ultimate act of corruption to do so.
To state this as simply as I can I offer you this; Corporation and militaristic countries with authoritarian leaders want to take over the world and control the natural resources and the human beings on this Earth. They want to do this and they are on their way to accomplish this without massive intervention.
This are the leaders and the countries that Trump favor and support.
The Human Beings of the world have a choice: allow the current corporate/militaristic/authoritarian destructors stay in place, including Trump, or decide to support our financial/economic systems support the ending of violence as the way of the world and share our natural resources and intelligence and technology to allow the Planet and human beings survive for millenniums.
The way of nationalism is dead.
5
Bravo!
3
.....well. how can Trump possibly be blamed for accusations that have not one shred of evidence to back them up?....that would be kind of stupid. So far you guys have just thrown whatever made up accusations you can think of against a wall, hoping that one of them will stick. Get over it - You Lost. Trump Won.
And i do believe that you have lost - you just haven't connected the dots yet to realize it.
19
Is that the best argument you can come up with. Leave it to someone that cannot form a valid argument to say, like a five year old, we won you lost. Keep in mind whatever Trump and the GOP do, in terms of taxes, jobs, (that aren't coming back) and the economy will negatively effect you as well. Whats more stupid, is to ignore the obvious and pretend that the opposite is true. It's true that one piece one piece of circumstantial evidence has no value, until a chain of circumstantial evidence is looked at in its totality. That chain exists, when a President, asks the director of the F.B.I. to stop an investigation, (courts have long accepted handwritten documents of a phone call or conversation, as evidence that a conversation took place). Comey was well aware of that fact.
You are looking though the wrong end of the telescope so everything seems small and insignificant, except it isn't small, and it isn't insignificant.
You are looking though the wrong end of the telescope so everything seems small and insignificant, except it isn't small, and it isn't insignificant.
23
Speaking of trails of circumstantial evidence and patterns of behaviour: Keith Olderman put together last week a short list of 40 Shady Things We Now Know About a Trump and Russia. That was last week, before we even knew about Trump asking two other security directors to pressure the FBI to stop investigating and other (now daily) dropping shoes. To insist there is nothing to see, has for a long time been wilful blindness, at this point though, I doubt such people would ask questions if they knew Trump had definitely colluded. The fact that he and his men are more hopelessly compromised regarding Russia than Flynn was, seems not to bother these people. I'm not sure how much it is pro-Trump than it is anti anti-Trump - because any world leader potentially compromised by even a friendly other world leader would be recognised as a problem.
The fact the entire world is screaming at you that you have a major problem, one would think, might make them reconsider the whole "They wanted Clinton to win so much they are making things up about Trump" line. The world does not care who you elect as president that much. Just that you don't endanger the rest of us.
You continue to do so.
The fact the entire world is screaming at you that you have a major problem, one would think, might make them reconsider the whole "They wanted Clinton to win so much they are making things up about Trump" line. The world does not care who you elect as president that much. Just that you don't endanger the rest of us.
You continue to do so.
13
With its would-be mini-Caligula on his golden throne, some questions remain:
When will "our" crazed and depraved president appoint his golf cart as senator?
Where is the Praetorian Guard when we really need them?
When will "our" crazed and depraved president appoint his golf cart as senator?
Where is the Praetorian Guard when we really need them?
7
"Where is the Praetorian Guard when we really need them?"
At Blackwater (owned by his brother-in-law)?
At Blackwater (owned by his brother-in-law)?
That title ,"Donald Trump Is Never to Blame," is the norm in America for the last 40 years. Before that, kids at school, those charge with a crime were to blame, and now no one is to blame, as a scapegoat always exists, whether age and too young to know something is illegal, to those on substances who can't be held responsible for their behavior, and now, politicians have immunity just because they are immune from prosecution, bad and dishonest businesspersons use bankruptcy to stiff their lenders and venders, and those committing fraud, get a tap on the hand, and, oh, government employees that steal from the government get bonuses, as no one can be fired. So society has created the culture that has brought us to this point and time in history. The halls of academia actually decided in their ivory towers far from reality how to fix everyone and all of societies ills, only it is 10 times worse than it was 40 years ago, and no one is to blame, and everyone gets a pacifier.
4
Will our country, our world, survive this, albeit weakened? Probably.
Will his misguided supporters finally see the light? Probably not.
Will his misguided supporters finally see the light? Probably not.
15
Ultimately it is the voters who refused to see ET for what he was and what he was not. 45 will never take responsibility for his actions. He was and continues to be a con man. He was and continues to be a narcissistic sexual predator with no regard for anything or anyone who does not serve to feed his ego. He was not prepared to do the job. He was not able to ever provide any serious policy proposals at any point in time beyond adjectives that included, "greatest", "most", "the best", "winning", etc. Ultimately it is the lawmakers and leadership who support and enable him to run roughshod over the people of this nation who need him to lead with dignity and honor who need to honor their oath to the Constitution and it's protection. In the end it is up to us to vote our way out of this mess that we voted our way into it.
6
Congratulations! Or where have your heads beens stuck in America?! Take your pick.
I am appalled by the misplaced concern for Trump's kids. Does Trump have even the slightest worry about the minor children of desperate immigrants that he wants to ban? Or the minor children of families that will lose their health care under his hand? Or the minor children in schools that will be destroyed by De Vos? Or the minor children that will breathe poisonous air that Trump's climate ignorance will bring to the planet? Please...spare us that hypocrisy.
17
Our long national nightmare, Trump presidency.
7
My compliments Mr. Bruni.
7
And the minions in the Republican party, Trump's cult-like fan club and FOX News continue to adore and fully support him with the implicit attitude: "Our team is in power and that's all that matters." The health of our country, our democracy, our morals, ethics or standing and influence in the world, secondary.
12
This story is based on "alternate facts". How do you write a story about inept subordinates without at least a paragraph on Kellyanne Conway. Even her husband, George, turned down an Assistant Attorney General slot last Friday.
Speaking of not wanting to join the team, I keep the following link in my bookmarks bar... https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/trump-administration-ap... Check it out to see how the Whitehouse is doing on finding applicants for their openings.
Speaking of not wanting to join the team, I keep the following link in my bookmarks bar... https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/trump-administration-ap... Check it out to see how the Whitehouse is doing on finding applicants for their openings.
1
Anyone who has been following the events and results from the wreckage being left in Trump's wake must surely agree, Frank Bruni's article is spot on. A more accurate description of our current "administration" would be hard to achieve.
7
love this! Donald in a Dixie Cup!
4
Authority without responsibility is a recipe for tyranny.
Responsibility without authority is a recipe to drive men mad.
This is the kernel of what is the nature of Mr. Trump's imbalance. He is the embodiment of the Dunning-Kruger effect with anosognosia, the inability to see one's faults, with the narcissist's need for others to love him or else.
This will not end well.
Responsibility without authority is a recipe to drive men mad.
This is the kernel of what is the nature of Mr. Trump's imbalance. He is the embodiment of the Dunning-Kruger effect with anosognosia, the inability to see one's faults, with the narcissist's need for others to love him or else.
This will not end well.
9
I'm second to none in disliking, disdaining and despising Donald.
But lay off Barron, he's 10 years old. Nothing is his fault.
But lay off Barron, he's 10 years old. Nothing is his fault.
9
That's the point. The mention of Barron is sarcastic and aims to ridicule just how far Daddy Trump is prepared to go to avoid responsibility
11
I agree with laying off on Barron--poor kid-- but in this case I think Bruni is just making the point that Donald would blame anyone but himself, even his own youngest kid.
7
Lighten up Francis, it's a joke!
4
"By many accounts, the atmosphere in the White House is one part high school cafeteria, two parts “Lord of the Flies.”"
Why should the White House be any different from the rest of the world?
The White House is, after all, the "People's House", built by slaves.
Why should the White House be any different from the rest of the world?
The White House is, after all, the "People's House", built by slaves.
1
Just this morning, I posted a new article from Forbes Magazine, "How Donald Trump Shifted Kids-Cancer Charity Money Into His Business." Here is the exact verbatim response it attracted within minutes:
"Fake news ! People are so obsessed to try to make our president and his family look bad , He will go down in history as one of the best! Honest and sincere. He wants the best for America !!"
What can you say to that - especially when you multiply such magical thinking by 1/3 of the country? Disinformation has done incredible damage in this country. Is it irreparable? I don't know, but I shudder to think about it.
"Fake news ! People are so obsessed to try to make our president and his family look bad , He will go down in history as one of the best! Honest and sincere. He wants the best for America !!"
What can you say to that - especially when you multiply such magical thinking by 1/3 of the country? Disinformation has done incredible damage in this country. Is it irreparable? I don't know, but I shudder to think about it.
27
And despite his many failures Obama took the blame for exactly none of them. So what's your point?
1
AH! The Trump supporter's first line of defense -- His classic retort to everything.
"What about ____?"
fill in with any of the following: Democrats; Clinton; Obama.
"What about ____?"
fill in with any of the following: Democrats; Clinton; Obama.
14
Please enumerate the "failures" that were not the result of obstruction by Congress, and show us examples of when Obama laid blame on others for issues that were clearly his own fault.
I'll wait while you consult the Fox News website.
I'll wait while you consult the Fox News website.
3
The lies, the incompetence, the treachery and definitely the throwing of aides and staff under the bus will be "unpresidentiated". The orange one has set the bar so low that not even a snake could slither under it.
10
I completely agree with you and am appalled by what is happening to our country, BUT--- please leave Barron out of it. He's an innocent 11-year-old kid who has a hard enough row to how with DT as his father.
5
Could the last person to leave the White House please turn the lights out.
And remember to take out the trash.
In the meantime, do you have a machine to block outgoing tweets?
Much appreciated.
And remember to take out the trash.
In the meantime, do you have a machine to block outgoing tweets?
Much appreciated.
4
We can vent all we like- it is good for our mental health in these trying times, but what will count is getting out the vote in 2018 so we can throw the treasonous Republicans out of office for aiding and abetting the worst enemy of the United States: Donald Trump. After the 2018 election that hopefully changes the majority in Congress, we can impeach Trump. Until then, the GOP will protect Trump in every way possible. Russiagate, constant lies, incompetence beyond imagination, the trashing of our reputation in the world: the Republican Party couldn't care less. They are in a pig's heaven with Trump.
14
Leave the minor children out of it. Not cool
3
Mir. Bruni, will you please stop making me laugh so hard while the Trump dictatorship hurtles towards self-implosion? I mean, seriously, it's not that funny.
Well, maybe a little.
Well, maybe a little.
5
The “privilege” of power is that, unlike the rest of us, when a stranger asks them, “Hey, how’re you doing today?”, it will be a newspaper or magazine reporter, who actually *wants* to know how they’re doing. But all brooding about one’s daily vicissitudes will soon be yesterday’s news. Media get their story, and they’re the only ones who get anything out of other people’s normal stresses.
1
Mr. Adelman,
Great comments on a superb (as usual) Bruni column. Someone should write a book, "Governing for Dummies" and send it to Trump.
Great comments on a superb (as usual) Bruni column. Someone should write a book, "Governing for Dummies" and send it to Trump.
3
Who can doubt that the "historic" trip abroad, the rejection of the Paris climate accords, and the rhetoric that accompanied them are the products of a resurgent Steve Bannon? There's no longer any pretense of developing and implementing coherent policy, whether one agrees with it or not; just destruction and deconstruction. Looking desperately for a ray of light, can we grasp Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback's comeuppance, with conservatives in the state legislature joining in to override his veto of a tax increase? But, is this gonna take six years, like in Kansas?
11
Not a lot of candidates low enough to walk under a door with a hat on. Sad.
6
The one exception to Trump's tired "you're fired" line (this is reality
T.V. right?) is the spectral Steve Bannon.
Says it all.
T.V. right?) is the spectral Steve Bannon.
Says it all.
9
"Trump wins presidency" will some day (soon) be considered the equivalent of "Challenger you are go at throttle up."
11
Too soon.
1
Sessions wants to turn back the clock and go back to 3 strikes and you're prison for the rest of your life and filling the prison's with non violent drug offenders. I would love to see Sessions walking out the door for the last time. Trump has made turmoil the norm. He is combative and never wrong. He is never at a loss for an inflammatory baseless assertion. Which he tweets compulsively.
9
And- how will Democrats use this gift to fight its way back to a Congressional majority? Yawn. They won't.
2
"Donald Trump Is Never to Blame"
Bruni has stumbled across the truth.
Trump can't help doing what he does because that's how God made him. It's not his fault that he's a big Shmendrik.
Bruni has stumbled across the truth.
Trump can't help doing what he does because that's how God made him. It's not his fault that he's a big Shmendrik.
2
Please don't blame God for that. S/he gave us the gift of free will.
6
Brilliant writing. Thank you. Only serious item not mentioned is Trump's horrid Middle East performance, one out of a Fellini movie, which is now threatening to ignite a far more serious war than the one imagined in the Korean peninsula.
8
And as our Republic falls into disarray because we have an ignorant, 12 yo, self centered and spoiled bully in charge, the other adults in the room either tell "Donny", "your the best" and 'you are right, this is everyone esles fault"... this so reminds me of the Twilight Zone episode where the little boy has the power to harm and kill the whole town by wishing them into oblivian or worse. All of the adults are in fear and cater to his every whim to avoid his wrath... The adults in our town should be ashamed of themselves, The longer this goes on, the harder it gets to defend him with any real dignity and honor. We are paralyzed as a country and vulnerable due to ET's actions and inabilities. I pray that the midterms and the special counsel in place help us rid ourselves of these people who put us in danger through lack of courage or willingness to serve the people and our constitution. By now everybody knows where "Donny" stands. We have a full blown crisis of confidence and our Republic is in the hands of people who have proven themselves not to have any place holding it.
9
In all fairness, on some level an individual with significant mental health illnesses
should not be held accountable.
should not be held accountable.
3
and?...............should not be in the Oval Office?
8
... and should not be president either.
9
One of the supreme ironies of the trump administration is that, for all his bleating about business acumen and his appointments of ExxonMobil and Goldman Sachs executives to important positions, neither the Exxon or Goldman board nor the board of any major corporation would for a moment even consider hiring trump as CEO. Yet the GOP is OK with trump as America's CEO.
And it is America's stock -- and more -- that is now tanking.
And it is America's stock -- and more -- that is now tanking.
31
Brit: "Keep calm and carry on."
Trump: "Pour gasoline on your head and then light it on fire...and then find some new people to try the same thing while I dance around the ashes."
Trump: "Pour gasoline on your head and then light it on fire...and then find some new people to try the same thing while I dance around the ashes."
17
Trump thinks that admitting to any failure to fulfill his expressed intentions will result in a loss of control over his ability to succeed, so he must frame any disappoints in a context which implies that corrections can be made that are simple to implement. That means it's not the complexities of a legal system or the well considered risks that are discouraging legislative support which blocks his attempts to fulfill his campaign promises like the replacement of "Obama Care" or enforcement of his order to restrict refugees, etc., from certain Muslim majority countries. Instead, it's individuals who either are blocking him or are failing to do their jobs. Then the solutions are easy, defeat the Democrats at the polls and replace the members of his administration who aren't fulfilling their obligations. The health care problem is not Trump's fault, but his proposed solution would have worse outcomes than the one it would replace. The promise to keep out Muslims to prevent terrorists from sneaking in amongst them is exactly what his executive order intended but it's not enforceable because it contradicts legal precedents. Again his proposed solution is not an improvement but brings in a lot of unacceptable side effects. He turns mistakes due to his lack of understanding of our government into some kind of conspiracy to impede him because that is easier to assure constituents he can fix it than that he's ignorant and needs time to become informed.
2
The ever worsening situation with our Tsar Trrrump the Terrrible or Donald the Deluuusional, inspires Bruni to feats of imaginative, clever writing, That at least gives us some enjoyment in these depressing times.
How long can the Trump aides sacrifice their reputations and futures by hanging on, no matter what? Seems 4 law firms turned down his business. They want to protect themselves.
Any aides in the White House now have to be total true believers in the Trump cult to even go to work there every day.
How long can the Trump aides sacrifice their reputations and futures by hanging on, no matter what? Seems 4 law firms turned down his business. They want to protect themselves.
Any aides in the White House now have to be total true believers in the Trump cult to even go to work there every day.
9
What is baffling to me is that, according to recent polling, some 80 percent of Republicans approve of what Trump is doing. Can someone please explain this in rational terms???
10
They respond more than once and inflate the numbers.
1
It is unfortunately simple: the majority of Republicans want nothing but the kayfabe reality-show Trump gives them. For many the gratification is vicarious identification: watching Trump play the mean Richie Rich with id unleashed, groping and all. For others it's the revenge against those hated libruls: "splodey heads 'splode."
Trump's power is that nobody expects him to do anything good at all. Privately almost every Trump supporter will tell you he's awful ... and without a breath go into how angry they are about Obama, Hillary ... yada yada.
What's tragic is that nobody on the right can imagine an intelligent principled conservative, a decent human being, winning their vote for President.
Trump's power is that nobody expects him to do anything good at all. Privately almost every Trump supporter will tell you he's awful ... and without a breath go into how angry they are about Obama, Hillary ... yada yada.
What's tragic is that nobody on the right can imagine an intelligent principled conservative, a decent human being, winning their vote for President.
In rational terms? No.
2
Column's such as Bruni's are now part of a journalistic genre: how many ways can we say that Trump is an unhinged narcissist, and then list his most recent acts of insanity and incompetence.
I imagine I'm not the only reader who is a bit weary of reading think pieces that plow the same ground.
Most thinking people are fully convinced that our president is in multiple ways unfit to serve.
So, let's turn our thinking and assessments to what can be done to resolve the White House crisis.
Be sure this will be a very difficult task, because Trump is protected by a phalanx of Republican enablers, who put party before nation.
Unless there's impeachment or invocation of the 25th Amendment on the horizon, we are all in for relentless degradation of our democratic institutions and traditions.
Donald Trump is a clear and present danger. Where are the patriots?
I imagine I'm not the only reader who is a bit weary of reading think pieces that plow the same ground.
Most thinking people are fully convinced that our president is in multiple ways unfit to serve.
So, let's turn our thinking and assessments to what can be done to resolve the White House crisis.
Be sure this will be a very difficult task, because Trump is protected by a phalanx of Republican enablers, who put party before nation.
Unless there's impeachment or invocation of the 25th Amendment on the horizon, we are all in for relentless degradation of our democratic institutions and traditions.
Donald Trump is a clear and present danger. Where are the patriots?
13
You are entirely right. Trump bashing has become an international competitive pastime, and we all want to vent our feelings, but it is time to move on from the problem to the solution. I am not erudite enough to offer any grand ideas but someone (or some group) out there should be able to come up with a comprehensive plan to save the nation from despotism.
3
I remember a time when all the debate moderators and mainstream media types were all hung up on whether President Trump would accept the election outcome when he lost. Pot, kettle, black?
2
Almost 63 Million Americans voted for an America First (code- White people first) platform by a crock and miscrean; completely unlike themselves except the pigment. Most will go to their graves refusing to acknowledge this. Well- Donald Trump certainly is intent on putting his type of America first- and it does not include you. However- the rest of us who actually believed it was worthy to vote for an experienced politician who would hold the top Political Position in the nation are suffering from the delusion. In fact- the globe is now suffering from 63 Million delusions of November 8, 2016.
11
Wow! Absolutely blistering column Mr. Bruni! The sound you hear is me standing on my office chair, giving you a standing ovation! "Donald in a Dixie Cup!" Brilliant!
6
For those of you who haven't seen this before (and it's never been more appropriate)...
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
10
Mr. Bruni,
I am confident that rule of law will prevail, sooner rather than later, and as a result Mr. Trump will be out of office. I do not think even those in the GOP functioning as his 'vassals' will manage to subvert great respect for rule of law.
That is where other perhaps more serious problems will begin. First, Trump will blame everyone except himself. Go on a Twitter rampage. There will be more than polarization, possibly some isolated acts of violence. Second, the non-press will have a field day, e.g., Breitbart.
In preparation for this near certainty, how can respect for the actual press be somewhat restored? That, it seems to me, is the task before the US press and others. It will be as difficult as it is necessary.
I am confident that rule of law will prevail, sooner rather than later, and as a result Mr. Trump will be out of office. I do not think even those in the GOP functioning as his 'vassals' will manage to subvert great respect for rule of law.
That is where other perhaps more serious problems will begin. First, Trump will blame everyone except himself. Go on a Twitter rampage. There will be more than polarization, possibly some isolated acts of violence. Second, the non-press will have a field day, e.g., Breitbart.
In preparation for this near certainty, how can respect for the actual press be somewhat restored? That, it seems to me, is the task before the US press and others. It will be as difficult as it is necessary.
5
Best line that I heard in news reporting yesterday was about four top tier law firms with extensive government experience turned down the opportunity to represent Donald Trump, defending him against the myriad possible charges like obstruction of justice, colluding with Russia or impeachment etc. because "He will not listen to their advice, and he will not pay for his legal fees."
23
I guess I will never understand comments about the travel ban such as " based on a foundation of bigotry" Who are our sworn enemies? They are radical Muslims. They have been very clear that they want Christians and Jews dead. They want Sharia law over the entire world. So if it is a religious faction that is our enemy why would we not try to weed out immigrants who might be part of this group? Remember, pre Trump, the FBI said that they could not adequately screen this coming into our country from some of the countries that are part of the Trump ban. The countries have no databases which can be consulted for criminal behavior, none. There is no way to do legitimate background checks. We then need to rely on interviews with the people seeking to come here. Now some of you I am sure believe that the potential immigrants who are believers in radical Islam would never lie, but that is simply not the case. I understand that this creates hardship for many who are not a threat, but I watched the Twin Towers come down and I don't ever want to see that again.
The man who blew up the federal building here was a white vet who didn't like government. So he killed 168 men, women and children and considered himself a hero. Your idea that you can tell who's going to do harm by geography is false. More people since 9/11 have died by white right-wing terrorists than by Muslims, although their depredations are not so publicized and decried. I know people from Iran and Iraq, and they don't want terrorism; their countrymen had zero to do with 9/11. That was the Saudis, Trump's newest best friends, who are not on the travel ban list; Bin Laden was Saudi; his backers were Saudi, 15 or the 19 terrorist on 9/11 were Saudi. And your "protector" Trump stood with the Saudi king with their hands on a glowing globe and grinned at each other in front of cameras. Make of that what you will. What you cannot make is a sane case for Trump's absurd travel ban.
15
Really, the fact that others than Muslims have committed terrorist acts is scarcely a reason not to be vigilant against those who have sworn to destroy us. You make a false argument. I am sure many in Iran and Iraq don't want terrorism. So what? There are many who do. Iran according to many, many published reports is the primary funder of terrorism. There are large numbers who want Sharia law, even in this country. France, England and Belgium have been soft on immigration and look where that has gotten them.
Al, Saudi Arabia is far and away the primary sponsor of terrorism worldwide. The ruling family has financed the spread of radical Islam throughout the world. Saudis have attacked us. Iranians have not, not one. You ignore these facts because Trump wants to be buddies with the dictators that rule Saudi Arabia. He likes them, for whatever reasons he has. The oil companies like them. In fact, Bush was buddies with the Bin Ladens and flew them out of the US on 9/11 so they wouldn't be questioned about their brother's heinous acts. You are falling for a con job, not seeing who has plainly committed terrorism and blaming others. Even then, it would be wrong to blame every Saudi. Wrong to blame every white man for McVeigh or Roof, too; maybe you can see it when I put it like that.
10
It's tragic when you start thinking that the days of Nixon might look better than the days of Trump.
12
Yes. I was pretty young at that time (in college), but what I recall was that once Nixon started going down, there wasn't a lot of support for him. Everyone was pretty much appalled. Am I remembering correctly? I wonder if this will happen with Trump as time goes on. Kinda don't think so.
1
Well, at 70, Trump is a grownup, so he is to blame. Unless he's demented, which is possible. But then, why should he be accountable for accepting responsibility for his actions now, when he has never been? This is an assault on Rule of Law. He doesn't seem to care about being President other than to find ways to enrich himself and make headlines. You know, the old Hollywood adage: "it doesn't matter what they are saying, just as long as it's something". And he has some awful people around him who are just as interested in enriching themselves either politically and/or financially. And of course, there is our lovely legislative branch, who seem to support this mayhem. When will this chaos stop? When he's strongman pseudo Putin, when the rest of government says, enough is enough, or when the American people finally get disgusted enough and say enough is enough? This is not reality TV.
3
Anybody working longer than 3 months for Trump has destroyed their career. They come across as weak individuals, brown-nooses, fearful, needing the money. Their only second change in life will be to join some Saturday Night program and allow to be beaten up by kids from foreign countries.
3
Both journalists and biographers have identified Trump's so called management style which is to make a mess and then scream at other people, usually lawyers, to clean it up. Look at the disaster with the casinos, Trump university etc. It was reality show nonsense that Trump ever had any business acumen whatsoever. Unfortunately being President requires more than just bluster and bullying skills.
7
Great column Mr Bruni. Please write one about Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan after that. The buffoonery is not limited to the Offal Office but to the legislative branch of the Federal Govt as well. I feel like someone watching the last battlement hold against the advancing army while the first two have been breached.
17
Yes - Long as Trunp has the 30% screaming at his rallies Mitch and Paul will remain, smiling cutouts watching the disaster and hoping somehow they will not be implicated ...
6
The problem begins with a significant number of members in the electorate have not paid attention to the chump-in-chief's very public life. Trump is a carnie-hack, a good one mind you, but a hack nonetheless. He lacks moral, values, and courage; we will get nothing but headache and heartache from this administration until he is impeached and Pence is voted out in 2020.
Hopefully, real evidence will arise that will force the House to grow a backbone and execute their duty as written into the System of Checks and Balances by the Founders of this Great Nation.
Finally, "We the People" need to hold him accountable. Visit the White House Website and send messages, weekly or daily depending on your position and state of mind. The most of us who actually communicate this way the louder, clearer, and more effective our voice! Consider this: evidence of High Crimes and Misdemeanors not being found means to remove him from office, "We the People" have to force him to resign and tens of millions of communications a week that do not praise him but criticize him could result in him resigning so he can go away to sulk like the spoiled brat and characterless twit that he is!
Hopefully, real evidence will arise that will force the House to grow a backbone and execute their duty as written into the System of Checks and Balances by the Founders of this Great Nation.
Finally, "We the People" need to hold him accountable. Visit the White House Website and send messages, weekly or daily depending on your position and state of mind. The most of us who actually communicate this way the louder, clearer, and more effective our voice! Consider this: evidence of High Crimes and Misdemeanors not being found means to remove him from office, "We the People" have to force him to resign and tens of millions of communications a week that do not praise him but criticize him could result in him resigning so he can go away to sulk like the spoiled brat and characterless twit that he is!
96
Help, where do we(I) send a communication to criticize him? I send all sorts of communications but never am sure if they hit a bulls eye. I email/phone my senators about 4 times a week. I need to know where to complain.
"...quickness to deflect blame, readiness to designate scapegoats, unpredictable tirades and stinginess with the loyalty that he demands from others aren’t just character flaws. They’re serious and [ quite possibly] insurmountable obstacles to governing."
Why make a declarative statement then end it by hedging? What more evidence is needed to concluded everything about Donald Trump- is an insurmountable obstacle to *governing*?
Why make a declarative statement then end it by hedging? What more evidence is needed to concluded everything about Donald Trump- is an insurmountable obstacle to *governing*?
2
Trump must always appear to win even when he does not. Yes, Trump has not nominated the people who his administration needs to take control of the ship of state and to direct it according to his vision. It does seem that his failure to work with his people has created a lack of confidence among them that they can faithfully represent his intentions and thus able to act effectively on his behalf has become public and many who might have welcomed positions in his administration are reluctant to do so, now. Trump seems not to have the sense of his own capacities and limitations which would enable him to understand where he needs help and where he does not with a good deal of success. Everyone is wondering about it except for those who still rely upon their blind faith that he's somehow smarter than everyone else. Is his ego so fragile that he cannot allow himself to be seen as seeking help from others, nor even to secretly seek it out, and rely upon it or is he having little success at getting his mind around his responsibilities as President? We don't know but it's clear that the trajectory of his administration's performance is headed for some kind of uncoordinated and chaotic state where some departments act decisively and independently of the Chief Executive and others just gradually become dysfunctional as the lack of leadership in them causes them to stall.
3
My two year old grandson is also never to blame.
10
Nothing like rage to inspire great writing.
2
Should note that Dixie cups are made by Koch Industries.
Just sayin'.
Just sayin'.
12
The minimalist performance as described in the article would be sufficient to have any employee in the REAL WORLD terminated unceremoniously, YET the most important job of our country, the President's, his performance obvious and grossly disappointing at best is not enough to fire him, impeach him, dismiss him. We have to go through the turmoil, expenses, stress, terror of having to live through his serious defects, unquestioned incompetence before anything could (maybe) be done to get rid of him. Trump is IRRESPONSIBILITY, INCOMPETENCE AND INSANITY IN THE UTMOST DEGREE. He is a disgrace and threat to America and the world. SAD!
8
Mr. Trump drained the swamp and turned it into a cesspool.
11
Trump and the people around him have never exhibited or will ever show any profiles in courage. It all about them all the time. The proverbial buck never stops with Trump and it always passes through him to someone else. President Trump (an oxymoronic statement) doesn't understand how to govern and what is legal and what is not. Trump is used to pushing around NYC politicians and getting his way. That is not how it works when you are President. Everyone is watching or willing to report (leak) his private nonsense. Jeff Sessions, is just some racist from Alabama who would have never been elected senator or anything else if came from a state where education was a priority. What a joke on this country to have Sessions as attorney general and Trump as president. The world is watching and shaking its collective head at what's going on in this great country.
14
this stopped being a great country in 1981 when we left the severely mentally ill to fend for themselves on our streets.
2
Some part of America wanted to try, for whatever combination of reasons, a totally different kind of president. This time it would be someone untested in public office, a serial bankrupt who had stiffed his creditors, contractors, employees, and attorneys, who was also a scam artist, a groper of women, and a pathological liar. It's an unusual experiment for a country to run. The predictable result was going to be to blow everything up. That's happening. By the time Donald Trump leaves office, the harm he will have inflicted on America and the world, will be historic. Probably in that respect he will be truly exceptional. Hopefully, if people can learn at all from experience, Americans will be chastened by this one.
14
I am quite surprised that this appears to be considered a new revelation to......America. This behavior is actually rather common in the construction industry and really,systemic in American business in general. From where Trump comes, this is S.O.P. ( STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE). Autocracy thrives in American business and,in particulsr, the construction business. Taking blame costs money....never apologoze....it is ALWAYS the other guy's fault. The ripple effect...another's mistake becomes someone else's problem. This is the animal we elected....the only surprise is the collective naivete of the American people.
8
Thanks for the chortle.
3
You had me until you brought Trump's son Barron into the article. As a child he has no bearing or culpability on Trump as a businessman or as the President. While I totally understand your point, I think it is the kind of statement that causes the President to lash out at the media and I have to say I wouldn't blame him if he did in this situation.
Barron is a kid, he can be left out of any and all political observations or discussions involving this administration.
Barron is a kid, he can be left out of any and all political observations or discussions involving this administration.
3
I took Mr. Bruni to mean that Trump is so self-centered and blind to his own flaws that even an innocent child is not safe. (I did not read the sentence as a slam on the child at all.)
The president opened that door, any mention of his son started with him.
1
I think you misread the article. There is no reference to Barron Trump. There is a reference to "princeling of a son-in-law:" Jared Kushner.
2
As someone from "Dairyland" who speaks with a Wisconsin accent I would make the following point. Being from Dixieland and speaking with a "Southern" accent should not be used to blame someone. By insulting Southerners, albeit tangentially, Bruni has gerrymandered a large swath of Southerners who will greatly resent this, and vote for anyone and anything that Bruni supports, as they have pride in how they speak and where they were born. Two things that they can't help or control.
2
I lived and worked in the South for over 20 years, and I, for one, completely agree with Bruni's characterization of this man who makes all Southerners seem lessened.
5
This administration is much like Uber's management style in that they have a frat-boy mentality of flaunting the rules to get what they want. Tweek this, lie here, put something in motion to help evade the authorities, brag about it privately and on line, deny it all, blame the competition, then being in a big shot lawyer to clean house and show how squeaky transparent you are so you can start the whole process all over like nothing happened.
Unfortunately for this administration, the presidency is not a boardroom where you're expected to show loyalty to the CEO and advance; it is a place where the business of governing for the benefit of the American people is supposed to occur, and isn't meant to include the immediate material benefit of the president's family and closest cronies. If this man has the skills to run a uber-successful business, he's not demonstrating it. His near single mindedness in defending and posturing over everything is possibly the distraction the republicans will use to get laws pushed through until even they can't take him any more. However, this is a group of lawmakers who have a high level of tolerance for stink, so the process may take a while.
Unfortunately for this administration, the presidency is not a boardroom where you're expected to show loyalty to the CEO and advance; it is a place where the business of governing for the benefit of the American people is supposed to occur, and isn't meant to include the immediate material benefit of the president's family and closest cronies. If this man has the skills to run a uber-successful business, he's not demonstrating it. His near single mindedness in defending and posturing over everything is possibly the distraction the republicans will use to get laws pushed through until even they can't take him any more. However, this is a group of lawmakers who have a high level of tolerance for stink, so the process may take a while.
6
"Share your thoughts" is the lead on this "Comments" page. I often do. But I think 11-year-old Barron need not be mentioned in your column ... in any way, shape, or form. Even though your remark is pointed at his father, his father's shadow should not fall on him until the youngster has the capacities to understand & respond to the tornado engulfing him. He's not in Kansas any more ... but he's still only 11-years-old. You cast a shadow on yourself, dear Frank. And you're better than that.
3
Guess what--Barron Trump exists. He's Donald Trump's son. That isn't some hidden secret. He's the ostensible reason there is essentially no real FLOTUS. He isn't mentioned in any disparaging way whatsoever here. It's a joke about nepotism at Donald's expense, not Barron's.
5
What consistency President Trump exhibits!
Let us not forget that we have Republican majorities in both the House and Senate.
The question to pose now is: "Are the Republicans in the House and Senate more corrupt and more evil than Trump?' They, like the rest of us, can see his utter unfitness, and the horrendous consequences of his misrule. Unlike us, the congressional majorities can do something about it now, not in nearly two years (or nearly 4). So far, all they are willing to trade the country and its citizenry for a Supreme Court Justice who believes that King Gorge was right about the divine rights of (mad) Kings and some legislative attempts to enrich the richest in the hopes that some of this could "trickle-down" to them (think-tank sinecures, don't ya know).
We now have a government with the executive branch run by a poor imitation of Idi Amin, and a congress run by a poor imitation of the Kansas Republicans of the previous few years. Neither of those attempts at government have ended well.
Replacing Trump with the mayor of Pittsburgh would be a huge improvement, based on recent news. Is she willing to serve?
The question to pose now is: "Are the Republicans in the House and Senate more corrupt and more evil than Trump?' They, like the rest of us, can see his utter unfitness, and the horrendous consequences of his misrule. Unlike us, the congressional majorities can do something about it now, not in nearly two years (or nearly 4). So far, all they are willing to trade the country and its citizenry for a Supreme Court Justice who believes that King Gorge was right about the divine rights of (mad) Kings and some legislative attempts to enrich the richest in the hopes that some of this could "trickle-down" to them (think-tank sinecures, don't ya know).
We now have a government with the executive branch run by a poor imitation of Idi Amin, and a congress run by a poor imitation of the Kansas Republicans of the previous few years. Neither of those attempts at government have ended well.
Replacing Trump with the mayor of Pittsburgh would be a huge improvement, based on recent news. Is she willing to serve?
8
Trump's presidency is so 'over', due to his hubris, ineptitude and arrogance. We, in the east, saw it and knew it but will never be given credit for warning against it, despite being not heeded.
7
It's bad enough that Trump can't find qualified people willing to work in the White House, much less as an ambassador to a foreign country or director of the FBI. But the fact that he can't even find the staff for his "War Room" to advise & defend him during the ongoing Russia investigation is very telling. Not only are the current rats jumping the sinking ship, there aren't any new ones who want to jump on.
7
Thanks for the funniest Trump column yet! I was rolling in the aisles of the library throughout. This is just the prescription for these crazy times! Preston Stuges would be proud of you, Mr. Bruni!
3
Francis Underwood ! Where are you when we need you to push another impediment under the metro?
2
Who knew that reality TV could be so interesting and unpredictable. And print media, by the time reporters have composed the final paragraph, the story has changed, drastically. It seems that everyday I read not one New York Times but five, and I still can't keep up to date.
4
This president is a Family Circus comic strip come to life. Bringing nepotism to new lows? "Not me!" Debasing public discourse by mocking the disabled and offering to pay the legal bills for his lemmings who assault protesters? "Not me!" Trying to bully the Justice Department? "Not me!" And on and on.
7
This administration cannot survive. It will collapse. It's just a matter of how soon the evidence of election tampering and collusion with the Russians shows. The other option, after 4 1/2 months of this dysfunctional unstaffed administration, it has to become clear this is a national security risk for all Americans, and the exercising of the 25th Amendment needs to happen.
9
"Mar-a-Loco" -- thanks for that gem, Mr. Bruni -- is also an apt description for Congressional Republicans who continue to fawn over and support Trump. One of the great mysteries about these supposedly smart politicians is why they are supporting a cover-up without really knowing what was covered up? If it turns out to be treason, are they then not all complicit? Same goes for obstruction of justice. Same goes for mental instability and inability to fulfil his job. When Trump is dragged off in a strait jacket frothing at the mouth will they be at all embarrassed?
10
President Truman: "The buck stops here."
President Trump: "The buck goes in my pocket."
President Trump: "The buck goes in my pocket."
28
Supposedly when Mao was asked something about what he thought his legacy would be answered, "What do I care about that, I'll be dead."
Mao was one up on Trump, at least he realized he would die someday.
Mao was one up on Trump, at least he realized he would die someday.
3
According to the old saw, "If you want to know if you're a leader, look behind you and see who's following." By that standard, the president is a loser. His public support is diminishing; his ability to convince others in government, both foreign and domestic to share his views is failing; his search for "employees" for his enterprise is yielding precious few candidates willing to work for him. He has admitted that this job is harder than he thought it would be, but yet he refuses to listen to those around him to improve his performance.
And yet, the time for him to resign quietly, or be impeached publicly is not yet here. If it were to happen before the results of the midterm elections are known, the country would be saddled with Mike Pence ... and Paul Ryan nipping at his heels. Now is the time for the "resistance" to seek and support candidates for the House and Senate in particular who will recapture these houses for the Democrats and return the speakership to Nancy Pelosi. Then, "let slip the dogs of" impeachment!
And yet, the time for him to resign quietly, or be impeached publicly is not yet here. If it were to happen before the results of the midterm elections are known, the country would be saddled with Mike Pence ... and Paul Ryan nipping at his heels. Now is the time for the "resistance" to seek and support candidates for the House and Senate in particular who will recapture these houses for the Democrats and return the speakership to Nancy Pelosi. Then, "let slip the dogs of" impeachment!
13
Resign quietly? That would be great, but I can't see Mr. Pure Id ever doing that.
2
Truth be told, I don't think that Trump is to blame for much of anything. Seriously. I don't think he can help how he is. I blame all his enablers. And they are legion.
6
pretty sure this is just as Steve Bannon envisioned things...
12
I am more and more convinced that the problem (apart from his basic personality) is early dementia.
For example, he fires Comey; people start to talk about obstruction of justice, and the next thing you know, he's confirming that, in an interview and in a statement to the Russians.
This is not just arrogance; it's someone with mental problems who is incapable of perspective or caution or maintaining a strategy. Arrogant people usually have at least a measure of self-preservatory ability and can follow their own plans.
No, this is a mental problem.
For example, he fires Comey; people start to talk about obstruction of justice, and the next thing you know, he's confirming that, in an interview and in a statement to the Russians.
This is not just arrogance; it's someone with mental problems who is incapable of perspective or caution or maintaining a strategy. Arrogant people usually have at least a measure of self-preservatory ability and can follow their own plans.
No, this is a mental problem.
14
"...this is a mental problem." --Commenter Tokyo Tea
You're right about that--but it's not dementia. The fact is that he's been like this all his life: biographers tell of him as a child throwing rocks into the playpen in the yard next door; he was sent off to military school as a boy precisely because of his disruptive behavior at school and at home. Check out commenter Greeley's description of narcissistic personality disorder above; it fits our Bluster-Baby-in-Chief to a T.
You're right about that--but it's not dementia. The fact is that he's been like this all his life: biographers tell of him as a child throwing rocks into the playpen in the yard next door; he was sent off to military school as a boy precisely because of his disruptive behavior at school and at home. Check out commenter Greeley's description of narcissistic personality disorder above; it fits our Bluster-Baby-in-Chief to a T.
4
Just one thing: leave Barron Trump out of this.
3
Mr. Bruni writes, "By many accounts, the atmosphere in the White House is one part high school cafeteria, two parts 'Lord of the Flies'.
But there are many areas of the US where people still see high school as the best time of their lives (I live in one of those areas). They LIKED the high school environment. They follow existing high school activities, especially sports, with rapt attention.
So having the White House be part "high school cafeteria" is a feature, not a bug, to these people.
But there are many areas of the US where people still see high school as the best time of their lives (I live in one of those areas). They LIKED the high school environment. They follow existing high school activities, especially sports, with rapt attention.
So having the White House be part "high school cafeteria" is a feature, not a bug, to these people.
5
My subtitle to the title of this article would be "Those who voted for him are to blame."
What scares me most about his country right now is that there are still 40% who APPROVE of this man.
What scares me most about his country right now is that there are still 40% who APPROVE of this man.
15
Although entertaining, this information is nothing new. The New York Times and other publications ran numerous articles prior to the election regarding Donald Trump's lack of business acumen and his ability to destroy just about everything he touched. After he was miraculously elected, the media expected Donald Trump to become something he never has been. I suspect it is finally dawning on those talking heads in the media that Donald Trump is the same Donald Trump he has been and will always be. Unfortunately, I agree with other commentators, the Republican Party we'll go down with the ship before they impeach this embarrassment of a president. I don't know if we will make it, I'm afraid we'll end up just like the usfl, Trump Airlines, and his casinos, bankrupt, blamed as a citizenry that we were just not good enough for Donald, and then thrust rudderless on to the world with our reputation and government destroyed.
9
Please leave Barron out of it. For all we really know, he could already be more mature than his father.
4
Not mentioned here is how effectively Trump is working hand in hand with ISIS, financed by the Saudis, in throwing matches at the Middle East powder keg. I can't believe that the Teheran attack today is unconnected to the Quatar debacle Trump just precipitated. He and ISIS seem to be intent to draw Iran into the ME conflict.
Then the .... will really hit the fan over there!
Then the .... will really hit the fan over there!
9
I wish you hadn't mentioned Trump's youngest son. It isn't right to drag children's names into this politics.
8
Except Trump himself has done it in the past when he views it as politically expedient. Just last week he invoked Barron's name to attack Kathy Griffin in a Twitter post.
9
The president himself has already done that very thing long before Bruni did it.
3
If Trump does something, that should inform the rest of us to NOT do it. Trump may have extremely bad judgement, but the rest of us should know better. Please don't bring Barron into any discussions about his father--by doing so, you're not playing above board.
Your paragraph on one of my least favorite people (and biggest hypocrites, self-worshipping and confusing the voices in his white privileged head for Jesus) on the planet, Jeffrey Beauregard Sessions III, is priceless! Thank you.
Anyone confusing Trump with a successful businessman needs to check his history. Facts please. He knows all the angles, and his lies, bullying, and cheating have earned him a high-up place - six bankruptcies, many victims - but successful, I don't think so, unless thieving without ending up in jail is regarded as success.
Most people just can't grasp the depths of dishonesty, the self-dealing, the willingness to gyp anyone standing in his fakely glittering path.
Ugh! Double Ugh! Triple Ugh! no end in sight ...
Anyone confusing Trump with a successful businessman needs to check his history. Facts please. He knows all the angles, and his lies, bullying, and cheating have earned him a high-up place - six bankruptcies, many victims - but successful, I don't think so, unless thieving without ending up in jail is regarded as success.
Most people just can't grasp the depths of dishonesty, the self-dealing, the willingness to gyp anyone standing in his fakely glittering path.
Ugh! Double Ugh! Triple Ugh! no end in sight ...
13
This shouldn't be a big deal, this has been Trump from the beginning. When his projects went underwater his standard line was "it wasn't my fault, it was economic factors beyond my control" or, as with Trump University "I did nothing wrong, these complaints are baseless" or "It was the fault of those working there".
It shouldn't come as a big surprise that Trump is rabidly defended by his supporters, despite the fact that no president that I can recall has failed so miserably in so short a period of time, we forget he has been in office only a little more than 4 months. His supporters are just like him, in that they are masters at blaming others for their situation. The blue collar white voters look at their economic stagnation and for years have blamed it a)on 'those people on welfare' ie blacks and other minorities or b)on government regulation and taxes put in by the 'liberal democrats', and they love the GOP who were the prime movers in jobs being shipped offshore and gutting collective bargaining that have hurt them.
More importantly, the same blue collar workers who have been left behind refuse to acknowledge their own part in their fate, the rural areas that refused to spend money on schools, the mentality that somehow they were entitled to getting a good paying job without much effort, to them it is everyone else's fault.
It shouldn't come as a big surprise that Trump is rabidly defended by his supporters, despite the fact that no president that I can recall has failed so miserably in so short a period of time, we forget he has been in office only a little more than 4 months. His supporters are just like him, in that they are masters at blaming others for their situation. The blue collar white voters look at their economic stagnation and for years have blamed it a)on 'those people on welfare' ie blacks and other minorities or b)on government regulation and taxes put in by the 'liberal democrats', and they love the GOP who were the prime movers in jobs being shipped offshore and gutting collective bargaining that have hurt them.
More importantly, the same blue collar workers who have been left behind refuse to acknowledge their own part in their fate, the rural areas that refused to spend money on schools, the mentality that somehow they were entitled to getting a good paying job without much effort, to them it is everyone else's fault.
19
Very astute! Boom towns become ghost towns that's the way of civilization. Move on or perish. More intensified institutional racism and xenophobia isn't going to save them. Besides, let them go down with Trump. Last count 3 million more voted against him. One monkey don't stop the show! Fear of Trump's supporters is acquiescence to Trump. The real politics and economics of welfare and poverty are not going to be solved by the man they will follow to their destruction. The rest of us have wised up.
4
Hard to believe anything coming from the Trump-hating left wing US media. How can you expect an objective opinion on the President from people that are seething with rage that he defeated their beloved Hillary Rodham Clinton, and exposed and called them out on their extreme liberal bias. Walter Cronkite is spinning in his grave over what the former Fourth Estate has deteriorated into
.
.
1
Cronkite wouldn't have touched your guy with a ten foot pole. It's not about Hillary, to whom you should be grateful, since she was so unappealing to many of my fellow Democrats who actually, you know, care about people other than the wealthy and backward looking, and our lovely planet. We even care about the victims of coal country: Trump, not so much, except as an advertising meme.
Bruni nails it from beginning to end. Perhaps this is a better metaphor:
Who sups with the Devil must use a long spoon.
Bruni nails it from beginning to end. Perhaps this is a better metaphor:
Who sups with the Devil must use a long spoon.
14
Perhaps but our Founding Fathers are spinning in their graves over what the former office of the Presidency deteriorated into with Trump's coup.
3
1. This is an op-ed, and a funny one. There is nothing to "believe" here.
2. I accept that Mr. Trump won the election. My alarm is about what he is doing now that he is in the Oval Office.
2. I accept that Mr. Trump won the election. My alarm is about what he is doing now that he is in the Oval Office.
2
Mr. Bruni provides a spot on analysis of the madness of King Donald. What is truely "maddening" about this from a historical perspective is that even with all the instability that George the Third exhibited, the parliamentary system of 18th century England had the King reined in enough that he couldn't do too much damage. Ironic that our struggle against the very system that insulated the British populace from political upheaval of a mentally ill ruler has given rise to the situation we find ourselves in now. Maybe George didn't do us any favors after all. A vote of "no confidence" is looking mighty good right now.
12
As a Canadian I sometimes wonder what the US would be like if you had a parliamentary system as we do here and they do in the UK, Oz and most Commonwealth countries. What would it be like to have Trump face question period in Parliament? How about Jeff Sessions? What would it be like to have tenure of a party in power to be about four years but this be subject to votes of confidence? I submit that Trump and Sessions could not withstand question period. I submit that Trump's governance and ethical lapses would have a public airing and he would be subject to a vote of confidence in the House at this point in his tenure, one that he would likely lose forcing another election. The people would then have an opportunity to rid themselves of this man and all those who surround him. The American Revolution freed you from Britain, but this is one British tradition that would be helpful now to end the nightmare that is Trump and his entire coterie.
22
Judy - couldn't agree more , see my comment above yours. Spent about 10 years living in the UK, it's a system that makes sense. Used to love watching Questions on the telly.
1
Not to discredit Frank's clever - and correct - assessment, but this is old news. Anyone who takes the time to listen to Trump well knows he will not assume ANY blame, only place it on others. In another narcissistic trait, he is prone to taking credit for things he hasn't done. Soon, he will take credit for inventing the internet. I can only think of one statement of his that seemed earnest and indicated an ounce of humility, when during a Network interview, he stated something to the effect that being President was much harder than he thought it would be. Signs of a totally clueless man.
How long do we go on repeating the latest version of his arrogance, ineptitude and hellbent destruction of the Office of The President?
It's no longer about when can we see his taxes. It's more about how can a drug test be ordered? How can we force a Psychiatric examination? When do we stop acknowledging the facts and start taking action on removing this guy?
How long do we go on repeating the latest version of his arrogance, ineptitude and hellbent destruction of the Office of The President?
It's no longer about when can we see his taxes. It's more about how can a drug test be ordered? How can we force a Psychiatric examination? When do we stop acknowledging the facts and start taking action on removing this guy?
14
Bullies don't accept responsibility for their behavior. Trump is a bully. Therefore, nothing is his fault.
At least in Trump's mind. In the real world, it's another story. But Mr. Trump is likely to devolve as he experiences more pressure from the stresses of his job and more people of every walk of life recognize his incompetence and that of those around him.
Meanwhile, the world must hold onto its ethics and good sense. His days are numbered.
At least in Trump's mind. In the real world, it's another story. But Mr. Trump is likely to devolve as he experiences more pressure from the stresses of his job and more people of every walk of life recognize his incompetence and that of those around him.
Meanwhile, the world must hold onto its ethics and good sense. His days are numbered.
8
Trump claims responsibility only for good things. The reason we are discussing that Trump never accepts blame for bad things is because there are so many bad things that have happened due to Trump.
5
Images of a scowling Trump with the smiling GOP leadership were posted yesterday from the WhiteHouse. Why were McConnell and Ryan sporting such wide grins? Is it because they are finally bringing down the "Liberal Institutions" they hate so much or is it their joy of breaking our democracy?
15
Donald Trump complains about a "rigged system" and whines about how people are not being "fair" to him. He is perpetually persecuted and nothing is ever his fault.
I thought the Republicans were the Party of Personal Responsibility.
I thought the Republicans were the Party of Personal Responsibility.
17
Go, Frank, go! I will take this memorable phrase with me today: "But back to the Potomac and his principal aides, unprincipled underlings and princeling of a son-in-law, each more incompetent than the next." Masterful word-smithing, sir!
10
Ignorant ,arrogant, incompetent and indecent.
Right now our so called President is the most dangerous person on the planet, and the GOP is nearly classifiable as a terrorist organization.
Right now our so called President is the most dangerous person on the planet, and the GOP is nearly classifiable as a terrorist organization.
13
Trump an embarrassment certainly, but a disappointment? What did we expect?
5
Touche Sir Donald. Bruni's pen is mightier than your foil.
4
According to the latest Gallup poll, nearly 90% of Republicans support Trump. His support has been increasing during May. This encourages more of the same soul-crushing, fact-free awfulness from him.
Until we stage a national intervention, starting with debunking conservative economic mythology (e.g., banner pages on every news outlet with the facts neatly organized by topic) this will continue. It is not OK to be a Republican anymore.
Until we stage a national intervention, starting with debunking conservative economic mythology (e.g., banner pages on every news outlet with the facts neatly organized by topic) this will continue. It is not OK to be a Republican anymore.
13
Not accurate, David Doney. According to Gallup, Trump's current approval rating is 82% among Republicans, down 5 points from the most recent May 22- 28 poll. http://www.gallup.com/poll/203198/presidential-approval-ratings-donald-t...
Please check your facts before posting. It's quite easy to do.
Please check your facts before posting. It's quite easy to do.
1
What poll are you reading, the Kool aid poll? Gallup has him at 37% and sinking.
2
As I said, nearly 90% of Republicans support Trump. Here is his Gallup approval rating that I used in my initial post:
May 22-28 87%
May 15-21 84%
May 8-14 84%
May 1-7 84%
The key point is, he has nearly unanimous support among Republicans.
May 22-28 87%
May 15-21 84%
May 8-14 84%
May 1-7 84%
The key point is, he has nearly unanimous support among Republicans.
"obsequious enough" says everything about DJT and his self revered worth and expectations of others. When you don't bow low enough he lashes out!
4
And then next week Bruni will be writing about how we need to understand trump's aggrieved supporters, who feel left behind because blacks get everything. Last time I looked, this abomination was still in the White House and Congress, his supporters, and complacent Americans could care less.
5
Mr. Bruni's opinion should be required reading for students preparing for the SAT. I don't think I've ever read a more eloquent use of the word "atavism" before. That's only one example. Well done.
In all seriousness though, the White House staffing problem is a known issue. Trump's "shake up" is the height of dramatic irony. He wants to fire people. His employees want to quit. However, there's no one else stupid enough to take the job. This coming from the man made famous for firing people on television.
Case in point: Jeff Sessions. His most admirable qualification right now is that he has already passed Senate confirmation. There's no other applicant for Attorney General that can pass the 50-50 mark. Both Trump and Sessions know this. There's excess office space at the White House and it's going to stay that way.
In all seriousness though, the White House staffing problem is a known issue. Trump's "shake up" is the height of dramatic irony. He wants to fire people. His employees want to quit. However, there's no one else stupid enough to take the job. This coming from the man made famous for firing people on television.
Case in point: Jeff Sessions. His most admirable qualification right now is that he has already passed Senate confirmation. There's no other applicant for Attorney General that can pass the 50-50 mark. Both Trump and Sessions know this. There's excess office space at the White House and it's going to stay that way.
7
Frank, you must realize that a narcissist like Trump CANNOT accept blame for anything. That is an integral part of the illness. The precious self cannot possibly be in error, and therefore any mistakes must be someone else's fault. That also explains the lack of loyalty to others. For a narcissist the only true loyalty is to the self; if that conflicts with loyalty to another, then the loyalty to another must go.
6
You write a Maureen Dowd-esque better than she does these days. Well done!
2
All those poor underlings will also have to carry that black mark on their resume until they die. What a career ender. After trump departs from the stage, all his appointees will be looking for jobs. Having worked for trump will get a lot of resumes tossed. Maybe not well deserved but when you work for the devil, you smell like sulfur. Few people like to work with folks who smell like sulfur.
19
It has often been said that Trump is his own worst enemy and Frank is only right to point out that he "can’t find the soldiers to staff it." (his fictional war room!)
If Donald wasn't in the habit of stiffing those who work for him he might not have this difficulty..
The unearned grandiosity of this man will be his undoing. I only hope it doesn't bring the rest of us down with him.
Start the impeachment process now! There is quite enough evidence to do so and while we are at it, please keep reminding those across the aisle that they are just as vulnerable as we are!
If Donald wasn't in the habit of stiffing those who work for him he might not have this difficulty..
The unearned grandiosity of this man will be his undoing. I only hope it doesn't bring the rest of us down with him.
Start the impeachment process now! There is quite enough evidence to do so and while we are at it, please keep reminding those across the aisle that they are just as vulnerable as we are!
10
"But now that the terms of working for him — ridicule by tweet, potentially stratospheric legal bills — are clear, the pool of available talent is a puddle too shallow to keep a newt afloat."
Not a newt, perhaps. But maybe a Newt, who knows...
Not a newt, perhaps. But maybe a Newt, who knows...
6
Trump is such a disappointment. An embarrassment, too.
2
So Bannon's plan of destroying the government is well on track, then. Since anyone competent will avoid this administration like the plague, all that's left are the stupid and the grifters.
I wonder whether, come the next elections, American voters will fall for the usual government always bad private enterprise always good durr durr line from the Republicans, or finally see this sabotage for what it is. I wish I were optimistic about the outcome.
I wonder whether, come the next elections, American voters will fall for the usual government always bad private enterprise always good durr durr line from the Republicans, or finally see this sabotage for what it is. I wish I were optimistic about the outcome.
11
Thomas, I wonder if those like you will show up at the polling places, not having bothered to realize he cancelled the elections. Or if you do vote, that all ballots are (if paper) burned without counting, or (if digital) wiped clean without reading. Then next morning your master will tell you that everyone voted 100%, & all votes were for his personal picks. Though you will know you didn't vote for one guy you had hated since high school.
1
"Those like me"? Did I say something to offend you?
As for voting the Republicans out of office: I would if I could, but I'm not a U.S. citizen.
As for voting the Republicans out of office: I would if I could, but I'm not a U.S. citizen.
Trump's presidency has become like the weather... everybody talks about it, but nobody ever does anything about it.
The joke behind that old saying is that the weather is uncontrollable, if barely predictable. We can forecast the temperature and we can forecast Trump's get outta my way behavior. 90% chance of rain, 90% chance of a lie. The hurricane looks to make landfall around 2am, the tweets should hit at about the same time. Gusty winds will prevail, as will denial and bluster. Every once in a while the storm moves north and misses the area, and Trump surprises us all by not shooting himself in the foot; thankfully, he didn't ask the Pope to kiss his ring.
Like the weather, Trump offers no apologies, accepts no responsibility for ravaging the low-lying areas inundated by floodwaters or the homes blown apart on the coast by a hurricane or the tornadoes that relocate the residents of Oklahoma trailer parks. After all, it is you who chose to build your homes and live there.
The joke behind that old saying is that the weather is uncontrollable, if barely predictable. We can forecast the temperature and we can forecast Trump's get outta my way behavior. 90% chance of rain, 90% chance of a lie. The hurricane looks to make landfall around 2am, the tweets should hit at about the same time. Gusty winds will prevail, as will denial and bluster. Every once in a while the storm moves north and misses the area, and Trump surprises us all by not shooting himself in the foot; thankfully, he didn't ask the Pope to kiss his ring.
Like the weather, Trump offers no apologies, accepts no responsibility for ravaging the low-lying areas inundated by floodwaters or the homes blown apart on the coast by a hurricane or the tornadoes that relocate the residents of Oklahoma trailer parks. After all, it is you who chose to build your homes and live there.
5
"Mar-a-Loco"
Thank you Mr. Bruni for making me laugh with "Mar-a-Loco", quite a feat since I usually can't laugh about anything written about djt.
Thank you Mr. Bruni for making me laugh with "Mar-a-Loco", quite a feat since I usually can't laugh about anything written about djt.
9
The former Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, told Australia's National Press Club earlier today, “I think (if) you compare the two that Watergate pales really in my view compared to what we're confronting now.”
Well, Watergate, which was essentially a president directing the cover-up of a third-rate burglary, resulted in that president’s resignation. This “blameless” president’s closest and most trusted advisors had been consorting with Russia, our most reviled adversary, prior to and after the election for dubious gain. And, we know Russia, our Cold War enemy, compromised our elections, the most sacred process of our democracy. So who bears the responsibility for this conduct, which could prove to be inappropriate at best and treasonous at worst? Whatever happened to the Truman Oval Office plaque, “The buck stops here?”
Well, Watergate, which was essentially a president directing the cover-up of a third-rate burglary, resulted in that president’s resignation. This “blameless” president’s closest and most trusted advisors had been consorting with Russia, our most reviled adversary, prior to and after the election for dubious gain. And, we know Russia, our Cold War enemy, compromised our elections, the most sacred process of our democracy. So who bears the responsibility for this conduct, which could prove to be inappropriate at best and treasonous at worst? Whatever happened to the Truman Oval Office plaque, “The buck stops here?”
9
Poor Donald has simply misunderstood Truman's axiom that "...the buck stops here". He thought it meant the Presidency could be used to promote his commercial ventures...
10
With one hand, T deflects the negative, while with the other, he intercepts anything reflecting positively on him. He is not alone in his ambidextrous skills but he has taken them to a Olympic level.
Donald never understood the expression "I was wrong" has its own power.
Donald never understood the expression "I was wrong" has its own power.
6
Icarus stumpy....
Flew too high and got broiled by the sun... Your feathers are aflame, and you're falling faster and faster....
Flew too high and got broiled by the sun... Your feathers are aflame, and you're falling faster and faster....
6
I recall that the day before Overlord, General Eisenhower wrote a letter accepting responsibility for the failure. Fortunately, he did not have to use it. To Truman, the buck stopped at his desk. I do not recall that trump ever took responsibility for any failure. He just fired someone and this lack of guts and manhood has followed him into the Presidency. I dread the first national tragedy. Hurricane season has started. We are waiting in Southern California for the “big one”. FEMA has no leadership. This president is not just a disaster now, but we may face a real disaster in the near future with this buffoon.
25
This week, both Eric and Don Jr. offered their highly professional and well educated voices to the conversation, even as Jeff Sessions, that crazy liberal, found himself on the 'enemies' list .... Recently a few possible cabinet nominees have said, basically, 'thanks but no thanks' ... Along with Trump's obsession with 'loyalty' look forward to a cabinet made up of family members and assorted 'loyal' folks - Sort of like a king and his 'court' --- We've drained the swamp and found lurking at the bottom a cesspool.
8
A big part of the problem is that the market eagerly rewards Sean Hannity for being a constant cheerleader. With so much money for him to rake in, he is "rationally" motivated to continue. In turn, his desperate viewers cling to his ice floe hoping they might be right after all. McConnell and Ryan, who certainly know better, observe this and pedal in t---p's draft.
7
Anyone currently working at the WH with a shred of common sense would quit immediately and leave without taking a single document -- electronic or hardcopy -- with them. Not even keepsakes, like that coffee mug. And adopt a short memory of their short stint there.
This way when the subpoenas are served they have little or nothing to turn over.
This way when the subpoenas are served they have little or nothing to turn over.
8
Or if they have a shred of decency they will take a copy of every document & when subpoenas are handed over they hand over every scrap. But, take no souvenirs.
2
Donald Trump is terribly misunderstood. We are not being fair to him. Remember when everyone thought he said "bigly" but he was really saying "big league"?
He is actually doing what he promised. To be fair, we should consider what Mr. Trump really said:
- "War on Terra"
- "America doesn't whine anymore. We're gonna whine so much, you're gonna get sick and tired of all the whining."
He is actually doing what he promised. To be fair, we should consider what Mr. Trump really said:
- "War on Terra"
- "America doesn't whine anymore. We're gonna whine so much, you're gonna get sick and tired of all the whining."
11
How long must we tolerate the injuries and insults to the United States that are all we're getting from the loser of the popular vote?
One good thing that could come out of this is that perhaps the nation may be ready for a real examination of the role of the electoral college.
One sentiment that needs to be set aside is that a Pence presidency would be worse than the Trump regime. Nothing could be worse than continuing with Trump until the 2018 elections are over and a Democratic majority seated in the House.
One good thing that could come out of this is that perhaps the nation may be ready for a real examination of the role of the electoral college.
One sentiment that needs to be set aside is that a Pence presidency would be worse than the Trump regime. Nothing could be worse than continuing with Trump until the 2018 elections are over and a Democratic majority seated in the House.
6
Trump is never to blame, but will always take credit for anything he sees as positive. He will even take credit for the August solar eclipse of the sun as it boosts tourism.
Trump is the anti Truman. The buck never stops with him unless you count the bucks he takes from our pockets and from his profits he gathers through his publicity as president.
Trump is the anti Truman. The buck never stops with him unless you count the bucks he takes from our pockets and from his profits he gathers through his publicity as president.
6
As a Canadian neighbour and friend of the USA, I am deeply troubled and embarrassed for the American people. The level of unrest, mistrust and hopelessness for the future, in the American people, seems to be tearing the fabric of your society apart.
17
Dear Canadians, we may be frustrated, but at least we live in a free society where we can call our President a moron and not be shot or imprisoned. There are Senate Intelligence Hearings on television as I write; even Fox is showing them. One can hope we'll outlive and outmaneuver all those who made this mess.
2
Last time it happened there were men will to risk their 'lives, fortunes, & sacred honor' to free us. Of course honor meant something in those days. It mostly doesn't anymore. There are a few. But, are their enough?
These original brave men left us an OBLIGATION is the Declaration of Independence to Revolt against regimes such as this. Then they left us the means in the Constitution. The 2nd Amendment. First they left us the RIGHT to buy arms (can't bear what you can't buy), that wasn't important back then as everyone who wanted (even women) could have a gun. Second they left us the RIGHT to organize non governmental militias. That was the important bit, we can join together in an Army & march where we will to get rid of this illegal regime. They also left us the 1st Amendment which lets us gather, organize, & work against this or any other government. Only when all 3 are put together can we remove a regime that is doing it's best to destroy this country & turn it over to our arch enemy. Which is HIGH TREASON. Punishable in one way. Hanging. I suggest in public, on the Mall. As well as broadcast on all stations. Then every year on 'Hanging Day' (a national holiday for the saving of our country) show the video again. To be viewed by all school children grades 9 & up every year, then discussed.
These original brave men left us an OBLIGATION is the Declaration of Independence to Revolt against regimes such as this. Then they left us the means in the Constitution. The 2nd Amendment. First they left us the RIGHT to buy arms (can't bear what you can't buy), that wasn't important back then as everyone who wanted (even women) could have a gun. Second they left us the RIGHT to organize non governmental militias. That was the important bit, we can join together in an Army & march where we will to get rid of this illegal regime. They also left us the 1st Amendment which lets us gather, organize, & work against this or any other government. Only when all 3 are put together can we remove a regime that is doing it's best to destroy this country & turn it over to our arch enemy. Which is HIGH TREASON. Punishable in one way. Hanging. I suggest in public, on the Mall. As well as broadcast on all stations. Then every year on 'Hanging Day' (a national holiday for the saving of our country) show the video again. To be viewed by all school children grades 9 & up every year, then discussed.
1
Instead of "Make America Great Again", Trump's slogan should be "Make America Cringe".
6
I wonder why we don't have a competency test for candidates for President? Trump would have failed such a test.
8
There are many former veterans who served in our armed forces who are doing so well in the private sector. Some of them, ventured into forming their own businesses. They are successful businessmen, the country has to be proud of.
However, our POTUS, believed to be a successful billionaire, coming from the private sector, now in the public sector, seems to be having a problem. A problem to govern the country.
What could be the problem?
As a Sole Proprietor or Entrepreneur, Mr. Trump was the master and the decision maker. There is no one to question.
What we are seeing is that, since assuming Office of the POTUS, Mr. Trump has not transitioned himself to the new role. He is still in the seat of the micro manager at Trump Tower.
Mr. Bruni. That is where the problem is.
However, our POTUS, believed to be a successful billionaire, coming from the private sector, now in the public sector, seems to be having a problem. A problem to govern the country.
What could be the problem?
As a Sole Proprietor or Entrepreneur, Mr. Trump was the master and the decision maker. There is no one to question.
What we are seeing is that, since assuming Office of the POTUS, Mr. Trump has not transitioned himself to the new role. He is still in the seat of the micro manager at Trump Tower.
Mr. Bruni. That is where the problem is.
1
In addition to the Mueller investigation, Trump's government is starting to crumble. There are 1,100 deputy and assistant deputy positions to be filled with the consent of the Senate. CNN reports that only 39 positions have been filled. There are no other nominations before the Senate.
As a Canadian, I can only hope the damage he does is not so severe that the U.S. cannot recover.
As a Canadian, I can only hope the damage he does is not so severe that the U.S. cannot recover.
The quality of the writers in The Opinion Pages is outstanding and keeps getting better. Jeff Sessions will forever be remembered as "Donald in a Dixie cup."
17
Bless his heart!
6
There was a rash of talk about Prez Trump's mental state for a while, then it faded the way serious topics fade in this 24-hour news cycle civilization we have created. Still, the destructive stuff from this President reflects malignant narcissism and shouldn't fade from the conversation. The management problems Mr. Bruni details here are quite predictable in this "mental state" context. Trump's never-admit-a-mistake, never-apologize, pick-a-scapegoat traits are perfect examples. Likewise the grandiosity of his self assessment and his disdain for everyone but himself, his "double down" defensiveness, his need for adulation and his proclivity to lie, spin and obfuscate all are classic points in the diagnosis. Let's not forget that our Commander in Chief has a serious software problem in his head. IMHO.
6
The primary problem is that Trump has the emotional makeup of a narcissistic 12 year old bully. He got his way as a CEO; he demands, but won't get his way as President. It is a whole different world.
Trump's demand for accolades and continuing praise and approval led to the selection of loyalists rather than competent people.
The combination, expectation of getting his way as a CEO in a government where he isn't CEO plus surrounding himself with inexperienced lightweights, has led to a comedy of errors and will eventually lead to his downfall. His unusual cunning as a reality showman is all that has bolstered his position so far.
Trump's demand for accolades and continuing praise and approval led to the selection of loyalists rather than competent people.
The combination, expectation of getting his way as a CEO in a government where he isn't CEO plus surrounding himself with inexperienced lightweights, has led to a comedy of errors and will eventually lead to his downfall. His unusual cunning as a reality showman is all that has bolstered his position so far.
7
Yet Americans get blamed for being out of work, unable to find new jobs, being obese, having cancer, being alcoholic, being mentally unstable, being homeless, and having children while not rich. We're scolded for expecting anything from our government, told that there's no money to spare for programs that help us, our children, our elderly parents, handicapped people, the homeless, etc. while money is showered upon and wasted on corporations that don't pay taxes, overpay their CEOs, and rich people who don't need any welfare at all.
We are to blame for putting Trump in office yes, But we are not to blame for GOP, Trump family and associates, and the current cabinet's incompetence. If they can't take the time and effort required to learn how to be responsible stewards of our country and all her citizens they don't deserve to win any more elections. They deserve to be unemployed for their rank incompetence.
We are to blame for putting Trump in office yes, But we are not to blame for GOP, Trump family and associates, and the current cabinet's incompetence. If they can't take the time and effort required to learn how to be responsible stewards of our country and all her citizens they don't deserve to win any more elections. They deserve to be unemployed for their rank incompetence.
14
A point you seem to overlook, Frank. Jeff Sessions' racist muck was, for Trump, a feature, and absolutely NOT a bug!
22
Rarely talked about? Trump's jealousy of his predecessor, President Obama. I think we need to thank the press for playing down the ex president's popularity and for not comparing the blundering moves and statements of Donald Trump to Obama's calm and erudite opinions; opinions given less frequently and with great force. Imagine how Trump would feel if that was thrown in his face every day.
Still as Trump occasionally dips below 40% approval and Obama's post presidential approval rating goes above 60%, even a narcissistic math-challenged Trump can see that some small amount of his own voters have left the room and now like a younger, erudite, athletic Black man better than they do an old dyed, girdled and stumbling president who is failing miserably at his job. Whose ratings are now approaching 'show soon to be cancelled' levels.,,
Ouch, Donald! Ouch! What are you to do? Well, I guess you can keep flailing at everything that President Obama accomplished; so far you have destroyed a major trading pact, a health care plan, a "save the planet" environmental plan and a defensive alliance. What's next? The tax system?
Just remember Donald, this dysfunctional reality show that you are starring in will come to an end. We know that you are counting on its executive producer, Mike Pence, to pardon you, but the worse you make things, the harder the jury will be on you... and on Pence.
Still as Trump occasionally dips below 40% approval and Obama's post presidential approval rating goes above 60%, even a narcissistic math-challenged Trump can see that some small amount of his own voters have left the room and now like a younger, erudite, athletic Black man better than they do an old dyed, girdled and stumbling president who is failing miserably at his job. Whose ratings are now approaching 'show soon to be cancelled' levels.,,
Ouch, Donald! Ouch! What are you to do? Well, I guess you can keep flailing at everything that President Obama accomplished; so far you have destroyed a major trading pact, a health care plan, a "save the planet" environmental plan and a defensive alliance. What's next? The tax system?
Just remember Donald, this dysfunctional reality show that you are starring in will come to an end. We know that you are counting on its executive producer, Mike Pence, to pardon you, but the worse you make things, the harder the jury will be on you... and on Pence.
326
Anybody feeling like it's 1973 all over again?
3
Still shocked here that his approval rating even approaches 40%. And wondering from what dream those people are having trouble awakening.
2
This comment says it all.
2
We learned a new word for cognitive dissonance last week: “Covfefe.”
Barack Obama was born in Kenya. Covfefe!
Climate change is a Chinese hoax. Covfefe!
My election win was the biggest in history. Covfefe!
My inauguration crowd was bigger than Obama’s. Covfefe!
Without those illegal immigrant voters, I won the popular vote. Covfefe!
Obama wiretapped my very big tower. Covfefe!
I am a billionaire. Covfefe!
I am really smart. Covfefe!
Health care for all. Covfefe!
My taxes are under audit. Covfefe!
Two plus two equals five. Covfefe!
Alternative facts are true; the news is fake. Covfefe!
Americans should buy American even though I buy Chinese. Covfefe!
James Comey clicked his heels and said three times, You’re not being investigated, you’re not being investigated, you’re not being investigated. Covfefe!
I am not an Id(iot)! Covfefe!
I have no ties to Russia! Covfefe!
I am innocent! Covfefe!
I will make America great again! Covfefe!
All the people who voted for me are rational! Covfefe!
Cognitive dissonance for all! Covfefe!
Barack Obama was born in Kenya. Covfefe!
Climate change is a Chinese hoax. Covfefe!
My election win was the biggest in history. Covfefe!
My inauguration crowd was bigger than Obama’s. Covfefe!
Without those illegal immigrant voters, I won the popular vote. Covfefe!
Obama wiretapped my very big tower. Covfefe!
I am a billionaire. Covfefe!
I am really smart. Covfefe!
Health care for all. Covfefe!
My taxes are under audit. Covfefe!
Two plus two equals five. Covfefe!
Alternative facts are true; the news is fake. Covfefe!
Americans should buy American even though I buy Chinese. Covfefe!
James Comey clicked his heels and said three times, You’re not being investigated, you’re not being investigated, you’re not being investigated. Covfefe!
I am not an Id(iot)! Covfefe!
I have no ties to Russia! Covfefe!
I am innocent! Covfefe!
I will make America great again! Covfefe!
All the people who voted for me are rational! Covfefe!
Cognitive dissonance for all! Covfefe!
13
Breitbart is selling Covfefe coffee cups. I'm serious.
https://store.breitbart.com/collections/drinkware/Mugs
https://store.breitbart.com/collections/drinkware/Mugs
3
Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State!
Sail on, O Union, strong and great!
Humanity with all its fears,
With all the hopes of future years,
Is hanging breathless on thy fate!
We know what Master laid thy keel,
What Workmen wrought thy ribs of steel,
Who made each mast, and sail, and rope,
What anvils rang, what hammers beat,
In what a forge and what a heat
Were shaped the anchors of thy hope!
Fear not each sudden sound and shock,
'Tis of the wave and not the rock;
'Tis but the flapping of the sail,
And not a rent made by the gale!
In spite of rock and tempest's roar,
In spite of false lights on the shore,
Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea!
Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee.
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears,
Our faith triumphant o'er our fears,
Are all with thee, -are all with thee!
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Sail on, O Union, strong and great!
Humanity with all its fears,
With all the hopes of future years,
Is hanging breathless on thy fate!
We know what Master laid thy keel,
What Workmen wrought thy ribs of steel,
Who made each mast, and sail, and rope,
What anvils rang, what hammers beat,
In what a forge and what a heat
Were shaped the anchors of thy hope!
Fear not each sudden sound and shock,
'Tis of the wave and not the rock;
'Tis but the flapping of the sail,
And not a rent made by the gale!
In spite of rock and tempest's roar,
In spite of false lights on the shore,
Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea!
Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee.
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears,
Our faith triumphant o'er our fears,
Are all with thee, -are all with thee!
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
7
Sure! But Trump is boring holes in the hull.
4
Frank, This is a wonderfully written piece. You are an incredible wordsmith, the Bard would be proud. This piece is tragically funny, if only it were just funny.
I have lived in this county all my life, seventy six years, and have never been concerned with our safety, until now. Mister Trump is mentality ill and from the looks of it none of the Republicans will stand up to it, until its too late.
I have lived in this county all my life, seventy six years, and have never been concerned with our safety, until now. Mister Trump is mentality ill and from the looks of it none of the Republicans will stand up to it, until its too late.
22
69 years for me. Same depressing feelings.
6
You are for the most part preaching to the choir here. Trump is ignorant and destructive, China is cleaning our clock, and yet we are consumed with managing the disaster that is the Trump administration. We need to remove this boor and get on with the 21st Century.
8
I wonder if any of the White House bright lights considered asking Larry the Cable Guy if he needs some work. He couldn't be any worse than what's there.
8
The right to bare arms.
4
The emperor has no.......... anything?
Unlike his matinee idol, Vlad Putin, t rump did not grow up in the halls of
government intrigue. He grew up in smoky back rooms watching crooks and grifters picking the pockets of unwary marks, instead of learning the subtleties of the real deal which hides one's felonies he learned how to bully subcontractors and lesser government inspectors.
He never learned how to hide his greed behind the pleasant veneer of a dishonest smile. He has a semblance of the smile but it just isn't big enough to hide the greed.
But, as long as his face is daily becoming the face of the republican party I am somewhat calmed. It is evident he won't be able to do the lasting damage we feared at first just because he and his are so incompetent they can't get anything done.
Democrats, though, should not get too complacent; not being a republican is not good enough, as we saw with Clinton. Democrats had better get ready to campaign like they have not done in many a year. The party had better be ready to rumble with the t rump crowd, because that is what will get the sleeping masses awake.
Unlike his matinee idol, Vlad Putin, t rump did not grow up in the halls of
government intrigue. He grew up in smoky back rooms watching crooks and grifters picking the pockets of unwary marks, instead of learning the subtleties of the real deal which hides one's felonies he learned how to bully subcontractors and lesser government inspectors.
He never learned how to hide his greed behind the pleasant veneer of a dishonest smile. He has a semblance of the smile but it just isn't big enough to hide the greed.
But, as long as his face is daily becoming the face of the republican party I am somewhat calmed. It is evident he won't be able to do the lasting damage we feared at first just because he and his are so incompetent they can't get anything done.
Democrats, though, should not get too complacent; not being a republican is not good enough, as we saw with Clinton. Democrats had better get ready to campaign like they have not done in many a year. The party had better be ready to rumble with the t rump crowd, because that is what will get the sleeping masses awake.
8
The ones that walk out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will not just be seen as the fortunate ones-they'll be seen as the ones with some sense of what is good for them. The ones that are left will eventually not be able to hide anymore.
6
Incisive content aside, the writing here is brilliant snark.
10
Incisive content aside, the writing here is brilliant snark. --h leznoff
A-men to that. Some good ideas here for signs for our one-man protest on the street-corner.
A-men to that. Some good ideas here for signs for our one-man protest on the street-corner.
1
Did you consider the impact this article might have on little Eric? Hmm?
4
Little Eric isn't even good (bad?) enough to be ridiculed. Imagine being in that spot in this family. He doesn't even have the reason of being 10.
2
"The relevant sinkhole isn’t the one that opened up just outside Mar-a-Loco last month. It’s the one beneath the feet of anyone dippy, delusional or daring enough to think that Trumplandia is terrain on which to make a positive difference, let alone a career...the White House is one part high school cafeteria, two parts 'Lord of the Flies.'"
And so it goes in the "greatest country on earth."
And so it goes in the "greatest country on earth."
7
Well Trump is never to blame.
I will blame the democrats, however, if they try to destroy his presidency. Trump needs to succeed insanely.
As Trump wishes, healthcare should vanish, entitlements should be cut down to zero, taxes on the rich reduced, infrastructure neglected, defense escalated, wars started (with all the supremacists encouraged to enlist). All science and math education should be banned. All public schools shut down, text books replaced with one Book. Money should be spent on debtors' prisons. Drug addicts should be jailed. And let's build that wall and allow only whites to leave and return.
I don't like or want any of these things. But the whites who voted for him need to personally feel the connection between what they did (vote for him, hate everyone, advocate for deportation etc), and their socioeconomic well being. Until they feel that for a long time, they will believe that Obama caused 9/11, immigrants are taking over their jobs.
To produce a lasting effect, democrats need the republican actions to produce substance until it hits the fan.
Otherwise, Trump will go down as a martyr. Imagine that!
Kalidan
I will blame the democrats, however, if they try to destroy his presidency. Trump needs to succeed insanely.
As Trump wishes, healthcare should vanish, entitlements should be cut down to zero, taxes on the rich reduced, infrastructure neglected, defense escalated, wars started (with all the supremacists encouraged to enlist). All science and math education should be banned. All public schools shut down, text books replaced with one Book. Money should be spent on debtors' prisons. Drug addicts should be jailed. And let's build that wall and allow only whites to leave and return.
I don't like or want any of these things. But the whites who voted for him need to personally feel the connection between what they did (vote for him, hate everyone, advocate for deportation etc), and their socioeconomic well being. Until they feel that for a long time, they will believe that Obama caused 9/11, immigrants are taking over their jobs.
To produce a lasting effect, democrats need the republican actions to produce substance until it hits the fan.
Otherwise, Trump will go down as a martyr. Imagine that!
Kalidan
6
You sound like a Bernie bro
6
This is sound logic. Do not underestimate Pence. He is a good politician and could win in 2020 if Trump is gone by then. Let Trump crash and burn and try and contain any damage he could do. Trump voters might learn a lesson about "shaking things up", and we'll get a democratic in the White House.
2
Actually it will only be a part of the Book. Not the first part, & of the second, no words recorded as spoken by either God or His Son will be allowed to be read. In fact, the pastors (we won't need teachers anymore) will do the reading as it will be another thing banned. No one needs to learn to read anymore. They will just listen to orders that come over their wall size, always on, TV. Gee that sounds kinda familiar. Not Lord of the Flies. Hmm what was that. Oh yes. 1984. By Orwell. A little late (technology was a bit slow coming), but now here. Complete with microphones in the speakers of the wall TVs. Watch what you say. He will need lots of cannon fodder for the repug required war. Lots of new toys to play with, & a massive reduction in military salaries for anyone under the rank of Colonel. All enlisted marriages will be voided. Pay will be reduced to 'stipends' of $20 a month. Then cut altogether (hey, he feeds, dresses, & houses them, what more do they need?). Life insurance will be totally ended. If the enlisted are stupid enough to get dead, why pay their families anything. They don't deserve it.
2
Great writing! At least Trump seems to bring out the genius in writers like Mr. Bruni. Two points, though. One, Jared doesn't "lumber"; he slithers. And two, Trump is just the latest incarnation of the "Queen of Hearts" ("off with their heads!") leadership style. And unlike Stalin or Caligula, he doesn't literally bump off the fallen-from-grace among his coterie. Not yet.
6
To all the "deplorables" who got what they wanted- Thanks for nothing! Has the education and political awareness levels in this country as low as the election , let alone the duration of this cretinous despot indicates ? Sessions should never have been confirmed.This dwarf belongs back in the antebellum period swigging a mint julep and deciding on which slave market to go to next. This is truly one of the darkest periods in our history, the sooner it comes to a close the better.
16
Stupid is as stupid does. When Nixon was elected everyone knew he was a ruthless political hack. And lo and behold, he went down for ruthless political hacking. We knew Bush "43" was ignorant, and he gave us phony war calculations and a crashed economy. We knew Clinton was a philanderer, and he almost went down for being "handsy." (Actually he was presidentially asleep at the switch defending his right to lie about being handsy while "911" was being executed.). We knew Trump was an incompetent liar and a fraud (is that redundant?). So what is the shocking revelation here?! Donald Trump wasn't even Fred Trump's first choice for "prodigal son", his older brother was. DJT is a perennial second stringer. And he knows it. Folks who are incompetent or dishonest only succeed by cheating, blaming others, or catching undeserved breaks. Sessions is a lucky (thus far) fool. He's had enough virulent Alabama racists to keep him in office. He obviously knows nothing of lawyering, in that, he spit the bit on the Senate witness stand by stupidly lying about HIS Russian contacts without being asked. I guess he's never prepped a witness before. And, "No, Virginia" nobody with any sense (including right wingers) wants to work for this crew. It would be career suicide. Just ask James Comey. There is no working WITH this administration. I hope they are deposed before this headless horseman rides us into oblivion.
9
So we now have a government filled with incompetents. Duh! People with integrity and professionalism will not work for the tyrant. Those people know that their reputation will be ruined or Trump can easily destroy them with his stubby little fingers. So you can imagine how low his sycophants are willing to go to keep their jobs. These low lives are the best this country has to offer. The USA has jumped the shark. The shame and pain of this election will be with us and the world for generations.
7
Accusing Britain of perpetrating the imaginary phone tapp for Obama? Not his fault -- Trump says, "all we did is quote a certain very talented legal mind" he heard on Fox (and never mind Fox disavowed the claim).
No nominees for hundreds of posts? Not his fault -- blame the Democrats for not having approved people he hasn't even gotten around to nominating.
Who will he blame when he finds out that his tax bill, which is “progressing through congress”, doesn't exist yet? Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen!
No nominees for hundreds of posts? Not his fault -- blame the Democrats for not having approved people he hasn't even gotten around to nominating.
Who will he blame when he finds out that his tax bill, which is “progressing through congress”, doesn't exist yet? Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen!
8
Mar-a -Loco is priceless, Frank! That alone warrents a Pulitzer!
8
Thoroughly enjoyed this article. If you want to reach the Trumpaterians you may have to get a bit more folksy. Point out to them what is happening on the Federal scale is what happens in many working environments. Office workers all have had bad managers who get hired from outside to improve the company. This manager comes in and begins to mismanage since he knows nothing about how the company functions. Functional system are disarranged, good workers are chastised and morale goes into the paper shredder.
7
Further adventures of Malice in Blunderland.
Anyone who has been paying attention to this man over the past 40 years or so knows that this has always been the case. When will Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan and the rest of the GOP sycophants figure this out?
Anyone who has been paying attention to this man over the past 40 years or so knows that this has always been the case. When will Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan and the rest of the GOP sycophants figure this out?
7
McConnell, Ryan and the rest of the GOP syncophants already know all about their great white hope...they just don't care...they are already preparing Pence to look presidential. He certainly won't be tweeting...he'll be completing the destruction of the government in his quiet sneaky way...so be prepared to RESIST!!!
3
Yes, crooked lying Trump is good at finding scapegoats for his own inadequacies and incompetence. But he is even better at the 'art of distraction', always ready with an excuse from his jester's sleeve, then throwing that rabbit to us to feed the circus of intrigue and petty bullying. This clown must be ousted, and the sooner the better, before he mortgages our souls today, our children's tomorrow.
3
Join the Citizens' Army. Not a regiment near you? Start one. The Founding Fathers gave us the Obligation to Revolt in this situation & in the Constitution they gave us the means. The 2nd Amendment. Part 1: we can buy guns (not important then, everyone had guns) Part 2: organize a non governmental militia. All legal.
1
I seem to keep reading about how the Democrats lack leadership and a plan, its a little hard to take this seriously when the bar is set so low by the Trump junta and his enablers in Congress.
The gorilla in the room is the 62 million strong base who seem hilariously open to interpreting the inability to staff a government as "draining the swamp".
Few things seem to pierce the southern-conservative cognitive dissonance quite as well as a cat 4 or 5 hurricane. It is now hurricane season, will the Emperor meet his Katrina?
The gorilla in the room is the 62 million strong base who seem hilariously open to interpreting the inability to staff a government as "draining the swamp".
Few things seem to pierce the southern-conservative cognitive dissonance quite as well as a cat 4 or 5 hurricane. It is now hurricane season, will the Emperor meet his Katrina?
7
There is no director of FEMA and maybe 45 wants to get rid of the agency. Who can tell? There is so much daily distracting chaos that if anything else is emanating from the WH we don't hear about it right away, if at all.
1
Once more, Frank Bruni preaches the gospel. Amen to this brilliant, insightful writer and man, who gives voice to what we're all feeling. We're all just trying to plod our way through this international disaster, seeking the Oz that will be Drujmpf's resignation or impeachment. Either one is inevitable. Only down side is that then we're stuck with Pence...lesser of two horrific evils?
8
On the bright side, Trump's voters have a president who will never "apologize for America."
Who cares about NATO? In fact, there is a vacancy now in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with Qatar being ostracized. If the shoe fits, we will have so much oil and gas to make Pruit's America proud. We also secure lucrative customers for weaponry and endless targets for MOABs.
Who cares about NATO? In fact, there is a vacancy now in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with Qatar being ostracized. If the shoe fits, we will have so much oil and gas to make Pruit's America proud. We also secure lucrative customers for weaponry and endless targets for MOABs.
1
Geez, and this was given us by 19% of the American population. That's right boys and girls, we now have a government "run" by people elected by a tiny minority of voters. What can you expect? I know, I know, we educated Democrats are not supposed to look down on Trump Nation, but holy cow, they're still supporting him like he's a god, genuflecting in their living rooms in front of Fox News. Sure, Democrats don't vote, and that's our fault, but do we really deserve this? Well, we killed K-12 over the last few decades and live in that muck now. Ask Secretary of Education DeVos how to get better.
14
"Donald Trump is Never to Blame."
Neither was Barrack Obama. The buck never got to his desk either. It was always someone else's fault, usually Bush and the Repubs.
Neither was Barrack Obama. The buck never got to his desk either. It was always someone else's fault, usually Bush and the Repubs.
Try reading:
‘The Buck Stops With Me’
Boehner’s Empty Charge Against Obama
Then return to us from your Bizarro Trump world and tell us why you now accept that the buck never stops with Trump.
‘The Buck Stops With Me’
Boehner’s Empty Charge Against Obama
Then return to us from your Bizarro Trump world and tell us why you now accept that the buck never stops with Trump.
4
You have quite the selective memory! Try Googling 'Obama take responsibility' and see what comes up.
3
@Ann Herrick, spot on.
Display your disgust and embarrassment to the N'th degree!
W
W
2
That explains Melania's absence. I am sure she knows he will find some blame for her as well.
4
Haha. I think she doesn't like being around him. He treats her shabbily in public. In private it's probably worse. Can you imagine waking up next to that bloviating blob? He probably turns on the TV without regard for her sleep. Maybe she fantasizes about her life after he has left this veil of tears or simply enjoys a peaceful, sequestered life in New York. Do I sound cynical? So be it.
6
It feels as though the movie "The Producers" has come to life. Your lines Frank about Sean Spicer brought the movie to mind "The president's proposals are the wisest. The president's ethics are the purest. The president's crowds are the biggest". Kenneth Mars said in the movie (to paraphrase): "The Fuhrer is wise. The Fuhrer is kind, etc." And Trump is Dick Shawn's Lorenzo Saint DuBois as the Fuhrer, with Steve Bannon singing "Don't be stupid, be a smarty/come and join the Nazi Party".
I hope Beuregard Sessions gets the boot. His racist views make him utterly disqualified to be the Attorney General of the United States. Hopefully he has lost his usefulness to Trump and will be shown the door like Flynn.
As for Jared Kushner, since he is family and married to Trump's favorite daughter, he most likely will not be given the boot, but his role will probably be diminished if the investigation into his ties with Russia heats up, to the glee of Steve Bannon.
I hope Beuregard Sessions gets the boot. His racist views make him utterly disqualified to be the Attorney General of the United States. Hopefully he has lost his usefulness to Trump and will be shown the door like Flynn.
As for Jared Kushner, since he is family and married to Trump's favorite daughter, he most likely will not be given the boot, but his role will probably be diminished if the investigation into his ties with Russia heats up, to the glee of Steve Bannon.
4
As king can do no wrong Hon"ble President can do no wrong! He is working for the betterment of the society. We should not disturb him.
Amar Dutta
Amar Dutta
You are wrong in suggesting that trump may be right. This fool trump doesn't understand trade at all. That is apparent every time the idiot tries to talk in anything longer than a slogan. To the extent that trump has any policy at all, it is protectionism of the crudest, most destructive variety. This tariff (and don't be deceived; the "border adjustment tax" is just a ham-fisted attempt to enact a tariff without using the word) is so unlikely to change Chinese policy. The only thing it might do is damage America's trade with its neighbors and allies. Which, again, is something trump neither understands nor cares about.
6
In the book "1984,' George Orwell explains how words are systematically removed from the language and concepts turned on their head. The populace is allowed fewer and fewer words which results in poverty of thought. Certain ideas simply become unthinkable. Trump's truncated language, whether all he can muster or coming from some grand Bannon-avelian scheme, keeps Trump's discourse simplistic: Winners and losers, wonderful, happy or terrible, a great plan, very soon, fake news, America First. Obviously, these words mean whatever his star-struck followers want to believe. Frank Bruni, thank you for your elegant writing using rich, nuanced vocabulary and giving us complexities ponder.
5
"Donald Trump is Never to Blame."
He's been saying that all along.
He's been saying that all along.
3
We will know all is lost when Donald bring his sons into the White House to consul him or he appoints them to head some government agencies now that no one will work for him.
The swamp in Washington just keeps getting deeper and deeper with it now being spread in an ever expanding muck that is Donald's MO throughout life.
The swamp in Washington just keeps getting deeper and deeper with it now being spread in an ever expanding muck that is Donald's MO throughout life.
5
Trump thinks he is a king. Those who make the king "look better" are loyal -- those who do not are failures or even "traitors." His juvenile mentality is unable to comprehend any other model of leadership, thus unable to comprehend the office he holds.
110
My husband says Trump will "get it" ( his incompetency) when he is ousted in disgrace, but I don't think, even then, that he will recognize that he is the one responsible for his fall- that he is incompetent and an embarrassment to the United States. His arrogance will protect him and he will always blame someone else. I just hope someone finds a way to oust him before our nation suffers irreparable damage.
13
I suspect Trump hired Christie's attorney to be HIS attorney, not really a new FBI head. Trump will never get it.
1
Well, it might be time for Trump to hand out more laminated copies of the electoral map. So much red must signify the "Greatest Electoral Victory in History." Then a few rallies where the faithful can come and chant "lock her up," as Trump berates "crooked Hillary."
That's all Trump is about. All this messy governing stuff is difficult when everyone doesn't follow his orders. It's not Trump's fault those incompetent judges don't do what they're supposed to. How can he be at fault when those world leaders don't appreciate him like Putin does? Obama left him the biggest mess in the history of the Universe---- Many problems are clearly Obama's fault. And Congress? They just need to fall in line. People fail to appreciate Trump's new and different genius.
With a world view like that, things that fail can't be his problem. But those things that go right must be his wisdom starting to clean up the mess.
A spoiled 5 y.o. obsessed with magical thinking is currently our President.
That's all Trump is about. All this messy governing stuff is difficult when everyone doesn't follow his orders. It's not Trump's fault those incompetent judges don't do what they're supposed to. How can he be at fault when those world leaders don't appreciate him like Putin does? Obama left him the biggest mess in the history of the Universe---- Many problems are clearly Obama's fault. And Congress? They just need to fall in line. People fail to appreciate Trump's new and different genius.
With a world view like that, things that fail can't be his problem. But those things that go right must be his wisdom starting to clean up the mess.
A spoiled 5 y.o. obsessed with magical thinking is currently our President.
6
New hope: That Trump will have to resign once he has no one working for him.
4
You'll recall when asked to name a single sacrifice he had made in life, Donald Trump couldn't do it.
He couldn't come up with a single thing he's ever sacrificed for the sake of others, or for this nation. Not one.
So, no. The buck never stops with Trump. And he never takes the blame.
He's no rookie in finding scapegoats. His bait and switch gig gets us all riled up -- so actual problems are set to the side. And we seem to fall for it every single day.
He couldn't come up with a single thing he's ever sacrificed for the sake of others, or for this nation. Not one.
So, no. The buck never stops with Trump. And he never takes the blame.
He's no rookie in finding scapegoats. His bait and switch gig gets us all riled up -- so actual problems are set to the side. And we seem to fall for it every single day.
246
He's sacrificing his comfortable bed in Trump Tower or wherever it is that he lays his head now. And he's living in the White House where his privacy is non-existent. But serve his country, no. Even as president he is serving himself. Perhaps he's hoping to find a way to make his hair curly or his wrinkles completely disappear. I'd like to see him disappear, him and the cabal he came in with in January.
1
I was thinking we could probably do this all day:
-Trump sacrifices having to use those beautiful phones in the white house, as he referred to them, to instead take calls on those random golf courses each weekend.
-Trump sacrifices draining the swamp to surround himself with yet more creatures of the swamp.
-Trump sacrifices National Endowment for the Arts + Meals on Wheels for Elders to subsidize millions for golf trips, security at Trump Tower, security detail for family to sell Trump Co. overseas and ski at Aspen.
Trump tells Chris Christie and Mitt Romney to eat crow with just one scoop of ice cream--- as he must sacrifice their dignity in public.....
-Trump sacrifices having to use those beautiful phones in the white house, as he referred to them, to instead take calls on those random golf courses each weekend.
-Trump sacrifices draining the swamp to surround himself with yet more creatures of the swamp.
-Trump sacrifices National Endowment for the Arts + Meals on Wheels for Elders to subsidize millions for golf trips, security at Trump Tower, security detail for family to sell Trump Co. overseas and ski at Aspen.
Trump tells Chris Christie and Mitt Romney to eat crow with just one scoop of ice cream--- as he must sacrifice their dignity in public.....
1
Reminds me of a televised forum during which, a young woman, I believe, asked G.W. Bush if he'd ever made a bad decision in his life, and he simply just couldn't recall when he had done so.
1
And yet Dems continue to lose, lol.
4
lol ?
the situation *we* are in deserves serious action.
*not* mocking
the situation *we* are in deserves serious action.
*not* mocking
4
Not just "Dems". Try the whole world including the entire animal kingdowm.
2
Jeanne, he's a Bernie guy, all they do is mock.
2
His habit of placing the blame for his troubles on everyone but himself is yet another indication of how unfit our president is for his office. A leader takes his share of the blame when things go wrong, just as he takes a share of the praise when things go right. I would not want to work in this White House for all the borscht in Russia.
If only the Republicans in Congress had some integrity. They could work with the Cabinet only declaring our president unfit and drum him out of office. Of course, that's not going to happen since they believe that he will rubber stamp their agenda, if they ever get around to agreeing on an agenda.
Our country is in very poor shape at a very dangerous time in history. Let's hope and pray that we make it through this abomination of an administration intact.
If only the Republicans in Congress had some integrity. They could work with the Cabinet only declaring our president unfit and drum him out of office. Of course, that's not going to happen since they believe that he will rubber stamp their agenda, if they ever get around to agreeing on an agenda.
Our country is in very poor shape at a very dangerous time in history. Let's hope and pray that we make it through this abomination of an administration intact.
144
Another great column - but let's lay off Barron. That poor child has to be the loneliest kid in the world. Talk about 'sad'!
11
The only good thing about Trump is that he has inspired great writing from the NYT staff including this beautiful piece by Frank Bruni. Here's another, let's say biological way to look at Trump. During the 2016 election campaign ( so long ago now) I read an article by Jane Goodall that described Donald Trump as an "Alpha Male" This concept is pretty familiar to people so it has become a bit of a cliche to say that they someone is an alpha. But Goodall's point was that all the noise and confusion, the temper tantrums, the insults, the ridicule, the bragging, the bluffing - it's all part of the alpha male's act, and she's seen it all - in Chimpanzees.
Note that the Donald's only priority seems to be reversing and negating all of former President Obama's policies. Hilary is kind of irrelevant in all this because it's really all about alpha male vanquishing the previous alpha male. And this was brought to you by a Republican party whose every wish for the last nine years has been to reverse Obama's policies. Well, they got what they wished for. Be Careful what you wish for. earthjustice.blogspot.ca/2016/11/trump-alpha-male.html
Note that the Donald's only priority seems to be reversing and negating all of former President Obama's policies. Hilary is kind of irrelevant in all this because it's really all about alpha male vanquishing the previous alpha male. And this was brought to you by a Republican party whose every wish for the last nine years has been to reverse Obama's policies. Well, they got what they wished for. Be Careful what you wish for. earthjustice.blogspot.ca/2016/11/trump-alpha-male.html
10
The thing I can't understand is why anybody thought that so called 'business' skills would translate into Presidential skills.
Government, of any sort means, well, that's what I've always thought, working towards the benefit of the community, not one's own private gain.
Trump has only ever worked for his own benefit, and that of his family.
As an Australian, I've never seen any evidence anywhere, any time that Trump has ever, in his whole life, worked to benefit or improve matters for the community - any community.
To become President of the United States, the candidate obviously needs to have had experience in political life, to have gained experience in working with communities, and also, very importantly, to have gained knowledge of the protocols that apply to governing, to learn, to listen, to work with others, to educate oneself.
Trump has had none of these experiences, and shows no understanding of the huge deficit this represents for him in his current role.
I can only say that, throughout such a short time into his Presidency, Trump has shown no willingness to learn, places no value in reaching out to people with experience in all the areas in which he is so ignorant, and has not demonstrated any effort whatsoever to rise to the public expectations of how he should carry out his role.
Trump reminds me of the Evil Queen in Snow White - ' Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the bestest one of all?' Trump's response would be ' Me, bigly! '
Government, of any sort means, well, that's what I've always thought, working towards the benefit of the community, not one's own private gain.
Trump has only ever worked for his own benefit, and that of his family.
As an Australian, I've never seen any evidence anywhere, any time that Trump has ever, in his whole life, worked to benefit or improve matters for the community - any community.
To become President of the United States, the candidate obviously needs to have had experience in political life, to have gained experience in working with communities, and also, very importantly, to have gained knowledge of the protocols that apply to governing, to learn, to listen, to work with others, to educate oneself.
Trump has had none of these experiences, and shows no understanding of the huge deficit this represents for him in his current role.
I can only say that, throughout such a short time into his Presidency, Trump has shown no willingness to learn, places no value in reaching out to people with experience in all the areas in which he is so ignorant, and has not demonstrated any effort whatsoever to rise to the public expectations of how he should carry out his role.
Trump reminds me of the Evil Queen in Snow White - ' Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the bestest one of all?' Trump's response would be ' Me, bigly! '
428
Jan Laidlaw, thank you for pointing out that the skills involved in being even a good businessman do not translate into being a good politician or president anywhere in the world. We had a candidate who had the extensive experience: Hilary Clinton. But because enough Americans didn't vote for her she didn't get the required Electoral College votes to win. Now we're stuck with someone who is not even an amateur politician. He's a 70 year old brat who is throwing all his toys out of the playpen while hoping that someone nearby will pick them up and give them back to him. Pathetic.
8
What business skills? As someone (I forget who) recently pointed out, Trump the entrepreneur was failure, Trump the CEO was a failure, and Trump has been a success only in marketing. Marketing skill might get a Trump elected. But that's about it.
2
He wasn't a great business leader. He was a man who bullied, threatened or sued people, and practiced bait and switch. These are the skills he has brought to the White House.
I shudder to think how much money the American taxpayer is providing for salaries for all Trump's picks to ruin/run our country.
10
Fortunately, few people want to work for him, so positions remain unfilled, therefore not as much money as one might expect. If this leads to the country's ruination, at least it won't have cost so much to do it..
5
It's the trips to Mar-a-Loco that are draining the treasury, plus the Secret Service protection for the "clan."
4
An excellent piece as always. Certainly one of the best anaylses of the activities of the present government. Please, for all of our sakes, keep on watching. Keep on courageously writing.
8
I can't figure out whether we're actually taking Trump seriously or we've all entered into a strange tacit pact to PRETEND to take him seriously. He is a dilettante. He grew up being rewarded only for being demanding, crass, and crude. He can't have been loved simply because he was his parents' son; any nurturing love would show up somewhere in his personality now if he had experienced it. His whole life has been a show. He had the good fortune to be physically attractive when he was young and to be born into wealth, and he parlayed those advantages, plus an acquired skill at winning praise for brash, bullying, amoral behavior, into a life where so many vacuous, greedy people, including the press, fawned over him that he sincerely came to believe he was master of the universe. Rising in politics, going directly to the White House, and becoming "leader of the free world" has been nothing but an ego-fulfilling game to him. But at some point it grew deadly serious. The game has gone too far for him to have any understanding of his own behavior beyond a desperate need to sustain his deeply pathological self-concept. And here we all are, dithering about his every tweeted impulse, because sure enough, he IS actually president of the U.S. We're the audience who blithely bought out the tickets to the Florence Foster Jenkins Carnegie Hall concert. We know it's a joke, but the star doesn't, and we can't stop watching. Our fascination is fading, and our laughter is turning to tears.
9
wow....your post is as good or better than Bruni's article....well done, insightful...
1
Benedict is pathetic, but being pathetic is not against any law with which I am familiar. However, treason, obstruction of justice, and abuse of the power of the office of the president are criminal acts.
PROSECUTE RUSSIAGATE!
PROSECUTE RUSSIAGATE!
4
In the lead up to Trump taking office, I was somewhat worried about what he could do to this country and the world. I was somewhat mollified by the fact we have a government of check and balances and by the opinions I read that said his worst tendencies would be controlled by the Office of the Presidency and his somewhat more sane appointees.
Well, that is not how it is happening and I am actually afraid and worried of the damage he will do before he is done. Truthfully, he could not be acting any different if he were in Putin's control.
Try this experiment. Take and bullet point every outrageous thing he's said or done just since taking office. Do not include anything from the campaign or his private life.
The list is staggering and creates fear in one. Now, add in bullet points from the campaign and from his private life. Add in EVERYTHING both words and deeds. It's a very long list isn't it? How can it be this person is our President? How can we get him to stop being our President? Would he resign if we gave him the opportunity to do so without loss of face? Let's try it.
Well, that is not how it is happening and I am actually afraid and worried of the damage he will do before he is done. Truthfully, he could not be acting any different if he were in Putin's control.
Try this experiment. Take and bullet point every outrageous thing he's said or done just since taking office. Do not include anything from the campaign or his private life.
The list is staggering and creates fear in one. Now, add in bullet points from the campaign and from his private life. Add in EVERYTHING both words and deeds. It's a very long list isn't it? How can it be this person is our President? How can we get him to stop being our President? Would he resign if we gave him the opportunity to do so without loss of face? Let's try it.
9
good idea....yea, what if we offered Trump like...oh, 10 billion dollars to leave, go away...he might take it.
2
Thanks so much to those Trump voters who confuse arrogance with strength, disparagement with discourse, paranoia with purpose, and magical thinking with practical solutions. These four months have been a sad lesson in the fragility of our republic, and the gullibility of so many of our citizens. That more of them have not awakened from their fever dream and joined us in resistance defines their tragic obstinacy.
19
Donald Trump is the 70 year old white male misogynist xenophobic, bigoted, naturally nurtured ignorant, stupid, lying, incompetent, inexperienced, bloviating buffoon, intemperate, reckless, fickle, cowardly, weak and insecure son of an inherited closely held family New York City real estate empire. Who knew what manner of man this Trump was?
Since Donald Trump was elected by the votes of the 46% of Americans who delivered him a four year Electoral College majority aided and abetted by the selective active influence of Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu, James Comey and Julian Assange he is indeed not to blame for what is occurring in our divided limited power democratic republic.
What are the poor American people going to do against a leader who is ruling with divine royal mandate backed up by uniformed armed bayoneted storm military troopers? Hold their temporary elected legislative and executive hired help and their selected judicial hired help accountable? Or not?
Since Donald Trump was elected by the votes of the 46% of Americans who delivered him a four year Electoral College majority aided and abetted by the selective active influence of Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu, James Comey and Julian Assange he is indeed not to blame for what is occurring in our divided limited power democratic republic.
What are the poor American people going to do against a leader who is ruling with divine royal mandate backed up by uniformed armed bayoneted storm military troopers? Hold their temporary elected legislative and executive hired help and their selected judicial hired help accountable? Or not?
7
Here's the bet: which Cabinet Secretary will leave first?
First out will be most likely to succeed....elsewhere. Exception: Sessions. No one likes him or wants him outside the racists who don't have much to offer.
Tillerson could go directly to Rosneft, Mattis to General Dynamics. McMaster to Loockheed, DeVos to summer school, and Pruitt to Ronco. There's probably odds makers and betting pools already.
First out will be most likely to succeed....elsewhere. Exception: Sessions. No one likes him or wants him outside the racists who don't have much to offer.
Tillerson could go directly to Rosneft, Mattis to General Dynamics. McMaster to Loockheed, DeVos to summer school, and Pruitt to Ronco. There's probably odds makers and betting pools already.
7
Hey look, anyone who can say he's against terrorism and wants to destroy ISIS, yet in the same breath brag about his meetings with some of the worse sponsors of state terrorism and ISIS, i.e., the Saudis, and then offers to hand them billions in weapons, is just plain nuts, and asking for (or trying to create) big trouble in the world. Of course, we also should ask who's actually pulling the strings on this mindless puppet....because that will reveal even more about his words and actions.
5
And when Trump was a child throwing rocks from across the fence into the neighbor's outside playpen next door, of course it was the Baby's ! fault !!!!!!
4
It would seem that the real-estate-mogul-in-chief may be attempting to flip the United States. Will negotiations with the client Russians bear fruit? To enhance swamp appeal he's fired the FBI Chief, flogged NATO, galled our European allies, played footsie with the Arabs, egged on global warming, and turned out no viable work product--tweeting his nights away.
As his first clutch of hatchlings slime out the front door Jared's left the backdoor wide open for playmate Vlad.
As his first clutch of hatchlings slime out the front door Jared's left the backdoor wide open for playmate Vlad.
6
Where is a willing scapegoat when you need one?
Trump needs to seek out a masochist. For his sadism.
Sad...
Trump needs to seek out a masochist. For his sadism.
Sad...
7
Usually things don't get this crazy until the END of a dictator's reign. Well, I guess it is America First, after all.
10
Great column. It isn't like we weren't warned. Everything Tony Schwartz learned about him years ago and warned about during the campaign has turned out to be true.
12
Is this surprising? Anybody remember 2004? "W" couldn't think of a single thing he'd done wrong when asked. It's the age of blamelessness. Everybody is perfect. It's someone else's fault. It's forbidden to ever say, "I'm sorry", "I made a mistake" or anything that implies less than perfection in everything. The problem is, of course, it's never true, and without even a tiny bit of humility, one never makes any progress on anything. How could you and why would you need to? After all, you're perfect!
5
the "buck" is not a dollar but a knife used to indicate the dealer in a poker game.
Harry Truman had the slogan posted on his desk meaning he was ultimately responsible, something Trump would never do.
Harry Truman had the slogan posted on his desk meaning he was ultimately responsible, something Trump would never do.
5
Trump can find a lot of people who would be glad to work for him for a good salary. They are his working class supporters who have no jobs that they feel they could work at (in other words paying above minimum wage because they feel they deserve better).
This would be a win for Trump (bigly). He would be praised for putting his supporters back to work and they would continue to adore him.
This would be a win for Trump (bigly). He would be praised for putting his supporters back to work and they would continue to adore him.
4
"Donald in a Dixie cup"
Thanks Frank - now I have to wipe coffee (or is it covfefe?) off my monitor.
Thanks Frank - now I have to wipe coffee (or is it covfefe?) off my monitor.
9
If some very brilliant person could come up with a way to undo the election it could save all of us from this torture. Reading the paper is as bad as water boarding. Its Trump every minute of the day. He does not deserve this kind of attention, but we do need to know what he is up to. We also need to know what Pence is doing in the background. He is more slippery than Trump. I am guessing that Pence is being measured for his new chair, that of the Presidency.
That is as scary a thought as Trump.
That is as scary a thought as Trump.
12
Fun, witty piece, Frank, adding to the ridicule in the anti-Trump arsenal!
4
The refusal of trump to accept or acknowledge his culpability in any of they myriad of mistakes and lies he's told is mirrored by his supporters; they too 'blame' anyone and everyone...other than themselves.
Don't have a good paying job? Gosh, can't learn new skills to get that job? It's always someones fault except the man in the mirror....just like trump.
Don't have a good paying job? Gosh, can't learn new skills to get that job? It's always someones fault except the man in the mirror....just like trump.
7
DJT is a classic, deeply pathological narcissist. I grew up with a parent very much like him and know all too well the chaos and feelings of manipulation, unfairness, irrationality, betrayal, rejection, shame, guilt, embarrassment, cruelty, walking on egg shells, and utter abandonment my family endured as a result. How just one man can do so much damage to his family of 8 mystifies me. I can't help but wonder about the lasting damage an entire country (and beyond) will suffer under just one DJT... this saddens me terribly.
26
Please leave the man in office, let him tweet to his heart's content, let him spew falsehoods at will, just keep up the sober fact checking, let the comedians have their way, let the sun shine in. While he is getting some done via his "executive orders", imagine what havoc he could wreck if he were competent.
Another reason to keep him tweeting, Pence.
Another reason to keep him tweeting, Pence.
12
You seem to forget that this "comedian" is just one tweet away from the Nuclear Codes.
No doubt Pence is scary, but not as scary as a nuclear war.
No doubt Pence is scary, but not as scary as a nuclear war.
I absolutely agree. I prefer Trump's dysfunctional "me"-ism to Pence's theocratic passion, which would have us all bowing to religious laws to the destruction of our own beliefs.
5
Pence is scary, but not as scary as a nuclear war. --N. Smith
True, that, but Umptray isn't the most likely one to start a nuclear war. In fact there have been many instances of near-accidental/unintentional nuclear war that have nothing whatever to do with him:
https://futureoflife.org/background/nuclear-close-calls-a-timeline/
So, Umptray and Pence aside, it could happen at any time, and it's been avoided so far because of thoughtful people down the chain of command, not only here but in Russia--and who knows what other incidents have occurred, in other nuclear nations, about which the public will never know.
We must have faith that the officer holding the football will throw it off the bridge into the Potomac rather than let him get his tiny hands on it.
True, that, but Umptray isn't the most likely one to start a nuclear war. In fact there have been many instances of near-accidental/unintentional nuclear war that have nothing whatever to do with him:
https://futureoflife.org/background/nuclear-close-calls-a-timeline/
So, Umptray and Pence aside, it could happen at any time, and it's been avoided so far because of thoughtful people down the chain of command, not only here but in Russia--and who knows what other incidents have occurred, in other nuclear nations, about which the public will never know.
We must have faith that the officer holding the football will throw it off the bridge into the Potomac rather than let him get his tiny hands on it.
I cannot imagine why anyone would risk the legal fees and prison time to go to work for this personality disordered nightmare.
15
Trumplandia is bad for those working in it (except for Bannon, who is constructing it while deconstructing American government), but Trumplandia is great for increasing NYT and WaPo subscribers.
3
White guy voters to Bruni et al.: You fact-based elitests still don't get it. It is the sheer incompetence of Trump and his posse that makes us stick by him, especially if what he does hurts us and our families. What a hoot! You guys keep squirming and worrying about the rule of law and a stable world. We can revel in ignorance and chaos with cruelty thrown in. What's not to like?
4
Do you think about the consequences of the fun you're having or is your comment only a put-on? You may enjoy the squirming, but what of your children when, like the children of Flint, they have no clean water? And what is in store for them if you find yourself without medical care? Unless you are so very rich that you think none of this can touch you, perhaps you might take the "fact-based (the hyphen sort of gives you away) elitists" more seriously.
2
All those bucks stop in his wallet. Responsibility and cost 'lies' elsewhere.
Sessions offer to resign? Trump does not take resignations (or prisoners) - that would deprive him of the pleasure to say "you're fired!"
Now the Bridge-Gate defense lawyer for Chistie - defender of the defenseless - has become Trump's selection for FBI director - talk about scraping and squeegeeing the bottom of the swamp for candidates!
Sessions offer to resign? Trump does not take resignations (or prisoners) - that would deprive him of the pleasure to say "you're fired!"
Now the Bridge-Gate defense lawyer for Chistie - defender of the defenseless - has become Trump's selection for FBI director - talk about scraping and squeegeeing the bottom of the swamp for candidates!
5
So THAT's who the candidate is? Don't the Republicans have ANYONE respectable to nominate? If they do, would the person take the job?
That is not, by the way, from a Democrat, but from and Independent (or wannabe Independent).
That is not, by the way, from a Democrat, but from and Independent (or wannabe Independent).
4
Sure sign of a sociopath -- nothing is ever his fault.
11
It's a moment of truth for Republicans. When will they find their collective spine.
6
Hi, my name is Laura and I used to watch Trump's reality show.
It was fake, ridiculous, and showed funny sides of B-list celebrities trying to make a comeback, which was nice when I wanted to mentally unplug. And, as could be seen with his parading of potential Cabinet members before the cameras during his transition, prompting "who will get the rose" conversations, Trump thinks he's still on his show.
And, really, if this were just a White House version of The Apprentice, it'd be crazy. The constant cutthroat drama, the favoritism shifting on a dime, the international fights with long term allies, the Twitter rants, the many controversial items they're trying to shove through Congress... viewers' minds would explode. It'd either be a smash hit or would have people running for their bunkers.
But, in reality, we don't want drama in the White House. We like our government boring, predictable, and only changing to fit our personal ideas. The constant stream of dramatic headlines may be great for the newspapers, but I've aged several years over the past few months.
It'd be great if the final episode of this horror show comes soon, with a resounding "You're Fired" to Trump himself. An ironic plot twist fitting the best of reality shows.
It was fake, ridiculous, and showed funny sides of B-list celebrities trying to make a comeback, which was nice when I wanted to mentally unplug. And, as could be seen with his parading of potential Cabinet members before the cameras during his transition, prompting "who will get the rose" conversations, Trump thinks he's still on his show.
And, really, if this were just a White House version of The Apprentice, it'd be crazy. The constant cutthroat drama, the favoritism shifting on a dime, the international fights with long term allies, the Twitter rants, the many controversial items they're trying to shove through Congress... viewers' minds would explode. It'd either be a smash hit or would have people running for their bunkers.
But, in reality, we don't want drama in the White House. We like our government boring, predictable, and only changing to fit our personal ideas. The constant stream of dramatic headlines may be great for the newspapers, but I've aged several years over the past few months.
It'd be great if the final episode of this horror show comes soon, with a resounding "You're Fired" to Trump himself. An ironic plot twist fitting the best of reality shows.
11
Maybe we can fire him in 2020 unless he's impeached but given our current Congress, it's unlikely.
1
He is so full of himself.
Could he, at least, update the photo of his Twitter account?
Like everything else, he tries to fool people but it will not work.
Could he, at least, update the photo of his Twitter account?
Like everything else, he tries to fool people but it will not work.
1
Anybody with half a working brain can see that the Trump administration is in utter disorder and confusion. There never was, is not now, and never will be a "plan" as long as a "shoot from the lip" uninformed egotist like Donald J. Trump is heading it up.
Everything is always about "The Donald." Nothing else matters. The man tries to present a facade that looks good, but which in fact has ZERO substance. Even his $110 BILLION deal with the Saudis now turns out to be at most a memorandum of understanding, which may never actually amount to anything. Ask Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, General Dynamics or Northrop Grumman what new orders actually were placed.
Donald J. Trump is going to go down in history as the example of a Potemkin Village, whether or not he also ends up being impeached, convicted and removed from office, and then prosecuted for treason.
Memo to Donald:
Everybody knows you are a loser. BIGLY.
Joe From Boston
Everything is always about "The Donald." Nothing else matters. The man tries to present a facade that looks good, but which in fact has ZERO substance. Even his $110 BILLION deal with the Saudis now turns out to be at most a memorandum of understanding, which may never actually amount to anything. Ask Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, General Dynamics or Northrop Grumman what new orders actually were placed.
Donald J. Trump is going to go down in history as the example of a Potemkin Village, whether or not he also ends up being impeached, convicted and removed from office, and then prosecuted for treason.
Memo to Donald:
Everybody knows you are a loser. BIGLY.
Joe From Boston
10
Trump was never to be blamed - he never tried to hide his ignorance and conman ship. from the public - in Primary and in General Election. It is white American voters in Rust belt states that saw on those maneuvers the brightest entrepreneurs and most efficient managers. Now in WH, he is showing his skills and knowledge openly without hiding anything from the World. You belch radish when you eat radish. The challenge is how we live in Trump world? I suggest that all Trump administration personnel start practicing what our great law firms did - say NO. Allow him to remain confined in WH and tweets and live an imaginary life and you do your task with your sense of priority and interest of country in mind. Let him run an imaginary Presidency without running America.
Donald was the only one who knew all steps in that sword dance in Saudi Arabia. Those others in robes didn't have a clue. Sad!
4
"But back to the Potomac and his principal aides, unprincipled underlings and princeling of a son-in-law, each more incompetent than the next."
The only joy I have seen in this administration are the clever and cagey columns produced by Mr. Bruni. Excellent job on the new Trump caricature - "Donald in a Dixie Cup" as many comments have previously mentioned. I will never be able to see that brand name in the supermarket again without bursting out loud in laughter.
Unfortunately, aside from these wise and witty essays, and Lord knows how I desperately need to laugh in order to remain sane these days, in the end, there will be no winners - only losers, especially for America, and there will be more than enough blame to go around for practically every Republican who continues to support "the Dixie Cup". In the meantime, I continue to brace myself for the daily damage this man and his motely crew are creating.
Thanks for telling it like it is Mr. Bruni in your usual, smarty pants style. You rock!
5
For those of you who want impeachment, I have just two words, "Dream on." Not that he doesn't deserve it; he does. However, as Gerald Ford said, and I paraphrase, "High crimes and misdemeanors are anything a majority of the House of Representatives says they are." So long as regressive legislation is passed and young reactionary judges are named, shooting someone in broad daylight on Fifth Avenue won't qualify.
We have to highlight the effects of his policies to those who can't be bothered to vote but who can be persuaded that their self interest depends on voting against his enablers.
Luigi Zingales, a professor at the University of Chicago, said that so long as Italians focused on Silvio Berlusconi's mental stability, they made no inroads in defeating him. When they switched tactics and focused on the results of his policies, they did. We need to do the same. RESIST!
We have to highlight the effects of his policies to those who can't be bothered to vote but who can be persuaded that their self interest depends on voting against his enablers.
Luigi Zingales, a professor at the University of Chicago, said that so long as Italians focused on Silvio Berlusconi's mental stability, they made no inroads in defeating him. When they switched tactics and focused on the results of his policies, they did. We need to do the same. RESIST!
531
Yes, we need to focus on his policies and those of the GOP. They are hurting us. They are hurting America. Everyone makes mistakes but most of us learn from them. Trump and the GOP keep making the same mistakes and inflicting and re-inflicting the same wounds upon all of us.
2
That's an interesting point: ". . . high crimes . . . are anything a majority of the House of Representatives says they are." Imagine if Mr. Mueller is coming to the end of his work next Fall. The President is facing a possible impeachment, depending on Mueller's findings and, possibly, arrests. The switch by voters of the House and Senate from Republican majority to Democrat majority could be a virtual vote for impeachment. If it is damning, the timing of Mueller's report could be decisive - impeachment/acquittal before the end of 2018 or impeachment/removal after 2018. House of Cards, get on this!
1
Calls for impeachment may be very appealing and great fodder for the cable news pundits to debate. A far better and more likely scenario would be a massive shift in Congress in 2018. Get out and vote!!
2
Absolutely true. Who in their right mind would want to join this hopelessly misaligned administration knowing that they are one tantrum away from getting thrown under a bus?
Then again, how can we be surprised? I don't just mean Trump, his impulsive nature and ignorance was legendary well before the election. I mean the Republican Party as a whole. They're never to blame, either. It's always those nasty Democrats, or Obama, or Hillary, or Benghazi, or the Media.
Or when their economic trickle-down religion fails for the umpteenth time it's because of Democrats, or California, or "regulations", or immigrants, or "those people" "mooching" off of the system. Never their ideas or policies- which are cruel, indefensible, and unworkable.
We've had decades of "It's Okay if You're a Republican" where Republican politicians get a pass when others are excoriated for the same missteps. So, yes, Trump is "never to blame". But don't get too upset at him. He learned that game from the best.
Then again, how can we be surprised? I don't just mean Trump, his impulsive nature and ignorance was legendary well before the election. I mean the Republican Party as a whole. They're never to blame, either. It's always those nasty Democrats, or Obama, or Hillary, or Benghazi, or the Media.
Or when their economic trickle-down religion fails for the umpteenth time it's because of Democrats, or California, or "regulations", or immigrants, or "those people" "mooching" off of the system. Never their ideas or policies- which are cruel, indefensible, and unworkable.
We've had decades of "It's Okay if You're a Republican" where Republican politicians get a pass when others are excoriated for the same missteps. So, yes, Trump is "never to blame". But don't get too upset at him. He learned that game from the best.
12
He's turned America into a newt. We'll get better.
5
@Eric Blair, very nice! I also recall that King Arthur's trusty servant (the one who actually knocked coconuts together to support the King's ridiculous assertion that he was riding a horse) was named "Patsy."
Ryan, McConnell and all the other enablers are speechless and spineless. No more needs to be said. The Disaster is the The Donald -- a loser. America is still great and always will be -- "if we can keep it." -- Get going folks. It's time to roll.
"Bring your conscience to work," as Ralph Nader often said.
"Bring your conscience to work," as Ralph Nader often said.
5
The Trump administration is an insurmountable opportunity.
The tragedy are the millions of older folks who should have more sense who state things like "he is doing a good job after the terrible job by the democrats." Thanks to the GOP alternate universe and drumbeats on FOX News.
The Murdoch's, and in particular Rupert, are totally responsible for this. Let's hope that advertisers back off from Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity who are both bad journalists and opinion hosts. Throw in Watters.
The tragedy are the millions of older folks who should have more sense who state things like "he is doing a good job after the terrible job by the democrats." Thanks to the GOP alternate universe and drumbeats on FOX News.
The Murdoch's, and in particular Rupert, are totally responsible for this. Let's hope that advertisers back off from Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity who are both bad journalists and opinion hosts. Throw in Watters.
1
Brilliant commentary! Sums it up beautifully. Don in a Dixie cup. Love it!
This administration would make a great soap opera but unfortunately, it's a reality show that's a like a train wreck, one you can see happening, you can't stop it and you can't look away. It's just toxic.
This administration would make a great soap opera but unfortunately, it's a reality show that's a like a train wreck, one you can see happening, you can't stop it and you can't look away. It's just toxic.
2
Trump's flaws are not just character flaws, as you rightly point out. He is mentally unbalanced, a virtual poster boy for the DSM-V. His combination of a malignant Narcissistic Personality Disorder, classic Psychopathy, and ADHD added to a total lack of attention span, a disinclination (or inability) to read, lack of knowledge about democracy & world cultures, & a belief that there is no "real" person in the world except himself makes him profoundly unsuited to any management-oriented job, let alone the most powerful one in the country, A man for whom exercise of power is nothing more than an affirmation of his own self-worth will use all of the power he has - legal & otherwise - to quell his Brobdingnagian sense of insecurity and inner self-doubt. The entire world is just a prop for his towering, yet fragile, ego & he is willing to drag it down in chaos rather than admit he so much as misspelled a word. Terrorists are a threat to hundreds of people a year. But Trump is doom for the entire world.
9
as good as the article written was, your post added even more depth into what's really going on with this man....
You're right about everything except...it's tawdry and mean to use a small child --even a small Trump child such as Barron--to help you excoriate the cataclysm of the Trump administration.
3
I recall a British political cartoon from the campaign with the caption "Ships fleeing the sinking rat.'
Now that trump is whirling in a maelstrom's center of his own flailing, he is rightly listed as a navigational hazard, to be avoided at all costs.
Now that trump is whirling in a maelstrom's center of his own flailing, he is rightly listed as a navigational hazard, to be avoided at all costs.
3
Oh my goodness, that opinion piece was full of the best zingers I've read in a while. Thanks for a (cynical) chuckle Frank Bruni!
2
I've decided to re-watch Game of Thrones and have decided that King Joffrey and the Lannisters are less insufferable than Trump and his family.
1
Trump may never be to blame elsewhere, but he always is in the New York Times, so that kind of makes up for the gap in the WH.
you obviously don't get it.....your statement is like a statement of denial from a person that doesn't believe in climate change...it's really cold out, it snowed in March...so, obviously there is no such thing as global warming !!
the POINT of this article was that Trump will NEVER accept blame of being wrong about ANYTHING ! not even a stupid typo!
the NYTimes....reports the news....they don't make things up.
the POINT of this article was that Trump will NEVER accept blame of being wrong about ANYTHING ! not even a stupid typo!
the NYTimes....reports the news....they don't make things up.
Trump effortlessly took the "anti-PC" mantle because he thrives on being impolite and wrong.
More and more Trump supporters are no longer finding Trump's truthiness refreshing, and only the most faithful Branch Donaldians are able to blindly defend all those lies shrouded in candor.
Trump is like one of those old novelty pens, slowly revealing an image with no clothes, and all the time just as classy.
More and more Trump supporters are no longer finding Trump's truthiness refreshing, and only the most faithful Branch Donaldians are able to blindly defend all those lies shrouded in candor.
Trump is like one of those old novelty pens, slowly revealing an image with no clothes, and all the time just as classy.
2
Trump: bully, blame, bluster, brag, berate.
3
I seem to remember reading that Ronald Reagan was fond of saying that "There's no limit to what you can accomplish if you don't care who gets the credit."
3
Rather ironic that Trump now finds himself in the role of "The Apprentice" on the verge of being canned, hopefully sooner rather than later. For every American who would like to see the man disappeared from office, I would suggest flooding the White House inbox with a simple two word message -
You're fired.
You're fired.
5
President Trump is merely the foam on a rising tide.
he has legions of supporters who hate themselves so much they turn their vitriol outward and hate everything. ny them, he's doing just fine... and the more outraged the NY Times types are, the better it plays in the mythic lands beyond the outer boroughs.
he has legions of supporters who hate themselves so much they turn their vitriol outward and hate everything. ny them, he's doing just fine... and the more outraged the NY Times types are, the better it plays in the mythic lands beyond the outer boroughs.
3
This is the same old tired geopolitcal rationale that's used to explain everything these days.
You might be surprised to learn there's an ever increasing amount of Americans who aren't "NY Times types", that are beginning to realize Trump has left them in the dust.
You might be surprised to learn there's an ever increasing amount of Americans who aren't "NY Times types", that are beginning to realize Trump has left them in the dust.
1
Well done, Frank. An eloquent appraisal of a mountain of incompetence.
3
the voters... and their Russian enablers.
let's face it and move on: Clinton lost more than Trump won. now we're stuck with him and his minions.
we can't replay the last election; we must figure out how to survive.
let's face it and move on: Clinton lost more than Trump won. now we're stuck with him and his minions.
we can't replay the last election; we must figure out how to survive.
2
Twenty years from now my guess is that Trump, his family, his cabinet, and the 2017-18 Republican Congress will be looked at as the most corrupt and incompetent government in U.S. history.
16
That is an understatement. By that time they'll still be wearing ankle bracelets.
2
yea, i'd have to agree...but, i don't think you'll get great odds on it, since within 6 months of a 4 yr term he has proven to be completely incompetent, entangled with the Russian oligarchy, possible obstruction of justice, insulted our European allies, has surrounded himself with loyalist and family members.... 6 months in, and it already appears to be true....worst ever !!
And this just in from Louis XIV's (aka Trump's) Versailles: Bannon was seen carrying the royal chamber pot this morning leading to speculation...
1
"The buck stops anywhere but hair."
Ha!
Ha!
3
What can I say Frank? As the old saying went, it's Trump's world, we are just living in it.
1
It it is, unfortunately, simple. This is how narcissists behave. There is no cure. His basic agenda is only loosely associated with anything called governing. He is so deeply flawed that he must be removed. SOON!
2
Right On ! Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow !
1
Why should Dear Leader accept responsibility? No one has ever been successful in holding him to account. Sure people have tried but Trump just sued them into oblivion. While he can't do that as President, does anyone see the GOP Congress doing anything to hold him to account? NO because they could care less about Trump flaunting any laws or ethics. And the show and Trump will go on.
As for Sessions, he was placed as Attorney General to do two things. Thing 1) Get rid of the Russian investigation. It appears that little Jefferson Beauregard Sessions has a tiny bit of personal integrity as a lawyer and will not do what Trump wanted. No wonder Trump is furious.
Thing 2) Our little I wish I was a Plantation Owner Sessions was assigned to keep "them" in place. Sessions has never seen a civil right he could not manipulate so he is right on track for Trump in this regard. This is why Sessions is not going anywhere.
The GOP and their conservative PAC's are going into full media onslaught. Big money is being spent on a media campaign to promote the fake news of 'witch hunt' and 'Comey is a creep'. And Trump people will gobble this propaganda up.
The NYT, WAPO et al must continue to dig and expose. Mueller must be diligent and uncover every little detail. Sessions may be going after 'the leakers' to make people afraid but We have to hope the facts and the truth will come out.
As for Sessions, he was placed as Attorney General to do two things. Thing 1) Get rid of the Russian investigation. It appears that little Jefferson Beauregard Sessions has a tiny bit of personal integrity as a lawyer and will not do what Trump wanted. No wonder Trump is furious.
Thing 2) Our little I wish I was a Plantation Owner Sessions was assigned to keep "them" in place. Sessions has never seen a civil right he could not manipulate so he is right on track for Trump in this regard. This is why Sessions is not going anywhere.
The GOP and their conservative PAC's are going into full media onslaught. Big money is being spent on a media campaign to promote the fake news of 'witch hunt' and 'Comey is a creep'. And Trump people will gobble this propaganda up.
The NYT, WAPO et al must continue to dig and expose. Mueller must be diligent and uncover every little detail. Sessions may be going after 'the leakers' to make people afraid but We have to hope the facts and the truth will come out.
14
you are already in TX, so you're practically there now.
Brilliant Frank Bruni as usual....
"By many accounts, the atmosphere in the White House is one part high school cafeteria, two parts “Lord of the Flies.”
Priceless!
"By many accounts, the atmosphere in the White House is one part high school cafeteria, two parts “Lord of the Flies.”
Priceless!
8
As with many commenting here, for me it is not merely the fact that a lone, unqualified, ranting egotist is in the White House that is the prime concern.
No, the bigger concern is that the world's first and oldest constitutional republic could somehow not just facilitate this tumor's rise to the presidency, but, even after having his malignancy exposed, a large portion of the electorate continue its support for him.
How to view this? Is democracy incompatible with anarchistic capitalism? Is a two-party system fated to placing economic interest above human interest? Do the technological advances of the internet age promote rather than combat intellectual laziness? Are the lessons and tactics that the advertising machine learned and honed selling beer now being applied to swaying our largely uneducated electorate?
The Framers were undoubtedly very bright people and got a lot of things right in 1787. But perhaps they were over-optimistic and they were definitely not possessing of absolute clarity when it came to seeing the future. The created a document that was purposely vague in very key areas hoping, assuming that future generations would be responsible as they flushed it all out.
But the gaps they left, some of the compromises they made have come back to haunt America: for this generation, it has put a tumor in the Oval Office and budding tyrants in Congress and the courts.
No, the bigger concern is that the world's first and oldest constitutional republic could somehow not just facilitate this tumor's rise to the presidency, but, even after having his malignancy exposed, a large portion of the electorate continue its support for him.
How to view this? Is democracy incompatible with anarchistic capitalism? Is a two-party system fated to placing economic interest above human interest? Do the technological advances of the internet age promote rather than combat intellectual laziness? Are the lessons and tactics that the advertising machine learned and honed selling beer now being applied to swaying our largely uneducated electorate?
The Framers were undoubtedly very bright people and got a lot of things right in 1787. But perhaps they were over-optimistic and they were definitely not possessing of absolute clarity when it came to seeing the future. The created a document that was purposely vague in very key areas hoping, assuming that future generations would be responsible as they flushed it all out.
But the gaps they left, some of the compromises they made have come back to haunt America: for this generation, it has put a tumor in the Oval Office and budding tyrants in Congress and the courts.
16
Description of Sessions as Donald in a Dixie cup--hilarious!
10
i agree with everything - but leave his son out of it completely!!!
5
I saw this reference to Barron Trump as appropriate given the context of the piece. This was not anything negative about the child, but rather his father. Bruni was inferring that Trump would eventually get around to blaming his innocent son for something he has nothing to do with. This did not demean Barron in any way.
1
for now Mitch McConnell is in the catbird seat: no progressives near the White House. a comfy majority. a weak President. a chance to go after things he hates, like the present and the future, but no risk of downside consequences through success.
all this and double dipping at the pay trough.
the only reason he might want to get rid of the President is for the good of the county, and that's never been on the table.
all this and double dipping at the pay trough.
the only reason he might want to get rid of the President is for the good of the county, and that's never been on the table.
16
I concur with what you are saying, but I wonder if there is anything McConnell doesn't hate. The man appears to be one black hole of hatred toward anything Obama. He tried to destroy the country while Obama was President and his actions since demonstrate nothing positive. He still stands for trying to destroy any Obama legacy even though Obama has retired.
Is there anything he represents other than hatred? How did this small-minded man get elected in the first place? He will sell the country and work with the devil ... or Trump ... to try to turn back the clock to a worse time in our history like pre-civil rights/modern era. Unfortunately, the rest of have to take the same ride as he will take advantage of the ignorant & deluded Trump to achieve that end.
Is there anything he represents other than hatred? How did this small-minded man get elected in the first place? He will sell the country and work with the devil ... or Trump ... to try to turn back the clock to a worse time in our history like pre-civil rights/modern era. Unfortunately, the rest of have to take the same ride as he will take advantage of the ignorant & deluded Trump to achieve that end.
5
On the plus side, voters finally get to see how a businessman President
"gets it done". May they rethink their choices in 2020. Democracy
is a slow, messy process, not for the tweeting kind.
"gets it done". May they rethink their choices in 2020. Democracy
is a slow, messy process, not for the tweeting kind.
9
Leave Barron out of this! He's a child, and it's irrelevant to your argument.
Better to ask where the Dems are on formulating a winning counter narrative for 2018.
Better to ask where the Dems are on formulating a winning counter narrative for 2018.
4
It was very relevant to his argument. This did not demean Barron. It demeaned Trump who Bruni asserts would eventually blame some catastrophe of his making on his son. And I agree with him. This man would throw is own mother under the bus for a revenge, a buck or to save his own hide/image. It's part of his mental illness.
Having become an avid reader of the Comments section of NYT op-eds, and if this is just a small sampling of how most Americans feel about Donald Trump, I'm struck by how the Great Narcissist has unfairly entangled normal, intelligent, thoughtful people in his mental disability. I don't believe America signed up for mass psychosis on Election Day regardless of how they voted. Any new health plan forwarded by the Republicans should include additional coverage for the psychiatric care that Millions are surely going to need before Trump is through trashing the American psyche. I'll bet that the Trump family endures it because of the financial pot at the end of the inheritance rainbow, but what about the rest of us?
12
"I alone can fix it." Trump, you may get what you promised.
8
All good points. Sean Spicer has been reduced to "I haven't discussed that with the President" on almost all questions that should be answerable by a press secretary.
Trump's threat to stop all press briefings was no threat at all. You can't stop something that's not really happening.
Trump's threat to stop all press briefings was no threat at all. You can't stop something that's not really happening.
269
No one being to blame is the hallmark of corporations -- GM killed hundreds over the faulty key-switch & coverup and nobody went to jail. Who went to jail over the frauds of the 2008 financial collapse?
Competent subordinates are not so necessary: those who can and will take the fall are. Bill Baroni, Bridget Kelly, Scooter Libby: perfect corporate tools in government.
How are such people recruited? What motivates them to put themselves into such hazard for so little gain? The obvious question at this point is who would be stupid enough to volunteer as Trump's human shield?
And why are any of the lower-level people at the Whitehouse hanging around ... the one's who can plausibly get out and have a future? You do not want to be around when the Trumptanic sinks. Even worse, you do not want to be promoted into the perp-walk photo op of being a Baroni or Kelly.
What we have here is a right-wing Darwin award contest: you too can become the next Mike Flynn, Kellyanne Conway, or Sean Spicer! Step right up folks...
Competent subordinates are not so necessary: those who can and will take the fall are. Bill Baroni, Bridget Kelly, Scooter Libby: perfect corporate tools in government.
How are such people recruited? What motivates them to put themselves into such hazard for so little gain? The obvious question at this point is who would be stupid enough to volunteer as Trump's human shield?
And why are any of the lower-level people at the Whitehouse hanging around ... the one's who can plausibly get out and have a future? You do not want to be around when the Trumptanic sinks. Even worse, you do not want to be promoted into the perp-walk photo op of being a Baroni or Kelly.
What we have here is a right-wing Darwin award contest: you too can become the next Mike Flynn, Kellyanne Conway, or Sean Spicer! Step right up folks...
6
If those on the inside are so miserable, what's keeping them there? None are being held hostage. Just quit.
Love this column, btw.....
Love this column, btw.....
6
Either way it's career suicide.
Our government has degenerated into a de facto one-party system. All one-party systems are corrupt; the Devil exists to keep God honest. We need a strong liberal or socialist party to remind the Republicans of the meaning of fiscal and social morality. Trump looking for reliable help among his followers is like a tick looking for dieting ticks.
13
I assume the main incentive for working in the Trump White House is to gather material for the eventual "Fall of the House of Trump" books.
17
The most entertaining part of all of this is that he's perfectly willing to make a fool of himself in public. He saves comedians time on working up funny sketches and jokes by doing it for them. All they need to do is work out which lines they want to use and who can impersonate the people involved best. Therefore, if our current administration is doing nothing else they are contributing, at a very high rate, to the stock of jokes comedians can use to make their living.
Thank you Donald Trump for your assistance in improving the quantity of bad presidential jokes. And thanks are given to your son-in-law, your Attorney General, and the rest of your advisors, and the GOP to making 2017, to date at least, a vintage year for reality comedy.
Thank you Donald Trump for your assistance in improving the quantity of bad presidential jokes. And thanks are given to your son-in-law, your Attorney General, and the rest of your advisors, and the GOP to making 2017, to date at least, a vintage year for reality comedy.
16
On election night (2016) that Barack Obama called Hillary Clinton and said just one word: "Wait."
The Trump Presidency is headed for catastrophic breakdown. I just hope somebody has told the Pentagon to ignore random White House nuclear launch codes.
The Trump Presidency is headed for catastrophic breakdown. I just hope somebody has told the Pentagon to ignore random White House nuclear launch codes.
21
maybe they gave donny the WH wifi password and told him it was "the code". That would have been my recommendation from day one.
Mr. Bruni averred that "many of the country’s diplomats are in a funk." A much more serious problem is that there aren't many diplomats, period. The most professional ones have been fired and now even rank amateurs cannot be found to fill the well-culled ranks.
As Mr. Bruni also declared, "the pool of available talent is a puddle too shallow to keep a newt afloat" Perhaps, but I'd bet good money that we could find Newt in there, just waiting to be tapped for all the wisdom and political talent he has proven to have on-offer for so many decades.
Jeff Sessions is on the outs. Could Newt be far behind?
As Mr. Bruni also declared, "the pool of available talent is a puddle too shallow to keep a newt afloat" Perhaps, but I'd bet good money that we could find Newt in there, just waiting to be tapped for all the wisdom and political talent he has proven to have on-offer for so many decades.
Jeff Sessions is on the outs. Could Newt be far behind?
26
It's Bannon we need to be on the outs....
1
While the Donald has not unleashed an explosion of coal mining jobs, he has fully unleashed the writing talents of Mr. Frank Bruni, and he might as well take credit for that too, even as he absolves himself of blame for all that Mr. Bruni details.
"Donald in a Dixie cup."
"The buck stops anywhere but hair."
"one part high school cafeteria, two parts “Lord of the Flies.”"
Classic.
"Donald in a Dixie cup."
"The buck stops anywhere but hair."
"one part high school cafeteria, two parts “Lord of the Flies.”"
Classic.
48
Is this actually the third term of the Obama presidency, albeit a precarious one? How can the presidency go on like this? Perhaps it can. Perhaps Trump is demonstrating the presidency is utterly unnecessary.
And there's another thing at work here: the utter irrelevance of Republican lawmakers. I thought they would draft the bills, and the Platinum Ape would offer his five fingers and a pen to sign them. They would get their destructive laws, and Trump would get all those cameras during the signing ceremonies. Everybody would be happy. But the Republicans in Congress are offering nothing, absolutely nothing.
How can Republicans have such a lock on this country?
And there's another thing at work here: the utter irrelevance of Republican lawmakers. I thought they would draft the bills, and the Platinum Ape would offer his five fingers and a pen to sign them. They would get their destructive laws, and Trump would get all those cameras during the signing ceremonies. Everybody would be happy. But the Republicans in Congress are offering nothing, absolutely nothing.
How can Republicans have such a lock on this country?
19
Republican electoral dominance is rooted in the fear pervasive an age of falling expectations such as ours. Do nothing makes perfect sense to those, a majority or close, who believe that doing anything will make a bad situation worse.
"How can repubs have such a lock on this country?" Red O. Greene asks. Answer: they have a firmly entrenched propaganda machine in place that beats the GOP message into the ears and eyes of susceptible low-information voters 24/7. This has been going on for 30 years, relentlessly. Oh sure there are also greedy fat cats that vote repub in exchange for favorable tax cuts to themselves and their ilk. But there are not enough of them to move the needle in politics. AS this presidential election so sadly proved-- there ARE enough of the rubes. They have changed our nation, they are bringing us down.
What is going on with the new FBI Director--he appears to be somewhat competent--doesn't he know yet that is not a good place to be in the Trump White House.
6
Perhaps Mike Dubke was not fired. Perhaps he resigned because he was the only on wise enough to see the handwriting on the wall. From now on in no competent person will shred their career and personal reputation for Trump The only question at this point is how much longer will McConnell and Ryan allow Trump to damage this country and US standing in the world. My prediction is that Trump will be gone by Christmas.
13
I pray you are right
That's what I asked for
Another excellent commentary. I wonder if Trump reads articles like these and their comments. Come to think of it, I wonder if Trump reads at all.
9
I'm pretty sure that he reads condensed versions of all the alt right or fascist sites, or someone reads them to him
1
The vast majority of us are significantly stressed out by this presidential election outcome:
A report from January 2017 from the American Psychological Association says that two-thirds of persons in the U.S. name concern over the future of the country as a “very or somewhat significant” source of stress.
Such high levels of stress appear to be harming public health.
“The percentage of people reporting at least one health symptom because of stress rose from 71 percent to 80 percent over five months,” the report states.
The APA executive director for professional practice noted.:
"The stress we're seeing around political issues is deeply concerning, because it's hard for Americans to get away from it..."We're surrounded by conversations, news and social media that constantly remind us of the issues that are stressing us the most."
Yep. For 24 months or more-- Trump this, Trump that, Trump, Trump... All day. Every five minutes. Every day.....Starting at the crack of dawn.
Worth your time to read this compelling study and the report:
http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2016/coping-with-change.pdf
A report from January 2017 from the American Psychological Association says that two-thirds of persons in the U.S. name concern over the future of the country as a “very or somewhat significant” source of stress.
Such high levels of stress appear to be harming public health.
“The percentage of people reporting at least one health symptom because of stress rose from 71 percent to 80 percent over five months,” the report states.
The APA executive director for professional practice noted.:
"The stress we're seeing around political issues is deeply concerning, because it's hard for Americans to get away from it..."We're surrounded by conversations, news and social media that constantly remind us of the issues that are stressing us the most."
Yep. For 24 months or more-- Trump this, Trump that, Trump, Trump... All day. Every five minutes. Every day.....Starting at the crack of dawn.
Worth your time to read this compelling study and the report:
http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2016/coping-with-change.pdf
13
Frank, this is one of your best columns, but I have to say, the focus of the piece is such easy pickings for this audience.
For anyone with critical thinking abilities, there's a "thank you, Captain Obvious" element to all these pieces as cathartic as they are to read and comment on.
I've long given up on the thought of removing Trump from office, and the Left needs to stop swatting the hand of the Right as they continue to try to touch that stovetop. LET TRUMP BE TRUMP. If he's removed, it will only make his supporters double down on the conspiracy theorists who would say he just wasn't given enough time - things were just starting to improve. Just be glad someone so obviously inept is in the office.
Find a cool-headed candidate for 2020 who can show actual leadership and a vision. There will be plenty of cleanup to do, but we'll be in the business of swatting hands away from the stove forever if we don't at least let them feel some heat.
For anyone with critical thinking abilities, there's a "thank you, Captain Obvious" element to all these pieces as cathartic as they are to read and comment on.
I've long given up on the thought of removing Trump from office, and the Left needs to stop swatting the hand of the Right as they continue to try to touch that stovetop. LET TRUMP BE TRUMP. If he's removed, it will only make his supporters double down on the conspiracy theorists who would say he just wasn't given enough time - things were just starting to improve. Just be glad someone so obviously inept is in the office.
Find a cool-headed candidate for 2020 who can show actual leadership and a vision. There will be plenty of cleanup to do, but we'll be in the business of swatting hands away from the stove forever if we don't at least let them feel some heat.
11
well, as was said in my youth (I am >>60 years old) if there were a nuclear war, the survivors will envy the dead.
4
Republicans united against Obama because they could use the rampant racism indigenous to many parts of the country-if not everywhere in the USA. And they needed to distract their supporters from the obvious fact that "they" in reality were "us": not the 1%. So. Keep us divided. Get us/them to vote against their/our own interests. So the GOP stoked the fires of identity politics, made fortunes doing it on the radio, the crazier and more hate-filled the better, saturated social media, stone-walled the government. It worked because Obama was trying so hard to get them to warm up to him. His "kindness was weakness" in their minds and it seems to have infuriated "them". The more he moved in their direction, the more they retreated to mere invective and hate. Hundreds of Republicans voting in unison to not govern. Their supporters demanding it. So. Who can they hate now. Us? What did we do? Yeah, globalization has cost jobs. But y'll's problem is gonna be robots, technology, automation of even service jobs. White. black, red, yellow or whatever, we're all gonna be out of work soon.
So we're in it together, y'all. It's not a choice of "Pittsburgh or Paris". Y'all being trumped again. It's the Planet, the Future or...nothing.
So we're in it together, y'all. It's not a choice of "Pittsburgh or Paris". Y'all being trumped again. It's the Planet, the Future or...nothing.
8
No one with any integrity would continue to work in the Trump administration. Whatever any of Trump's lackeys did before they went to work for him has been forgotten. They will only ever be remembered as propping him up instead of walking away. My mother used to tell me to pick my friends carefully, because I would be judged by the company I keep. Too bad Spicer, Mattis and so many others didn't learn that lesson.
7
Well, as long as people are watching, listening, and talking about Donald Trump, he's happy. And it doesn't matter that our government isn't staffed, because Republicans ever since Ronald Reagan have been calling for smaller government.
Schoolchildren, the children of Trump supporters, are protesting being taught in their science classes about climate, disappearing glaciers, and the like.
Don't hold your breath waiting for Trump to disappear.
Schoolchildren, the children of Trump supporters, are protesting being taught in their science classes about climate, disappearing glaciers, and the like.
Don't hold your breath waiting for Trump to disappear.
5
"the atmosphere in the White House is one part high school cafeteria, two parts “Lord of the Flies.”
In other words- total covfefe.
In other words- total covfefe.
20
Atavism? Brilliant! I had to look it up, but it was the utterly perfect word.
10
The GOP clown car has been high-jacked by a shallow, ill-informed egomaniac. No sane person is going to get in the car at this point.
17
We are exhausted by this frightening display of a president who has a severe mental illness (and I am qualified to make that diagnosis as his symptoms are on full display on a daily basis). He is not going to change.
What I am waiting for is for someone in the republican party to rise up and put the Constitution above party. Someone needs to start yelling and start doing it soon. How can anyone with an ounce of pride or credibility manage to stand up with this nut?
What I am waiting for is for someone in the republican party to rise up and put the Constitution above party. Someone needs to start yelling and start doing it soon. How can anyone with an ounce of pride or credibility manage to stand up with this nut?
33
bigly do not hold your breath for a stand up republican.
Gee, I do miss Obama.
53
I think that every single day.
1
A Gentleman and a Statesman...........
1
Obama gave a speech yesterday in Montreal to the Chamber of Commerce. I listened & watched. It was a breath of fresh air. I tried to imagine Trump doing the same thing but it was impossible.
America , what have you done yourself ! You have elected , sort of , a mentally sick conman as your president & the GOP (Ryan , McConnell , et al) are milking/aiding & abetting the sick conman. Please do not tell the world that you will let this continue for 2 more yrs.
America , what have you done yourself ! You have elected , sort of , a mentally sick conman as your president & the GOP (Ryan , McConnell , et al) are milking/aiding & abetting the sick conman. Please do not tell the world that you will let this continue for 2 more yrs.
My previous post cited Charles Blow as the author. MY APOLOGIES TO FRANK BRUNI as I was just reading an earlier Blow column.
Mr. Bruni's column is brilliant, as are Mr. Blow's. I'm just dazzled by all of the blinding light of truth from Mr. Bruni. Keep shining the light, Mr. Bruni. And an enormous Thank You.
Janet W.
Mr. Bruni's column is brilliant, as are Mr. Blow's. I'm just dazzled by all of the blinding light of truth from Mr. Bruni. Keep shining the light, Mr. Bruni. And an enormous Thank You.
Janet W.
14
Yes, thank you! I am so very grateful to our wonderful op-ed columnists, Bruni and Blow. I hope you guys know how much you mean to us!
Leave while you can. The pardons won't extend to you.
But please hide the nuclear codes on the way out.
But please hide the nuclear codes on the way out.
11
After reading this article, I get the feeling that Bruni's nickname is " The Harpoon
5
Once upon a time I had a boss like Trump, one who was a senior executive at a Fortune 50 company. All failures were solely someone's else's fault, even if effected on his specific orders. All successes were solely his, even if he had countermanded them. Ultimately a few of us developed a strategy:
--Never telling him what we were doing, deflecting any why-didn't-you-tell-me questions with assertions that the matters weren't worthy of his important time and high-level attention.
--Where the interests of the corporation demanded it, acting against any direct orders, on the theory that his memory (and knowledge of our areas of expertise) was such that he could not reconstruct the discussion--and would obviously never try if we were successful.
With our world becoming increasingly dangerous by the minute--between ISIS's stepped up attacks (now including Iran), North Korea's aggression and the Middle East upheaval involving Qatar--we can only hope that those in Trump's circle with the power to protect our national interests will develop some kind of strategy to stoke our president's ego while nonetheless working for the greater good--regardless what he says. The stakes are so high that being the target of his blame should be the least of their (and our) worries.
--Never telling him what we were doing, deflecting any why-didn't-you-tell-me questions with assertions that the matters weren't worthy of his important time and high-level attention.
--Where the interests of the corporation demanded it, acting against any direct orders, on the theory that his memory (and knowledge of our areas of expertise) was such that he could not reconstruct the discussion--and would obviously never try if we were successful.
With our world becoming increasingly dangerous by the minute--between ISIS's stepped up attacks (now including Iran), North Korea's aggression and the Middle East upheaval involving Qatar--we can only hope that those in Trump's circle with the power to protect our national interests will develop some kind of strategy to stoke our president's ego while nonetheless working for the greater good--regardless what he says. The stakes are so high that being the target of his blame should be the least of their (and our) worries.
23
Strategy: fire the one not popularly elected and hire the one actually elected by the popular vote of the people.
3
Other then his masterful use of wordsmithing this president is will hang on his own confefe.
6
His "masterful" use of wordsmithing is simply his constant appeals to fears, anger, & frustrations of people who feel marginalized. The fact that he is precisely the kind of person who has marginalized them all their lives does not occur to them. Just as Adolf Hitler rallied support around himself by asserting his "strength" and the idea that Germany under his rule was no longer just one of many sovereign countries, but the superior country & destined ruler of all is the same satisfying (to his supporters) assurance Trump puts forward. They don't want surcease for their woes. They want a powerful leader who will dominate the world militarily & poke every other leader in the eye to prove his & America's machismo. This is what they deludedly think of as "American Exceptionalism." We are indeed now exceptional, but not for the reasons Trump's followers think. In the eyes of the world, we, like North Korea, are being led by a maniac with a clown car full of sycophants & a nuclear piñata stick. The man who couldn't even make money owning casinos is now in charge of what's left of our economy. And you thought terrorists were a threat to our existence.
It is a sad but well- known fact in psychiatry that those in the orbit of the mentally disturbed are often more adversely effected by proxy than the individual with the malady, since that person lacks insight and may not even acknowledge their illness. Trump appears mentally unstable and is clearly effecting adversely those around him. He is a rare force of nature, but unfortunately that force is a "black hole"'with a gravitational pull so strong that no light escapes and nobody will get out of his administration untarnished. There can only be so many "tell all" book deals, so the first ones out may at least get some publisher's cash advance...."Act now!...for a limited time and a limited time only!"
15
The barely whispered story Bruni and his colleagues tiptoe around is malignant narcissism disorder, its traits and what it means for the U.S. and the world. No one seems to want to talk about mental illness.
14
*giggles* Such poetic snarkery!!
6
Hard to imagine wraithlike Kushner "lumbering" anywhere. He seems too lightweight to leave footprints even.
Got to be bitter bitter stuff for Sessions- Trump's Mini Me and chief law officer simulation - he has offered his resignation after 5 minutes. Maybe he can drug test the WH bunch before 1955 comes to pick him up. They seem WAY more likely to be self-medicating than Snap recipients.
Got to be bitter bitter stuff for Sessions- Trump's Mini Me and chief law officer simulation - he has offered his resignation after 5 minutes. Maybe he can drug test the WH bunch before 1955 comes to pick him up. They seem WAY more likely to be self-medicating than Snap recipients.
7
"Donald in a Dixie cup"
Wonderful metaphor, especially since "Dixie cup" is a Koch-brothers brand.
Wonderful metaphor, especially since "Dixie cup" is a Koch-brothers brand.
28
Anthony Senecal, where are you these days now that your President could use good help in managing the White House?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/05/13/donald-trumps-...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/05/13/donald-trumps-...
2
Those who supported him enough to give him the election will see this as rats leaving a sinking ship and will continue to cling to the belief in their leader. What else can they do?
4
The one defining characteristic of ALL Sociopaths: Nothing is ever their fault. Their is always someone else to blame. Just saying.
18
The core of Sociopathy is a syndrome, including the inability to feel any empathy for the plight of others, the ability to lie about virtually anything without feeling guilt or anxiety (hence their success on lie detector tests), the belief in their own ego & exceptionalism, the need to demean & degrade anybody who they perceive has slighted or opposed them, sexual excess & inappropriateness, a history of troubles as a youth (he was expelled from his elite boarding school at 13 even though his father was on the board and sent off to military school to "straighten" him out. In essence, a sociopath sees his life as a "game" that he must constantly win & the most satisfying wins come from conning and ultimately destroying those he believes he is playing against.
1
Mr. Bruni,
All of what you have written is true, can't really contest that. But..........we might not have been in this mess if a piddling few of you Republican sycophants had not continued to put party over rationality and accepted that reality that there really was no comparison between DJT and HRC, flawed as she was. She would have made at LEAST a competent POTUS. So please trade some of your whining in for a serious round of mea culpa.
All of what you have written is true, can't really contest that. But..........we might not have been in this mess if a piddling few of you Republican sycophants had not continued to put party over rationality and accepted that reality that there really was no comparison between DJT and HRC, flawed as she was. She would have made at LEAST a competent POTUS. So please trade some of your whining in for a serious round of mea culpa.
15
It's all doom and gloom to NYT readers, but unfortunately there is a large segment of the population who aren't paying attention. They listen to FOX news, if any news at all, and are blithely unaware. They think Trump is doing just fine. With Obama gone, America is great again, and all is right with the world. Also, a lot of wealthy Republicans are happy too. Until those groups see reality as we see it, our country will go down and down and down. Sad.
37
Your comments are right on. I live in TrumpLand and the more Trump lobs grenades into the establishment here and in foreign lands, the more they love him. I believe that they know that Trump will never make their lives better so why not blow everything up? Hopefully Trump will be gone before one of their loved one's dies in an emergency room because Obama Care was taken from them.
3
So, illegals, commies and Samantha Bee are among his critics?
Why stop there?
There's also the likes of Bill Maher; Stephen Colbert; John Oliver; Keith Olbermann, and every other posting on Facebook.
Sincere apologies to anyone I omitted.
Why stop there?
There's also the likes of Bill Maher; Stephen Colbert; John Oliver; Keith Olbermann, and every other posting on Facebook.
Sincere apologies to anyone I omitted.
5
Apology accepted.
Thank you, Alan!
Can you just imagine (I can) what Fox News and the Republicans would be saying if former President Obama governed in this manner? The hypocrisy of the Republican Party knows no bounds and all their white supporters too. The silence of the Republican Party leadership is deafening.
37
If Trump really were the gifted manager he fancies himself to be, he would know how much trickles down from the top.
If Trump's mouthpieces can't stick to set talking points, that is because he can't. If they can't make compelling arguments, that is because he can't.
If Trump's staff are inept, that is because he does not know how to handle his job, let alone theirs.
If Trump's staff are dishonest and disloyal, they reflect those traits in him.
If Trump's staff are unworthy of their posts, well, he put them there.
If the Trump White House is "a total disaster," there is one person who should be told, "You're fired." And that will have to happen at the polls.
If Trump's mouthpieces can't stick to set talking points, that is because he can't. If they can't make compelling arguments, that is because he can't.
If Trump's staff are inept, that is because he does not know how to handle his job, let alone theirs.
If Trump's staff are dishonest and disloyal, they reflect those traits in him.
If Trump's staff are unworthy of their posts, well, he put them there.
If the Trump White House is "a total disaster," there is one person who should be told, "You're fired." And that will have to happen at the polls.
16
I can see the NYPost headline now on November 4, 2020 -- presuming Trump lasts that long: "Country to Trump: 'You're Fired'". Delicious!
3
This made my day. Beautifully written and completely apt of the happenings of the Trump administration that we are witness to daily.
24
Eric Trump just announced that people that disagreed with his father, "are not even human."
Pretty much sums up the myopic cluelessness of all the Trump's. If you don't back us or enable us, you are the problem! Ms. Conway has even suggested that TV hosts that say negative things about Trump should be arrested.
Spoken like "cult of personality" bully-babies, one and all. Did Obama the Dignified whine, bleat, or threaten when the entire GOTP not only blocked him, but demonized any of their own caught even shaking the President's hand? No!
And unlike Trump, he really WAS knowledgeable and competent!
Pretty much sums up the myopic cluelessness of all the Trump's. If you don't back us or enable us, you are the problem! Ms. Conway has even suggested that TV hosts that say negative things about Trump should be arrested.
Spoken like "cult of personality" bully-babies, one and all. Did Obama the Dignified whine, bleat, or threaten when the entire GOTP not only blocked him, but demonized any of their own caught even shaking the President's hand? No!
And unlike Trump, he really WAS knowledgeable and competent!
73
I have my fingers crossed that Prime Minister May, London Mayor Khan and Queen Elizabeth will cancel all invitations to rude and boorish Donald Trump. Millions of British people signed a petition opposing any visits from Trump, which would be very costly and wasteful. He is as unpopular there as he is here.
49
Trump is the ultimate Republican shape shifter. I am constantly bemused by the GOP's insistence that non-GOPers take "personal responsibility" for their words and actions. But when it comes to GOPers caught in their lies, or with their metaphorical (and frequently literal) pants down, the weaving, bobbing, denial, and blame-shifting begins. It's quite extraordinary for those of us on the political left who actually try to live our lives with integrity and, yes, personal responsibility. The biblical words "hypocrites and vipers" come to mind.
21
Brilliant piece.
10
Rearranging the deck chairs on the Potomac...
11
The stench of moral decay in the WH is wafting under my nose. His appointed people to fill slots, as slim as they are, will be scattering like roaches with the lights turned on. I'm sure many are tuning up their CV's as I type in anticipation of Thursday's fallout. The dam can hold only so much water. The Republican elected officials who were staunch supporters during the election process and now have interesting cards to play now. Do they hold 'em or fold 'em?
13
There are only two reasons anyone would take a position of any rank in the Trump administration at this point:
One: They are bat-shoot crazy
Two: They are going to be secretly taping and feverishly taking "contemporaneous" notes for a tell-all book that will make them enormously rich and reveal to all why they actually took the position - that they weren't actually bat-shoot crazy after all.
For anyone else, the stench of the White House will rise from their resumes for many years to come, and they will pay a high price in stress and uncertainty and loss of self respect for the privilege of it. A lose/lose proposition.
There's an old saying "I wouldn't be a member of any club that would have me as a member". The new saying is "You can never respect anyone who would qualify to be, and agree to be, a member of this administration."
The ad for any new position should read:
Wanted: Whipping boy. Yes man. Loyal not to party or country but to one man only. Ready to accept all blame for every failure, cede all contributions to any success. Able to keep a straight face while lying your butt off to the country with the most illogical and indefensible and fact free arguments the "war room" can feed you - and then be prepared for a contradicting tweet from your boss the next day. Willing to leave gaping hole in your resume where your White House service was. No previous history of whiplash. Not allergic to bushes on White House grounds.
One: They are bat-shoot crazy
Two: They are going to be secretly taping and feverishly taking "contemporaneous" notes for a tell-all book that will make them enormously rich and reveal to all why they actually took the position - that they weren't actually bat-shoot crazy after all.
For anyone else, the stench of the White House will rise from their resumes for many years to come, and they will pay a high price in stress and uncertainty and loss of self respect for the privilege of it. A lose/lose proposition.
There's an old saying "I wouldn't be a member of any club that would have me as a member". The new saying is "You can never respect anyone who would qualify to be, and agree to be, a member of this administration."
The ad for any new position should read:
Wanted: Whipping boy. Yes man. Loyal not to party or country but to one man only. Ready to accept all blame for every failure, cede all contributions to any success. Able to keep a straight face while lying your butt off to the country with the most illogical and indefensible and fact free arguments the "war room" can feed you - and then be prepared for a contradicting tweet from your boss the next day. Willing to leave gaping hole in your resume where your White House service was. No previous history of whiplash. Not allergic to bushes on White House grounds.
28
Are we missing something here? Are we judging this man's "infallibility" from a political point of view when we should be thinking religion? Is his "light" blinding some unbelievers - will they go to hell? I'm scared - will I go to hell?
2
Ate lunch next to a tourist with a "Trump Make America Great Again" visor! I'm sorry, but I couldn't help staring. Other than the visor, he seemed so normal. It's just amazing to me how anyone could still feel that strongly positive about a guy who behaves like a 12 year old bully. It made me realize his followers don't consider NYT, NBC, CBS, ABC, MSNBC, CNN, WP, and all other normal news sources except FOX real news any more (I refuse to say "F@ke News")
14
Interesting article. But if Trump is Republican and entirely inept, if government is performing entirely ineffectively under Trump, does this not mean, ironically perfect performance from the "small government rather than large is best" perspective? In other words, if for years now Republicans have been wanting to shrink government, shut it down, block it, prevent it from performance, would not the apotheosis of this project be people in power in government, and on the Republican side, who perform abysmally, do nothing, demoralize all "increasing and effective government" hopes?
Ironically is Trump not the greatest modern Republican President ever in this regard? Act only if able to privatize, destroy government as much as possible and bungle everything else? Tabloid, privatized, vulgar, crude and ruthless salesmanship, controlling, business enterprise and government destroying President in the name of...America?
A good project might be to compare Bruni's article here with Tom Friedman's today on China and to really get all the business, corporate, government stuff on the table of both countries and compare and contrast and analyze free of all political b.s. and see where those Las Vegas chips are falling, just be cold and analytical as a mobster about it, whether business and nation in its entirety is working out with our current situation. What do our most cynical Italians, savvy Jews, cold anglo-saxon protestants, successful black gangstas, Hispanic gang members think?
Ironically is Trump not the greatest modern Republican President ever in this regard? Act only if able to privatize, destroy government as much as possible and bungle everything else? Tabloid, privatized, vulgar, crude and ruthless salesmanship, controlling, business enterprise and government destroying President in the name of...America?
A good project might be to compare Bruni's article here with Tom Friedman's today on China and to really get all the business, corporate, government stuff on the table of both countries and compare and contrast and analyze free of all political b.s. and see where those Las Vegas chips are falling, just be cold and analytical as a mobster about it, whether business and nation in its entirety is working out with our current situation. What do our most cynical Italians, savvy Jews, cold anglo-saxon protestants, successful black gangstas, Hispanic gang members think?
3
Of course Trump is "never to blame" nor, for that matter, is the U.S.A..
The world still awaits apologies for the U.S.'s blind support of Israel, for selling Saudi Arabia WMD with which they have annihilated Yemen, for the invasion of Iraq, for the thoughtless bombings of Libya and Syria, all of which have accounted for over one million deaths, 10 million refugees, coincidental civil wars in 3 countries and the spread of Radical Saudi-Wahhabi-Islam across the globe.
Why should Trump be the only one to apologize?
The world still awaits apologies for the U.S.'s blind support of Israel, for selling Saudi Arabia WMD with which they have annihilated Yemen, for the invasion of Iraq, for the thoughtless bombings of Libya and Syria, all of which have accounted for over one million deaths, 10 million refugees, coincidental civil wars in 3 countries and the spread of Radical Saudi-Wahhabi-Islam across the globe.
Why should Trump be the only one to apologize?
7
Brilliant column, Frank. Your best ever.
11
There should be a sign on Donald Trump's desk that reads "The Buck Stop There: Down the hall, take a left, fourth door on the right."
9
I'm thinking the first thing DT asks applicants is "will you be loyal to me?"
4
Jeff Sessions description of Donald in a Dixie cup is classic! What a lovely turn of phrase. Thanks, Mr Bruni..
13
While I disapprove of body-shaming the man for being small, I did laugh.
It is actually Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin's fault.
7
Trump is never to blame -- so true. It seems to be a general presidential defect. How well we remember Obama's constant refrain, "I only learned about it when I read it in the newspaper." The difference is that the press always and religiously believed Obama but never believes Trump.
"Constant refrain"? Only in the echo chamber of certain minds...
Perhaps it has something to do with the public record. Trump has been unabashedly lying and cheating for decades. Obama may have been mistaken or mis-spoken on occasion, but there is no record of his deliberately lying. not least to cover up his own mistakes, while trump does little else but.
1
There is a reason for that, because we all know he is lying when his mouth is open!
I've been watching the latest House of Cards series. I had thought it would be dated (remember "the death of irony" after 9/11?), but the Underwoods' sinister charm holds.
I'm about 2/3 through it, and the Trump presidency is on my mind. (Surprise!) Claire and Frank Underwood are president and vice, and everybody else is expendable.
And as we watch the Jeff Sessions' descent I am convinced that Doug Stamper, his House of Cards parallel, is virtually digging his own grave, not because he betrays Frank, but because a crooked presidency has a constant need of victims on the altar of the leader.
I'm about 2/3 through it, and the Trump presidency is on my mind. (Surprise!) Claire and Frank Underwood are president and vice, and everybody else is expendable.
And as we watch the Jeff Sessions' descent I am convinced that Doug Stamper, his House of Cards parallel, is virtually digging his own grave, not because he betrays Frank, but because a crooked presidency has a constant need of victims on the altar of the leader.
2
The problem with Trump is not Trump.
It is not the people who work for him.
It's the people who voted for him.
Long after Trump is gone, they will still be holding America back.
It's been 150 years and the sore losers of the Civil War - Trump supporters all - are still holding America back. It's going to take a long time to overcome this.
It is not the people who work for him.
It's the people who voted for him.
Long after Trump is gone, they will still be holding America back.
It's been 150 years and the sore losers of the Civil War - Trump supporters all - are still holding America back. It's going to take a long time to overcome this.
37
We will be fighting the Civil War seemingly forever. It may be time for secession again, this time the North/West (antislavery, in favor of progress) should leave. In the 21st century perhaps we can avoid the bloodshed and just say goodbye.
7
Nice play on that annoying Clinton sore losers label.
if only it were that simple.
skewed though the results were, millions voted for President Trump; he is not just one lonely King Lear ranting in the rain. even if it's really only about 30% - 45% of the electorate and not a yuge plurality, we have a major problem. whatever President Trump's problem, it looks contagious.
skewed though the results were, millions voted for President Trump; he is not just one lonely King Lear ranting in the rain. even if it's really only about 30% - 45% of the electorate and not a yuge plurality, we have a major problem. whatever President Trump's problem, it looks contagious.
10
Fear and loathing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It's hard to believe this man eschews alcohol and other intoxicating substances, the usual culprits blamed for embarrassing public performances.
I have found myself feeling like someone should rescue that toddler, but they sent in the mother S Huckabee Sanders, who didn't seem to care about Spicy hiding in the bushes..
Thanks - I look forward to the column as a date with reality.
I have found myself feeling like someone should rescue that toddler, but they sent in the mother S Huckabee Sanders, who didn't seem to care about Spicy hiding in the bushes..
Thanks - I look forward to the column as a date with reality.
6
Yes, trump is as mad as Ahab, and as possessed - his white whale are the elite who spurned him. But, we're all on board his Pequod now, and I am of a mind to follow the lead of Queequeg and start constructing my coffin, because if something doesn't give soon this ship is going down.
10
I simply hope congress doesn't abdicate its responsibility and rids the country of this plague called Trump before he starts WWIII.
36
The question is what ARE they waiting on?
1
'Quickness to deflect blame, readiness to designate scapegoats, unpredictable tirades and stinginess with the loyalty demanded from others' is pretty much a textbook description of the mind of an autocrat. No wonder he admires Putin and Erdogan. They're birds of a feather.
Whatever created DT's constant need to be right, obeyed without question and the intense craving for adoration, is a warning to all who create humans.
17
Look up "sociopathy". Many characterize that as being created by a person's treatments by his family....
But still men like Christopher Wray take the titles, in hopes of ascending Washington's power ladder. Self-interest trumps love of country, respect for our democratic ideals...even fear of self-destruction (personal or national). American is an increasingly hopeless place. No longer the shining city on the hill...just a tarnished example of our unique form of hubris. Yes, we can? No, we cannot.
19
Wray can rest assured that Trump CAN'T mess with him. There's no one left to call on, and certainly he knows to avoid private meetings with the boss of the world( wannabe).
I'm thinking of Harry Truman's famous desktop sign that read, "The BUCK STOPS here!" If Trump had one, it would read, "The bucks stop here - blame gets passed along."
31
It may be possible to elect someone as incompetent and unstable as Donald Trump to the American presidency in an unrigged election, but the odds are heavily against it.
Of course, that’s not what happened last November, so we can take some small comfort in the fact this bizarre man sits in the Oval Office only because the Russians willed it to happen, and the leaders of the Republican Party, giggling as it unfolded, looked the other way.
Of course, that’s not what happened last November, so we can take some small comfort in the fact this bizarre man sits in the Oval Office only because the Russians willed it to happen, and the leaders of the Republican Party, giggling as it unfolded, looked the other way.
34
Let's not forget Pence got there the same way.
1
I don't agree that it was only because of the Russians. While I share your sentiment on his incompetency and instability, I think that the Democrat party and the Clinton campaign lost the commitment of their constituency. While the Clinton machine focused on giving Hillary the position she felt she earned, she lacked a mission and purpose (other than becoming president.) I voted against Trump, not for Hillary. And I suspect that many others did the same.
So don't blame the Russians entirely. Blame the Democrats, too. America needs a candidate we can believe in and who will represent our interests with integrity and intellect. I'd probably vote Republican for Charlie Baker and I'd probably vote Democratic for Adam Schiff in 2020.
So don't blame the Russians entirely. Blame the Democrats, too. America needs a candidate we can believe in and who will represent our interests with integrity and intellect. I'd probably vote Republican for Charlie Baker and I'd probably vote Democratic for Adam Schiff in 2020.
You're right, Gabbyboy, but if we can have Trump held accountable for collusion with the Russians, it is in his nature to "drop a dime" on Pence.
Thank you, Mr. Bruni, for helping us navigate through the thick and ugly morass that has become our daily news. Your wisdom and turn of phrase makes the bizarre state of current affairs slightly easier to cope with. I'm wondering what comes after surreal. Whatever it is, we've already entered it, and it's a horrible place to be.
27
Obviously this nonsense cannot continue. The GOP in Congress will finally have to admit this administration is hopeless. The country cannot function with a seriously disturbed person at the helm. Maybe Mitch McConnell can gently insist that trump resign NOW!
8
You give them and McConnell too much credit.
1
Sorry, Ms. Brewster, but Mitch McConnell's principals run as shallow as
Donald Trumps. For years his openly stated Raison d'être was to obstruct Obama, the country and all of us be damned. This is not someone to turn to for release from our present agony.
A better bet is that, finally, Trump will simply tire of it all; all that stuff
to read, the hours, the low pay, inferiors at his elbows and the burden
of remembering what he said and believed yesterday, and he will just
walk away. And blame all of us.
Donald Trumps. For years his openly stated Raison d'être was to obstruct Obama, the country and all of us be damned. This is not someone to turn to for release from our present agony.
A better bet is that, finally, Trump will simply tire of it all; all that stuff
to read, the hours, the low pay, inferiors at his elbows and the burden
of remembering what he said and believed yesterday, and he will just
walk away. And blame all of us.
2
Ok. But what do we do with the voter mentality that elected this guy. Trump represents to his supporters a idol smasher who purposely sets out to be a rude, ignorant and self-serving tyrant "beholdin to no one" president and that's what his supporters now want in a president of the greatest nation in the world.
Don't Trump's supporters say he speaks for them and that's what they now want.
Don't Trump's supporters say he speaks for them and that's what they now want.
1
I saw a report yesterday that, when asked why none of the major law firms were willing to take on Trump as a client and staff his "war room", one high powered counsel said simply, "He won't listen and he won't pay." And there you have it in seven words! This is our President. Heaven help us.
48
Only it was, "He won't pay, and he won't listen." Note which one came first.
1
Another great column by Frank Bruni.
And let's not forget Donald Trump ceding more authority to the generals and then blaming them when a soldier is killed. Hey, it was the GENERALS who made that decision, not he! Of course, had the mission in Yemen been a smashing success do you really think Trump would have passed the credit down?
He is so transparent. Trump is running the WH exactly the way he ran his business - by edict and by encouraging friction and discord among his staff. In his warped view of management, that is the best way to ensure people give their best to him, giving him a greater bottom line profit.
Only one can't govern that way. If our president is seething it is because for the first time, maybe, he has run into a wall and he can't tantrum his way out of it. He can't bend people to his will simply by the stroke of an Executive Order pen. That's why he adores dictators. And that's why his presidency will go down in flames as one of the worst in American history.
And let's not forget Donald Trump ceding more authority to the generals and then blaming them when a soldier is killed. Hey, it was the GENERALS who made that decision, not he! Of course, had the mission in Yemen been a smashing success do you really think Trump would have passed the credit down?
He is so transparent. Trump is running the WH exactly the way he ran his business - by edict and by encouraging friction and discord among his staff. In his warped view of management, that is the best way to ensure people give their best to him, giving him a greater bottom line profit.
Only one can't govern that way. If our president is seething it is because for the first time, maybe, he has run into a wall and he can't tantrum his way out of it. He can't bend people to his will simply by the stroke of an Executive Order pen. That's why he adores dictators. And that's why his presidency will go down in flames as one of the worst in American history.
19
I really don't want to beat a dead horse. But I will.
This inability to take responsibility is not a character flaw. It is a personality disorder. For those who have heard this before, but don't fully understand the implications of having a relationship with someone with narcissistic personality disorder, this is it. Whether it is a personal relationship or a presidential relationship, when dealing with a narcissist, it is the people without the disorder who suffer, not the narcissist.
To paraphrase F. Scott Peck in The Road Less Traveled, neurotics make themselves miserable. Those with personality disorders make everyone else miserable.
The sole purpose in life for the narcissist is ego preservation. That is what drives Donald Trump. Trying to make others look small in comparison; shifting the blame from you-know-who. They have to create drama to feel alive. They do not feel like those without a disorder. They do not perceive relationships like those without a disorder.
This causes havoc in the lives of those associated with a narcissist. It causes havoc in D.C., the U.S., and now the world.
There is no grand scheme (Steve Bannon aside). There is only Trump's need for ego preservation.
This inability to take responsibility is not a character flaw. It is a personality disorder. For those who have heard this before, but don't fully understand the implications of having a relationship with someone with narcissistic personality disorder, this is it. Whether it is a personal relationship or a presidential relationship, when dealing with a narcissist, it is the people without the disorder who suffer, not the narcissist.
To paraphrase F. Scott Peck in The Road Less Traveled, neurotics make themselves miserable. Those with personality disorders make everyone else miserable.
The sole purpose in life for the narcissist is ego preservation. That is what drives Donald Trump. Trying to make others look small in comparison; shifting the blame from you-know-who. They have to create drama to feel alive. They do not feel like those without a disorder. They do not perceive relationships like those without a disorder.
This causes havoc in the lives of those associated with a narcissist. It causes havoc in D.C., the U.S., and now the world.
There is no grand scheme (Steve Bannon aside). There is only Trump's need for ego preservation.
55
The planet is now an amusement park for a handful of angry madmen with the collective power to turn it all to ashes. Ah well, I'm just glad I'm 70 and not 17.
12
What is unfathomable are the blinders on the working middle-class stiffs who voted for this guy. Aside from all the similes about "buyer beware," compared to the Emperors Suit of Clothes, or the Pied Piper, were those who voted for him so desperate to follow this clown down to the sea?
11
I recently asked a trump supporter what he thought now. He said "As long as my IRA and stocks keep going up, I don't care what he does." So the rest of the world be damned, give me mine. How do we fight that mentality?
3
Let's require the White House to Heat and AC with coal on site. So it can truly be the Black House that now exists!
9
How to get rid of Trump? Here's an idea!! Get him into a position where he must swear to "Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth" (Congressional hearing, civil court, etc.). Since the man in incapable of saying two sentences without lying, bingo, you nail him for perjury which should be enough of a "high crime and misdemeanor" to get him impeached and removed from office.
11
The GOP and Trump personify selective ignorance as together they are destroying everything and I mean everything.
9
When W was president, it was tragic: 9/11, the weapons of mass destruction lie and the Iraq war, hurricane Katrina and the economic collapse. But as we know, history repeats itself, the first time as tragedy and the second time as farce. That saying has never been more relevant than these days!
6
While terrorism will never be non-existent, the current strains will only be resolved via the Muslim and Arab states and communities, and from where I sit, they are too silent.
Well, I feel the same about the psychiatric community. We have a president who is clearly not well mentally and who has many very server personality disorders. I, as a layperson, can see it clearly. So why is the psychiatric community so silent about the threat that Trump is to the country via his psychiatric problems?
Speak up. It's your job.
Well, I feel the same about the psychiatric community. We have a president who is clearly not well mentally and who has many very server personality disorders. I, as a layperson, can see it clearly. So why is the psychiatric community so silent about the threat that Trump is to the country via his psychiatric problems?
Speak up. It's your job.
7
It is my understanding that ethics prevents mental health professionals from diagnosing someone from afar. Then, once they do meet personally with the patient, they cannot publicize their findings without running into privacy issues, as in, the "sanctity of the confessional." There are probably ways around this when it comes to the president, but it will probably take a congressional order to have Trump evaluated by a mental health professional, and the GOP won't do this.
1
Many already have. Google it/.
Frank, this column is a humiliating shot across the bow of Trump's non-presidency. His cadre of misfits is awesome but has reason to fear.
Perhaps we should rename him "ol' pique and tweet."
Perhaps we should rename him "ol' pique and tweet."
6
Let's first start with the premise of an incompetent president. That makes it all the easier to understand the concept of incompetent underlings.
After all, this is the person who thrives on loyalty and sworn allegiances, right?
Aside from the fact that Donald Trump thinks he's always right and is incapable of learning anything, lies the problem of him lining the government with yes-persons, who do nothing more than cater to his will. Having experience doen't count -- and one quick look at his cherry-picked cabinet readily testifies to that.
How else does one explain their willingness to uphold the travel bans, that health care plan, a wall against our neighbour, and a war on our friends?
It's almost as though Trump is hard-wired to bring about chaos and destruction, and they are there to defend him.
The problem is now he has taken the country hostage, and by all appearances, the system of checks and balances have checked out.
After all, this is the person who thrives on loyalty and sworn allegiances, right?
Aside from the fact that Donald Trump thinks he's always right and is incapable of learning anything, lies the problem of him lining the government with yes-persons, who do nothing more than cater to his will. Having experience doen't count -- and one quick look at his cherry-picked cabinet readily testifies to that.
How else does one explain their willingness to uphold the travel bans, that health care plan, a wall against our neighbour, and a war on our friends?
It's almost as though Trump is hard-wired to bring about chaos and destruction, and they are there to defend him.
The problem is now he has taken the country hostage, and by all appearances, the system of checks and balances have checked out.
7
It is my experience that best leaders listen more than they talk. They ask more questions than they make statements. They know where they are weaker and make sure they have people who compliment them in those areas. They sincerely give credit to others for success and personally accept blame for failure. They engender trust.
A boss gives commands. Offers the highway if its not his way. Is quick to take credit and quicker to blame others. A boss will be looking over your shoulder constantly. A boss engenders fear. And leaves you with doubt as to whether you will be paid in the end.
Which sounds more like Donald Trump? The leader or the boss? Trump is not a leader but a boss. He never had to be a leader who worked someone else, except for another boss he learned from, his father. Otherwise he has always simply been the boss.
A boss gives commands. Offers the highway if its not his way. Is quick to take credit and quicker to blame others. A boss will be looking over your shoulder constantly. A boss engenders fear. And leaves you with doubt as to whether you will be paid in the end.
Which sounds more like Donald Trump? The leader or the boss? Trump is not a leader but a boss. He never had to be a leader who worked someone else, except for another boss he learned from, his father. Otherwise he has always simply been the boss.
5
Why all this weeping and gnashing of teeth? We have a legally elected President of the United States. He did not elect himself. He was elected by the pitiful American electorate according to the Constitution of the United States of America. The voters knew what he was like long before he was nominated.
So who is ultimately to blame? Trump has become the whipping boy created by American foolishness. And yes..........the alternative would have been better, albeit not ideal. So let's blame the voters for a change.
So who is ultimately to blame? Trump has become the whipping boy created by American foolishness. And yes..........the alternative would have been better, albeit not ideal. So let's blame the voters for a change.
3
Yes, the Minority of American electorate who voted for Trump certainly bear a share of responsibility for this disintegration of America. So does the electorate at large who tolerates the existence of an anti-democratic Electoral College.
But there are still substantial questions regarding the legality and legitimacy of the election; and these will remain pending further investigation into the extent and success of Russian interference with the election and into whether collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian occurred,
But there are still substantial questions regarding the legality and legitimacy of the election; and these will remain pending further investigation into the extent and success of Russian interference with the election and into whether collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian occurred,
4
Frank, love your work. Once request; let's leave young Barron Trump out of all of this. He's a young innocent and needs to be treated as such.
Be well.
Be well.
14
Trump still has 40% support. That number will never go lower. That is is core audience, all other don't matter. This 40% loves to read (or listen to, since I'm nott sure of their reading level) about how Trump is driving the educated liberal elite crazy. They love the reality show.
12
Trump's support won't fall much below 35% until his actions personally harm his followers. These are uniquely selfish people. Since Trump only cares for himself and betrays everyone sooner or later, this is inevitable. By the time he is impeached/resigns or loses denomination, Trump should he at 20-25%. (There are a core of partisan Americans who would support a Republican president even if he were caught openly conspiring with a hostile foreign power).
Be aware though that the level of support had dimmed, as measured in recent polls, as in the number who strongly support has gone down and the number who support has gone up.
Completely agree, @David - their vote was based on the right-wing Talk Radio/Reagan/Fox News mantra that what's right for the big city folks is wrong for the small town folks. if we remove DJT before the next election, that 40% will feel robbed and be even angrier - we have to let this play out as painful (yet entertaining) as it is for those of us who realize the seriousness of the job.
Is there a logical correlation between running a business and running a government? George Washington needed his wife's money to maintain Mt. Vernon.
Trumps' business ''success'' is debatable. As is his son-in-law's. Bluster, bravado, lies and exaggerations hid Trump's actual inabilities. His mental health was questionable long before the election; it is apparent that he is so deep in the hole now that he can no longer be judged sane.
Trumps' business ''success'' is debatable. As is his son-in-law's. Bluster, bravado, lies and exaggerations hid Trump's actual inabilities. His mental health was questionable long before the election; it is apparent that he is so deep in the hole now that he can no longer be judged sane.
7
Donald Trump's complete lack of accountability, extreme puffery ("really, really...it's going to be great...GREAT!," etc.), resentment of others who are "more famous than me!" and excessive self-adoration are the marks of an emotionally stunted individual who is governing by emotion.
Harry Truman had it right: "The buck stops here," he famously said.
With Donald Trump, the buck stops in his pocket, and if it doesn't involve money, it stop on anyone else's doorstep...always....ALWAYS!.
Harry Truman had it right: "The buck stops here," he famously said.
With Donald Trump, the buck stops in his pocket, and if it doesn't involve money, it stop on anyone else's doorstep...always....ALWAYS!.
1
Pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth.
We are going to need a bigger list.
The 7 Deadly Sins are a good start, but still do not capture all of the character flaws that make it impossible for Trump to go even 48 hours without embarrassing his country much less govern effectively.
His unfitness to serve was on full display during the campaign. His enablers in the White House should not be surprised at the chaos and damage he has wrought to the nation.
If they are stunned by what has happened to their careers and reputations, they should reflect on which of their own sins led them to ignore the obvious.
We are going to need a bigger list.
The 7 Deadly Sins are a good start, but still do not capture all of the character flaws that make it impossible for Trump to go even 48 hours without embarrassing his country much less govern effectively.
His unfitness to serve was on full display during the campaign. His enablers in the White House should not be surprised at the chaos and damage he has wrought to the nation.
If they are stunned by what has happened to their careers and reputations, they should reflect on which of their own sins led them to ignore the obvious.
4
It amazes me that anyone with a modicum of self-respect will stand in front of a television camera and try to present Trump's minute-to-minute mood shifts in an upbeat and positive light. You'd have a better probability of predicting the flight path of a gnat than you would of staying in Trump's good graces as the interpreter of his Tweets, temper tantrums and tirades.
1
There is something seriously wrong with Donald Trump. Normal, concerned people have known this for quite sometime now. At what point is Congress going to admit that we have a troubled President, and that it's time that they do something about it? Is the Republican led congress just as dysfunctional as the president? Trump continues to deteriorate on a daily basis. He needs to go before it's too late for the country and the world. Time is quickly running out.
3
Brilliant and funny sad writing. Such a fall in so short a time.
Empty vessels usually float. This one is sinking fast. Though not fast enough for me.
1
It is time for the MSM to exercise some research and judgment, and stop the meme about all of the generals Trump has appointed being "the adults in the room." The fact that these gentlemen have risen to their positions in what is actually a very political environment is simply not enough for the premature adoration which has poured forth for them from not only the press, but from both sides of the aisle. Certainly it is tempting to do so since the rest of Trump's appointments, those appointed to destroy their departments, have been so abysmal. But the generals in the cabinet need to know that their reputations now hang on what they are now willing to do for the country.
It they insist on making up excuses for the abomination in the White House, they need to know this is what they will be remembered for. They need to be held accountable in the most severe way. They cannot be given a pass based on what is perceived to be their past service.
It they insist on making up excuses for the abomination in the White House, they need to know this is what they will be remembered for. They need to be held accountable in the most severe way. They cannot be given a pass based on what is perceived to be their past service.
3
It is clear that Trump can't focus, can't plan, can't remember, can't read, can't count, can't stay on script, can't tell if it's raining, can't cope... Let's face it: Trump is a nobody, a distraction: Who needs him? Who listens to him? Who trusts him? The real action is behind the throne with nutsy bonkers billionaires like the Mercers and the Koch bros.
Don't be distracted. Let's get the spotlight on the basics, not the tweets and the buffoonery.
Don't be distracted. Let's get the spotlight on the basics, not the tweets and the buffoonery.
Isn't it pathetic that a sitting president is such a "loser," to use his own term, that he can't even hire a decent lawyer, let alone a decent staff. No one wants to be his new FBI director. No one wants to work in his State Department. No one wants to be his communications director. Even Sessions is having second thoughts about the Justice Department. And four prestigious law firms have rejected Trump as a client, not only because "he doesn't listen and doesn't pay" but also because they fear it would harm their reputations to represent such a charlatan. As happened in Atlantic City, Trump not only stiffed many of his contractors but also the lawyers he hired to defend him against their lawsuits -- and that sorry reputation has followed him to Washington.
5
One wish: If I could turn back time, HIS parents would never have even met.
How far down does America have to sink before this pathologically horrible incompetent is removed from the office of Presidency?
Can we afford to wait much longer?
Can we afford to wait much longer?
4
Trump is the official poster boy for never electing an autocratic businessman for ANY government post, not even for meter reading. It's obvious why. A president can't decree like a CEO, who is accountable to no one.
If the Founding Fathers wanted a king, they would have created one. Luckily they had experienced the folly of one, then said, NEVER AGAIN!
If the Founding Fathers wanted a king, they would have created one. Luckily they had experienced the folly of one, then said, NEVER AGAIN!
1
"They're serious and quite insurmountable obstacles to governing" This has been true since he came down the escalator at Trump tower. He is mentally ill with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. He is incapable of leading the free world and always has been, not to mention Russian doesn't want him to fulfill that role, as they want to be leaders again. He is doing everything in his power to "Make Russia Great Again", other than withdraw sanctions, which he can no longer get away with, on account of the very public probe into his campaigns collusion with the Russians who won him the election by their internet influence campaign, of targeted populations open to changing votes with more negative information on the Democratic candidate, especially if there was opposing positive information easily accessible about the guy who said he would save and he "alone could fix it". The jig is up now. The election WAS rigged by the Russians and we will never know how much, but we can certainly hold those accountable for treason to our country.
2
Anyone who was paying attention since 2015 (and before that, too) would know that Trump has psychological issues. It was evident to so many people that most people thought he wouldn't get elected...and if we truly lived in a democracy and didn't use the electoral college, he wouldn't have. I don't agree with his views but I wasn't as afraid of his views (which many are quite Democratic and not Republican--he did hijack that party) as I was of his psychological fragility. He's nuts! We call him BSC (short for bat-stuff crazy).
1
Leaving positions unfilled throughout government is not just ineptness by Trump, it is part of the plan by a wing of the GOP to wreck the federal government, with people such as Bannon working in the shadows.
2
Trump's mental illness makes lying a compulsive behavior. His mind simply cannot handle being wrong, being challenged, or looking as if everything he touches is not gold.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, meeting any 5 of the following 9 criteria would constitute a diagnosis of Narcissist Personality Disorder:
"A grandiose logic of self-importance
A fixation with fantasies of infinite success, control, brilliance, beauty, or idyllic love
A credence that he or she is extraordinary and exceptional and can only be understood by, or should connect with, other extraordinary or important people or institutions
A desire for unwarranted admiration
A sense of entitlement
Interpersonally oppressive behavior
No form of empathy
Resentment of others or a conviction that others are resentful of him or her
A display of egotistical and conceited behaviors or attitudes"
NPD is a serious mental health condition, as the patient lives well outside of the realm of reality. When are we going to come to grips with the fact that our President is mentally ill and do something about it?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, meeting any 5 of the following 9 criteria would constitute a diagnosis of Narcissist Personality Disorder:
"A grandiose logic of self-importance
A fixation with fantasies of infinite success, control, brilliance, beauty, or idyllic love
A credence that he or she is extraordinary and exceptional and can only be understood by, or should connect with, other extraordinary or important people or institutions
A desire for unwarranted admiration
A sense of entitlement
Interpersonally oppressive behavior
No form of empathy
Resentment of others or a conviction that others are resentful of him or her
A display of egotistical and conceited behaviors or attitudes"
NPD is a serious mental health condition, as the patient lives well outside of the realm of reality. When are we going to come to grips with the fact that our President is mentally ill and do something about it?
4
Deflecting blame is Trump's mantra. When a person loves himself to the extent Trump loves himself it turns to narcissism. This trait is dangerous for Americans and also the world. He loves tyrants (Russia, Philippine president, Saudi's)) and can't get along with the NATO Alliance leaders. One of Trump's biggest foibles is to try and undo anything and everything President Obama tried to do to make us better and the world safer. Trump is constantly bemoaning that he is being 'picked on'. What's he, a 7 year old crying to mommy? He's a national and international bully. Trump is even so petty and insecure that he had to put out fake news comparing his crowds to Pres. Obama's crowds. Trump and the Republicans are still fighting a battle with Pres. Obama. Why? Is 'I'm better than he is' the only thing Trump and the bunch of old white men fighting social justice called the Republicans
think about?" What about reforming the Health Care Act so it's better , cheaper and fair to all? What about a fair and simpler tax code? What about getting along with our western allies? What about using middle of the night and early morning tweets to govern? What about acting like a stable human being?
think about?" What about reforming the Health Care Act so it's better , cheaper and fair to all? What about a fair and simpler tax code? What about getting along with our western allies? What about using middle of the night and early morning tweets to govern? What about acting like a stable human being?
496
Bethed, yes, a malignant narcissist is on an emotional level the equivalent of a 7 year old crying to mommy. That crying 7 year old has zero ability to understand that he is not entitled to what he wants. This column, and many others, are explaining what happens when you put a malignant narcissist in power. Shakespeare also nailed it in Richard III.
I want us to pivot to why the Trump supporters visited this entirely self-inflicted wound on the rest of us.
I want us to pivot to why the Trump supporters visited this entirely self-inflicted wound on the rest of us.
Trump pushing aside Macedonia's prime minister to gain center stage for a photo op says it all.
It may appear to some that trump loves himself too much. I submit that he is living a nightmare, that he is incapable of love due to the fact that he never learned what love is. I bolster this argument by adducing his marriage(s).
trump actually hates himself, and he projects that hate onto others on a day-by-day, minute-by-minute basis. When I imagine the atmosphere in which trump exists, I see no love anywhere.
trump actually hates himself, and he projects that hate onto others on a day-by-day, minute-by-minute basis. When I imagine the atmosphere in which trump exists, I see no love anywhere.
1
One of the things I learned many years ago as I became a manager was to be loyal and respectful to your charges and they will be loyal and respectful to you, which also means to take the blame for your actions rather than throwing someone under the bus to protect yourself.
This is something that Trump and his junior president needs to learn, if it isn't too late.
Given the alleged, and real, treatment that the "president" visits on his charges I am surprised there is not a mass exodus from our house, or, are those people so enamored with working in the White House they will accept the poor treatment?
This is something that Trump and his junior president needs to learn, if it isn't too late.
Given the alleged, and real, treatment that the "president" visits on his charges I am surprised there is not a mass exodus from our house, or, are those people so enamored with working in the White House they will accept the poor treatment?
5
From the editorial:
"Trump’s quickness to deflect blame, readiness to designate scapegoats, unpredictable tirades and stinginess with the loyalty that he demands from others aren’t just character flaws. They’re serious and quite possibly insurmountable obstacles to governing."
That paragraph pretty much says it all, don't you think? What a huge error in judgement those of you who voted for Donald Trump made. All of America, and now the world, knows that he lacks those essential qualities so necessary in a leader of the free world.
In less than four chaotic, miserable months (that seem like an eternity), Trump has managed to squander nearly all of the goodwill that the USA has earned since our country's inception. Never have we had a president so uniquely unqualified and incapable of performing his duties in a manner befitting the "leader of the free world".
Wasn't it obvious to all voters that DJT was an impostor...someone whose "America First" brashness and bravado gave a certain frustrated segment of the voting population the false notion that he was a true leader of men? Didn't the "Trump University" scandal give voters pause and insight into this man's shallow character...of someone who is incapable of feeling empathy and compassion?
We are all now paying a very hefty price for those of you who believed in this soulless charlatan. Little did we know or suspect that it was a "Russia First" mentality that dictated his actions.
Let the impeachment proceedings begin.
"Trump’s quickness to deflect blame, readiness to designate scapegoats, unpredictable tirades and stinginess with the loyalty that he demands from others aren’t just character flaws. They’re serious and quite possibly insurmountable obstacles to governing."
That paragraph pretty much says it all, don't you think? What a huge error in judgement those of you who voted for Donald Trump made. All of America, and now the world, knows that he lacks those essential qualities so necessary in a leader of the free world.
In less than four chaotic, miserable months (that seem like an eternity), Trump has managed to squander nearly all of the goodwill that the USA has earned since our country's inception. Never have we had a president so uniquely unqualified and incapable of performing his duties in a manner befitting the "leader of the free world".
Wasn't it obvious to all voters that DJT was an impostor...someone whose "America First" brashness and bravado gave a certain frustrated segment of the voting population the false notion that he was a true leader of men? Didn't the "Trump University" scandal give voters pause and insight into this man's shallow character...of someone who is incapable of feeling empathy and compassion?
We are all now paying a very hefty price for those of you who believed in this soulless charlatan. Little did we know or suspect that it was a "Russia First" mentality that dictated his actions.
Let the impeachment proceedings begin.
906
Trump voters that I know are arrogant and indignant in their support of him. I am not sure that he could do anything awful enough to make them admit that he's a lousy president or that they made the wrong choice. Until these folks see some daylight, nothing is going to change I'm afraid. No charges. And probably no impeachment. What's worse, they may give him a 2nd term.
3
My generation learned about Fascism...and especially about Hitler. To those of us who read and learned the lessons of Shirer's "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich," Trump comes as no real surprise.
The behavior outlined in Mr. Bruni's article is exactly what Hitler did from the Bunker in early 1945, ranting that the German people did NOT do his bidding and deserved to go down in defeat.
He then did the world the relative kindness of suiciding.
The behavior outlined in Mr. Bruni's article is exactly what Hitler did from the Bunker in early 1945, ranting that the German people did NOT do his bidding and deserved to go down in defeat.
He then did the world the relative kindness of suiciding.
1
I'm sorry, we did know, we knew it all from the first time it opened its venomous trap.
1
"Trump’s quickness to deflect blame, readiness to designate scapegoats, unpredictable tirades and stinginess with the loyalty that he demands from others aren’t just character flaws. They’re serious and quite possibly insurmountable obstacles to governing."
Actually, that has been the Republican style for the last 40 years or so. And Trump's presidency is precisely where they have been heading - the only problem is that he got them there earlier and with more transparency than they would have preferred.
That would be OK for a seventeenth century monarch - I keep thinking of Louis XIV. But with our style of government, things can't be fixed until you acknowledge that there is a problem and that invariably involves accepting blame.
Actually, that has been the Republican style for the last 40 years or so. And Trump's presidency is precisely where they have been heading - the only problem is that he got them there earlier and with more transparency than they would have preferred.
That would be OK for a seventeenth century monarch - I keep thinking of Louis XIV. But with our style of government, things can't be fixed until you acknowledge that there is a problem and that invariably involves accepting blame.
42
Excellent excellent writing in the strangest of situations. Not one alternative truth here. But behind the hype, we need to keep track of the damage being wrought with health care, ethics and the environment. The list goes on:consumer protections, net neutrality. Devious and self-serving far from serving the"people".
Mr. trump is not my prezident. Paying ACA subsidies one month at a time is a hoax. It needs to get as much attention - or more - than a personality disorder angering the world. That will pass, as will the terms of the GOP who wallow in the frail opportunity of power and influence that has tittilated them enough to compromise their integrity.
Mr. trump is not my prezident. Paying ACA subsidies one month at a time is a hoax. It needs to get as much attention - or more - than a personality disorder angering the world. That will pass, as will the terms of the GOP who wallow in the frail opportunity of power and influence that has tittilated them enough to compromise their integrity.
38
I have two thoughts regarding this excellent column:
First, I have taught seventh-grade Social Studies in inner-city Los Angeles for sixteen-and-a-half years, and the conduct of the Current Occupant of the White House closely mirrors that of the students I've had over the phone who were too lazy and disengaged to try to actually learn, so they played on their phones instead. The first step in trying to rehabilitate them as students was confiscation of their phones, and the phone would only be returned on completion of the day's assignment.
In other words, I see a great similarity between Donald Trump's mental/emotional pathology and that of a flunking inner-city twelve-year-old. This is cause for concern.
My second thought is that if Sullivan & Cromwell won't work for you, you have a YUGE problem. S & C is reportedly one of four major corporate law firms that turned Trump down as a client in the last month or so.
That is cause for even more concern, but for Trump more than the rest of us.
First, I have taught seventh-grade Social Studies in inner-city Los Angeles for sixteen-and-a-half years, and the conduct of the Current Occupant of the White House closely mirrors that of the students I've had over the phone who were too lazy and disengaged to try to actually learn, so they played on their phones instead. The first step in trying to rehabilitate them as students was confiscation of their phones, and the phone would only be returned on completion of the day's assignment.
In other words, I see a great similarity between Donald Trump's mental/emotional pathology and that of a flunking inner-city twelve-year-old. This is cause for concern.
My second thought is that if Sullivan & Cromwell won't work for you, you have a YUGE problem. S & C is reportedly one of four major corporate law firms that turned Trump down as a client in the last month or so.
That is cause for even more concern, but for Trump more than the rest of us.
52
The working metaphor of this administration is the sinking ship, from staff as jetsam, that which is thrown overboard in an attempt to save the vessel, to "rats leaving a sinking ship" summarizing the scramble to save oneself from the slow moving but inexorable tragedy.
I remember seeing a slow motion film of the catastrophic failure of a running turbine when a bolt was dropped into its maw. For us today, the bolt is the kernel of truth about the Russian involvement in our recent election. As the machinery of government self destructs, those who are facing annihilation will envy those who got away first. Here again, just as Khrushchev said of an atomic exchange, the living will envy the dead.
Mr. Trump may succeed in having the "best ever" administration-as-tragedy outpacing Greek and Shakespearean benchmarks. Duck and covfefe.
I remember seeing a slow motion film of the catastrophic failure of a running turbine when a bolt was dropped into its maw. For us today, the bolt is the kernel of truth about the Russian involvement in our recent election. As the machinery of government self destructs, those who are facing annihilation will envy those who got away first. Here again, just as Khrushchev said of an atomic exchange, the living will envy the dead.
Mr. Trump may succeed in having the "best ever" administration-as-tragedy outpacing Greek and Shakespearean benchmarks. Duck and covfefe.
84
The metaphor of the sinking ship is very apt; our ship of state may be in danger of foundering on the rocks.
There's another ship metaphor that's relevant here as well. Katherine Anne Porter's novel, Ship of Fools, describes a group of people disappointed in their lives, blaming anyone but themselves for their unhappiness, seeking a utopia that doesn't exist and never did. Ironically, they're sailing for Germany just as Hitler has appeared on the scene...
There's another ship metaphor that's relevant here as well. Katherine Anne Porter's novel, Ship of Fools, describes a group of people disappointed in their lives, blaming anyone but themselves for their unhappiness, seeking a utopia that doesn't exist and never did. Ironically, they're sailing for Germany just as Hitler has appeared on the scene...
176
I'd like to commend you for using "foundering" correctly.
2
I hope Frank is right when he says "there’s meager, flickering hope for the travel ban." But with so many logic chopping, mean spirited, reactionary judges on the Supreme Court I am extremely worried that it will be upheld.
23
"Wagon Train" in the Age of Trump.
The wagons are circled to fend off the hostiles by the settlers Trump led into the swamplands. But there aren't enough teamsters to hitch teams and hold the reins. Meanwhile, it turns out the wagon master himself doesn't know how to handle horses and doesn't like or trust his remaining teamsters.
Will the wagon master be ousted? Will the settlers survive to drain the swamp and claim the land as their own?
Don't miss the next thrilling episode of "Wagon Train Trump" on practically every channel this Thursday!
The wagons are circled to fend off the hostiles by the settlers Trump led into the swamplands. But there aren't enough teamsters to hitch teams and hold the reins. Meanwhile, it turns out the wagon master himself doesn't know how to handle horses and doesn't like or trust his remaining teamsters.
Will the wagon master be ousted? Will the settlers survive to drain the swamp and claim the land as their own?
Don't miss the next thrilling episode of "Wagon Train Trump" on practically every channel this Thursday!
32
Nice column Frank. We should not be surprised that Trump cannot accept responsibility for his actions or lack thereof. What we see is all "inner child." There is no outer adult.
I would love to see an expose on the many business partners of Trump over the years. Of course, there were those who made money off him and those who thought they could. The story would be about those who thought they could. Why did they trust anything he had to say, with the possible exception of "I am Donald Trump'.
31
What is the point of this editorial? Who was the envisioned audience? Those who favor Trump will be instantly put off by the tone and polemical content; those who disfavor Trump already knew about these events and don't lack for anti-Trump rhetoric. Those who are neutral will struggle to see past the prejudicial presentation to any probative content.
I share many of this article's disagreements with the Trump administration. But surely the past few months have taught us the critical importance of reaching across political divides to try and engage other viewpoints. Articles that are fiercely anti-Trump ought to try and address Trump supporters and vice-versa, rather than polemically feed their own fan base. This article fails to do so.
I share many of this article's disagreements with the Trump administration. But surely the past few months have taught us the critical importance of reaching across political divides to try and engage other viewpoints. Articles that are fiercely anti-Trump ought to try and address Trump supporters and vice-versa, rather than polemically feed their own fan base. This article fails to do so.
3
The Republicans never "reached across the aisle" during Obama's 8 years in office. They were rewarded for their behavior of obstruction. This is what works. The pro Trump people won't like criticism of their "chosen one " will they.
We have seen and learned more than once with trump and his followers, there is no grace or graciousness; these are weakness, fantasy, opportunity. Wishful thinking fails to see what's before you.
Dear Mr. Wu,
As a member of Indivisible, I can tell you the importance of this article.
To those of us who are engaged in the struggle to rid our country of DT and his minions, every laugh, or even mild chuckle, is precious. Every one relieves just a little, the stress we feel day and night. This article contains some gems.
Although we fully appreciate the idea of "reaching across political divides, having seen Mitch McConnell's party reject every move of our previous president, and seeing all three branches of government in the hands of climate change deniers, as we are not suicidal, we are unlikely to reach very far lest we lose not only our country, but also the planet. Have you noticed how hard Democratic senators and much of the media are working to restore as much sanity as possible to the situation? It requires some help from the other side.
Thank you for your comment. It is good to be reminded that once upon a time it could have been timely.
As a member of Indivisible, I can tell you the importance of this article.
To those of us who are engaged in the struggle to rid our country of DT and his minions, every laugh, or even mild chuckle, is precious. Every one relieves just a little, the stress we feel day and night. This article contains some gems.
Although we fully appreciate the idea of "reaching across political divides, having seen Mitch McConnell's party reject every move of our previous president, and seeing all three branches of government in the hands of climate change deniers, as we are not suicidal, we are unlikely to reach very far lest we lose not only our country, but also the planet. Have you noticed how hard Democratic senators and much of the media are working to restore as much sanity as possible to the situation? It requires some help from the other side.
Thank you for your comment. It is good to be reminded that once upon a time it could have been timely.
Thank you. Too bad you are preaching to the choir. [ and I don't mean that in a bad way] Many people, our fellow citizens, still support DT. Why, I am not sure. Do they think previous administrations ran the country into the ground? We are in a sad place as a country. But let's be sure, we have a TV actor for a president. However we have seasoned politicians in power in the Senate and the House -
and they deserve as much blame as DT's neurotic tweets. 2018 can not get her fast enough.
and they deserve as much blame as DT's neurotic tweets. 2018 can not get her fast enough.
42
"But now that the terms of working for him — ridicule by tweet, potentially stratospheric legal bills — are clear, the pool of available talent is a puddle too shallow to keep a newt afloat."
Don't forget the other conditions Trump demands that cost Comey his job: Unconditional loyalty, a willingness to break the law and obstruct justice to protect Trump and his excesses, and being willing to fall on ones sword and go to jail for a man who has NO real loyalty to anyone but Donald Trump.
A character in GOT asks soldiers acting as bodyguards for the bad guys "Why are you willing to fight and die for men who would never fight and die for YOU?"
Don't forget the other conditions Trump demands that cost Comey his job: Unconditional loyalty, a willingness to break the law and obstruct justice to protect Trump and his excesses, and being willing to fall on ones sword and go to jail for a man who has NO real loyalty to anyone but Donald Trump.
A character in GOT asks soldiers acting as bodyguards for the bad guys "Why are you willing to fight and die for men who would never fight and die for YOU?"
23
When you hire an ignorant, petty, power hungry, ego maniac to be the leader of the free world, it would be madness to expect him to change. I hope we have all learned our lesson and establish a baseline resume, a mental health evaluation and a financial disclosure requirement before anyone even becomes a candidate.
42
You have that right !
1
“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.” Abraham Lincoln. Seems Trump does belong to the Republican Party because they seem to be able to find and court the "Some of the People: quite well but Trump is proving to be the master of them all.
8
This imminent disaster was so clear in advance to anybody who has ever dealt with Trump. During the Atlantic City debacles his casino graphics departments had to go to Indiana and Idaho to print napkins. Nobody likes to get stiffed. There are many newly minted young lawyers to exploit, however any experienced attorney or firm will not deal anymore with the crook - and its their job to deal with crooks. However they need to be paid, and as anybody knows, Trump does not pay his bills.
14
Marvelous column. I truly believe that Trump, through his tweets, is actually trying to get impeached. He never really wanted this job in the first place, and he hates it now. He just wants the adulation. If he's impeached, he can still schedule road trips to places where his base will show up and cheer for him. And he can tell them he was martyred for them.
Either that or he's skating into butterfly-net territory.
Either that or he's skating into butterfly-net territory.
18
Yes, Mr. Bruni, the buck may "stop" at his witless underlings but the buck "started" with 62 million fellow citizens voting for him.
And they're NOT going to be impeached, resign nor change their minds and they're NEVER going to say they're "sorry".
And they're NOT going to be impeached, resign nor change their minds and they're NEVER going to say they're "sorry".
14
The president is like the leader of the band who does whatever is necessary to get everyone in step and playing the same tune. When the band is a giant bureaucracy, that's a challenging task.
The owner of a family business, even if it's worth billions, operates very differently. It's possible for the owner to make all the decisions, if they go wrong, it's only money, and when people don't live up to expectations, "You're fired."
The business man can skate close to legal boundaries and, if the ice cracks, there are platoons of good lawyers that come to the rescue. That's "smart" when it comes to business, although it can get to the point where people lose their trust.
It's becoming apparent to most thinking people that this administration is a fiasco. Trump feeds into that perception with his tweets and with his demand that his underlings echo his lies and distortions.
It's hard to understand why he's so persistent. It's hard to understand why he doesn't learn from his mistakes. Maybe there is something to that theory that he has some kind of psychiatric disorder.
Instability is dangerous. It allows ruthless people to prevail. It seems that's where we're going. And that's what should concern us even more than having Donald Trump as president.
The owner of a family business, even if it's worth billions, operates very differently. It's possible for the owner to make all the decisions, if they go wrong, it's only money, and when people don't live up to expectations, "You're fired."
The business man can skate close to legal boundaries and, if the ice cracks, there are platoons of good lawyers that come to the rescue. That's "smart" when it comes to business, although it can get to the point where people lose their trust.
It's becoming apparent to most thinking people that this administration is a fiasco. Trump feeds into that perception with his tweets and with his demand that his underlings echo his lies and distortions.
It's hard to understand why he's so persistent. It's hard to understand why he doesn't learn from his mistakes. Maybe there is something to that theory that he has some kind of psychiatric disorder.
Instability is dangerous. It allows ruthless people to prevail. It seems that's where we're going. And that's what should concern us even more than having Donald Trump as president.
9
"The relevant sinkhole isn’t the one that opened up just outside Mar-a-Loco last month."
No, most relevant sinkhole is the one which has fully enveloped, consumed, and destroyed America's decency, leadership, and standing in the global community.
No, most relevant sinkhole is the one which has fully enveloped, consumed, and destroyed America's decency, leadership, and standing in the global community.
15
How soon will "Mar-a-Loco" be under water? That's the one bright spot in the horror of rising water. Unfortunately, Miami and lower Manhattan may go before.
With all that has and has not transpired since Trump's self-reckoned coronation, can we now begin to speak more directly and forcefully? Can we dispense with the academic qua journalist mode of humble-speak? "(Q)uite possibly insurmountable obstacles to governing"? No, absolutely insurmountable obstacles to governing because, as has been observed ad nauseam, Trump never intended to govern and is incapable of governing within our country's constitutional structure. Obviously, Trump intended to renegotiate the terms of his "election deal" to something more personally suitable, something closer to an autocracy. Less than five months into this travesty of a Republican-enabled administration, it is patently obvious that the extremist Republicans' disconnect with America's issues and people has reached its zenith with Trump's vainglorious and unabashed self-promotion. Trump does not speak for the United States. Because he does not, he cannot govern. QED.
25
Working for Trump will have lifelong consequences--as it should. In just a few years, the taint will be palpable.
13
Other than being aware of trump because I live in the NY Metro area, I really knew nothing about the man until he was elected. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he would win. I live in a blue, blue bubble.
I remember being really terrified when he was president elect and the first month or so after the inauguration. I thought he was vile but competent. I thought he would bring in vile, but competent people. It never occurred to me that anyone elected to the presidency could be is utterly incompetent.
Now I view his mental instability, lack of moral grounding, his insatiable greed, the inability and desire to learn, lack of impulse control and his constant need for narcissistic feeders as the items that have damaged our democracy.
I hope we, as a nation, have learned a great lesson here so it is not repeated with someone who is competent.
I remember being really terrified when he was president elect and the first month or so after the inauguration. I thought he was vile but competent. I thought he would bring in vile, but competent people. It never occurred to me that anyone elected to the presidency could be is utterly incompetent.
Now I view his mental instability, lack of moral grounding, his insatiable greed, the inability and desire to learn, lack of impulse control and his constant need for narcissistic feeders as the items that have damaged our democracy.
I hope we, as a nation, have learned a great lesson here so it is not repeated with someone who is competent.
21
"I hope we, as a nation, have learned a great lesson here so it is not repeated with someone who is competent."
Mike Pence?
Mike Pence?
"I hope we, as a nation, have learned a great lesson here so it is not repeated with someone who is competent." --Commenter Ellen Campbell
We may be forced to repeat the lesson with Pence, who apparently is competent but is also unfit to govern a diverse, 21st-century, first-world nation. The Grifter-in-Chief is driving the wagon off a cliff, but if we push for impeachment too soon, we risk handing the reins to a mean-spirited, bigoted, phony-baloney-"Christian" Theocrat-in-Chief.
We may be forced to repeat the lesson with Pence, who apparently is competent but is also unfit to govern a diverse, 21st-century, first-world nation. The Grifter-in-Chief is driving the wagon off a cliff, but if we push for impeachment too soon, we risk handing the reins to a mean-spirited, bigoted, phony-baloney-"Christian" Theocrat-in-Chief.
Our State Department is being decimated. That means, as Mattis has said, a higher likelihood of needing more soldiers and fighting more in more and more locations around our suffering planet. Why would anybody currently in the State Dept. stay and use their own lives to further the interests of the US with Trump and Tillerson (what a waste of a good Texas drawl) at the helm.
How, in five short months, could Trump do so much damage? How is it possible? And when will it stop? Are we just going to allow him to dismantle the US? That seems to be the plan. Just let his dysfunction and the ensuing dysfunction he creates everywhere he goes continue merrily on?
The man is seriously mentally ill. Why won't the grown-ups DO something to stop our country's destructive spiral?
How, in five short months, could Trump do so much damage? How is it possible? And when will it stop? Are we just going to allow him to dismantle the US? That seems to be the plan. Just let his dysfunction and the ensuing dysfunction he creates everywhere he goes continue merrily on?
The man is seriously mentally ill. Why won't the grown-ups DO something to stop our country's destructive spiral?
66
Charles Blow writes with devastating wit & perception of the chaos in Washington, DC, that extends into our embassies abroad. And isn't this exactly what V. Putin & comrades wanted - and got? The UK is in pre-election meltdown as Theresa May faces an angry & anguished public over the recent terror attacks, intensified by her withdrawal of funding of the UK's police forces when she was Minister of the Interior. France & Macron are holding the line as are Germany & Angela Merkel against Putin. Will the EU rump nations & those still committed to NATO be the US's first line of defense against further intrusions into democratic electoral processes from Russia?
Comey's testimony tomorrow may uncover more of Trump's ineptitude & deceit but will we be any safer from Russia without Trump? Comey & his closed-door meetings with Trump are only one part of a much bigger picture of the danger we're in. The problem is that the danger is still live, explosive & uncontrollable - Donald Trump, his advisors, his family, his wealthy supporters and CEOs, the Republican Party. Rewind to November 8, 2016 & see the trip wire to our disaster - Russia's meddling & Comey's earlier "expose" of Hillary Clinton's emails which had nothing in them to be of concern to the American electorate except for Comey's urgency. Comey owes the USA a huge act of public self-mortification for that. Does he realize it or has his mild nausea passed & his Republican digestion is back to normal? Tomorrow, tomorrow ....
Comey's testimony tomorrow may uncover more of Trump's ineptitude & deceit but will we be any safer from Russia without Trump? Comey & his closed-door meetings with Trump are only one part of a much bigger picture of the danger we're in. The problem is that the danger is still live, explosive & uncontrollable - Donald Trump, his advisors, his family, his wealthy supporters and CEOs, the Republican Party. Rewind to November 8, 2016 & see the trip wire to our disaster - Russia's meddling & Comey's earlier "expose" of Hillary Clinton's emails which had nothing in them to be of concern to the American electorate except for Comey's urgency. Comey owes the USA a huge act of public self-mortification for that. Does he realize it or has his mild nausea passed & his Republican digestion is back to normal? Tomorrow, tomorrow ....
2
With the passing of each day our government officials seek more and clever ways to disconnect from the president. Everyone knows the emperor is walking around naked. No one will say it but by their action, his nudity can be interpolated.
The time is rapidly approaching where the leading news organizations, along with the defense and intelligence communities will have to admit that we are operating without a president that represents us.
The time is rapidly approaching where the leading news organizations, along with the defense and intelligence communities will have to admit that we are operating without a president that represents us.
2
Sessions was never "the nimblest newt in the swamp..."
Oh, what a GREAT description. Well said, Frank. Spot on. It even has a tangential smack to Gingrich, the swampiest of Congressional creatures. So much said in so few words. Perfect.
Oh, what a GREAT description. Well said, Frank. Spot on. It even has a tangential smack to Gingrich, the swampiest of Congressional creatures. So much said in so few words. Perfect.
He is unaccountable. He knows he can pardon anyone, especially his family members and so, if they are good soldiers, they know he will come through if what he instructs them to do turns out to be illegal. No need to bother with lawyers. He probably thinks he can pardon himself.
We now have a Watergate scenario with the revelation that he asked the Directors of the CIA and Intelligence to tell Comey to abandon the investigation of Gen. Flynn. We have obstruction of Justice. The viewing audience wants to know whether the Republican Congress has the guts to do it's job and Impeach this fellow.
We now have a Watergate scenario with the revelation that he asked the Directors of the CIA and Intelligence to tell Comey to abandon the investigation of Gen. Flynn. We have obstruction of Justice. The viewing audience wants to know whether the Republican Congress has the guts to do it's job and Impeach this fellow.
8
I don't believe all the empty government positions are because people won't take them. I don't believe they are because trump is too disorganized to nominate anyone for them. I believe it is a deliberate strategy of president bannon to bring our country down. He and trump don't believe in any democratic government and what better way to grab the ultimate power they want.
9
Commenter Mavis green points out that leaving all those government positions unfilled is "president bannon"'s plan for grabbing all the power.
Yes. Good point. Don't need a lot of underlings whose loyalty may not be absolute, who might leak incriminating documents, who might tell the press about the illegal, outrageous, unconscionable activities the wrecking crew is engaging in. Not to mention that if you're "deconstructing the administrative state," you want to destroy forever the opportunity for good people to gain experience in government.
The basic purpose of government is to protect its people from enemies foreign and domestic. Despite the ignorant assertion of his base that we don't need no stinkin gubmint, we do need government, and it must not be ceded to our domestic enemies. Yet there they squat.
Yes. Good point. Don't need a lot of underlings whose loyalty may not be absolute, who might leak incriminating documents, who might tell the press about the illegal, outrageous, unconscionable activities the wrecking crew is engaging in. Not to mention that if you're "deconstructing the administrative state," you want to destroy forever the opportunity for good people to gain experience in government.
The basic purpose of government is to protect its people from enemies foreign and domestic. Despite the ignorant assertion of his base that we don't need no stinkin gubmint, we do need government, and it must not be ceded to our domestic enemies. Yet there they squat.
Dunning-Kruger poster boy Trump is obviously incompetent, ignorant, self-centered, unstable and has severe mental and emotional limitations that render him ineffective and dangerous as POTUS. That debate is over.
Attention now should be turned to those who enabled and continue to enable him.
When will Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, and the rest of the Republican leadership stop refusing to accept reality?
His Fox and Friends should be criticized for each defense of Trump.
The people who voted for Trump should be shamed.
The sanity and delusions of the 40% of the public who continue to support Trump should be questioned.
Anybody who uses the 'but what about Clinton' diversion should be called out for their dishonesty.
As the Trump brand becomes toxic, those who continue to purvey it should be shunned.
Attention now should be turned to those who enabled and continue to enable him.
When will Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, and the rest of the Republican leadership stop refusing to accept reality?
His Fox and Friends should be criticized for each defense of Trump.
The people who voted for Trump should be shamed.
The sanity and delusions of the 40% of the public who continue to support Trump should be questioned.
Anybody who uses the 'but what about Clinton' diversion should be called out for their dishonesty.
As the Trump brand becomes toxic, those who continue to purvey it should be shunned.
11
You're in rare form today, Frank! This is a laugh-out-loud piece that will have me chuckling all the way to the graveyard. Or the crematorium. I could comment on so much, like the great way your have skewered my fellow Alabama the AG. "Donald in a Dixie cup" is a term for the ages. But I will content myself with this: Your buck-stopping imagery reminds me of something that has been on my mind since the second Tuesday in November. The only buck that will be allowed to stop on Frump's desk is the Godalmighty Dollar!
3
trying to decide if you're being sardonic, sarcastic, satirical, or cynical, which is sort of impossible to be all at the same time. nice job though. nice job!
1
Mostly expressing disappointment, Mike. Thanks for your kind response.
Before becoming President, Mr. Trump was a small business owner. Relatively small, anyway. Trump Enterprises (or whatever it's called) is no ExxonMobil. And it seems as though he's trying to run the government like a small business. But that won't work. The boss of a small business has certain advantages that the President of the US doesn't. A small business owner can hide some of his financials and work under the radar. He can cook some books. He can afford a better lawyer than those who sue him and, thus, confound justice. He can fire whomever he pleases. He doesn't have to worry about the press because the press doesn't care about him. He can declare bankruptcy and start over, and he can take advantage of all kinds of loopholes and friendly tax laws. He can rule by fiat. He can do deals with shady partners. He can say it's his ball so you can't play...all that stuff. But the President can't get away with any of that. It's a different kind of job. The President is under a microscope and held to an ethical standard. The Presidency requires more than arrogance and autocratic decision-making. Our presiding President is not adapting to his new job. Guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks after all.
1039
Like Obama said in an outgoing interview, the presidency doesn't change you, it brings into more focus your strengths and weaknesses. We know what we're seeing in Trump is all weakness, no strength.
2
The old dog in question needs to be impeached, aka neutered, before he goes totally nuclear feral.
4
That very much depends on the dog.
I remember an episode of "Twilight Zone" that was repeated later in the movie of the same name where a little boy was feared by all around him because he had the power to get anything he wanted. That's where we are with Trump. While his parents had military school to rely on and, later, Trump business associates could somewhat rely on the courts to protect them, we're running out of tools we might use to protect ourselves. Trump is the real life Transformer who's wrecking his way towards oblivion and it's not clear whether it will be his or our own oblivion.
Unlike the kid in the movie who was finally controlled by a great teacher, Trump listens only to his own voice. The longer this goes on, the crazier it's going to get. He is, quite literally, utterly convinced of his own infallibility. Not even a two year old is this self-absorbed.
Unlike the kid in the movie who was finally controlled by a great teacher, Trump listens only to his own voice. The longer this goes on, the crazier it's going to get. He is, quite literally, utterly convinced of his own infallibility. Not even a two year old is this self-absorbed.
730
Oh Jack, it is very, very clear that the one who suffers the most from Donald Trump contact is NOT DT. Anyone who believed Trump's PR about what a winner he is will be sure to get fleeced. And who are Trump's enablers? The Republican Party which doesn't believe in government except for use in military defense and for allowing the super wealthy to fleece the nation on taxes.
1
Not two hours after writing my comment on Bruni's piece, I read Barrett's informative story on the Qatar crisis and listen to a BBC report on that subject along with some views on the terrorist bombing in Iran, all of which convince me that the entire sequence was put in motion by Trump during his trip to Saudi Arabia.
Qatar's sins are trivial and yet days after Trump's visit, we're in an international crisis compounded by the bombing in Iran. Where it could end is anybody's guess but Trump's stance is best explained by Bannon's weird theories on an apocalypse arising from the Middle East/Islam. There's literally nothing in this mess that benefits the U.S. (or anyone else, for that matter).
I hate conspiracy theories, but I can't think of any basis for what's happened in the past 24 hours other than the Trump/Bannon lunacy. I suggest that everyone acquaint themselves on these matters right away and start calling Congress. It could just be the beginning of the great unwinding Bannon so dearly wishes for. And Trump, who now seems back in Bannon's corner will certainly double down if things hit the fan.
Qatar's sins are trivial and yet days after Trump's visit, we're in an international crisis compounded by the bombing in Iran. Where it could end is anybody's guess but Trump's stance is best explained by Bannon's weird theories on an apocalypse arising from the Middle East/Islam. There's literally nothing in this mess that benefits the U.S. (or anyone else, for that matter).
I hate conspiracy theories, but I can't think of any basis for what's happened in the past 24 hours other than the Trump/Bannon lunacy. I suggest that everyone acquaint themselves on these matters right away and start calling Congress. It could just be the beginning of the great unwinding Bannon so dearly wishes for. And Trump, who now seems back in Bannon's corner will certainly double down if things hit the fan.
1
"Unlike the kid in the movie who was finally controlled by a great teacher...." Unfortunately, the ending of the original series episode was no where near as sanguine. If you have not seen it, probably not a good time to watch it...
2
"Donald in a Dixie cup." Genius, Frank! You earned your paycheck with at one line. No, you really nailed it. Trump is the prototypical Bad Boss: a narcissistic, unpredictable, ignorant, disloyal micromanager. In the private sector, there's a large pool of people who will absorb that kind of abuse for a healthy paycheck. In Washington, where salaries are lower (unless you're a lobbyist) and the public scrutiny is far greater, not so much. What sane person would sign themselves up for this one way ticket to public humiliation? The Russia investigation may undo Trump, but his inability to manage people will probably prove to be equally fatal.
1036
A position in the position may also entail high legal bills, testifying in Congress, and possibly indictment. Sessions may be Donald in a Dixie Cup, but he''s smarter, smart enough to exercise self preservation by staying far, far away from obstruction of jusiice charges. Hence the recusal.
1
We are all paying the price of having a "leader" who appears to be suffering from a personality disorder.
Yes, "Donald in a Dixie cup" is brilliant. But as a resident of West Palm Beach, I have to give the prize to "Mar-a-Loco."
Trump clearly read Machiavelli: "Better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.", and sees himself as the Prince.
So how to be loved as well? Machiavelli has the story of the Prince who sent his representative to be cruel and harsh, and when the People complained, the Prince cut off his man's head so as to become the People's hero. So, who wants to join the Trump administration?
So how to be loved as well? Machiavelli has the story of the Prince who sent his representative to be cruel and harsh, and when the People complained, the Prince cut off his man's head so as to become the People's hero. So, who wants to join the Trump administration?
15
He may be somewhat Machiavellian, true, but I sincerely doubt that Trump has read Machiavelli.
3
I find your initial premise dubious. If Trump had read Machiavelli he would likely be bragging about it. "Great book. Very informative. I read it faster than anyone has read it before; I've been told I'm one of the best readers in the world. I've read so many books. I had most of the ideas already, you know, but this guy Tupac really confirmed all of it. He ought to read 'Art of the Deal.' There's a lot in common between his book and my book..."
4
All similarities are coincidental, as Trump does not read.
1
During the campaign, his opponents continually described Trump, in polite terms, as temperamentally unsuited to be President and, in slightly less polite terms, as unhinged. In accurate terms, what we saw was a sociopath. So now that seven months have passed since the election and more than four months since the inauguration, what we have seen from Trump is that he is temperamentally unsuited to be President, he is unhinged, and he is a sociopath. What I do not understand is why anyone is surprised by this and by the extent of it.
At this point, we need to learn how to neutralize Trump and to work around him. Our allies have certainly discovered this. The problem is that the GOP still sees Trump as the pathway to lower taxes on the rich, to make life easier for big business, and to reduce all government services other than police and military. How long will the GOP maintain this pact with the devil?
The sooner that Democrats start announcing for the 2018 Senate seats and for Congress, the sooner GOP members will have to start campaigning. At that point, they will see that with Trump at a 37% approval rating, they will have to separate themselves from him.
At this point, we need to learn how to neutralize Trump and to work around him. Our allies have certainly discovered this. The problem is that the GOP still sees Trump as the pathway to lower taxes on the rich, to make life easier for big business, and to reduce all government services other than police and military. How long will the GOP maintain this pact with the devil?
The sooner that Democrats start announcing for the 2018 Senate seats and for Congress, the sooner GOP members will have to start campaigning. At that point, they will see that with Trump at a 37% approval rating, they will have to separate themselves from him.
15
I agree! "Donald in a Dixie cup" -- just another product brought to you by Koch Industries.
27
The beauty of being our nation's Narcissist. You are your own lover. Your lover will never cheat on you...you will never be a cuckhold. Your lover never speaks nasty reality or truth to you, your lover is always loyal to you.
Our National Narcissist is always right, never at fault; so The National Narcissist must have others nearby, not just to fawn like panting lapdogs over him (which they do), but also to blame like mixed-breed curs when they fail to keep nasty reality at bay.
"Trump’s quickness to deflect blame, readiness to designate scapegoats, unpredictable tirades and stinginess with the loyalty that he demands from others" are the privileges of the National Narcissist and the benefit package of slings and arrows that comes with service to the National Narcissist.
If the National Narcissist is having trouble finding underlings to work for him, might I suggest he look to the Kentucky coal country. There he will find a vast pool of unemployed, readily available, sycophants willing to brown their noses. It would be a win win.
Ah, the beauty of being our nation's Narcissist!
Our National Narcissist is always right, never at fault; so The National Narcissist must have others nearby, not just to fawn like panting lapdogs over him (which they do), but also to blame like mixed-breed curs when they fail to keep nasty reality at bay.
"Trump’s quickness to deflect blame, readiness to designate scapegoats, unpredictable tirades and stinginess with the loyalty that he demands from others" are the privileges of the National Narcissist and the benefit package of slings and arrows that comes with service to the National Narcissist.
If the National Narcissist is having trouble finding underlings to work for him, might I suggest he look to the Kentucky coal country. There he will find a vast pool of unemployed, readily available, sycophants willing to brown their noses. It would be a win win.
Ah, the beauty of being our nation's Narcissist!
22
It would be funny if it were not so sad.
13
Priceless, Frank, your definition of Jeff Sessions as "Donald in a dixie cup". Trump's mean and nasty social media Tweet darts are aimed at London's Lord Mayor, Saddiq Khan, Angela Merkel, our Middle Eastern ally and fighter plane base, Qatar. Every midnight in the White House hits a new target.
Barron Trump should not be mentiioned - he is the youngest scion of the Trump family, and not fodder for columnists. His Mother, the former Melania Knav, a Slovenian-American, is above and beyond reproach and we saw in Israel her not quite sub-rosa hand-flip upon the couple's red carpet arrival. So lay off Melania and Barron, please.
We are witnessing - beyond our belief and comprehension - the disintegration of the American Empire under our elected 45th President. Even Sean Spicer, the President's eely press secretary and the woefully inadequate nepotte, Sarah Huckabee Sanders are not able to stem the verbal tide of reporters asking questions of the administration, as if Trump's 100+ days of wonders are for real.
What is President Trump's unstaffed "War Room" - lawyer heaven? A bolt-hole for the Big White Hare? All of his catbird seat White Houses in New York City, New Jersey, Washington,D.C., and Florida (a sinkhole by Mall-o-Mar) are war rooms staffed with wee Trump loyalists quaking in their boots. Trump is Master Blaster in "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" ("Two men enter, one man leaves"). The upcoming Comey Investigation will be a "Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow!"
Barron Trump should not be mentiioned - he is the youngest scion of the Trump family, and not fodder for columnists. His Mother, the former Melania Knav, a Slovenian-American, is above and beyond reproach and we saw in Israel her not quite sub-rosa hand-flip upon the couple's red carpet arrival. So lay off Melania and Barron, please.
We are witnessing - beyond our belief and comprehension - the disintegration of the American Empire under our elected 45th President. Even Sean Spicer, the President's eely press secretary and the woefully inadequate nepotte, Sarah Huckabee Sanders are not able to stem the verbal tide of reporters asking questions of the administration, as if Trump's 100+ days of wonders are for real.
What is President Trump's unstaffed "War Room" - lawyer heaven? A bolt-hole for the Big White Hare? All of his catbird seat White Houses in New York City, New Jersey, Washington,D.C., and Florida (a sinkhole by Mall-o-Mar) are war rooms staffed with wee Trump loyalists quaking in their boots. Trump is Master Blaster in "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" ("Two men enter, one man leaves"). The upcoming Comey Investigation will be a "Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow!"
13
The problem is that Trump was lawfully elected president( at least that's the current belief) and it takes quite a lot to undo that damage. The real issue is that he's being supported by the Republican Congress, maybe begrudgingly, but supported never the less. Then there's his followers which reinforces Trump's belief that no matter what he does they still have his back. Trump has not changed since his candidacy, if anything he's more convinced that he's right in whatever he says or does. There's only one way to correct this situation is that Congress must support the independent prosecutor in whatever he finds and start the process to remove Trump from office.
14
This Emperor is Mad. And Deranged. He has no clothes.
He should be removed.
He should be removed.
23
Trump's kept telling us during his campaign that he alone could solve all our problems because he was not a politician. He was going to surround himself with the best talent, and by his superior leadership he would force through everything he wanted and the country needed.
So, he has no excuses. These are the people HE chose, and if they are not living up to his expectations, that means that he is a poor judge of talent. If can't unify the Republicans in Congress, that means he is a poor leader. It's as simple as that, by his own criteria.
In his book, "The Art of the Deal," Trump makes the point that one of his few admitted bad deals was the USFL, and he concluded that you should stay with what you know. If going from real estate to football was a too big a move, then what is POTUS? Big League failure.
Who knew?
So, he has no excuses. These are the people HE chose, and if they are not living up to his expectations, that means that he is a poor judge of talent. If can't unify the Republicans in Congress, that means he is a poor leader. It's as simple as that, by his own criteria.
In his book, "The Art of the Deal," Trump makes the point that one of his few admitted bad deals was the USFL, and he concluded that you should stay with what you know. If going from real estate to football was a too big a move, then what is POTUS? Big League failure.
Who knew?
11
Frank Bruni told us in one of his opinion pieces that he shook Donald Trump's hand. Well, another emotional Trump wall wall has just been erected and cemented in place using no tools other than a keyboard, and Mr. Bruni will never have to suffer the hand of this particular grabber again.
I'm proud of you, Frank. Putting it out there is dangerous in today's climate. And I hope the efforts of our best journalists will eventually let me and the majority of my fellow Americans regain our pride in our country, and the ability to stand behind a good president.
I'm proud of you, Frank. Putting it out there is dangerous in today's climate. And I hope the efforts of our best journalists will eventually let me and the majority of my fellow Americans regain our pride in our country, and the ability to stand behind a good president.
3
By many accounts, the atmosphere in the White House is one part high school cafeteria, two parts “Lord of the Flies.”
Memorable description, Mr Bruni.
Memorable description, Mr Bruni.
9
The "failing NYTimes" just doesn't get it. With the Trumpster producing, directing, writing and starring in "TrumpWorld: Where America is Great Again," we don't need a bunch of bureaucrats on the federal payroll. We're saving millions and getting more bang for the buck with just a handful of Trumpies running the show. Donald does his own PR on Twitter. If you follow him, you'll see he's doing more stuff better and faster than any leader in history (with the possible exception of Jesus).
5
As much as I dislike Trump, picking on poor Barron is unecessary. Kids should be off limits.
I actually feel really sorry for the boy.
I actually feel really sorry for the boy.
2
There is another article today about Bikram Choudhury, the 73-year-old founder of Bikram yoga, was finally served a warrant for his arrest late last month. For decades he was getting away with unthinkable crime.
But when it comes to Donald trump almost all are becoming " yes, sir",why ?
Elected officials are afraid of losing the election. Okay but what is the matter with the Generals with stellar career and now ready to ruin all they have build up throughout their lives ?
Rex Tillerson a billionaire what he has to lose to put Trump where he belongs, he did not want the job but his wife told him so ?
Even comedians are getting punished for ridiculing Donald Trump. Some of the twitter accounts are banned for ridiculing Donald J. Trump.
When this tyranny is going to end ?
Impeachment is out of question because no one wants Pence.
We are in deep with no end in sight.
But when it comes to Donald trump almost all are becoming " yes, sir",why ?
Elected officials are afraid of losing the election. Okay but what is the matter with the Generals with stellar career and now ready to ruin all they have build up throughout their lives ?
Rex Tillerson a billionaire what he has to lose to put Trump where he belongs, he did not want the job but his wife told him so ?
Even comedians are getting punished for ridiculing Donald Trump. Some of the twitter accounts are banned for ridiculing Donald J. Trump.
When this tyranny is going to end ?
Impeachment is out of question because no one wants Pence.
We are in deep with no end in sight.
19
Who will be in charge of fumigating the White House when these clowns finally leave? The stench is already over whelming.
13
How often must it be said that the children are off limits to comments?
5
Children exist. There is a big difference between recognizing that fact and attacking them.
7
A 10 year old boy has no reason to be included in the context of this, or any article, and I would hope that opinion writers of this paper would respect that.
My favorite new word - Mara-loco.. gracias
7
Entertaining. Worth a chuckle. But gallows humor and the gallows are real.
Yes DJT is a real embarrassment - a joke - but ironically his psychological essence -his bumbling - his incompetence - is the thing that keeps us from being pushed over the cliff we stupidly and casually waltzed over to.
If DJT was a competent/effective President our real existential enemies would own the day. Those enemies embodied in the Republican Party of today.
Now I know that 42% of you fellow citizens out there will align with that Party. And I am not calling the large majority of you 42% evil, stupid, uncaring, without some good rational, or unAmerican. Indeed many of you I'd be very privileged to have as neighbors and friends.
Be that as it may you 42%ers just have - partly because of genes - partly because of culture - a proclivity toward Right Wing Authoritarianism and while a dab of RWA is useful letting it have the reigns is always disastrous.
And if the 58%ers don't really pay attention and take considered action (mainly support candidates and causes that are not RWA) the 42%ers will let regressive, reactionary forces (Right or Left) take those reigns.
Simply the 58%ers must consider the Rs an existential threat. Forget the minutia - I am not arguing that Rs cannot have valid points nor their method and means never better.
The Rs present underlying objectives and goals spell theocracy, plutocracy, and oligarchy. Nothing most of us want.
VOTE ALWAYS and SERIOUSLY!
Yes DJT is a real embarrassment - a joke - but ironically his psychological essence -his bumbling - his incompetence - is the thing that keeps us from being pushed over the cliff we stupidly and casually waltzed over to.
If DJT was a competent/effective President our real existential enemies would own the day. Those enemies embodied in the Republican Party of today.
Now I know that 42% of you fellow citizens out there will align with that Party. And I am not calling the large majority of you 42% evil, stupid, uncaring, without some good rational, or unAmerican. Indeed many of you I'd be very privileged to have as neighbors and friends.
Be that as it may you 42%ers just have - partly because of genes - partly because of culture - a proclivity toward Right Wing Authoritarianism and while a dab of RWA is useful letting it have the reigns is always disastrous.
And if the 58%ers don't really pay attention and take considered action (mainly support candidates and causes that are not RWA) the 42%ers will let regressive, reactionary forces (Right or Left) take those reigns.
Simply the 58%ers must consider the Rs an existential threat. Forget the minutia - I am not arguing that Rs cannot have valid points nor their method and means never better.
The Rs present underlying objectives and goals spell theocracy, plutocracy, and oligarchy. Nothing most of us want.
VOTE ALWAYS and SERIOUSLY!
9
The avowed "Leninist" Steve Bannon has promised to de-construct the federal government and cause it crash into chaos. He is getting his wish fulfilled. I wonder how much longer the Republican majority in congress is going to twiddle their thumbs until they realize that the oncoming juggernaut of the Bannon/Trump team is aimed squarely at their branch of government.
7
Dear Leader has been compared to various people in the past: Mussolini, Berlusconi, etc. But isn't it obvious that he is trying to emulate Dear Leader Kim Jong-un?
4
Excellent article Mr. Bruni.
I'm often tempted to list the many character flaws, or policy execution missteps, or communication gaffes, or lack of leadership skills, or lack of a coherent vision, or the many other shortcomings of this President, Administration, Republican Leadership, and Republican voters, but then it dawns on me that they just don't care. Why, because they too will benefit from this poor excuse of a human being, That's right; tax cuts, new business profits, pet projects, 15 minutes of fame, or simply their own greed manifest in this weakest of vessels, the current President of the United States of America.
When one looks back in our history, its easy to trace the greatest of past Presidents by the remarkable arc they cut for our nation. Today, we watch the current President of this great nation get into a twitter war with the mayor of London on D-Day-a historic and solemn day, and his supporters call this leadership. Shame on all of you who stand idly by and let this ignorant buffoon trample our exceptional values, our remarkable history, our soldiers heroic blood spilled, and our children's future in this great country, the United States of America.
Trump supporters should be ashamed...
I'm often tempted to list the many character flaws, or policy execution missteps, or communication gaffes, or lack of leadership skills, or lack of a coherent vision, or the many other shortcomings of this President, Administration, Republican Leadership, and Republican voters, but then it dawns on me that they just don't care. Why, because they too will benefit from this poor excuse of a human being, That's right; tax cuts, new business profits, pet projects, 15 minutes of fame, or simply their own greed manifest in this weakest of vessels, the current President of the United States of America.
When one looks back in our history, its easy to trace the greatest of past Presidents by the remarkable arc they cut for our nation. Today, we watch the current President of this great nation get into a twitter war with the mayor of London on D-Day-a historic and solemn day, and his supporters call this leadership. Shame on all of you who stand idly by and let this ignorant buffoon trample our exceptional values, our remarkable history, our soldiers heroic blood spilled, and our children's future in this great country, the United States of America.
Trump supporters should be ashamed...
22
Late Houston Oiler football coach Bum Philips had a saying that clearly describes Trump’s character flaw: “You fail all of the time. But you aren’t a failure until you start blaming someone else.”
12
What is it with the 38% Trump base in this country? You know, the base that will lose their healthcare, will have their Social Security benefits cut, their Medicare cut, their water and air polluted, their security jeopardized by reckless leadership, all so that Donald, his children and the rest of the 1% can get a huge tax break? Do they really think this clown and this boorish behavior is making America great, again?
19
Holding on to their hate, and having their resentments recognized and validated is more important to them. That it why at this point after all that Trump has done since elected it is impossible to have any respect for those sticking with him.
2
Trump is no leader. He is a manager with a defective style, one built on his father's contacts who ranged from competent architects and builders to dubious City inspectors and compliant Union leaders. Trump grew up in a "culture" of back-scratching and favor-swapping. He also grew up with limited education, unacquainted with the foundations of American civilization, impatient with books and their content. The sins of generations of utilitarians are now visited on all the children of the USA.
3
"Donald in a Dixie cup". Actually, have been keeping tabs on
the number of politicians around Trump that hail from the the South. Let us amend that phrase to a more accurate one: 'Trump in a Dixie swamp".
the number of politicians around Trump that hail from the the South. Let us amend that phrase to a more accurate one: 'Trump in a Dixie swamp".
7
Why do you think that Trump essentially left the NY real estate business and started doing business elsewhere around the world? It is because no one in the business wanted to conduct business with him....not the banks...not the brokerage community...not the construction community....they all viewed him to be as he is....incompetent....they wouldn't lend money to him, they wouldn't find properties for him or lease for him and they wouldn't build for him....because if there was always a problem and he always blamed them....he never took responsibility....truth is, he was incompetent...and vicious ...and vindictive.....they always got the short end of the stick...so it was better to ignore him...lend to someone else...let someone else make the deal....build for those someone elses....
Sooner or later, the buck stops at the desk of the President and there is no one to turn to...no one to blame....cant go to a Russian bank....cant go build somewhere else with someone else's money....he is doomed
Sooner or later, the buck stops at the desk of the President and there is no one to turn to...no one to blame....cant go to a Russian bank....cant go build somewhere else with someone else's money....he is doomed
13
trump is clearly breaking the law in the highest office. We need to stop entertaining intellectual curiosity items about this guy and hold him to account for doing everything from obstructing investigations to enriching himself by refusing to divest interests. His henchmen keep trying to normalize the abnormality of his behavior. Nothing about his time in office has been normal and nothing about him has changed. He is grossly incompetent and proves it daily. He is using the office to enrich himself and his spawn, and proves it daily.
27
As an outsider looking in I must admit I'm completely riveted by all that is going on over there.. not in a nice way mind you, but a very slow car crash that one can't look away from. The incompetence of all this is breathtaking. We had your Trump recently in AU, a man called Tony Abbott who rose to be PM (more as a protest vote against the opposition at the time) however the electorate quickly worked out he also was not fit to hold office, nor were we sure he was actually the full two quid. He didn't even last a single 3 year term by his colleagues.. being ousted and replaced with a man we all agreed was a much more competent (and quite frankly sane) fit. I know I am going on here a tad, but the point is... thank christ we have a parliamentary system whereby any elected official can be removed incredibly quickly by a majority caucus vote to safeguard society from the abyss. The world needs a unified (or at the very least stable) America that espouses (and is seen to hold) a dignified and healthy democracy that is the gold standard for other nations. The Trump effect is already starting to cause serious geo-political damage to emboldened countries as we speak. (see: Gulf states). There is a seriously wicked storm fomenting on the horizon...
1819
A vote of non-confidence would not only remove him, it would call another election and potential remove the current successors as well. We have seen how little of a platform they've worked out. They are a one-pony show. And they have no idea how to heal the country. Trouble is, the democrats aren't doing much better.
1
I'm riveted, too, but feel trapped in the car with no door handles.
16
Nothing dignified in this crowd now in Washington.
5
Mr. Trump's earlier question is relevant:
"I'm president. Can you believe it?"
Er, no, I still can't.
"I'm president. Can you believe it?"
Er, no, I still can't.
23
More and more it appears that the nation needs a cabinet that can wrest control from the afflicted personality of Trump. But this cabinet has only a few with the knowledge and courage to reign him in. Trumpery is the coin of entrance to the oval office. It must be stopped before he does catastrophic harm.
9
I will never respect the ones who "work for" Trump, no matter their former credentials.
They chose to be his cabinet of pals, or spokespersons of glory. They have supported a cheater in private life, a man who did not even pay contractors who serviced him, a landlord that would not allow Black people in his buildings, a woman groper, a guy who repeatedly has asked why couldn't Russia be a friend, a campaigner that ridiculed disabled folks.....all for starters. None of that was a secret before he got elected. But it didn't matter to them. Such lack of character.
Don't give us the "well they only want to serve their country" which is horsefeathers. Haley could have continued to serve her state. The generals could easily serve by volunteering for the VA. Tom Price could donate hours in healthcare clinics instead of trying to rip off people from obtaining healthcare.
Betsy DeVos could stand up for public school kids instead of churches. Reince Priebus could have continued to help his Republican Party, which will surely need help. And so on.
The skunk may smell his own hole first, but these people didn't mind crawling in there with him. Hearing their names makes my mind associate with the negative side of my brain's neurons. And nothing will change that. Let them go down in history as Trump patsies, and nothing more.
They chose to be his cabinet of pals, or spokespersons of glory. They have supported a cheater in private life, a man who did not even pay contractors who serviced him, a landlord that would not allow Black people in his buildings, a woman groper, a guy who repeatedly has asked why couldn't Russia be a friend, a campaigner that ridiculed disabled folks.....all for starters. None of that was a secret before he got elected. But it didn't matter to them. Such lack of character.
Don't give us the "well they only want to serve their country" which is horsefeathers. Haley could have continued to serve her state. The generals could easily serve by volunteering for the VA. Tom Price could donate hours in healthcare clinics instead of trying to rip off people from obtaining healthcare.
Betsy DeVos could stand up for public school kids instead of churches. Reince Priebus could have continued to help his Republican Party, which will surely need help. And so on.
The skunk may smell his own hole first, but these people didn't mind crawling in there with him. Hearing their names makes my mind associate with the negative side of my brain's neurons. And nothing will change that. Let them go down in history as Trump patsies, and nothing more.
21
Well stated, President Trump is the national embarrassment.
We elected an ignorant, ranting man-child President, who could've predicted it would go so wrong?
Six months into his Presidency and already he is the worst President in our history, making Warren Harding look like Abraham Lincoln.
Three and a half more years of these follies?
Yipes!!!
We elected an ignorant, ranting man-child President, who could've predicted it would go so wrong?
Six months into his Presidency and already he is the worst President in our history, making Warren Harding look like Abraham Lincoln.
Three and a half more years of these follies?
Yipes!!!
19
The lack, the derision, of good counsel amplifies the absence of nuance. Qatar, for instance, does it sponsor terrorism or stability in Egypt in supporting the Muslim Brotherhood who founded the Freedom and Justice party to contest in democratic elections? Now Iran: ISIS attacks his favorite Middle East enemy, will he thank ISIS or condemn Iran for being weak or will he applaud the chaos as it grows?
I think he will simply be confused, and later claim credit for any positive spin a sycophant will find in the events unfolding on cable news.
I think he will simply be confused, and later claim credit for any positive spin a sycophant will find in the events unfolding on cable news.
10
"I suspect that the Trump era will flip that phrase, and the people walking out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will be seen as — and be — the privileged ones."
Are they shackled and chained to the wall? If not, any or all of them could 'walk out' at any time he or she wished. They chose to enter this netherworld knowing full well who Trump was and how he behaved. Sure, maybe some of them, in their drive for position, fame, or power convinced themselves that the presidency would change him, though any thoughtful person could see that this was highly unlikely at best. Still, nearly 5 months in, there is no doubt for anyone who is merely conscious that the tiger will not change his stripes. Fools though they may be, they freely decided tweet by tweet, outrage by outrage, to continue to serve this man. They chose not to walk out; that says a lot about them and their values.
Are they shackled and chained to the wall? If not, any or all of them could 'walk out' at any time he or she wished. They chose to enter this netherworld knowing full well who Trump was and how he behaved. Sure, maybe some of them, in their drive for position, fame, or power convinced themselves that the presidency would change him, though any thoughtful person could see that this was highly unlikely at best. Still, nearly 5 months in, there is no doubt for anyone who is merely conscious that the tiger will not change his stripes. Fools though they may be, they freely decided tweet by tweet, outrage by outrage, to continue to serve this man. They chose not to walk out; that says a lot about them and their values.
54
Just wait--they will all be writing "tell-all" books with 1M $ advances.
I am dying to see who writes the first one.
I am dying to see who writes the first one.
2
Case #1 in point: Mike Pence.
2
KellyAnn will have the best one if she writes one
Trump got all of his cabinet nominees, but has not even submitted nominations for 80% of the sub-cabinet positions that manage the operations of government, the bone and muscle of his administration.
Trump fired the US attorneys and Director fo the FBI, w/o replacements.
We are fortunate not to have been attacked or confronted by an unexpected threat, which would require coordinated action by multiple agencies. But it will happen.
Trump will blame Democrats.
Trump fired the US attorneys and Director fo the FBI, w/o replacements.
We are fortunate not to have been attacked or confronted by an unexpected threat, which would require coordinated action by multiple agencies. But it will happen.
Trump will blame Democrats.
39
Frank, you have the touch. Sometimes black humor is the only good humor around. Column this good might even get a tweet from Goldilocks. "Hey, not so smart Bruni, really great people are breaking down the doors to work for me."
10