"And whenever I tell the “dog” story, I always enjoy pointing out that Trump misspelled the word “too.” Too funny!
You are my fav columnist!
9
Why do I feel as though I must go home and apologize to the beagles for being drawn into Captain Bone Spurs' kerfuffle? They have, in their loving kindness, done absolutely nothing to deserve this.
8
DUMB: taking on the world's best authors in 280 char or less! Like the school yard bully tormenting the frosh 122# wrestler in front of the senior heavy weight state champ .. smack down!
6
Oh Gail! Be honored he called you a dog! Do dogs lie?No. Do they get drunk? Uh No. Are they disloyal? Of vourse not. Are they trainable?Sure. Is Trump? No. In fact dogs are rather nicer than people!
So be bold be proud bbe canine!
11
Every report I read or heard in the lamestream media of Trump calling Omarosa a dog, opined it proved he is a racist. Your announcement that he called you a dog long ago, unless you are black or Hispanic, proves his comment didn't show him to be a racist. It merely showed him to be a name-calling cretin. But your story also proves the lamestream media is obsessed with finding racism in everyone and everything it opposes.
Racism as an important factor in American life ended white Americans elected Obama. Unfortunately, those who have prospered attacking racism are unwilling to give up their golden-egg laying goose.
4
Calling others a dog is such low skill and low energy. Just that alone UPenn should take back the diploma. But why bother, right, if Penn doesn't bring it up, it doesn't get tarred and feathered.
On the other hand, Gail, you have my new found respect. Maybe you were so intimidating to him that he couldn't come up with a nickname.
5
Do not mistake Don’s behavior for neuroses. He creates chaos and is devoid of conscience in doing so. Imagine any other President from Jackson on ordering that very young children be forcefully taken from the arms of their mothers. He has no respect for life and would pave over every National Park if the asphalt contractor would give him a kick-back. “Sociopath” is the correct psychiatric appellation.
23
Gail, if only you could have worked Seamus into this one! Ah, those were the days.
6
Typical of trump... since everything’s about him (a real lying loser)... in his brief remarks about the passing of truly great and wonderful Aretha Franklin, trump noted prominently that “she worked for him many times.”
Since anything spoken by trump is likely to be dubious at best or an outright lie I can’t speak to the veracity of his comment (did Aretha perform at a trump casino or clean house for trump in his sick dreamworld).
I will say that the man has zero class and is incapable of even the simple grace of paying sincere tribute to one of the finest, most influential singers of any generation, Aretha Franklin.
Now and for all, Aretha was someone who actually helped make America “great” (unlike we know who).
14
Obviously he did not have a high GPA in college as he did not receive any honors or distinctions what-so-ever. Trump a guy who spends his time watching TV and playing golf, not reading or inquiring. Just listen to him talk for two minutes and you will realize all you need to know about his mental ablities. It is embarrasing he is our President. No integrity, no intellect, no work ethic, no empathy or understanding of others.
19
Speaking of the Wharton School Trump attended, when Mike Pompeo was recently promoted, Trump noted that Pompeo had finished first in his class at West Point. He said he initially questioned the claim but then found out it was real. Then he admiringly repeated the phrase "first in his class".
Then Trump claimed, for the umpteenth time, that he had graduated first in his class at Wharton, but that is a proven lie. He didn't even graduate with honors according to the school.
Trump's compulsive need to lie in order to calm his feelings of inferiority should frighten his followers but they refuse to see it.
The Bible says "there are none so blind as those who will not see".
13
Trump is a true demagogue. Democracies can be turned into dictatorships by demagogues. Trump has no conscience, no scruples, no convictions. Trump will do whatever he thinks will advantage himself. It’s important to try to understand what he actually seeks by what he does. Trump’s intentions may be completely unrelated to what he indicates or it can be exactly what he indicates. One must find other information separate from Trump to know.
6
The greatest worry is that his penchant for changing the topic whenever he feels cornered or embarrassed might culminate in his starting a war. Americans usually rally around a POTUS who does that.
2
In part just because so much of the significance of Trump's presidency is in his personal style, which treats statements about any part of the world as mere commands, and uses personal attacks in lieu of arguments, it would be a sign of the failure of the left and liberal opposition if he is taken down personally by impeachment for misconduct.
In America, power is often psychological. Our popular culture is soaked with notions of the therapeutic.
Ronald Reagan consecrated this idea in his famous 1984 presidential debate with Walter Mondale when he said, "There you go again." Now an avuncular psychological gaze could browbeat political and intellectual adversaries by replacing argument with diagnosis.
Left-liberals did not see this. The hippies became the New Age, a rainbow coalition of therapeutic elixirs for middle class whites. Feminists declared that the personal is political. The reverse is what happened.
Consider the case of President Nixon. In fact, both break-ins (the Democratic Party, and the war' whistleblower's (Ellsberg) shrink, were about the war.
But the impeachment effort meant that Nixon was only a man who lied and cheated. The left loses when political differences are called moral failure. A revolution is not a courtroom trial.
Trump is the name of a quasi-fascism, not its cause. It will survive him. So other methods must be used to oppose it. Crime is not a category of political judgment; only the right wants that.
4
@William Heidbreder
I'm sure that somewhere in there is a cogent argument waiting to get out.
First, Trump is not going to be taken down by impeachment, because too many Republican Senators either agree with him, or are scared of losing his base.
Second, assuming the facts warrant it, Trump's inpeachment and conviction would be a win, not for Liberals since President Pence would be no better for them policywise, but for the country in that a liar and cheat would be removed.
As for Reagan, do you really imagine that "there you go again" won him re-election. He was well-liked, and was regarded as the antidote to three failed Presidencies in a row (Nixon, Ford, Carter). Thge country appeared to be doing OK. That was quite enough.
"Now an avuncular psychological gaze could browbeat political and intellectual adversaries by replacing argument with diagnosis. " really, Bush I Clinton Obama. Did any of them use this tried and true method (sarcasm). Not in fact. Bush II did use a cheery disposition to help unseat (sorta) Gore,a remarkably boring candidate (but add that it's not easy for a party to win a 3rd consec. term)
The majority of Baby boomers were not hippies, not new-agers etc.
according to the poster "Feminists declared that the personal is political. The reverse is what happened"
Does he mean the impersonal is political or that the political is personal (whatever that means).
I would argue that your personal affects your politics. To be concluded.
2
Trump is the greatest communications manager ever. He dominates the news always. No issue of any importance receives as much coverage as his lamest comments. No body discusses policies nor opinions about anything as much as about Trump. It’s not because he is thoughtful nor entertaining. He’s stunningly nasty, mean, and deceitful. He captures attention like a horrific car accident or a violent action story. He does not make people’s lives better but he does make their hearts beat faster. He brings out the worst concerns and he does it without displaying any concern about it.
12
@Casual Observer
Let me apologize to you Casual. But this is a reply to
William Heidbreder that I never managed to finish:
Now where were we?.
"Feminists declared that the personal is political. The reverse is what happened." I wasunable to find what the opposite was?
I'd argue that the personal is political: If you're a middle-aged white male in PA who felt that he was being left behind, and here was someone who understood your woes, sure sounds personal..and that leads to the political action voting for Trump. If you feel fear from the (imagined) crime wave-that seems personal and you react by voting for Trump.
"Consider the case of President Nixon. In fact, both break-ins (the Democratic Party, and the war' whistleblower's (Ellsberg) shrink, were about the war." Ellsburg-was about Vietnam but
Watergate was about stealing (unnecessarily) secrets about the Dems campaign. The impeachment was about Nixon's response to that the cover up.
I cannot argue with much of the last paragraph, though it seems disconnected with the rest of his screed
"Trump is the name of a quasi-fascism, not its cause. It will survive him. So other methods must be used to oppose it. Crime is not a category of political judgment; only the right wants that. "
The last sentence though means little. The Right wants crime to be a category of political judgment? The acts you make do seem to be from your political judgment of the results, so a political judgment that crime works seems to follow.
Trump has not called people "dogs." He has called women dogs. The connotation is entirely different.
He has said on many occasions that one man or another has been 'treated like a dog' or 'fired like a dog' but I don't know of an instance where he said that a man was a dog.
Women, on the other hand, he has often referred to as members of the canis lupus familiaris species. And most of us know that calling a woman a dog is generally a reference to her appearance.
(Calling a man a dog, on the other hand, is typically a reference to his behavior or promiscuity.)
10
I am fond of dogs anyway but I can't help experiencing genuine feelings of warmth towards the poodle 'Chappy'.
7
Trump is the sad outcome of untreated ADHD. A bully who realizes he's really inept. Oh, and he probably had oppositional defiant disorder that got himself sent to military school, the supposed place to get discipline.
Bad combo. Covfefe.
8
In my reply to Joyce Perocchi I left out an l in brilliant.
Old Danish proverb: What you say is often what you are.
21
Arf Of The Deal, anyone ??
5
Thank you for this column. I needed it.
5
The president is the street kid who grew up in his time - but with the cover of money to save his natural bent. Without it, instead of his large corruptions, he may have grown up to be a petty thief or worse - and not so lucky with the law.
14
I can think of no greater compliment than to be compared to a dog.
3
Sorry, Gail, but there is an extremely faint resemblance between you and (no, not a dog) the man in the White House. I guess your Irish heritage and his mother's Scots one are faintly echoed on your faces. I'm making this judgment based on a flattering foto of him so don’t be downhearted.
Guess he should hold his breath to cool his porridge and remember that the sins we do by two and two we pay for one by one.
My only disappointment is that my favorite wag at the Times neglected to drop a reference to Mitt Romney’s canine-topped car ride (oh for a little 2012 scandal...)
3
Wasn't it Harry Truman who said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog?"
13
What I truly don't understand is why some grown men and women are terrified of being called names by Mr Trump? I hear this quite frequently. So and so from Congress or the Senate would actually speak out against the President if they weren't so terrified of being called a name by him. Thus we have the Presidents party and the Republican party no longer exists. I have a very hard time buying this. It would make what's going on akin to pre-school. And really, folks, it's much more serious than that.
11
@M Kathryn Black
since for most in Congress the great aim is re-election, it is not being insulted by Trump that scares them, but the loss of the votes of his base in primaries. Which is why, of course, those who criticize BLOAT (Biggest Liar Of All Time-Trump, of course) are most likely those not seeking re-election. McCain therefore stands more or less alone therefore (but may also have felt secure enough, had he come up for re-election, to go at BLOAT!
4
Donnie J. Trump, the poster child for the Dunning-Kruger effect.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/head-in-the-cloud/201701/the-dun...
Watch out Gail, tomorrow he might call you a Poopy Head!
(Dear lord this guy is an embarrassment.)
15
Trump's role models must be Huntz Hall (#Bowery Boys) and Hugh Hefner--that's the only way I can make sense of his career. A Bowery Boy cum Playboy--who crashed the wrong party and now can't find the exit.
1
@rulonb The big difference is that Huntz Hall played a character in the movies.
@rulonb - Maybe more like Yosemite Sam and Foghorn P. Leghorn?
2
Nice fun article from Ms. Collins. But she blew it on the title. It should been titled.................
"The 'Arf' of the Deal" !
193
@alan frank
I love that - and it would make Trump nuts to hear it.
3
@alan frank Columnists don't write the headlines. She didn't blow it at all. Her column was great!
2
FYI Gail,
He also calls white men 'dogs':
Romney
Bozell
T. Cruz
D. Gregory
G. Beck
D. Axelrod
Equal opportunity insulter.
4
I suggest "arf" as an updated version of "nasty woman" and "she persisted." I invite all women and supportive men to join me in saying:
ARF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7
Albeit that all you say is true- I say ~ but Gail? We already know all of this stuff. Why the re- iteration? Why rub salt in our already lacerated wounds? And furthermore~how much ink are you going to waste writing about this foolishness? It's bad enough that we're stuck with this non-stop drama queen! Tweeter in chief of absurdities galore has become so very tedious. This daily onslaught of hysterics might be cute coming from one of the brain-dead Kardashians- but coming from the so-called Prez? Beyond laughable. Well good luck to ya'll. You're being played big-time. You're being used, abused, maligned, denigrated and spit in the face at by the biggest buffoon ever to draw breath!
5
When Trump called Brennan "erratic" as justification for revoking security clearance, Trump added to his long history of ascribing to others things true of himself: nut job, showboat, lying, leaker, missing in action, scared stiff, crooked, little, corrupt, weak, all talk no action, lowlife, low IQ...
18
Trump is a joke. He is a clown. He is a cold blooded dehumaning racist. I'm sick of thinking about it or discussing it. This is such an obvious truth we can begin to leave this item off the table. Sane moderately intelligent people know this by now. But I enjoyed the authors criticism.
11
@M He would be a joke if he was not in the White House. The fact that he has that job makes all of this terrifying.
7
What a pathetic human being. It's hard even to laugh at a Gail Collins column lately, which is sad.
I am trying to recall the good old days of Mitt Romney and his dog on the roof of the car; ah.
Lost innocence.
10
In order to stay out of the way of Trump’s wrath, child-like tantrums and acting out, you have to say nice things about him and to him. That’s it. His narcissism has to be fed on a daily basis. He is so desperately in need of affirmation because deep down he KNOWS he’s a dim-witted fool, trying to catch up. If he weren’t the President and just the idiot uncle at Thanksgiving, people would say behind his back, “Oh, be sweet to Uncle Donny. He’s so lonely and pathetic. I know he’s a bore, but try to be nice to him and pretend to listen.” However, he’s our President, the face we present to the world. The fact that only some 60% of US citizens see him for the naked Emperor he is is so concerning. And, the silence from Republicans continues to be deafening.
15
The first line of your obit should mention how you mentioned Mitt Romney's dog in every column, long past the trope's expiration date.
1
@Blue Jay An inconvenient truth for you is that SHE DIDN'T MENTION ROMNEY OR HIS DOG IN THIS COLUMN. To quote Rick Perry, "Oops."
2
I wish the media would give the daily blogs about Mr. Trump a rest. If he wasn't mentioned for just one week, all his comments and antics ignored, it would drive him bonkers as he needs constant attention, and I'll bet the media would no longer be considered "fake news" by him. He thrives on the attention, and we, the public, need the rest.
6
I have a list of about 200 adjectives I've taken from the press, all of which refer to him as an ignorant, narcissistic, jerk. We have been witness to his incompetence for almost two years. What is truly frightening is that 40%+ of our population and 80%+ of Republicans still love the guy. How do you change the minds(?) of the braindead?
7
OK Gail, prepare yourself. Or maybe go on the offensive and name the breed you want to be associated with! Trumpty will be lashing out against you when he sees this.
He doesn't read and his people don't bring him bad news.
7
In " the Politics of Arf," I was a bit puzzled by "Arf." It awakened a sense of retching, and yet, somehow, the word wasn't right. And then I read her "dog" story ...
Anon, the revelation: Oh, that's right. The word I'm struggling to recall is "Barf."
3
I've heard it said that trump is a stupid person's idea of what a smart person looks like.
I think that pretty much sums it up. We visited yesterday with family I hadn't seen in over a year. In that year, they had been watching FOX exclusively. Wow. Every topic (camping, wildfires, potato salad recipes) we discussed morphed into Nancy Pelosi hate, and all facts are now fake news... When I offered to bet actual money that their claims weren't true, they just moved on to the next shriek: "What about San Francisco?! MS-13 are all related to Chuck Schumer! Texas will soon fall off the continent from the sheer weight of all the Mexicans flowing in huge, invasive waves! Central America should be nuked and the Middle East with it, then all will be well!!"
I'm not kidding. Of course, any discussion of it was 'fake news', and my pushback made me a Mexican loving idiot who should move to Tijuana if I love it so much.
Although 'fake news' trump addicts are a small minority, they cannot be talked out of their belief that FatherTrump is the only voice of truth in this nation. Stop trying to appeal to any sense of factual truth and just vote in November!
12
These 'dog days' of summer sure show Trump to be beastial.
1
At LAST!!!!!!!
The so-called "president" is correct about something: he's unlovable!
5
The 572nd matinee showing of "Summer White House" and the dialogue is "mired in predictability". Playing protaganist, poorly, Donald J. Trump. Actual antagonist - "Many Say Genius" Donald J. Trump.
Que the Benny Hill music. DJT and his whole cast in pursuit ..chase Stormy Daniels into OUR house.
Keystone Cops reverse and that conga line is now being chased out of OUR house ..by Omarosa.
Benny, I mean DJT, is grinning ..in mad dash ..with what?
Yes, it's John Brennan's security clearance fluttering high
..in DJT's happy little hand. Go, Benny, go!
2
Trump isn’t bright enough to call himself a dog.
But he could consider himself an inanimate object such as a brick or a bird such as a dodo.
It is hard to believe that this troubled, not very intelligent, and very incompetent man is President.
Of course Donald you lost the popular vote by 3 million votes and she was a distinguished woman that you called crooked. But now you are afraid of being subpoenaed since you never tell the truth!
It is all truly pathetic!
5
Yes, Trump is insecure and for good reason. He is clearly over his head and has not staffed up with intelligent, capable people. His daily 'look over there' distractions keep us and the media occupied and then we all have to struggle to re-focus.
However, this complete idiot could not survive without help from Putin, McConnell, Ryan, and now a number of Senators who have also climbed in bed with Putin. Rand Paul only the latest. Graham has obviously been threatened with something to force him to roll over as well. The GOP is rotten at the core.
If he has real difficulty spelling a one syllable word 'too' then there is only one conclusion. His father bribed Wharton to accept his feeble son.
5
Gail, you give me hope that we can get to a place where we can all just shake our heads and say, "how big a jerk is that guy?" When he is finally away from the nuclear button, we can laugh at this stuff like you laughed at his completely unhinged response to your Newsday article. Good insight on his hatred of animals. Does this guy have a single redeeming characteristic?
4
Yes, his incompetence...it is the only thing that has saved us so far.
Psychology 101 taught me, although I learned this already in my schoolyard days, that people like Trump project their worst fears or insecurities onto those around them. The "You are stupid." "You are ugly." "You are bad." crowd. They are essentially talking to themselves.
Trump projects his own insecurities, his own crimes, and his own fears onto the shoulders of Sartre's 'other', or 'others' in the case of Trump. He is also just a cruel man who is a bottom feeder as well as a hater of mankind in general, and in specific.
If there were mandatory psychiatric evaluations on presidential elects we wouldn't have this problem of Trump right now. He would not have made the cut.
7
Except for John McCain, every Republican Senator behaves like a neurotic and neutered dog, shaking in fear and groveling at the feet of their socio-pathic dog-beating master.
9
Clearly all the digs at Omarosa ("Lowlife " "wacky," etc.) apply even more so to the man who speaks them
5
At least Donald Trump doesn’t strap his dogs to the roof of his car and go on a family road trip.
You tell it, dawg!
1
Keep the humor flowing. Nothing penetrates the thin skin of a tyrant better than ridicule and farce. During WW II, Churchill knew that his BBC broadcasts included listeners like Hitler and regularly ridiculed him, earning outrage from the maniac in Berlin. The winner was always Churchill. Yes, Gail, make America laugh again.
10
"No reason to say he’s stupid. Maybe just a little dim by presidential standards."
What a generous statement. He's a little dim by any standards.
11
Mr. Trump is truly a disgusting individual, a walking encyclopedia of personality disorders: narcissistic, histrionic, misogynistic, racist, god complex ... Competence and confidence are inversely related, and Mr. Trump is extremely confident.
4
And yet, there are a large number of people who think this man is not a moron. Who think that he is a "stable genius" and is "like a real smart person". Who ignore all evidences and respect him. And they vote.
2
I have seen the powerful boomerang of Karma. I have a knee bending respect and awe of her. He is going to fall hard.
3
Dummy Trump, snaky and sneaky as usual, and being a brutus ignoramus his 'distinction', does not seem to know that his insulting another human being as a dog may, in many cases, be an honor, given that a dog is man's best friend, a noble animal that is a highly trusted companion of ours...hence, Trump's antithesis. Trump may qualify as a hyena when caught insulting himself by trying to degrade others to his level. Or a poisonous snake (with my excuses to a snake, acting just on instinct), by sowing fear, hate and division. Trump is an impulsive liar who has no idea what difference there is between fact and fiction, the truth for him being what is convenient to him at any given moment (so, telling the truth, a rare event, is by an 'innocent' mistake). In brief, scurrilous Trump has no credibility...except one certain fact confirming he is lying (whenever he opens his mouth).
2
What must be understood is that when Trump calls a black woman 'a dog', his rating with his base spikes upward. He understands this fact and continues to play to his racist base, unashamedly.
Trump made racism socially acceptable to people who where pure--but private--racists all their lives.
6
Donald Trump is an unlovable traitor and he knows it. End of story.
6
When Trump attacks his critics with the vehemence of a hate radio host he displays his rabid narcissistic insecurity, Yes! He also is doing what he was taught by his mentor Roy Cohn who was Joe McCarthy's lapdog.
Trump also broadcasts to the worlds that he has no sense of dignity of office or what it means to behave like a President of the United States. He still thinks he running a Reality TV show and his adoring fans love him for it.
You should indeed consider being called a "dog and a liar with the face of a pig" by Donald Trump as a badge of honor.
3
If we could set him up with one of those collars from the movie Up, what would Seamus say?
1
Doesn't like dogs? Nonsense! He has a poodle named Pence.
17
Since Gail quotes Trump as calling her a 'dog and a liar', I suspect in that context he was intending 'dog' to imply 'lying like a dog'.
Gail,
Getting insulted by the ignoramus who thinks he's President is a badge of honor. I hope you kept that note from Donnie. You could sell it on Ebay for a fortune.
I've called him everything from amoral to a traitor and not a word out of him. What am I doing wrong ?
2
That Trump is an extreme narcissist is well documented. His behavior is classic and predictable. His incompetence, ignorance, bigotry, and vulgarity have been on display 24/7 for at least 2 years, even before his nomination and election.
The question that must be asked and answered daily is; How did we get here?
Trump, in constant need of having his ego stroked, always plays to his racist and white Christian fundamentalists base that thinks having an ignorant, vulgar and incompetent clown in the Oval Office is in their best interests. They believe all the lies he tells and all the propaganda they are fed 24/7 by Fox News. But these people are actually a minority of American voters.
So who empowered this Trump lowlife enabling him to occupy the White House?
The answer: Extreme right-wing billionaire corporatists have bought the Republican Party with Citizens United funds at the state and local level where a little money goes a long way. They have used this power to corrupt the national electoral process with massive voter suppression and gerrymandering. Trump, Ryan, McConnell and the cowardly Republican Congress are a direct result of this concerted effort to undermine US democracy.
It is great to make fun of Trump - we need the relief. Thank you. What is not so easy is to wake Americans up to the peril we face and get them to the polls in huge numbers from now on. It is the only way to restore democracy and end these Trumpian displays of hatred and stupidity.
6
When Donald Trump is considered a human, I think I'd rather be a dog.
3
Insecure tyrants are to be feared!
Takes one to know one I always say.
My reverent hope is someone will record this column and hack into one of Trump’s rally’s, playing it through the speakers as the crowd anxiously awaits Q.
3
Gail, to read you is to love you.
A good day for Trump. It is now established that when POTUS calls a woman a dog he is not motivated by racism. When it comes to taunts and insults Trump is racially blind. Bravo Mr President!
2
Perhaps not motivated by racism, but motivated by a heart and mind that do not or are not capable of respecting the dignity of every human being and can only see "the other" as less than fully human.
1
When we say in America anyone can become President-we mean it. Sexist,no problem, bankruptcy expert no problem, 3500 lawsuits brought by and against you, no problem, blatant lier-no problem-adultery-no problem-mental illness- no problem-incompetence-no problem-Russian operative-no problem.
See-anyone can become President of the United States=no problem.
7
Since Trump is a "dog" in so many ways, maybe Mitt Romney can put him in a cage on top of his car and drive him to Canada. Then we would be rid of him.
1
@girldriverusa canada says no thanks, please, no Donald here!
2
Among breeders, who are required to adhere to correct nomenclature, a male canine is referred to as a "dog", while the female is rightly called the "b" word: nothing derogatory about the name, it's just the word that correctly describes the female of the species Canis familiaris.
Mr. Trump incorrectly uses the term for the male canine when referring to all these unlucky women--who have at some time or another caught his bleary eye doing or saying something he didn't like--rather than using the word he means.
1
The 572nd matinee showing of "Summer White House" and the dialogue is "mired in predictability". Playing protaganist, poorly, Donald J. Trump. Actual antagonist - "Many Say Genius" Donald J. Trump.
Cue the Benny Hill music. DJT and his whole cast in pursuit ..chase Stormy Daniels into OUR house.
Keystone Cops reverse and that conga line is now being chased out of OUR house ..by Omarosa.
Benny, I mean DJT, is grinning ..in mad dash ..with what?
Yes, it's John Brennan's security clearance fluttering high
..in DJT's happy little hand. Go, Benny, go! (and keep on going ..far away.)
You really have earned an honorific title to be called a dog by the Donald but you owe Mitt Romney an apology. While putting his dog on the roof of his car is not my idea of good pet care he stated the dog loved the sheltered roof top carrier and unlike our President he seems uncomfortable lying. Now I know my next black female dog will be named Melania but I promise to treat her better than the Melania we read about today.
He was an obviously disgusting person before the election and an even more obviously and more disgusting person since the election.
People voted for him before the election and people continue to support him since the election. It is no longer about how disgusting a person Trump is But how disgusting the people who Vote for and support him are. Trump has shown We Are In fact a nation of a rabid dogs
1
Column adds nothing to the discourse, and is not funny.
If you cannot be interesting or enlightening then you need to be funny.
Collins is flailing, and is neither interesting nor funny.
Trump - arch vulgarian and dumber than nine chickens. He doesn't realize that he is debasing the very office he occupies. Not terribly wise, but this is the new normal now in this hideous time.
One wonders if the office of President can ever recover from this.
7
The only thing missing from this fine article is mention of Mitt Romney's dog Seamus.
Trump is to dumb 2 be taking anyone too task for having dog-like traits, such as distain for orange.
Sometimes I like to fantasize about a time when Trump is very far in the rearview mirror. I’m not sure Trump will care anything about having a Trump Library, but I believe the country needs one… as a cautionary tale… a place where future citizens can come too try and understand what this era has been like 2 live through.
I propose turning Trump’s border wall samples into a Trump Library, using the surfaces too show a continuous loop of Trump tweets and insults. At the rate we’re going, there could be a whole section just for dogs.
3
Hahahahahahaha!!! Gail, if it were me I would be honored to have that note etched onto my tombstone!!! It is not only a badge of honor to be called a dog by our President, it's a compliment he is clueless he is bestowing. Dogs are the most loving, honest, loyal friends that humans have, other than other humans. Woof, woof.
3
So if he has a long history of using the term dog in his insults , why is it racist when he treats Omarosa the same ?
You’re just feeding his base with this constant labeling.
7
@Norville T. Johnson
The base is so well-fed, they are stuffed with Trump -- nothing will change for them until it hits their jobs, pocketbooks, or healthcare.
However, It is still important to call Trump out.
@Norville T. Johnson, You miss the point here. It's not so much that Collins or frankly, anyone else, thinks he's dumb, unliked, misinformed, you name it. Its that deep in his soul, he believes it and it appears he spends the vast majority of his time defending the fact that his many faults might actually get out.
It's his deep inability to accept himself and his shortcomings that makes him so fatally flawed, and I believe, potentially dangerous.
@Norville T. Johnson
Gail was relaying a personal story.
Is Trump racist? mysoginistic? I'd say yup! Does calling Omorosa a dog prove it? No (believe it fits in with calling anyone he's insulting a dog (including white men)
I'm with Chappy.
2
Another article all about how bad the man is. Don't we know already? How much more evidence is needed? His supporters will never read or listen to Gail Collins
1
Inside, deep down, Trump knows he's an unmitigated failure. That's why he's so bitter. Other people have always gotten him ahead in life. He has always ruined it. No normal person on this planet does a fraction of the things Trump has done throughout his life. Without money, he'd be in a home by now, dribbling and uncared for.
All the insults he's thrown at people should be put on walls as trophies for standing up to an inveterate coward. A coward for not ever bettering himself, but remaining the same simple, bitter, lonely man whom the world mocks; and will mock for generations to come.
4
Unstable and insecure. That says it all. Not the sharpest
tool in the shed can be added. But his supporters don't
seem to care. Maybe because they share some of his traits.
5
His being so obviously (to anybody who has interacted with other humans) "neurotically insecure" would normally make him the guy at the party talking loudly about how his car is the very best car. The rest of the party ignoring or laughing at him except for the other guy nobody wants to hang with because he's genuinely creepy (Stephen Miller comes to mind).
Instead he's the president of the united states and his mental issues are seriously dangerous to every living thing on the planet.
3
I never understood Donald's obsession with dogs or swamps. What's wrong with either of them?
My lab puppy is smarter than Donald. She always looks and sniffs first before jumping into anything new.
As for swamps, The Everglades, Big Cyprus, Okefenoke... are national treasures, full of wildlife and intrigue. When you drain them, all you get is Kissimmee.
So... we've had enough of Donald. How soon can we get rid of him?
3
what i want to know is, "how would professionals deal with a patient like this?" would they recommend institutionalization?
trump "told" us a lot in the taped telephone conversation he had with amarosa after she was fired. trump tried to claim he knew nothing about it and was "sorry" to hear of it. so, his lies grow from his insecurities and from a desire to be liked and admired.
how far might he go? we've seen that with his relationship toward putin. there are no self-imposed limits. republican members of congress who support trump's behavior need a universal dope-slap.
i thought that having pence as vice president protected trump from removal (pence is equally dangerous). now i don't think so anymore.
i suspect that if dems win control of the house and begin the hearings, trump will be forced to resign (in exchange for a pence pardon).
6
We can debate whether the "dog" comment was racist or sexist or both. It really doesn't matter though. We know Trump is racist and sexist and both. The comment really only serves one purpose: Making Trump look like a dotard again. Thank you Mr. Kim for drawing attention to this word. I can't imagine how many people worked on that specific response. However many people though, the group sure had a very precise and accurate grasp of the English language.
You know what would be really funny. What if the Queen of England gave Trump a dog as a gift? He could hardly refuse the gesture. Poor creature, I know. The backwardness of the situation would be hilariously ironic though. I wonder what species Ole Lizzy would decide on. Contemplating the possibilities is almost as much fun as the punchline.
2
Keep up the great work, Gail.
It's rather a compliment to be called a dog, pig or other creature by this unhinged person, (I use the word intentionally) right now. Let's see who can get the most animal names from our pig of a president. Women have the edge because of their sex but men can also compete. This is an equal opportunity contest and may the best insult win!
Everybody knows Trump's bark is worse than his bite.
It's time for all good dogs to lift a leg on the fire hydrant of this Presidency and the entire Republican Congress.
1
When's the Congress going to begin the impeachment hearings? His malfeasance and misconduct created a huge pile and should have disgusted and repulsed any principled Republicans. Revoking Brennan's national security clearance has to have sounded off a sharp alarm to any self-respecting members of the GOP. The political cleanup and sewage system has broken under the GOP rule. Where are the GOP voters and legislators (and even the top politicians within this administration, say, cabinet members) hiding their founding, prized principles? Impeachment proceedings are long over due.
1
Don't we all really know that what Trump meant was the well-known word for "female dog?"
Nice column, Ms. Collins. Judging by the huffery from a couple of trumpists (apparently the ol' "He's smarter and richer than you commoes could ever HOPE TO BE!!!" routine never gets old, for some), this really got under some skin.
4
Everyday the self acclaimed narcissist boasts about his “high”IQ. Based on his behavior, we won't be surprised if he belongs to tbe lower10percent quadrant of IQ scale. It is beyond any imaginatoon a person with high IQ can be such a low lifer. His business skills are ery poor as reflected by six bankruptcies. That does not look for for a person with “huge” IQ. Then he became a billionaire with the help of KGB supported oligarchs. Trump will never let us see his taxes since it will expose his illegitimate financial ties. And, most importantly his billions came from using his franchise name- not managing any business. I would say he possess the lowest IQ among all Presidents in the world.
5
Always trust a dog that does not like a person, and never trust a person who does not like dogs.
7
I suspect that being labeled a "dog" by "the Donald" will come to be considered a badge of honor. If it isn't already.
1
Most dogs are lovable and loving. Trump doesn't even reach that level of being likeable enough.
Thank you Gail for revoking Trump's insecurity clearance.
5
Good to laugh even if 'in collusion.'
Lets face it. No matter what word he used, no matter his manner, no matter his troublesome Tweets, his detractors will continue their vendetta against him. After all, he did beat their favorite, Hillary !! How about looking at his record of accomplishemtns. Stock market, over 2 million new jobs, calceling the Iran Nuclear pact, Tax Reform, signing the Keystone Pipeline making us oil independent, the lowest unemployment in history, high GDP , rebuilding our military for as Reagan said: Peace through strength, strong stand at the U.N., moving the embassy to Jerusalem, exiting the obscene U.N. Human Rights council, and on and on. Now, just what has he done that was so terrible so as to warrant this HATE?
He says Amarosa was hired because she came to him and wept about needing the job, and I guess the tears did it. The new Republican vetting method. Perhaps if she wept for 10 or more minutes should could have been Secretary of State. Our President is a pathetic joke he will have us all crying before long.
4
The ugliest man in American political history, inside and out. And that's saying something.
3
Trump has never owned a domestic animal of any kind because he has always made sure his environment is antiseptic, devoid of any spontaneity, any life that he can't completely control — anything natural.
3
When James Madison wrote, in Federalist #10, that an "Enlightened statesman will not always be at the helm", I wonder if he could have imagined today's circumstance?
And I also wonder, in his splendid writing designed to explain the deleterious impact of "factions", what he would say to the leaders of today's political parties?
2
Yup, Gail, these are definitely "dog" days, with more to come. Having a stable genius in office is very reassuring on a daily basis. Thanks for the reminder!
2
The economy is favourable and republican support is reasonably solid. Wait until things get tough then we will really see how badly the President can behave.
1
Did a little research. There are only three Presidents other than our current one who had no pet animals: Chester Arthur, Millard Fillmore and Franklin Pierce. None of them served more than one term in office. There is hope.
34
@Jeff
And of those three, Arthur was corrupt and Pierce (at least until now) was the last pro-slavery president. To drop the other shoe, I've go no intel on Fillmore.
2
I don't know Amarosa, didn't know who she was when she was fired from the White House. But evidently she had a history with Trump going back to his television days, was a supporter, and was brought into the administration to disprove that he was prejudiced against black people. She supported him, in short, until she got fired. Now she's his enemy, willing to gossip and disclose whatever inside information she has that is discreditable to him.
To my mind, this makes them two of a kind - bottom feeders who are looking out for themselves, with no morals or scruples. What she has to say will comfort Trump's adversaries, be discounted by his supporters, and make no difference at all to the political life of this nation. She's just a fired employee with a grudge against her former hero. What comfort should we take from her? Not much, in my opinion.
53
A former employee with a grudge. And recordings.
1
@Robert Crosman
Although I too had never heard of Omarosa before Trump's presidency, I still think she is a thousand times more credible than Trump and Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
And if she didn't have some credibility, why is Trump foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog?
4
@Robert Crosman
Who is talking about taking comfort from any of this? He insulted her intelligence and called her a lowlife and a dog. Maybe you should be a little more concerned about your president speaking and behaving the way he does.
I'm frankly not okay with referring to them both as bottom feeders, not because they aren't, but because one is the president of the United States and that's really sad.
1
"To" funny. Thanks.
5
"There are decent people on both sides." t rump speaking of Nazis in Charlottesville.
No! There are not. The people this so called man is spending all of his capital trying to kkkeep in line are in fact "deplorables". Watching "The BlackKKlansman" I was struck by the attempt of Duke and other "modern" klansmen to look and seem normal. The character of the local klan leader evoked a high school science teacher; he seemed normal and reasonable. He was filled to the brim with hatred of people for no reason.
I have known and loved (and been loved by) lots of dogs in my life. I guarantee you I would never call one of them a t rump.
8
Gail Writes:
"When he calls someone a 'dog,' he’s just reacting to a pathological fear that he’s unlovable. Just as when he calls someone “dumb,” he’s trying to get past the fact that he’s not all that bright.
I will point out the obvious, Gail. The President is not only a billionaire, many times over, he has achieved success that most of you lefties at the Times cannot claim.
--He has developed an international brand "TRUMP", that is recognized around the world. He has some of the world's signature properties--from commercial spaces, to hotels, to golf courses--and they are all top-notch.
--His books have made the NY Times "Bestseller" list several times.
--He conceived and hosted the #1 rated TV show.
--He defeated 17 other Republican candidates to get the nomination of his party.
--He walloped Hillary Clinton--the most well-funded, highly recognized name in the Democrat stable--against all odds.
--He has signed one of the largest tax-cut bill in recent history--and presides over an economy which (to liberal dismay) has caught fire--and will only get hotter.
--He has eliminated hundreds of needless regulations, removing burdens on doing business.
--He is in talks with North Korea, to denuclearize the peninsula.
--He has nearly completely defeated ISIS.
I know it makes liberals feel smart--to call someone they disagree with dumb, or " not all that bright", but you underestimate Trump at your peril. That thought alone makes me smile--loudly.
1
@Jesse The Conservative Except Jesse, she actually might be right. I will concede that Trump is great at branding and marketing but those two areas do not a "genius" make.
Let's look at a couple of your claims... some of his developments have tanked recently (one in Soho in NYC) so not all of his international brand can be called "stellar".
Many of his books have been written by others for him, so their success does not belong solely to him.
The apprentice was #1 for a while.... but overall could not sustain the position (very few shows can)
He did win the electoral college vote but I would not call coming in behind Clinton in the popular vote as "walloping" her.
Evidence shows the economy was already on an uptick when he took office and he has had the results of the previous administrations work. (Although I will note that Presidents really cannot take credit for a good or a bad economy. The Economy is something much larger than one man.)
His tax cut bill added 1 Trillion to the national debt -- something the GOP has been against for years.
We can debate the regulations being "burdens on Business" since many were there to curb "excesses of business" that were negative in impact to the health of citizens and the environment.
He isn't in Talks with North Korea -- the state department is and not getting to far along since the North Koreans are doing their usual shell game.
24
@Jesse The Conservative " The President is not only a billionaire, many times over." Where on Earth did you get that idea??
3
Trump’s “brand” has become quite tarnished. Most of his licensed products and services have failed. Notice how people brandish with pride their Trump University “degrees.” See the sales of Trump steaks and wine zooming past the competition ... not. His hotels are badly rated around the world and mostly thought of as the faux billionaire version of a luxury hotel. Probably because he is a faux billionaire, as his tax returns would reveal. He is a fake and a con man, and always has been. Maybe his approach worked in NY real estate, but on the world stage he is a joke, a bully, and an unsophisticated idiot. Even his own cabinet members say so.
7
Can there be a more insecure and sickening human being than Trump?? His only joy in life is demeaning other people . He is unfit to serve as a representative of our government. Perhaps Putin can get him a guard position in one of the Gulags!!
7
NYTimes - thank you for giving me a chance to vent here in the comment section. Likely nobody reads it, but it feels good to say something! Trump in the White House is such a disgrace for this country. He is hateful, ignorant, rude, crude, vengeful....I can't think of anything positive to say about him. I hope we can clear up the stink when he finally departs. Jim Hightower has it right: "The water won't clear up until we get the hogs outta the creek!"
19
Ms. Collins, for the most part, you are in good company with others who have been called dogs and worse by Trump.
He is pathetic, but it's scary because he has so much power and because the GOP sits by doing absolutely nothing to rein him in. Even Lindsey Graham considers himself a friend of Trump's, despite the name-calling.
We can't afford to let Trump continue like this. He is undermining our country--that is the bottom line issue we need to address.
6
It seems that Trump's whole life is built on lies and half truths. He is the true enemy of the people and those who voted for him and still support him are misguided at best. The man is a fake.
9
There are no bad dogs ... just bad presidents.
240
@JM-K Yes, dog trainers don't train dogs, they train dog owners
1
@JM-K
Good one!
1
Supposedly, Ben Franklin said in "Poor Richard's Almanac,"
"He that lieth down with dogs shall rise up with fleas."
2018 version:
"He that lieth down with Trump shall rise up with sleaze."
290
Once again, my main focus is on behalf of the canines, intelligent, devoted, universally beautiful creatures who have been criminally maligned by this man. Thank you, Ms. Collins, for clarifying why he hates these superior beings.
10
Thanks Gail this reminds me that we spend far too much time hanging on trumps tweets. It is his actions that we need to fear like tax cuts for the rich, deregulation of environmental protections, attacks on the ACA, Medicaid and Medicare, tariffs, demeaning our allies and embracing Putin and the Communists just to name a few.
6
All this is true, but it doesn't change the fact that he is (sadly) the President.
I never quite know whether to sigh, weep or growl.
3
When reading columns like this one from Gail Collins, I want to laugh. I really do. But I can't seem to put aside the idea that I'd never found the old real estate wheeler-dealer Trump to be the least bit interesting. I never watched his tv show. Never listened to his opinions. He was simply a personality wanna-be that wasn't worth my time and besides that, I always thought him a bit creepy. So not being able to forget, or revise, my opinions re: Trump and knowing that he is now the President of the US, any mention of him makes me profoundly sad. I want to cheer our next President, whoever that may be. Mostly, I want to see Trump gone.
13
Medically speaking, it may be necessary to “go easy” on President Trump. Dementia can be defined by its symptoms: impaired memory, worsening cognitive ability and harmful, even self-harming personality traits affecting emotional well-being. A comprehensive discussion of the diagnosis of dementia is beyond the scope of this forum. The President is 72 years-old. He does not readily learn new facts. He does not process facts well. He does not control his temper well. He does not have good recall of facts. These are elements of dementia. Yet, there is no public comprehensive record of an objective examination of his mental status.
The US has had impaired past Presidents. Dare we risk a demented President today? In the modern world, the risks of having a demented President is almost incalculable. Given available facts, President Trump should be evaluated for dementia, and if demented, appropriate action taken. President Trump’s level of cognitive well-being must be evaluated. But meanwhile, be gentle toward him, lest outbursts lead to irremediable harm to our nation and the world.
5
Guy's been this way as long as he's been on the planet: always been a fool, always been a bully, always been a greedhead.
Being nice to such people encourages them, unfortunately: they take compassion and decency as weakness, and attack.
1
The “ man “ has obviously never met a mirror he doesn’t like. Unfortunately, he must have horrible vision, and a delusional, very skewed definition of attractive. Just saying.
4
If ol’ Donny boy knew anything at all about dogs, he’d realize that calling someone a “dog” is an extremely high compliment. If he really wants to insult someone’s intellect and ethics, I’m suggesting he call them a “Real Estate developer with presidential aspirations”.
17
Yeah, say it once and say it again: DJT was a transfer student to UPenn, probably an unqualified 'special development' case who, when remembered by profs, it was w/ loathing. NOT a Wharton grad! I know this is just one thread in the fabric of bigger lies, but as a college consultant, it just gets me.
13
Dogs are generally good judges of character. Dogs like decent people. I suspect any dogs who have encountered him disliked Trump intensely.
6
Your good humor and insightful commentary make our hideous political news easier to bear. Thank you. And, even Mitt had a dog - though he made it ride atop that car - as you've noted.
4
At long last, we have reached the nadir of idiocy. A fool and a Crime Family Boss occupies the Oval Office. Decades of the dumbing down of America was successful, and the looting of our Country continues unabated. The Romans had bread and circuses. WE have Reality TV and a lifelong Conman. Congratulations, GOP. Mission accomplished. For now.
9
Trump is the kind of guy most dogs would try to avoid.
11
Trump's psychopathologies are so obvious that they're uninteresting. His policies and actions are what need watching.
4
I am never surprised by anything Trump says, does or has done. But I continue to be amazed that Congress, stuffed with so many Banana Republicans, let’s him remain in office. Tragic!
4
Trump is nothing more than a product of where this country stands and where it's heading, which should scare the heck out of everybody. The next Trump will be much worse.
4
We had a wonderful golden lab who loved everybody but my sister's husband. We could never figure it out because our dog would growl horribly the minute he started up the sidewalk. Eventually my sister divorced her husband because wonder of wonder....he was a two timer. Leave it to a dog to spot the creeps! Chappy was right! No wonder Trump does not have dogs around him. Dogs are intuitive. People...not so much.
17
@Edgar One of my dogs bit someone in a dog park. Six policemen came; five approached me privately and told me she was a good dog, that was defending me, that the man was a crazy maniac. Dog always know.
1
I share my house with two dogs, the four legged kind. Both are smarter and more gracious than Trump could ever be.
10
What's wrong with being a dog? Trump, obviously knows nothing of dogs. Loyal creatures, sometime cute, sometime fierce. I love dogs. If Trump ever called me a "dog" I'd say "thank you, I bite."
167
But doesn't everyone know that the name he intended to use was a specific name included in the generic description "dog"? Great deal of restraint shown there. Could this mark the start of a trend?
4
Confucius supposedly said that the rectification of society starts with the rectification of its language. That's the real tragedy of this 'president' as is so obvious from just reading the handful of tweets and comments by Trump in this column by Ms. Collins. Let's not dismiss this misuse/abuse of the language by the toddler-in-chief. It serves his purpose and we are all complicit in it if we diminish ourselves by accepting this low bar or by responding in kind to his insipidities and those of his minions and followers.
4
“Chappy had an equal dislike of Donald.”
One of the more intelligent breeds, apparently.
15
Great column Gail, It isn't only that he isn't very bright. It is also that he completely lacks any emotional intelligence, any empathy
There is no one else in public life so devoid of personal insight. He is totally unaware how his petty vindictiveness and public shaming telegraphs to the entire world "I am insecure about my intelligence and abilities!" "I am a coward!" Sad.
5
Trump does suffer fools or critics. He insults them, his insults cross all class, ethic, gender and religious lines. He is not pc and I thank him for it.
He is refreshing in his attitude that shatters peoples' thin veneer of civility. I love it.
Keep going Trump, baby.
Trump is got the job that everyone would love to have! He is rich good looking has a fabulous looking model wife. He cavorts with playmates stars and the masters of the universe. Underneath all this critique is a layer of repulsion which covers up their jealousy. Yes jealous of a man who has it all money women position power and the bully pit.
Eat you heart out!
He is the most powerful man in the world and everyone wants him to represent what they believe is the correct moral position.
He doesn’t have to do anything everybody wants,
He has achieved it!
Inside his abused subconscious, Trump is desperately afraid he's not wonderful and powerful, or good enough for his daddy's praise.
He cannot bear criticism of any sort, even constructive.
To save face, he must destroy anyone who challenges that truth. He is a true sociopath.
12
Beautifully on the mark, Gail
2
Trump raises his game all the way up to the level of junior high calling girls he doesn't like or who don't appreciate him, dogs. If Trump ever showed even a single one of the fine qualities characteristic of a dog, he'd be a far better person all around.
10
It would be helpful if the Trump faithful took into account that Trump does't like dogs. Real men like dogs.
5
As a dog lover I object to Trump denigrating dogs. Why dogs? they are the most faithful companions a human could have, unlike cats. Why not say, die like a cat or lie like a cat? Omarosa could be compared to a cat, at this point a really upset (can't use the obvious word) off tigress. Trump has very little imagination.
Personally, I am just fine with replacing cats instead of dogs. You instinctively know (my conspiracy theory here) cats are just waiting to get opposable thumbs and a leader like that Planet of the Apes dude in those movies. Then watch out for the mayhem. You know cats just barely tolerate humans.
This Chappy on the other hand is one smart dog. Dogs are a good judge of character. I am with Chappy on this issue of Trump likability. Chappy decided Trump was a loser and what do we have? Bingo! loser.
2
Smoke and mirrors. They are about to appoint an altar-boy to the SCOTUS, and have already appointed over 50 judges to different levels of the Federal judiciary. These are life-time appointments that received inadequate scrutiny. We are to have a bunch of judges whose main qualities are social stupidity and Trump loyalty. But sure, why bother? Let's have a giggle!
5
@Des Johnson Laughter is the best medicine...and our country is very sick with the virus in the White House.
5
@Des Johnson Why do some people constantly accuse the media and Americans of not being able to "walk and chew gum"? We can look at events like this while also following others of more import. What really makes me mad is that this assumes Trump is a masterful manipulator, and we are his puppets. He's not; and we're not.
3
Deep down, Trump hates the man he sees in the mirror. So he just takes out his self-disgust on everyone else. Vicious cycle.
5
The point being, our government’s impotence to protect America and the world from an aberration who is clearly unfit, subject to fits of rage, and devoid of any moral constraint. Trump is a racist, a sexual predator, a damaged unredeemable personality, a clear and present danger to world peace, and above all a stark example of what excess wealth and the absence of responsibility and accountability produces. Caligula never had the power to incinerate the entire world. Trump does and it is our great shame given his admitted patron, Putin, propaganda, and the insatiable greed of oligarchs and their minions, and legions of corrupt enablers that we are tortured to observe this sick melodrama steal life and hope from our children and grandchildren. Who can fathom what depths Trump will sink to. Dog. We are all dogs to a degenerate who detests any opposition.
7
He is the joke that is NOT funny!
5
Gail - disappointed that you didn't work in the fact that Mitt Romney carried the family dog on top of the car. Maybe a connection?
Gail, you’re the greatest.
2
I thought Trump never graduated from Penn?
1
Chaos reigns in the USA and its name is trump.
5
Go Gail!!!! We need this and more.
6
Good gravy, is there a good picture of 45 anywhere on the planet? I've yet to see one.
2
A Dem. Congressman speaking of Trumps masterful media diversions said the press was like a pack of Golden Retrievers, and the president was a tennis ball........seems a might too complimentary, to our dog catcher of a president.
4
I could laugh along with Gail writing about Romney and his dog, but this Trump is a different breed altogether. Vicious, yet cowardly, attack only when others are in front, deflect, and run at the first sign of trouble. Hard to see any humor when writing about this sorry excuse for a human being.
2
The President is going to do his thing (as well all around him) until they are all held accountable in a court of law or at the ballot box.
You can't do anything about the former, but absolutely can about the latter - make it count all you dogs !
Woof !
1
The President is going to do his thing (as well all around him) until they are all held accountable in a court of law or at the ballot box.
You can't do anything about the former, but absolutely can about the latter - make it count all you dogs !
Woof !
14
The President is going to do his thing (as well all around him) until they are all held accountable in a court of law or at the ballot box.
You can't do anything about the former, but absolutely can about the latter - make it count all you dogs !
Woof !
5
"Dog" is a perfect noun to describe the evil Amorosa. Political correctness was on the ballot. America voted, Trump won. Amorosa is indeed a dog. Get over it.
3
@Steve Decency was on the ballot and it list, to Trump’s deplorable’s delight.
2
@Steve trump won the electoral college not the vote of Americans. Don't forget for one second that over 3 million more Americans voted for Hillary.
11
@Norma
So how do we do away with the Electoral College? If not, this catastrophe could happen again.
Trump's idea of female beauty obviously requires the use of a surgical knife more than once and repeated infusions of Botox.
11
I will not use a name that disgusts me. "He" was a "failing" as well as flailing real estate developer. His zoophobia is well documented. My father, a Jewish soldier in the Polish army in WWII; then the Russian army, after escaping from a German prisoner of war camp. Told me little of the war due to what is now called PTSD.
However, I read Slaughterhouse 5, and recall a part of the book about an American Nazi.
Slaughterhouse 5
“The Americans in the slaughterhouse had a very interesting visitor two days before Dresden was destroyed. He was Howard W. Campbell, Jr., an American who had become a Nazi. Campbell was the one who had written the monograph about the shabby behavior of American prisoners of war. He wasn’t doing more research about prisoners now. He had come to the slaughterhouse to recruit men for a German military unit called ‘The Free American Corps.’ Campbell was the inventor and commander of the unit, which was supposed to fight only on the Russian front. "
We know the Obergruppenführer in the White House won't fight. He'll just ask his loyalist to join the fray against "our enemies".
3
Gosh, I actually am nostalgic for the days when our dog tales were about Romney’s family pooch straped down and riding atop the family roof.
3
"No reason to say he’s stupid. Maybe just a little dim by presidential standards"
Ms. Collins, you are too kind.
573 days into his Presidency and Trump has yet to give anyone reason to think he is NOT profoundly ignorant.
Or not a racist. Or not a mysognist. Or not emotionally unstable. Or not anti-democracy. Or not unAmerican.
573 days. The audition is over. Time to elect a Democratic congress that will constrain him until we can be rid of him.
As to Trump:s complict Republican protectors ever more desperate claims that his "style" may be rough and "not PC" but he is fit to be President?
Sorry, that dog won't hunt.
11
Okay Ms. Collins, Let's have this week's chuckles about the dumpster fire in the White House. After all, we all need a laugh in these horrific times, right?
But your newspaper had to actually publish an editorial today reminding us all of the importance of a free press, when for the first time in our history, we have a dictator who will not hesitate to shut down all legitimate news outlets.
Since Trump took office, he has -
-Alienated every one of our international allies
-Cozied up to his owners, the Russians
-Ordered that Hispanic infants be put in cages
-Threatened nuclear war with North Korea
-Said that those who don't subscribe to his brand of "patriotism" shouldn't be in the country
-Continued to threaten ethnic and religious minorities
-Told us that the KKK and neo-Nazis are some very fine people
-Positioned himself to place justices on the Supreme Court who would turn back the clock to 1950
-Dismantled the ACA, threatening the health care of millions of our citizens
-Torn up EPA regulations designed to ensure that we have clean air and water
-Told his rabid base that he wants them to assault journalists.
These are but a few of the "highlights" of this presidency. Trump's march to absolute power continues unopposed. He will not stop until his regime is a dictatorship. And if I were you, I'd start counting the number of "humor" columns he'll still permit you to write. Because at some point, he will silence every one who speaks out against him. Bet the rent on it.
4
The Gaslighter in Chief knows no other way than obfuscation. His minions lap up his deranged, hateful messages from their milky-screened smartphones and cheer and dance at his rallies wishing it were an old fashioned cross burning.
We must overcome.
Vote in every election.
5
Ms. Collins has that rare quality of 'avoir du chien', one that the French author Colette would have approved, and only Maugham could have translated. According to the latter, 'Et, ta soeur' has been the cause of wars, and would get lost in translation.
Well, Cat, that's enough with the temptations for breakfast, and do you realize that this president doesn't have a hamster let alone a dog in the White House. The Big Canary spends his time tweeting away at night, and at times, I feel sorry for this lonely man. The most salacious, sordid and slimy White House in history, it will be in need of being fumigated when the red hornets leave.
Not all women have the cachet and brightness of Ms. Collins, and if there was a dog in this story, he would be known as Trump's dumb chum. The presidential fido would have asked for a one-way biscuit to Canada. Chappy is ready "to" for an interview.
5
And, in Italy, “your sister’s face” will at least start a knife fight, I’m told. The relation between the insult of a shoe further East might be related to US slang, ‘dogs’ but that’s a topic for academic research. Trump, though, is in a category that requires spitting on the ground at mention of his name, and that’s rare company.
1
I'd give anything to see a photocopy of the article Mr. Trump sent Ms. Collins. Surely, that belongs in the National Archive
7
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and suggest that there are millions more dog lovers than Trump supporters in the US of A.
10
@Sally B -- Oddly, I suspect almost all Trump supporters also love dogs. It is a red neck thing too.
1
Gail - I hope you kept his Newsday note. It could be worth money on Ebay after he is impeached. :)
3
You think you know someone, and then you find out that she was called a dog by Donald Trump! Gail, I had no idea you've suffered his wrath, to.
I hope you saved that newspaper clipping -- your descendants are going to get wonderful news a hundred years from now:
"Oh my word! Not only called 'a dog' by the worst president in the history of these United States - but a liar AND a pig! We at The Antiques Road Show all these years have only heard rumors of this existing, but now we find that it IS real, the storied 'Trump Insult Trifecta," making this bit of paper worth exponentially more than if he had just called your great-great-great-great-great grandma a dog. It's Ivy League schools for all of you, thanks to this yellowed scrap of newsprint. You lucky, lucky Collinses!"
Get it insured, Gail. I hope you'll run the original Newsday story so we can see what got him so riled up in the first place.
Thank you for giving us all such a great laugh at such a dark time.
20
Oh come on Gail, we know that you were barely resisting (Did an editor help?) inserting something about that freezing, roof bound canine who also was a clearly not overly loved possession of that other presidential candidate.
2
Beware of someone that hates animals.
22
Atta Girl, Gail !
Keep the light shining on him.
3
I have thought long and hard about whether Trump has any - at all - socially redeeming qualities. Or even a single socially redeeming quality. The only one that I can come up with is that he abstains from the use of alcohol. I'm not a teetotaler, but I have to say that someone who has the self-discipline to not drink alcohol at all does have THAT, at least, in his favor.
However. A person has to be some kind of complete moron, reprobate, nincompoop, cruel, uneducated, loathsome and immoral excuse for a human being to do all the things Trump does every day of his life and NOT have a drinking problem as an explanation.
So, I have mixed emotions about the issue of whether Trump has at least one socially redeeming quality about him.
8
@RH While it may be true that Trump doesn't drink, we have no proof of that, or any knowledge about other intoxicants he may use regularly. He earns no credits for alleged abstention from me.
Have never seen a man, let alone a billionaire who was elected president, so insecure that he would publicly insult war heroes (McCain), the parents of a man killed in battle, women who have been sexually harassed, and anyone else who dares to disagree with him. He is, most surely, mentally ill.
19
News Flash: POTUS has been spotted in a dog carrier on top of Mitt Romney's car, heading for Beach O' Pines, Ontario. The American people are thankful—they desperately want to get rid of this mutt—but they say they still will not vote for someone who'd put a dog on top of a car.
5
The Brits use the description “barking mad” which seems apt for Putin’s lapdog, yes?
7
When it comes to considering the very worst detail of all this mayhem is that it is so titanically boring and is, truly, not entertaining by any measure at all. When you're "very smart", entertainment has no place at all.
Trump the dog treats Americans like his favorite fire hydrant!
4
Great column Gail, It isn't only that he isn't very bright. It is also that he completely lacks emotional intelligence. There is no one else in public life so devoid of personal insight. He is totally unaware how his petty vindictiveness and public shaming telegraphs to the entire world "I am insecure about my intelligence and abilities!" "I am a coward!" Sad.
14
There are signs of megalomania and paranoid schizophrenia as well as feelings of grandeur, but as a crazed person he is smarter than most of us. That Hannibal, he was quite a guy!
1
Trump took away Brennan’s security clearance because Brennan “got his goat.”
Trump spends “the lion’s share” of his time at the golf course.
Trump spent his business career “weaseling out” of paying contractors.
Trump has treated his supporters like “lambs to the slaughter.”
Trump has “the morals of an alley cat.”
Trump has “bats in his belfry.”
Trump has “made a pig’s ear” out of this presidency.
Trump is terrified Mueller will soon “let the cat out of the bag.”
Who says Trump doesn’t like animals?!
8
I have a black standard poodle named Zora. She's named after the Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston. Zora is so intelligent it's frightening. She has a far higher IQ than Donald Trump. After the Helsinki fiasco the president was referred to as "Putin's poodle." Clearly that's an insult to poodles.
3
So Trump transferred from Fordham to Penn/Wharton, where he was academically undistinguished (according to the WaPo in 2016, the Boston Globe in 2015, and the NYT Magazine in 1984), and from which he graduated with a B.A. in economics in 1968. Years & decades later he "padded his resume" by claiming to have graduated first in his MBA class at Wharton.
I think most of us work in, or studied in, fields where exaggeration, if not outright falsification, of one's credentials would be grounds for disqualification from a candidate pool, or dismissal from a job.
Contrast Trump's undergraduate education with that of his 2016 presidential opponent Hillary Rodham Clinton. She was awarded her B.A. in 1968 too... and was valedictorian of her graduating class at Wellesley College. Her commencement address landed her on the covers of national news magazines. That fall she started Yale Law School, and met Bill Clinton — a man who recognized her genius and had the good sense to "marry up."
In 1976 Jimmy Carter asked America, "Why Not The Best?" In 1980, he got its final answer.
When NBC News fired Linda Ellerbee from her job as editor-in-chief and anchor for "NBC News Overnight" in the mid-1980s she was told, "Sometimes being best is not good enough."
Regrettably, that was America's judgment about Hillary Rodham Clinton two years ago.
9
@A. Reader
No it wasn’t,
She won the popular Vote
It was this country clinging to,the Electoral College that was the problem!!!
@Helen:
Like it or not, the Electoral College _is_ our system. The national popular vote margin simply doesn't matter.
That said, Clinton lost the Electoral College by having lost the popular votes in three states — Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Her total popular vote deficit in these three states was just under 78,000 votes.
By contrast, the combined vote for the Libertarian Party and Green Party candidates, Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, respectively, in these three states was 558,000.
The problem in 2016 was these misguided, quixotic, third-party protest votes. Just as Al Gore's Electoral College loss in 2000 was due to 130,000 similar protest votes, mostly for Ralph Nader, in Florida.
So, yeah, I'll stick by my assertion that Clinton lost in 2016 due to America's judgment — especially that of Americans in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
(Just to remove any uncertainty — I voted for Gore, Kerry, Obama, and Clinton. And as a native New Yorker, I had Trump pegged as a con-artist back in the 1980s "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" period.)
Greetings, Gail.
I inspected the list of individuals in Trump's line of fire for revoking security clearance, and have good news for you. Barack Obama, the man Trump hates almost as much as he loves Vladimir Putin, is not on the list. Yet. But I suppose you'd already noted that yourself. However, if Joe Biden announces his candidacy …..
Anyway, about the "dog" issue. Omarosa is not Trump's "ex-friend." Trump has no friends, and never did. Friends are people you care about, trust, and help in times of need. Friends love you no matter what. Like dogs.
5
My Border Collies are faithful and loving. People like Trump who dislike dogs are not to be trusted.
4
@Clark Landrum: I was bitten by a rabid dog when I was a child, so (despite your dogs' undoubted faithfulness and love), I have somewhat complicated feelings about dogs. I hope you won't mind too much if I amend your credo to: People like T---p who dislike the Earth are not to be trusted.
1
@George Moody
Sorry about the bite. I don't like to say his name either or refer to him as president.
Trump's nasty Tweets are an insult to dogs, who are loyal, hard-working, and follow norms in their interactions with each other. The president could learn a thing or two from good dogs.
4
We need a president who is the human equivalent of a Labrador retriever - well tempered, intelligent and loyal.
Instead we have the human equivalent of a chihuahua, constantly yapping about every little thing, shivering and unable to keep still.
5
Dear Ms Collins:
Thanks for providing me with a guilt free chuckle this morning. Every time a shake my head and snicker about our incredibly awful predicament I have to slap myself up side of the head.
But today you have set me free, at least for a moment. I especially yucked it up about Ivana’s retort that the dog didn’t like him either.
The truth is that NOBODY and NUTHIN has ever liked Trump.
3
When Donald Trump uses the word "dog" he means one thing, "ugly." It #9 in Mirriam-Webster, but it's what he meant when he spewed it at Omarosa "an unattractive person; especially: and unattractive girl or woman."
This is not on the dimension of intellect, where he defines "low intelligence" persons, or even race, wealth and ethnicity; it is the same as the denigration of Republican nomination candidate "Carly Fiorina, "look at that face, would anyone vote for that." Since Trump holds the office of President of the U.S.A, it's reasonable to consider him first as a political actor, not only on the partisan stage but shaping the course of international affairs -- which given the prominence of this country, will have a major effect on the course of civilization itself.
The aging process, in the absence of surgical intervention, has the effect of diversion from the ideal of youthful beauty, which explains his discarding the first two of his wives. With men, Trump's standard is replaced by a childlike reverence for generals, those who command others. This of course must be accompanied by deference to him by such warriors.
They, like his short term Barbie Dolls become Toy Soldiers who populate his child-like world. He will smash them against a wall if they do not perform as he demands, there being no evidence he even discerns their humanity or emotional pain.
Tragically, the fate of our civilization is at risk by this individual's pathological shallowness.
3
Lots of good stuff here!
The picture of Trump trying to live with nippy little poodle is head smacking hilarious! Nearly as good as the Mitt/dog story.
I might change 'neurotic' to borderline psychotic.
I think the fact that he is a 'projection monster' is undeniable, except by his GOP voting base, who are birds of a feather. Trumpyism is a two way hall of mirrors that works in all directions at once into infinity.
Those mirrors need to be shattered. No telling what happens then.
3
I doubt we will ever know the details of Trump's childhood, but I would bet he has a history of harming animals when he was a child. Of course, he still is a child...
6
@Robert D No, he is not a child. He is a stupid, ignorant, racist old man.
A child has curiousity, doesn't molest women, and doesn't think of how to cheat people out of their money.
1
Ms. Collins, the real estate developer who attacked you did so for two reasons. One, you're a woman, and two, you're a member of the hated media. Being on an enemies list by this president is a badge of honor.
The president refers to people he doesn't like as "animals" but that's because he's turned America into a zoo instead of making her great again. He's put children in cages, harasses his AG and now sees John Brennan as a security threat and revoked his security clearance. What did America ever do to deserve this president?
376
@silver vibes
What did we ever do to deserve him? We voted. I don't get it either. I never will.
3
What did America do to deserve this president? The bamboozled fraction of its citizenry voted for him. I'm bereft and afraid, but I accept the result with understanding. After all, as H. L. Mencken said: "Democracy is the theory that the people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard." Let's hope that enough of us become unbamboozled to put the boot on his wheels in 2018 and tow him away in 2020. @silver vibes
2
@silver vibes Have you ever read a book on american history?
It has long been readily apparent that Mr. Trump is not 'book smart', exhibits racist and misogynistic behavior, and seems to enjoy calling his critics disparaging names.
What I don't understand is why there isn't more press on Mr. Trumps tiny, tiny hands. It seems a fitting descriptor for every day use, as in "Mr. Trump, the orange 45th president of the United States with incredibly tiny hands, tweeted..." or "President Trump, a man with unbelievably tiny hands, today..."
Three or four columns (or months of columns) like that will surely net a brand new disparaging nickname!
1
So, Gail, your fixation on Romney's "dog on the roof" was actually caused by Trump. At last we know where your traumatic, repeated ad nauseum fixation began. No one likes to be called a dog, but consider this: who loves you better than your dog....nobody, not even your mother. So, make peace with the "Arf!" It's not all bad.
2
Thanks, Gail. I really needed you today.
1
One might refer to Mr. Trump as a lowly canine but doing so would be tantamount to cruelty to animals.
5
It’s even funnier to wonder if Paul and Mitch are “playing possum” out of fear of 45 or maybe they just don’t care. Mike Pence is apparently too infatuated with his boss to be objective, maybe he too is scared of 45.
I do think 45 may have met his match and then some in Omarosa. Love or hate Omarosa she is working it in ”Trumpian manner”, which makes sense. She got Trump to lash out at her which may have been her objective all along. What I wonder is when does 45 find time to do the job of being president
Gail, I often marvel at how blithely you criticize Trump now when, during the campaign, you treated him much more kindly that you did Hillary, whom you demonized. Do you ever introspect and feel ashamed about the role you personally played in helping elect this deranged man as President, or do you just remain in perfect denial?
1
@Lisa PB. You may be thinking of Maureen Dowd. When did Gail disparage Ms. Clinton?
Yeah but what do we do about it now?
There he goes again, laughing up his sleeve while calling women dogs. He thinks he's quite clever but doesn't want to tip his hand by calling them female dogs (wouldn't look good in campaign ads).
So who else gets called that nasty word? That would be the mothers of the kneeling football players.
How I miss the presidential Obama (worse deed: feet on the desk) and Michelle (baring shoulders, tsk tsk, while the latest occupant took it all off).
3
“It’s like super genius stuff.”
No, it’s not. Trump is a dolt, much like anyone else who evokes Intelligence Quotient as some qualitative metric of human value.
Ms. Collins is quite right to wear such a criticism as a badge of honor, to [sic].
3
Trump is what you stepped in...not what you crazy disgusted search for to scrape your shoes but what you’re reminded of when you think of ever wearing those shoes again.
1
People with no love for any animals are not people,
5
Ivana Trump said that her dog, a poodle named Chappy disliked Donald Trump. Chappy was a very smart dog indeed.
3
Party of Lincoln (insert 10 laugh-crying emojis here).
2
I take issue, Gail, with one example of Trump's intelligence insults. You included Trump's tweets that Lindsey Graham is “a total lightweight,” an “idiot” and “not as bright as Rick Perry.” These were not insults but recognition that Graham has learned to assume his proper position: punching bag.
Trump's tweets about Graham explain why ALL Republicans crawl on hands and knees before Trump: so they "Do not arouse the wrath of the great and powerful Oz!" Republicans fear Trump's wrath and to avoid it they happily join Trump in insulting the intelligence of the American people. This shows Republicans have learned to assume their proper position: court fools.
I also disagree with Gail's claim that Trump has never had pets. "This all goes back to the fact that Trump hates animals....No pets at all, except a poodle named Chappy that belonged to his first wife..." Over the years Trump has kept three wives and five children (that we know of). Some follow at his heel, sit on command and remain quiet in his presence. They are well behaved, house trained and have learned their proper position: cowering fear...because like Republicans, they know the fate of Chappy.
These criticisms aside Gail, I "too" loved your column!
5
Please, may I suggest a change of plan. We really don't need any more columns from anyone that talk about Trump. It's no more useful than digging up a corpse to tell it that it was no good when it was alive. Anyone who doesn't know that Trump is a liar, idiot, grifter, traitor, etc., etc., is just beyond hope at this point. The focus from now on really needs to be on the wretched Republicans, who, with only one or two ineffectual exceptions, are aiding and abetting the downfall of this formerly great county. The focus needs to be on the political system that they've constructed--gerrymandered districts, unfettered power of obscene wealth, Russian money, the perverse lies spewed out by Rupert Murdoch's companies, the deceit of Mike Pence, the "leadership" of Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan, etc., etc. There are so many more areas where good journalists and essayists need to focus. Let Sarah Huckabee Sanders lie to an empty room, and let railings against Trump just cease. We get it already. Most of us got it before the election.
2
@RMF While all of this is happening, we still need to be able to vent with the humor Gail brings to the table...otherwise, we'd all have a continuous headache. Think of Gail's column as a much needed aspirin.
1
I love the stories of men so terrible their own dogs bit them...Hence no dogs, except his staff and everyone who disagrees with him.
2
Do you know what you could get for that 'missive' today on Ebay? You do still have it, right? Someone took a picture of it? A Xerox maybe? Because without out it, Trump's just going to lie and say it didn't happen.
1
Gail, haven't you heard Britain is not part of Europe!
2
I never thought I would live to see the day when we had a president who called people names and who was an embarrassment. When I asked an Italian friend of mine what she thought of Trump her reply was immediate:”Trump è un idiota.”
2
Please don’t despair at having your picture compared to a pig. It’s not likely that Mr.Trump has ever seen more of a pig than a few strips of bacon.
2
Perhaps when Mueller releases his report, it can be subtitled “The Arf of the Steal”.
3
Abhorrent as this human specimen is, what adjective applies to the people who voted for him? And we call them citizens?
2
If we had just walked into the middle of this movie, if we hadn't seen the previews, the advertisements and watched the feature film unwind for the last year and a half, we would say that the occupant of the White House is stark, raving mad. We would say that his ranting represents not only blatant racial animosity, but also shows a person either losing his mind or having watched it previously depart.
Because it is Trump, because he has wounded our hearts and souls with vile invective almost daily, he has created a bruised part of our minds which, because of the repeated hits, has developed a toughness, like a callus. We are worn down. Our ability to absorb repeated blows derives in part from our ability to forget any norms of decent behavior and the creeping normalization of what at other times in our national life would bring utter outrage and disgust. Do we have the energy for that any more?
As Trump continues to blast through the thick walls that protect him with his defenders, he is surely finding a way to pull himself down, moment by moment, day by day. Hey, he's a fighter! Admirable? If only he were fighting for something other than dominating the news cycle and protecting his fragile, baby like ego.
This guy is about nothing. His anti-immigrant stance, one of his most popular thrusts, is energized by others who control him. He is at constant war just for the sake of being constantly at war. He gives an excellent imitation of an idiot with almost every tweet.
6
@Doug Terry He IS an idiot.
2
It makes total sense that dogs don't like Donald. I would be worried if they did. Woof.
5
Wakeup Gail, Trump is perfectly normal by the standards of 5th Avenue whitetrashville, NY, NY. Trump Towers is as gaudy and trashy as the garbage trucks that often park in rows and lines. When you walk past the building you can smell greasy food and spittle on the sidewalk. My best guess is that everyone that owns an apartment there moved there because they cannot get into the Yale club or know how to take the subway.
1
I wonder if the realty tv will be converted into a telenovella or docudrama? There could be alt universe Presidential spin offs where Rick Perry gaffs and forgets his way or a Newt Gingrich with bevy of female interns pontificates on harems for today. There are multiple venues and plots, Joe Lieberman as the sad sack who moves the Capitol to West Jerusalem. Is it already there? The Ted Cruz, Mike Pence seven mountains domionist tag team bring their cultish clan crew to power. Jeb Bush, whose that and so much more.
2
Trump does not even know that “it’s” is a contraction of “it is” and that the possessive adjective is “its.” He is proud that he never reads anything and enjoys showing off his ignorance. What we are witnessing, my dear friends, is the decline and defeat of our beloved America.
5
Trump could settle all of our fears, misgivings, and suspicions by just RELEASING his college (undergraduate, not MBA, as you point out) transcripts. As well as his OFFICIAL IQ testing score (not some made-up number by Sarah Sanders).
Oh, yeah, and maybe even his TAX RETURNS so we can get some idea of just what a great Negotiator he has really been.
Loser, loser, loser.
6
Yes, Trump is not very bright at all, and rather unlovable, and someone who lashes out at others reflexively, due to racism or other impulses.
But we should all keep in mind that this is saving us. Trump's base, and the power-hungry men supporting him, are mostly determined fascists. They don't like democracy, they don't like non-whites, and they want a fascist state.
And we'd be at real risk of having our elections cancelled, having dissidents assassinated, and becoming a nation much more like Russia. But what is saving us is that Trump is dim, incompetent, deeply insecure, and easily distracted. I'm sure he meant to get us into a war with someone, maybe Iran, but he just can't focus on it. Every little thing takes up all his attention, whether it's Omarosa's claims or Roseanne getting herself fired.
So let us give thanks that Trump is stupid, and let us pray that his supporters can be as easily overcome.
5
People who have to tell you how smart they are generally aren’t.
10
Don el Dough Trump is our chump, the first of our presidents to be an international money laundramat elected by Vladimir Putin.
However, Trump did make a genuine contribution to our political discourse: "I can tell you this," and / or ,"This much I can tell you," were patent Trump phrases, instantly adopted by almost every talking TV head. Trump's words replaced the politicians' "I would say."
Then Trump dropped his phrase and recently mimicked his fellow politicians, "I would say." Trump is a loser. We know it. So does he.
http://levalive.live
3
Trump is a sideshow while the rest of his administration and elected Republican leaders, like excited rats in a box, bring into fruition every unfounded, ill conceived, dustbin of history economic and social idea that rational people have discarded.
what is so frustrating, and no number of amusing spot-on columns by Collins is going to make it any less so, is that the world has to go through another senseless upheaval before the lesson is learned again.
And what is the end game in all this - the ability to buy more stuff at the detriment to earth's future. As of July 8th this year, the human race has used this year's allotment of earth's resources and is now borrowing from next year's. Eventually the cupboard will be bare. Yet, national news has been all about Manafort's wardrobe full of suits and jackets worth millions. His crooked dealings were all so he could buy more stuff. The human idiocy goes on. If only Trump had more of a dog's view on life, regular chow, a nice nap and companionable silence.
2
You’ve got his number...boom!
2
The “dog” comment is not a racist remark, it is sexist and a result of his age, which is about the same as mine. In the late unlamented 1970s, that was a very popular put down of women who were less than lovely in the eyes of the men. The bar in which I worked even had a “dog chain award” which was awarded every night...after the recipient had left, of course. These guys were crude and coarse but not brave enough to say it to your face....just like trumpy and his twittering!
4
I love my dog and he loves me. He is very smartg. I taught him many words and commands, and manners. More than Trump knows. Trump could never ha a dog as there would be no love or affection between them. But, if Trump did have a dog it would bite him and run away. I wish Trump would run away.
2
We all know that this man is not terribly bright, is incurious, impulsive, vindictive and narcissistic. And yet, roughly 40% of the populace still supports him.
What does that say about us???
4
Trump remains the incurious, not-too-bright, vicious, spoiled brat in the White House. He knows not the ability to dialogue or disagree but automatically resorts to insults and verbal violence. Someone so vengeful and uncontrollable should not have his fingers in proximity to any "buttons." Someone so vengeful and uncontrollable should not be trusted to make decisions.
This makes for a very hard time for the nation. A real president would do much to help us make our way toward our future instead of trying to reinstall the past. I wish we had a real president.
4
Wait, he had a dog called Chappy who didn't like him? No need to investigate anything anymore, now I am convinced he's inhuman. Even Leona's dog loved her.
2
Trump has a most bizarre way of creating distractions to what he perceives as a personal threat. It's as though his monkey brain races, and all he can think about is campaigning to his base, striking back with a tweet, sending Rudy to the networks, asking Kellyanne to deflect and misdirect. My advice to Trump is medicate, meditate and read some self-help books on taming that monkey brain.
2
Gail, in this particular case, you should be flattered. Being “insulted” by this hollow, viscous scoundrel is actually quite a compliment.
3
Donald “Seamus” Trump has been riding on the roof of America’s car for 17 months, strapped there by 63-million approving citizens. How’s that for a howl?
3
@Soxared, '04, '07, '13 Still not as much as the disapproving citizens.
2
Maybe if Trump got a dog he'd have something he's obviously never had, a best friend.
@Paul Proteus No! There are multiple reasons why trump has never had a best friend. No dog deserves such a miserable fate.
1
Sad. True. And the greatest threat to America.
“One of the worst things about this moment in our national lives is the fear that if Trump gets into trouble for doing something dumb and obnoxious, he’ll respond by doing something huge and maybe dangerous.”
1
Hilarious and sad.
2
I'm usually a big fan of Gail Collins but this seems to be mostly just another rehash of what we already know: Donald Trump is an inarticulate, semi-literate, mean as a trapped honey badger, sneaky&clever, but not especially capable of close reasoning and logic. Though he is capable of a constant stream of red-herrings and straw men to try to distract and alter the "dialogue". Ok. We know this too.
While GC has related the story of Trump calling her a dog and a pig before, like the C-/D+ 7th grade bully he is, the one takeaway is that his attacks on equally capability of dirty tricks, Omarosa Mannagault-Newman, are nothing new for him, typical of his visual appearance and intelligence attacks on Black Americans and women who have offended him..even if only by ignoring him.
The real question is: Why is this man still President and hasn't been impeached by his own party?
And where is the patriotism of the people who wrap themselves in the flag while he deconstructs our Constitution?
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of resistance.
1
Bravo Ms. Collins. I am only sorry that you had come into any contact with this despicable person. I cannot believe that this individual is the President of our already great country. And I will never get over it. Let history be the judge if he is "like a smart person". We already know he is a racist.
1
This article is so petty (in the vein of the subject himself.) How will the healing of our malaise be furthered by articles like this?
@Luis Clay It's called "humor." As long as we can laugh about this disaster once in a while, we can survive not getting ulcers from worrying about the downfall of our country.
2
Is there a correlation that possibly Trump's father put Donald, the child carrier he was in, on the roof of the family station wagon and drove from New York City to the Canadian border? This connects you the journalist, dogs and Mitt Romney. I'm just sayin'.
When he said he was a "stable genius", did he mean a smart horse being boarded at the track? I think so!
4
Always the gentleman he...NOT.
I am tired of analysis of Trump.
He is what he does.
Psychoanalyzing, mythologizing, even joking about him is to distance ourselves from the simple responsibility of seeing him for his actions.
He isn't an interesting man. He isn't a hero or an anti hero. This isn't a cartoon.
He's a destructive jerk who ruins everything he touches.
Including us, if we let him.
11
This so-called president is becoming worse by the day and Americans behave like they are helpless hostages of Donald J. Trump the madman. And why he is still in the WH creating daily havoc is beyond me. Do something America before he does something much worse than call Omarosa a dog and take away John Brennan’s clearance. The whole world is watching and waiting for the tryanny of Donald Trump to end. Rome is burning and it’s time to act! Is anybody home in America?
2
But...but we heard it from the horse’s mouth: he’s a stable genius. Though perhaps “stable” translates “barnyard”? Kinda a pigflop, chicken coop, goosey-loosey, goatish, braying, muleheaded, quacked genius.
3
If, as the televangelists report, there are no dogs in Heaven ... then I'm not a candidate for heaven.
In lashing out at Omarosa, DJT may have lighted the fuse on a bomb he really doesn't want to explode. I sincerely hope so.
2
Well, Gail, trump *does* have many diverse personalities in his administration. The trouble is that they're all from our nation's psycho wards (he recognizes like personalities)... or trump will drive them there.
I thought you were going to conclude your idea this way:
"One of the worst things about this moment in our national lives is the fear that if Trump gets into trouble for doing something dumb and obnoxious, he’ll respond by doing something dumb and obnoxious."
Trump truly reminds me of those days of yore (not so long ago, heh) when I was a child on the playground of one of our New Jersey elementary schools. We have great schools, but students also learn about bullies. Trump responds exactly like those bullies, dog comments and all.
I was angry at one of the bullies, and my father told me just to ignore him. I looked at my father quizzically, and he responded , "The jerk *wants* you to respond to him. He wants the attention."
Little did I know that, after an Ivy League education, graduate school and research, I'd have to reach back to the eight year old mind to understand a Republican president. Carter was a Navy nuclear engineer, Clinton was a Rhodes Scholar, Obama edited the Harvard Law Journal, but now heartland Republicans give us trump, the towering intellect by his own estimation.
And if anyone refutes the claims of intelligence of this buffoon, they're dogs. That's what the bully said on the playground years ago.
3
Wrong, Sir! You, "...have to reach back to the eight year old mind..!"
Six, I say.
Need to rebut the Wharton myth repeated in this article: Wharton MBA is high prestige as Gail says, but Wharton undergrad requires even higher credentials.
1. Wharton undergraduate scores are commonly known to be significantly higher than the MBA students' undergrad admission scores.
2. MBA Admission ratio is 16 - 19%. Undergrad Wharton ratio is not published; overall undergrad Penn ratio is about 9 - 10% with the Wharton segment estimated to be lower at about 5 - 6%, the equivalent of Harvard and Stanford undergrad.
3. Wharton MBAs who look down their noses at undergrads are quickly disabused of that opinion when in a common class with undergrads.
Yes, MBAs in general are highly motivated and enthusiastic (the MBA application process itself is grueling); and there is a high degree of applicant self-selection for elite MBA programs. But the self selection is true for Wharton undergrad, too, which is the single most sought after undergrad B school in the country and maybe in the world while Wharton MBA side shares the elite label with a few other MBA programs.
So, the knock on Trump is not that his Wharton degree is undergrad, but rather that he entered half way through as a transfer which has lower admission standard, he reputedly had a friendly admission officer through a family connection, he did not excel despite his fake claim to have been at top of his class (the real fib of his Wharton experience), and that he did not make much of an impression or contribution.
3
We probably have had presidents that weren't as bright as a 100 watt bulb before. But I'm sure their morality and common sense exceeds the current resident of the big White House on Pennsylvania Ave. Resist and Vote.
6
Calling the author of “The Bitch Switch: Knowing How to Turn It on and Off” a dog doesn’t seem so jarring. Consider that with twisted logic, he might have called her an ape (an unfriendly animal) and brought the whole [white] house down.
3
I have spent my life surrounded by Ivy League professors etc... the really smart people never tell you they are smart.
362
Well, that's the point, isn't it?
This all makes me nostalgic for Mitt Romney and Seamus.
3
@T Norris, the other dog story!
1
Was it Truman who famously said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.?" The irony is that Omorosa, the latest woman to be called a dog by Trump, was supposedly his friend.
Isn't there another old saw about the exception that proves the rule?
2
I always enjoy reading your columns. However, I must disagree when you say that Trump is not smart. He managed to snag the highest office in the land through his brilliant manipulation of the press. He has defined our national goals in a way that many people find compelling, while the super rich citizens see the benefits to themselves (through deregulation, tax cuts, and the like) and don’t care about the country and the less fortunate. Sad, but true.
60
@Joyce Perocchi If you buy into the Howard Gardner theory of multiple intelligences, one might argue Trump excels at interpersonal intelligence. Not so much any of the others, not readily apparent anyway.
I might also suggest a 'new' intelligence to consider: the mentalist intelligence. Trump excels at something beyond mere grifter/conmanskills; "mentalism invokes belief and when presented properly, is offered as being "real"" (per WIkipedia).
9
@Joyce Perocchi
No doubt Trump is a master manipulator as are all demagogues.
But, as H.L. Mencken opined, “No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.”
2
@Joyce Perocchi
I'm not sure that shrewd equates with intelligent. It's a specific skill set, one common among petty grifters.
We have an emotional 8 year old running our country, with a GOP congress acting as regent. We are in danger of sliding into the abyss unless something drastic happens come November.
5
Trump calling people dogs: Further evidence of just how out-of-touch he is with the majority of the American people when it comes to empathy and love (as if we didn't know that already; ask his wives).
Newsflash Donald: Americans love dogs, so in a way when you are calling people you don't like or who dare to criticize you or outperform you, people should take this as a compliment.
Results of a 2013 poll of registered voters about pets and animals, reported by the National Geographic:
1. 60% of those polled have pets (not ironically, that is about the same percentage who "disapprove" of the job Trump is doing as President, according to those weekly Gallup polls)
2. 52% prefer dogs over cats; 21% prefer cats (another study reported that people like dogs a lot because they think dogs are empathetic--and there is some evidence dogs are empathetic--clearly a quality sorely lacking in our Chief Insult Hurler)
3. 20% prefer spending time with their pets rather than people (I bet that percentage would go sky high if those polled were asked if they would prefer to spend time with their pets or with Donald Trump)
4. 21% rated snakes as the most terrifying animal (my bet is a much higher percent would rate Trump as the most terrifying animal--I would, for sure).
5. 18% believe the Loch Ness monster is real (I would guess 35-40%)
Dogs are "man's best friend"; Donald J. Trump definitely is not. Score 1 for the dogs; 0 for Trump (or maybe a -10)
6
Dogs have a keen sense of humans. Though people can easily be fooled and persuaded, Dogs not so much. One might suspect that as a child, the Trumpster may have been growled at or even bitten by a Dog. Possibly he asked for a puppy one Christmas, and received a Rattle snake instead. That might explain some of his behavior today.
3
Not appreciating dogs is some of the strongest evidence he knows nothing about loyalty. Of course his treatment of people showed that long ago too.
3
The catalogue of Trump's deficiencies is long, but the most notable deficiency, as the mutual dislike between dogs and him suggests, is a lack of empathy for any living being--man or beast, as they used to say.
The latest opinions are that Trump is increasingly fearful of Mueller's investigation. He probably is, but he is probably always fearful as one who lives with the constant threat of exposure as Ms. Collins denotes him: not smart, not strong. And he increasingly knows, and in infuriated by the fact, that being president does not give him the cachet to be accepted in the higher circles of society to which he has aspired.
It is so obviously a sign of his weakness that he hires, not the "best," but the worst. As they say in Silicon Valley, A's hire A's, and B's hire C's (think almost anyone in this administration). My corollary: C's fire A's and B's. Bye-bye, Brennan.
3
It really is getting to be more difficult to laugh over the foibles of this president.
There are just too many, and they come out too quickly to think that he's a "very stable genius" at all.
Not only that, but the pattern of his attacks are so predictable that there's almost no surprise left in any of them.
Of course it was only a matter of time before former C.I.A. Director John Brennan had to go.
And Trump would like nothing more than to do the same to Robert Mueller, while tweeting madly "there was no collusion", but somewhere in that genius brain of his he knows that wouldn't go over too well.
So what we're left with in the meantime is more rallies and insults until he finally twittwers out.
SAD.
5
the most concerning and hence reprehensible effect of relating to other individuals with names from different species is the well-studied effect of dehumanization as elaborated by the historian Herbert Kelman.
3
Trump's character really makes me wonder about his children. Are they as messed up as he is? Are they embarrassed by his behavior? Then again, as long as he keeps lining his pockets and enjoying the prestige and power of the presidency they're reaping profits too. I guess they probably don't mind a little embarrassment.
I found Roger Cohen's Aug 1 op piece last year: "The lovers, of course, have to be Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner — they of the almost bloodless perfection — whose doting father complicates their sumptuous lives by bestowing upon them titles and tasks for which they are unqualified. The lovers grow quieter and quieter but are so pale they are unable to blush."
and about Trump: "What but some profound sense of inadequacy could explain the neediness and the nastiness, the pout and the pettiness, the vanity and the vulgarity, the anger and the aggression? This president gets off on the humiliation of others. He is inhabited by some deep violence to which self-control is a stranger. It is almost painful to watch the degree to which he pursues self-aggrandizement. He confounds masculinity with machismo."
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/01/opinion/goodbye-anthony-scaramucci.html
I truly believe that one day we'll find out that votes WERE manipulated, just as I believe they're going to be in November and 2020. . . . And for God's sakes why isn't the I.R.S. doing it's job!
13
I think a standard response to Trump's call people names, like dog and dumb, might be to say, "Takes one to know one!"
5
The simple fact is that an insecure incompetent unqualified adolescent was elected by resentful people who were driven by stupidity and empty hope and were flim-flammed by a snake oil salesman whose goal is to destroy everything Obama did, stuff as much money in his pockets and in the pockets of his wealthy friend and lord over the American people like a third-world war lord (oh that's right, Cadet Bone Spurs avoided the military). Perhaps a comparison to Jefferson Davis may be more appropriate.
15
Though not Sicilian, Trump reminds me at his core of Fredo Corleone's lament from "Godfather 2," " I can handle things. I’m smart. Not like everybody says, like dumb. I’m smart and I want respect!"
5
I think it’s time to stop giving Trump so much press for the utterly ridiculous things he does. More editorials about his policies or lack there of please.
4
How ironic, that possibly the entire contents of the 'Trump Library' might fit into a dog house. Let's see, what have we got so far, for inventory: a smartphone, a TV remote, a McDonald's menu, and a half eaten chocolate cake. Woof
16
Mr. Brennan and all others on President Trump’s hit list should hold a joint press conference. They need to present a united front in explaining to the public the implications of the president’s latest vengeful, immature and autocratic action.
How can so many fail to recognize President Trump’s petulant narcissism, corruption, incompetence and cruelty?
The midterm elections will be a true test of each voter’s character. Those who continue their downward drift into the abyss of the Trumpublican personality cult—voters and legislative enablers alike—will be accountable for the further decline of America’s credibility, international prestige and world leadership. History will inform future generations of their cowardice, blindness and/or ignominy.
7
While it is clear to me and most of my friends and neighbors that Trump is bad for this country and the global community, I am worried that we allowed his election to destroy the delicate balance of our government. We were warned many times over not to elect this autocratic, thin skinned shame of a man to the office of president. But like our failure to deal with the Russian cyber attacks, we are also neglecting our treasured office of the president. There are still no attempts to tighten the requirements for the presidency and to make sure that no simple fool can run over our laws, rules and traditions because of bigotry, hate and narcissism. So while we hope for the blue wave, we can easily elect another buffoon to make matters much worse. Trump's supporters will continue to lie, cheat and steel their way into office. Gerrymandering is still the game of the day and we do not seem able or willing to put a stop to it. Until these issues are addressed, we leave open a fool's door and the keys to the highest office in the land.
5
Hi Gail,
Did you happen to retain the newspaper clipping that Trump sent you? It would be interesting to see it and his misspelling. Isn’t it time for another round of who’s the worst in the Cabinet? Pruitt’s gone, but others have definitely stepped up their game: eg Zinke proposing to allow the killing of wolf pups and bear cubs or HHS proactively making orphans of migrants at the southern border. What’s next, whale hunting? Turning zoos into breeding facilities for Tiger Cubs so we can make more fur coats to export? Euthanizing the elderly so they can cut social security and pass another tax cut?
5
Trump can't spell "too". I imagine that Bill Clinton is happy now that his dithering over "what the definition of is is" is no longer remembered as the dumbest thing we have seen come from a president. And gosh, "W" is starting to look like a regular genius after a year of Agent Orange in the White House. W is probably happy about that, too. That's trump--spreading joy whenever he speaks or tweets.
3
The definition of “is” is a misapplied meme. Clinton was under deposition. He was carefully parsing the prosecutor's questions, with fine-grained legal acumen.
People who mock him or that ignore the context.
OTOH, you're in better shape with “I smoked, but I didn't inhale”!
Gail is quite pretty and should wear Trump's calling her a "dog' and other degrading remarks as a badge of honor! It simply amazes me that our country is in the throws of such a crude and low life individual who I am embarrassed to call President.
11
What really bothers and worries me about His Dumbness (djt), is that so many Americans appear to believe his insulting ignorance, think being rich is being smart, think he cares one single hoot about them, think democracy, with all its privileges, can withstand the blows against it that His Dumbness issues every single day. Away with truth, away with courtesy, away with kindness, away with intelligence, away with selflessness, away with respect, away with the future. Sad, indeed.
7
Who ever follows Trump (it will happen) is going to have such an easy time looking and acting and actually doing the job ... by comparison ... we'll be so relieved to return to normal.
History will burry him ... few will shed a tear.
1
Gail's comment about starting a war is not funny. That's exactly what Trump will do when things get too hot for him. A tactic to distract, as he always uses. Moreover, who dares challenge a "war president". He may not be very smart but he is plenty devious.
7
At this point in the unraveling of this Reality Show Presidency, the only thing left for me and everyone else to do is shout it from the rooftops --- In order to save our republic, please please please drop all your animosity towards the Dems who are forced to take large sums of money from wherever they can get it because our idiotic, outdated laws require candidates to self-finance their own elections through "donations", and vote BLUE in November and 2020. We're in triage mode here, folks. First stop the bleeding, then stabilize the patient. After that's done, then we can work on the source of the symptoms and perform the necessary surgery to save the life -- mandate publicly financed elections only, with a defined, short campaign period.
When it now costs over a BILLION dollars to run for president, this surgery is necessary to save the life of the patient.
3
The dog is man's best friend. Anyone who has had a dog knows their loyalty. There's even a touch of nobility in some dogs as they may show complete selflessness by sacrificing themselve to save you. Being called a dog by someone is like being called a pillow by a bed, or hot coffee by a cup. The animal that more closely characterizes president deplorable is a snake. Wait, that's unkind to snakes. No offense intended to slugs, but a slug may actually fit the bill. The man is a slug.
6
Trump probably thinks "dog" is a compliment. He wants people around him to act like dogs -- totally loyal, servile, always ready to slobber all over their owners to express uncritical devotion. Just what he wants from the people around him.
4
Comparing a human with a canine may be grossly unfair to the dog.
3
1) Trump is not sane.
2) People who defend Trump are not rational.
3) People who blame Trump for all the ills in America are completely missing the bigger problem.
4) America's government, economy and national security are far more vulnerable than people realize.
If there were a consensus agreement on these four points, then we would be seeing a different response from the media, i.e. the Fourth Estate. With Trump as president and with the majority party kowtowing to his sociopathic, even demonic authoritarianism, we are playing with fire. As Gail basically says Trump is a disaster looking to happen.
It is a mistake, of potentially catastrophic consequence, not to take preemptive measures immediately to contain Trump until he is expelled from office. Time is not on our side. We the People won't appreciate what we have until it is gone.
2
I'm a dog (find me on Facebook). I take offense with Trump's use of our species in a derogatory sense. Certainly we would never call him a "dog." That would be too demeaning to us.
Congrats, Gail, for resisting what I'm sure was a powerful urge to mention that even Mitt Romney loved his dog enough to take him on vacation.
1
I am a dog and proud of it. Why? Because I am man’s best friend.
1
Just as rich is Trump's claim that he withdrew Brennen's security clearance because his behavior is "erratic." I laughed right out loud when I heard that. It's a wonder of acting that anyone in this administration can say that with a straight face.
20
This column is quite objective about our President's character. This is the kind of person that a majority wants to be the first authority of the country. Should we and the country just adjust to this reality? Should we just wait patiently to see if there is some light at the end of the tunnel?
2
@berale8
The light at the end of the tunnel is likely be a nuclear explosion when Trump realizes that Kim Jong Un thinks he's a fool. Let's not wait, please.
At least, though, he didn't put a dog in a crate on the roof of his car.
156
You're right. Trump did not privately on his roof. He put Don Jr. In that crate, which explains why his son has done so much to undermine his father's presidency.
1
@Marcus: it's coming...
@Marcus
no just immigrant children separated from their parents.
Ironically, Trump was born in the Year of the Dog (1946).
21
As a Boomer myself, I don't get where all this name calling by adults comes from. In my childhood neighborhood, we only called people names when out of earshot of adults. Then (I thought) we outgrew it. I don't know how parents do it today with THAT man in the WH, but thankfully, I come across well-mannered children all the time.
23
Over the next decade the real fallout from this debacle will likely go unnoticed for a while, but sooner or later we Americans will wake up to discover that we aren't laughing as much anymore.
We'll look around and wonder where our senses of humor went.
1
@Tom osterman
Not to mention our country and Government as designed by the Constitution as well as the Bill of Rights.
" Plus je connais les hommes, plus j'aime mes chiens."
" Great men have great dogs."
" Hounds follow those who feed them."
" Our German forefathers (...) believed that, after death, they would meet again all the good dogs that had been their companions in life. I wish I could believe that too."
Otto Von Bismarck
144
Denis Pelletier--From Mark Twain: "If you pick up a starving dog, and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; this is the principle difference between a dog and a man." tRump will never be as loyal, or reliable, as a dog.
4
@Denis Pelletier Then how unbelievably sad and lonely will be Trump's passage over the rainbow bridge. Assuming he's allowed that far.
1
"he sent me a copy of a column I’d written, scrawled with objections, along with an announcement that I was 'a dog and a liar' and that my picture was 'the face of a pig'."
So he could read then? Now he hardly reads a whole page, as others say.
Mr. Trump is losing. He was only hypomanic, still functional, before he was elected. The stress of the office got to him. He exhibits enough signs of at least borderline insanity.
Though not quite reliable, Omarosa says enough people are working behind the scene to make sure president Trump doesn't wreck the country. Hope that's true.
3
Mr Luettgen blithely asserts, "HRC had hitched to her locomotive a baggage train that crossed four states … and few liked her". Given that she got more votes than Mr Trump, what does that say about the apparently large number of voters who "preferred" Mr Trump?
8
These are dark days, for the US and for the world.
And there is no telling how much lower Trump will go before it is over.
Trump is an awful political singularity and his impact is already huge. To undo this awfulness will take much effort and much time. And some wounds may never heal.
This nightmare has to end.
Short of some unexpected development, for example the long awaited conclusion of Mueller's investigation, I can only see voting in November as a first step to recovery and healing.
How Trump's supporters would react to a Democratic win in November is obviously a mystery. These deplorables are so deeply into his voodoo cult that some might be nearly irredeemable and likely will opt for violence.
As for Gail, she is definitely neither a dog nor a pig (besides the fact that dogs and pigs have many qualities); she is a wonderful columnist and I am certain a much better person than the so-called current president.
3
"i'm like a smart person."
in what ways?
5
Longtime Gail Collins fan. This column is as dead-on as anything she's done. Please listen to her, people - and vote accordingly.
4
Lest we conclude that Trump's nastiness and incivility are products of advancing age a/o dementia, it should be noted
that Ms. Collins' tenure at NY Newsday was from 1991 to 1995, when DJT was in his mid 40s. My conclusion is that he has always been a nasty boor, ready to insult and demean anyone who disagrees with him.
14
For years I followed the actions of Trump, not formally, but out of interest.
Over those years it became clear, particularly when he lost his airline, he was a con artist and a poor businessman, with the exception of stiffing contractors, suppliers, investors and employees.
It became clear that anyone during those days who dared hold Trump's feet to the fire would feel his wrath, and they usually did.
Given that Trump believes he is a winner (yeah, he is a "winner") he will resort to any criticism with a vengeance and has no filter when dealing with those who dare speak against him. Not quite an attribute for being a leader.
Perhaps we give ourselves a vacation from the Trump method of dealing with others and write nothing about him. Starve the beast.
But, if there was a moratorium on all things Trump, columnists and comedians would have to material.
Carry on Gail, your insight is refreshing.
1
The man's psyche is actually a gold mine of research studies.
2
the fact that the world is even talking about the president of the united states calling people names, any names, is so very very sad. he should have to sit in the corner of the oval office for a time out until he quits being such a naughty boy. then after he learns his lesson, he can put his chair back behind the big desk, tweet all his friends and start playing the president game again. please, let there be a dog, oops, god, so we can clean up this mess and get on with the work this country should be doing.
17
President Donald Trump will be known in history as the Great Pretender who was given the reins of power and allowed to conduct disastrous experiments.
His supporters should be remembered less favorably.
1
Trump is such an inviting target. A parody of a President. Truth outmaneuvers imagination. But he’s a nobody, a puppet, a madman, as “Unhinged” suggests.
The real mechanism lies with a handful of baleful billionaires who tell Trump what to do, who to appoint, and who run the propaganda machinery that keeps their vassals in Congress and in State Legislatures.
Can Gail make them look funny?
5
Gail.... you’re amazing! I’m so happy when I see your Opinion in the morning... it makes my day. This man is a monster, he and his family are terrifying (along with the millions of Americans who voted for him.)
1
Why doesn't he just resign and put us out of our misery.
3
As a person with seemingly no insight into his own character, DJT is one of the purest practitioner's of the art of projection that I have ever seen. You can see his characterizations of others, his insults, his attacks very plainly as the projections on others of exactly those things that apply precisely to himself. Of course, he has weaponized all of this and this conscience free behavior is what gives his "insult artist" such power.
But that is just his way of misdirection. The real threats he poses are what is being done outside the light shone by his psychopathology.
2
@Bob M As a professional artist, I take umbrage at anyone attaching the word "artist" to trump, even if it is prefaced by words such as "insult", or "projection". Please don't sully our profession by adding DJT to our ranks.
Can the press please stop indulging in Mr. Trumps personality analytics and focus on the content of politics instead? You keep pouring gasoline onto his ego on fire. The best weapon is to ignore the man and turn the conversation to the many issues the country and the world has to deal with. I yearn for the day reading your front page without the T word. Please start being an example for the press by returning to meaningful investigation based on topics, and stop feeding trivial outrage. This is no longer news.
3
Despite all the possible crimes President Trump is suspected of and possibly guilty (he certainly acts like a guilty man), you may be right in that his fragile ego may be the thing that leads us into a major war. Remember those warlike tweets to N. Korea? For the first time we worried, not because N. Korea's leader is erratic and seemingly unhinged, but that we had two leaders who were both equally likely to provoke a war over personal insults. And, sorry to say, N. Korea's leader seems the better statesman of the two.
Now it's Iran, and China in the trade wars and our president is seemingly more and more unstable. Question: Is it really a working vacation when the weekend product is over 30 acrimonious and dishonest tweets?
7
Maybe Donald J Trump is functionally illiterate.
He cannot read nor write at a level beyond what is typical for a middle school eighth grader. The result is he fiercely hides his disability by claiming the opposite is true, and denigrating anyone who he senses might expose him for what he is: Illiteracy means he is no different than ‘those people’, the ones he claims want to come into ‘his’ country and ruin it.
All the baloney about being a ‘builder’ or having a ‘plan’ is a lot of hot air. Trump cannot think past his next chance to show off his power or get his next sex fix. Because he is functionally illiterate he behaves like an adolescent.
For the Republican power structure he is nothing more than a front-man, a vote-getter they could remove any time they want since they have control of Congress. As long as he elects their pols, they’re fine. In the months since January 2017 they have enacted pretty much their entire agenda, so what’s not to like?
It’s quite a commentary on American life - with enough money and lawyers you can be president as long as you have no conscience, and the intellectual level of an eighth-grader.
This lesson is not lost on today’s eighth-graders, by the way. “Why should I study in school if I can do like Trump? All I need is some way to make a lot of money - I’ll be a pro athlete or rap star or make a computer game. If I have money I can hire all the lawyers I need, and I’ll be all good.”
Eighth-graders are pretty smart.
2
Gail, just wanted to say I'm so happy you are back!
2
The problem with Trump is no one has ever given him an Akicking and meant it. I hope Bob Mueller hands him one, he never forgets or recovers from.
8
It’s not a pathological fear; it’s his single rational understanding. He really is unlovable.
5
A Man, who is truly confident, does not need to constantly undermine people, that disagree with him, in order to elevate himself above them. But, then again, I said a Man. Trump is a Man by Gender only.
All of his short comings were painfully obvious to nearly everyone for years, and yet America elected him president. This speaks volumes about us, particularly in light of Governor Cuomo's recent shocking truism – we were never that great – we need only to examine our history to understand this. Just saying there's always been room for improvement. See if your publisher will run that scribbled over Newsday column on a full page of The Times. That ought to bring on an orange aneurysm.
2
Gail,
Trump has a whole stable of pets. The republicans in Congress. And animal welfare is looking into charges of animal cruelty
3
Imagine if you were actually complimented by President Trump. Then you'd really feel like a dog, and that would on your better days.
2
Calling those who criticize him a dog was laughable when he was a no-name real estate developer yearning for attention, but "it’s a little bit more of an issue" now that he is the POTUS. Why?
Remember the movie "Wag the Dog?" That was 1997, and people were worried that Bill Clinton would start a phony war just to hide his sexual dalliances. Clinton was too smart to do that, but given that Trump is nowhere as smart as even my dog, I am deeply concerned that he will keep upping the ante until the only move left is to declare war. With so many choices - North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Canada, Germany, the UK - he may even be crazy enough to start two at the same time.
To quote a friend-turned-enemy, he is UNHINGED.
3
It could be worse, you could be the subject of the insincere ineloquence characteristic of a trump praise.
1
"This all goes back to the fact that Trump hates animals. Particularly friendly animals."
Aside from all the other ways he appears to be stuck at the level of a third-grade playground bully, he also reminds me of the twisted kid who took pleasure in torturing whatever happened to be wandering through the neighborhood, especially kittens. Isn't that a red flag for potential future serial killers?
Hmm. I recall "Murder By Numbers" by the Police:
"you can reach the top of your profession
If you become the leader of the land
For murder is the sport of the elected
And you don't need to lift a finger of your hand"
I I think we should institute the Donald Trump Animal Farm Award to be presented at the annual Press dinner. Let’s turn this around. os follow Pete Souza - the compare and contrast - inundate is with dog stories!
1
Gail makes us laugh. We need to laugh. But how easy, and how comforting, to convince ourselves he’s losing because he’s stupid. He’s not; he’s winning. All the backslapping self-congratulation of those who stand against him forecasts a blue wave. But the latest report on the Ossoff loss in Georgia should lead us to expect a red tide. For the heart of the story you’ll need to turn to the Guardian in England, for the American media are terrified by it.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/13/us-election-cybersecurit...
What is happening in Georgia today gives truth to the truth.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/aclu-slams-proposal-to-close-man...
As we laugh together, as Gail puts a smile on our faces, we are losing, and we’ll lose in November. The sound you hear is the dying of the American republic.
2
@ADN
And that's terrifying!!!
Pain and stress reading your words about president Trump today, Gail Collins. Nothing funny about "the Politics of Arf". Lipstick on a pig time again in America. Who will lead the rebellion against Donald Trump? Who will cast the first stone? Are we waiting for "the enemies of the people" to bring their power to the downfall of our president? If not them, who?
9
@Nan Socolow, only the Congress and Senate, acting in concert, can dump Trump. And it looks to me that both of these bodies cower in fear of the God Loves Guns Cult of Perpetual Insurrection they somehow imagined would deter foreign invasion of the US.
1
This president's comment was an insult not only to you, Gail & countless others, but also to 'man's best friend.' As President Harry S. Truman once famously said, 'If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.' As a dog lover my entire life, I'd welcome
that moniker as an unintentional compliment!
1
Dear Gail, you provide much sustenance to your fellow citizens who are filled with loathing and disgust at this this hideous man yet feel completely helpless at times. If the national sense of humor goes away, we are left with nothing. I know you will continue to write brilliantly as you do and in those amusing words lies the powerful truth. I am sorry that you were insulted publicly by him, Trump ought to take a good long look in the mirror, not only unattractive, but also unhealthy looking. Perhaps that is in part why he is so bilious. (Look that up, Mr President).
3
Hopefully, Chappy survived the ordeal of sharing a home with such a miserable excuse for a president. I can imagine Trump sitting in a corner right now tearing the wings off flies.
1
Actually dogs are very cute.
I have a hard time emotionally parsing Trump's insult re: "dog." There's nothing inherently piggish or snake-ish or wormish or leech-ish about dogs. They are quite lovable and dear. Trump sounds like Monty Python's mentally off-center brigand who misconstrued the meaning of "highway robbery" and demanded lupins -- colorful flowers -- from his victims instead of gold and silver. Trump is so un-owlish, so not-smart.
1
Each outburst, each tweet says nothing new about Trump. The limited Trump has been experienced for many years. The continual use of “dog” as an insult for women and men proves his (and his base’s) limited vocabulary. He uses the same taunts, superlatives, descriptors over and over. To watch him speak extemporaneously is proof of his limited simple speak. His choice not to violently swear or speak in an openly, instead of dog-whistle, racist manner, does show he has limits which is encouraging. Trump has always been a limited, lying, insulting, manipulative, class-obsessed, sexist, racist hustler to whom appearance means everything. What isn’t known nor should it be speculated are the psychological reasons. It doesn’t matter and it would only excuse his actions and words.
3
It must be so reassuring to Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Kellyanne Conway to know they are just one verbal misstep away from being called a dog. I wonder, when they make mistakes, does he call them in to the office, say "bad dog" to them, and slap them across the nose with a rolled up newspaper. Horror of horrors....being called a dog AND being punished with the printed fake news. Perhaps the White House press corp can get Ms. Sanders to spin the pearl necklace around. I'd like to make sure their isn't a tag on it that says "If found, return to Donald J Trump".
2
So DJT said "Trust me, I’m like a smart person." Well, sort of like a smart person — actually a dumb person acting the way he thinks a smart person acts. In the same way that he's "like" a great businessman, or "like" a great manager — he played one on TV, so that's what matters. It's all a show, there's nothing there, folks. Unfortunately, he's now "like" a president. But the only thing we see is his 5th-grade idea of what a president does.
13
"...I always enjoy pointing out that Trump misspelled the word “too.” Though mentioned in passing by, among others, Michael Wolff in "Fire and Fury", Trump's misspellings are a clear sign that he is dyslexic. Dyslexia would explain why he almost never reads, speaks much more deliberately and slowly when reading prepared speeches and continually has to proclaim how smart he is. While there are many famously accomplished admitted dyslexics (Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Charles Schwab), Trump's defensive tactics are quite typical of 'closeted' dyslexics: bullying, degrading others, extreme sensitivity to criticism, refusal to admit mistakes and projection of his own traits onto others. Being born into wealth allowed him to avoid the usual poor employment record of dyslexics. Couple all this with a malignantly narcissistic personality and we get the thin-skinned, vengeful and erratic President who is on display 24-7. SAD.
9
So Donald transferred to Penn and may have been admitted because of family connections. Jared Kushner attended Harvard, thanks to a sizable donation from his convict father. Is this type of affirmative action objectionable to my brethren on the right?
11
I can't wait to see what ends up in the Trump Presidential Library. Partly because it will be a hilarious freak show. But mostly because when he has one, it will mean he's no longer in office, and we'll have managed to avoid some form of nuclear annihilation, complete economic meltdown, or civil war.
5
DOG?? When I think of Trump, I think of the 'elephant' in the room (he's getting 'burger/coke" bigger with each photo). How long before he will take on more comparisons to the ELEPHANT? His 'trunk' (nose) keeps growing longer and longer - I credit that to the thousands of lies he has told - and it will continue to grow with more and more of his lies. He doesn't warrant the title "President" - he is a lying, deceiving and fictional character supported by the 68-million who voted for him. Let us HOPE this 'fiction' will come to an end - sooner rather than later!
7
This is not America.
Poland, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, maybe.
But this is not America.
4
For someone with his extensive educational background, Trump's grasp of rudimentary English is an embarrassment. In my wildest dreams, I never imagined a president with worse communication skills than George W. Bush. Boy, was I wrong.
10
By what odd measure is Trump considered intelligent?
7
Our three airedales just put paw to petition, calling for everyone to realize that Trump's "dog" references are in fact compliments. When this petition reaches critical mass, the Donald will start biting his own tail.
1
Gail
When Trump calls a woman a dog isn't he talking about their appearance? Is that correct or not?
1
Trump isn't trying to cover up his "dog" comment. He is trying to distract from the fact that Omarosa announced to the world that Donald Trump conspired with the Russians on the theft and distribution of stolen emails.
Her admission that Trump knew about the emails before Wiki Leaks released them is the proof we needed. And now Bob Mueller and the American people know everything. That is the real reason Trump is trying to distract us all.
6
@Ronny
Didn't he ask Russia to hack 's Mrs Clinton's Email?
Isn't that plausible deniability for Russia?
Hmmmm...
Donald Trump was a notoriously inept businessman who squandered much of the real estate fortune he inherited from his father. There is plenty of reason to believe that Trump is very insecure about his intelligence deficit in comparison to other businessmen with famous names.
He also knows that we know he’s an intellectual lightweight for an American president.
Trump lies every day of his life, so that explains his kneejerk tendency to call any critic a liar. The animal references, however, are bizarre.
Gail Collins points out that his animal selections are limited to animals which most normal people consider friendly and fun to be around.
If we combine the reliance on dim-witted insults about intelligence and lovable animals with the lying, we might accurately describe Donald Trump as a one-trick pony.
Our president wouldn’t get it fully, but he would scream in outrage about the pony part.
1
Dear Ms. Collins,
The last sentence of your column today...! Oh, my, be still my heart.
"Trump misspelled the word "too." That is delish. Delish! Editors, English teachers, and all of us who are congenital nit-picking-written-language obsessives in the English-speaking world will find that little insult (but the truth!) the ultimate revelational putdown. It's much, much better than his use of "dog," because 1) "dog" is unclever in the extreme and 2) "dog"is not the truth.
Those who are not congenital nit-picking-written-language obsessives won't know what I'm talking about here. But WE do, don't we?! Such barbarism's hit us in the eye. (Bet that apostrophe punched a few eyes.)
Today, whenever I read or hear about the newest follies of TOM (The Orange Man), I will be immune to shock, all because of that missing "o." Thank you. It probably won't last beyond today because his egregiously canine ways do have a way of biting, but I'm grateful for the temporary relief.
2
Since Donny has been calling women "Dog" its obvious who is the low intelligence level person. Dog is the name for the male of the species Canine. But then Trump does not know that or much of anything else.
Am I nit picking? Perhaps. But most of us know what the proper name for a female Canine is, but can not use it on comments like this or we would not get printed for some reason, and Trump could not get away with in public or probably on his Tweeter.
Actually when using the word "Dog" he should be looking in the mirror.
A slang use of the word "Dog" has a meaning that does fit Trump as a womanizer of loose standards and morals. BINGO !
16
It is striking that Dishonest Don can only diminish his detractors by hurling slurs. Thew small minded just do not know what they do not know and cannot conceive what might be beyond their knowledge.
DD relies on the dual threats of ignorance and racial hatred of his base to keep the 37% in tact.
My Dad used to tell me that the only way to handle a bully is to firmly plant your knuckles upon their kisser.
Oh, how many people dream of sending DD down with one huge round house?
The thing is you cannot win an intellectual battle with a cult with little intellect. You need to put aside the civilized rules of engagement and take care of business.
Down goes Donald!
Trump's shtick has grown tired. The reality TV loudmouth thing doesn't work anymore. Everyone is just plain embarrassed.
Hopefully the Dems will take the House and begin impeachment...The Trump Library will be a phone booth in Brooklyn like the one DeNiro pushed over in Good Fellas...
5
ARF ARF! I'll bite. So Trump misspelled the word "2"? Was he referring to "to, two, too, tu"? Or tutu? Would he know the difference? I fear he's too busy howling after the dogs he has to contend with. I'm waiting for him to make a fashion statement by donning Donald's tu tu and taking a spin around the White House lawn. During the Easter Egg hunt, perhaps? Nah--Donald's going to Duck out on that one. He's just a Quack president. What he's never learned is that a dog is man's best friend. Especially in DC. Harry Truman advised, If you want a friend in this town, buy a dog. Truer words were never barked. I actually think it's hilarious that Trump attempts to substitute euphemisms in some public statements when he'd really like to launch into a great episode of caprolalia, which is Greek for "talkin' doo doo." You KNOW that he's not saying Omarosa is a "god" in private. He's also NOT saying that she's a "dog." Maybe he does though, that is if he's dyslexic. Whatever the cases, Trump's lapses in to Arfing are going to get him into the doghouse. Where I suspect Melania would prefer him to take up permanent residence.
3
This is too gloomy. I think you'll long be remembered for the dog on the roof.
Trump has no class!
4
It's simple. Unlike Trump fans, dogs can see him for what he is
13
I suspect Trump doesn't like dogs (or animals in general) because he is something of a germ-o-phobe.
That fits in perfectly with his very clear credentials as a preening metrosexual: the vanity, the fake tan, the dyed hair, and even his curiously melodramatic hand-flapping gestures when speaking.
So much of what he does is projection. It's no wonder he's constantly straining to seem like a tough guy — he's basically a vain, terrified prissy drama queen.
8
Trump is an overt racist. He inherited that trait from his father. He denigrates people with black and brown skin; he likes locking the kids in cages. But white people from Norway are always welcome. All you have to do is listen to what he says and open your eyes to what he does: he will give you the answer.
It is a mistake to call the "dog" label for Omarosa inherently racist. He calls white women types of animals as well. To Trump, insulting a woman's appearance is the greatest insult, because a woman's attractiveness is her greatest (and perhaps only) asset.
Is Trump "unhinged"? On the face of it, clearly he is. But I look at his signature, and the baseline is good. He is losing it, but unfortunately he has not lost quite enough yet. He is still capable of functioning at a relatively high level. As he gets older, the views he has harbored his whole life are becoming more polarized, and he has lost his ability to restrain them. Our chief executive has lost his executive control.
The main problem with Trump is that so many things are wrong with him, all at once. It has become almost impossible to make sense of what he says and what he does. That instills fear because we often find ourselves unable to measure him, only to be constantly filled with angst and disgust by his daily tirades and machinations.
We know enough about Trump to realize he must go, and the time is now. We need to put him in a straitjacket in November, then whisk him away soon after.
1
Remember when Republicans used to care about the dignity of the office of the Presidency? I imagine that will return in hypocritical full force when the inhabitant deigns to wear a tan pantsuit in public. Their appalling indifference and enabling of this President to debase and degrade individuals and institutions, both verbally and in the form of policy, will be their legacy.
3
Another great, enjoyable column by Ms. Collins, but she overlooked another prominent trait of this president: his deep insecurities are matched by his boundless self-pity.
3
I've had dogs more decent and respectful of other than Trump.
2
Well, he might call his enemies dogs, but at least he has not strapped one to his car roof and headed off for a road trip. Yet.
1
Donald Trump is the cliché version of a bully: a coward who picks on others to pump himself up and conceal how weak he really is. The bigger the threats, the louder the bluster, the more afraid he is. His slavish adoration of Putin and other 'strong' leaders is as much envy as anything.
If anyone thinks Trump wouldn't start a war or declare martial law if he feels threatened enough, they're being overly optimistic. There are no 'adults' in the White House or the Republican Party who can or will rein him in.
There was never any doubt about the kind of man Trump is - he's been behaving badly for years. That he thrived in New York City and later in the entertainment business is a scathing indictment of those milieus.
How he made it to the Oval Office is an indictment of our politics. That he and his enablers are still there is an indictment of our broken institutions.
1
Actually, “Trust me, I’m like a smart person,”is one of Mr. Trumps more accurate statements. Like many a smart person, he has a head, arms and legs all connected by a belly.
2
@Mndy
Yours is a clever read, and you're not the first to interpret it that way.
I like it better that he uses middle school phraseology to describe his smarts: Trust me, I'm--like--a smart person.
Everyone who’s never forgotten to put in the second o in “too,” raise your hands.
To me, the "politics of arf" are about the reflexive canine response to another dog barking. In Trump World, no "arf" can go unanswered for fear of telegraphing weakness, an invitation to poop in his yard.
A robust reply of "arf" assures those with designs on your yard that you are a terrible force not to be crossed.
Trump and his displays of dominance are an anachronism in the 21st century. His barking will end up doing the most damage to his own tribe.
2
The entire reality TV craze stated with a screen writers’ strike. The lesson? Take away people’s fantasies and the world falls apart. Reality TV made celebrities of villainous characters who were not acting. Trump really is a destructive, paranoid villain. Before thr writers’ strike they would have hired an actor.
4
Trump can't take the heat, yet he has both the House and Senate in Republicans' hands, most of whom barely utter a peep against him. Compare that pathetically thin-skinned man with the grace of President Obama, who never lost sight of his dignity and decorum, even in the face of racism and unprecedented obstructionism.
13
So far he has gotten the last laugh. It is never good to underestimate someone like him. He is very smart, clever, filled with horrible demons and clearly very, very dangerous.
2
Gail, By the time your obituary is written, being called a "dog" by this Putin wannabe may be considered one of the highest honors bestowed upon a civilian. And it would be a great segue to tell your Seamus story.
11
Don't worry, Gail. When it comes to dogs, you'll be remembered for making Seamus a national icon.
4
Irony of ironies that Donald doesn't like dogs. Dogs are known for their loyalty. Their fidelity to their people families is part of what makes them so lovable and why they make such wonderful companions. The irony is that Donald Trump does not show loyalty to anyone even when they have been loyal to him. So his lack of connection with dogs - the most loyal creatures - shows us his own lack of trust and inability to appreciate or demonstrate loyalty. Underneath it all Donald is an empty and very sad man and this trait of hating dogs and using "you're a dog" as an insult shows it.
311
@Ellen Sullivan It takes compassion to care for an animal. Trump has none.
@Ellen Sullivan Absolutely. But there may also be some truth to the old saw that dogs and children know a narcissist when they see one and are not interested in such people because no matter how hard they are pretending, they--as Melania's jacket proclaimed--aren't one bit interested in either dogs or children except as a prop.
1
Trump has derided pet owners as "low class." Guess that puts Elizabeth II in her place.! I have wondered whether Barron Trump has wanted a pet and been deprived of this pleasure by Daddy Dearest. If so, Trump is as bad a parent as he is a president.
3
Gail, Trump makes the guy who tied his family's dog on top of the car for vacation travel seem comparatively more human and decent.
3
Gail, you prove it is not difficult to declare Trump the insulting fool he is.
Liberal Americans can only hope that Mueller draws and quarters him, and barring that, encourage your readers to vote!
3
It is ironic that someone who seems to value loyalty a thousand times more than either ethics or competence does not like dogs.
223
@Alan Even dogs require reciprocal loyalty; a lesson Trump has never learned. He'd rather promise to pay then renege. Bankruptcy for Trump is an apt business strategy that mirrors his own inner bankruptcy.
@Alan
As everyone knows, dogs are about the most loyal, least judgmental creatures on the planet... But if there is anyone on the planet that even a dog couldn't love... It's you-know-who.
@Alan
Not irony. Just awaremess that any dog worth its salt is capable of seeing through the absence of anything worthwhile that is the soul of Donald Trump.
He can't stand people who see through him, but he has succeeded with his big con on about ⅓ of the populace. With dogs, I suspect his success rate is zero.
My dog, Jack, has a wealth of virtues (starting with good manners) that this appalling man lacks. After all this time, I still find it hard to believe that he is President. Please, fellow lefties, set aside all your scruples about the Democratic party and vote for its candidates in November and again in 2020. Yes, it's terrible that some Dems are accepting donations from the fossil fuel industry etc. but only by winning will we ever be able to minimize &/or undo DT's egregious acts.
36
In the end, Denis Leary had the proper musical take on those like Trump, way back in 1994.
Decorum prevents me from providing the appropriate link reference here, but enter Denis Leary song in your favorite search engine and see what comes up.
3
Trump is the equivalent of a teenager mentality with the intellect of an eight year old. And to be fair that might be generous. I am no genius but then it certainly does not take one to recognize the fact that the White House is not where Trump belongs. Day care would be much more appropriate.
13
Thanks Gail. Perhaps there is a subset of Trump supporters who, though willing to overlook the caging of immigrant children and horrific abuse of our fellow humans, will find the president’s apparent disdain for animals a bridge too far. How I yearn for the days when we could commiserate about Mitt’s neglectful oversight of a dog inadvertently left on the roof of his car. The transgressions of a real live sociopath at large in the Oval Office yields slim pickings for satire. You can look for a silver lining but this is not likely to end well or anytime soon. Think I’ll go pet my dog.
2
Sadly we, the children of the Greatest Generation, were in the vanguard of those that elected this president.
How did we become so cynical and succumb to messages that divide us?
Witness the failure of a generation.
10
@Tom
I belong to the Greatest Generation, and I didn't vote for Trump, my 99 year old Father a life long Republican did not vote for Trump. Don't blame all of us for this night mare. My concern for the next generation is Climate Change, something bigger than any Dictator.
2
We focus too much on Trump, and too little on his supporters.
Who are these Americans who believe they have been so terribly wronged?
Who is manning the barricades of the Culture War?
Mostly the people who fought the Civil War.
The Confederacy did not end in 1865.
6
Perhaps Gail could start a "Loyal Order of the Dog" of people who have stood up to Trump and whom he has insulted by calling them "dogs."
Members of this order would be considered as having earned a badge of honor by standing up to the toddler in chief by criticizing him.
Calling it the "Loyal Order of the Dog" would be a nod to Chappy and other dogs. Most dogs are good judges of character. If Chappy disliked "the Donald," Chappy's instincts were proved to be correct over the course of time.
Gail could be a founder member dating back to the time she worked for Newsday.
I am hoping for a blue wave in November that will prevent more harm from the toddler and his Republican enablers.
8
At some point the Amercan people have to recover a democracy or become something less than a democracy under Trump. A democracy requires work. This may be too much to ask of Trump supporters at this point. The United States of America is not living up to its name and the statue of Liberty is simply a farce in this toxic climate. I hope this can be remedied but perhaps things have gone too far. It is very hard to watch a proud nation go down the tubes.But what happens here affects the whole world. We are turning the tide towards dictatorships world wide. Children are still in cages and someday soon this is coming to a town near you. And you have created what you get.
9
I keep trying to resist this anesthesia but there such a telling refreshing texture to its punchlines that I'm hooked, as with a bracing gazpacho. It's the clod who is the soporific.
2
Forget publishing tax returns. Future presidents ought to be required to provide proof of mental competence. No more broken psyches need apply. Trump is clearly playing out his psychological pathologies on the world stage. We are all waiting to determine whether there is any low to which he will not go. So far, the answer has been "no."
12
@Susan:
"Proof of mental competence. No more broken psyches need apply."??
The late great science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke once wrote that the ambition to gain political power was, in and of itself, a disqualification to serve. Better, he thought, to select office holders by randomized lottery drawings from the general population. (He may have been influenced by the final version of the Vietnam War military draft — and by the rise of any number of history's dictators.)
2
First, We all need to stop saying the name of the current president. We should only refer to him as the president or the administration. Second, we need to call out all the damage being done and go after the leadership Republicans. This will drive the President crazy and connect the leadership Republicans to the damage being done.
13
Although generally I disagree with everything Gail writes, it is difficult to dispute the accuracy of the characterizations of her by Trump that she honestly reports, other than they do not include the equally applicable "mean spirited and nasty."
1
@No
Disagree with Gail? Whaaaa?
@No. With the handle of “no,“ you’re succeeding in holding up your palm and blocking the truth from your ears. This generally doesn’t turn out well, not only for you but also for the rest of us.
I’ve always thought that for a person to have a pet, there had to be a sense of empathy, if for no other reason to serve as a reminder that we are all God’s creatures who happily share our time together in this often fraught world.
It is therefore not even a surprise that Trump appears to disdain dogs. Or, perhaps I’m not giving dogs sufficient credit. Maybe dogs, of all breeds, instinctively know to keep away from him, for fear of their lives. You come across people like that, thankfully not often, but not until now there was never such a person in the Oval Office.
When all is said and done, this is why I find Trump so thoroughly repulsive. There is no room in his psyche for others, human or animal.
10
Whenever Trump either tweets an insult or does so at a rally, it just continues to show the world and the Citizens of the United States
just what a deranged man is in charge of our country.
And even worse the republican Congress remains mute.
At this point, Trump, his Administration and the Republican Congress are the inmates running this country.
And who is going to stop them? Obviously not the National Guard or the military.
I guess the best we can hope for is that the Nuclear Code has been changed and no one told Trump.
14
The more air you give Trump, the more he will inflate. Just ignore him and he will go mad without the attention he craves for.
11
Trump has turned the Presidency into one of those daytime TV shows where fist fights start over who is sleeping with whom, and paternity determinations are all the excitement. Trump is dragging political discourse to ever lower levels. Can Trump even sink lower?
1
Thanks, Gail Collins. You have nailed it regarding why Trump behaves so narcissistically. The man behaves so erratically because of his insecurity and lack of feeling loved and admired.
1
I hope you still have that "message" from DJT, Gail. You can donate it to the anti-Trump library that I'm sure will arise from the ashes of this administration.
It's disturbing that some people are still trying to make Donald's outbursts into something strategic. He is just playing a part and there's some kind of secret plan that just part of this current Art of the Deal. Q is hardly the only manifestation of that phenomenon.
Hope springs eternal. Don't talk about messing with elections because people might come to distrust the process that underpins democracy. Respect the president no matter what he says or does.
Calling people dogs or pigs is not the worst thing Trump does. Asserting that black people are dumb is deplorable but also not at the top of the list.
Fomenting chaos and division may be a tactic in real estate (I doubt it really works), but it is not the recipe for good international relationships nor for good domestic policy. In the larger scheme of things, the president of the USA is not the only force that determines outcomes.
Presidents have much less effect on the economy than is commonly assumed even though they get credit or blame. I suspect that "good" personal relationships with other leaders is also less significant than we may believe. Unfortunately, this is not a reality show scripted by Trump and his cronies.
5
A dog is loyal and friendly and usually tries to please. A dog is also straightforward and sensible. A dog does not lie or insult people. A dog does not discriminate against minorities. A dog does not drive away friends and consort with enemies. A dog is loving and kind.
How does Trump compare?
6
Hey Gail, thanks for mentioning Wharton College. Trump's latest schicht is to claim he went to an Ivy League school. True, Wharton is associated with UPenn, an Ivy League school, but it's not quite the same thing.
I can claim I went to Dartmouth, an Ivy League school--oh right, I did. It must be some kind of super genius stuff.
7
@Pat. I believe it's called Wharton School of Business. I'm not showing off, either. Feel kinda sorry for them....
1
What I get from this article, is that:
1. Donald Trump never actually grew up. In fact, he's still a child—a real one, at age 73.
2. He isn't very smart either, even for a child. As President, he is an *overwhelming* failure.
3. And I personally doubt that he has any money *of his own* at all [think: net worth]. How could he? As far as I know, he's never "honestly" succeeded at anything.
4. Because of all this, Donald has an *overwhelming* inferiority complex, that manifests itself as incessant and unrelenting anger, directed at all who refuse to be his enablers.
The only cure I can see then, is:
1. Either continue offering, “resounding praise to his name," no matter what he says or does [And isn't that *exactly* what Republicans do every day?]
2. Or replace him, by any constitutional means, as soon as possible.
I know what option I would choose...
4
I am tired of the press treatment of the Trump presidency as
an easy target for clever insults, an opportunity to exercise
wit, an endless source of material for comedic bits and cartoons.
The power of the press to help correct the dangerous mistake
we have made in allowing Ryan, McConnell, and Trump to
corrupt canonical law, politicize courts, and re-purpose
federal economic power is being wasted on like responses
to the Trump schoolyard bullying.
Is it possible this has been Trump's (or someone's) plan all
along?
1
Perhaps Congress should revoke Trumps Security Clearance - problem solved. DJM
6
Remember that song 'Whose doggie is that in the Window'?
Well that doggie in the window is Trump and he is barking up the wrong tree. The correct tree for his barking antics is the tree filled with insecurities, falsehoods, tweets, and at the base with the slogan ' You can not handle the Truth'.
If we are not careful, this tree will be a ' Mount Rushmore', oh how not to be a President.
The only proof we need that Trump is nearer to the 70-and-below zone than the 130-plus is his likening people he hates to dogs. Here's a schmendrick who can't even understand that dogs are man's best friend. And woman's best friend. And a child's best friend.
Dogs, however, do not like Trump. Maybe that should be taken into account.
1
My dream come true is one day seeing Trump in prison stripes. And this is not just because it would be justice served. Hard evidence of felonies committed by Trump would finally bring his supporters to whatever senses they have and they would now see Trump for the monster he has always been. Never again would these ex-supporters fall for the utterances of a false prophet.
I really must be dreaming.
1
The other pattern is that this petty name calling is one-way (from the POTUS and not to the POTUS). Lebron James, Maxine Waters, and others have articulated what they don't like about Trump. In return, the exchange collapses into school yard silliness as our commander-in-chief resorts to whining. Lebron James is not dumb. Maxine Waters is not low IQ. Meryl Streep is not overrated. These are accomplished people who have pointed out their critique with Trump's actions. A sharper mind could counter these charges like a tennis player returning a serve. Trump lacks that ability and confidence. Emotionally he is stuck in middle school. When I read the term "President Trump" it simply does not compute.
3
And yet after his stint as a Pres he will be warmly welcomed by bankers and businessmen because fraud begets biggest money and huge success!
1
Forget Trump's tweet attacks. It's just something for him to do when it's too early for Fox and Friends and he can't sleep -- or have sex. Trump's real expertise shines in his command of the Art of the Steal. Like getting bailed out of bankrupt casino deals with junk bonds sold to unknowing investors -- while reaping mammoth tax deductions for himself. Or slashing income taxes on Big Money investors like himself. Or eking out a presidential electoral victory with the help of pervasive Russian propaganda. Let the tweets roll. They all evidence Trump's growing fear that evidence of the collusion and conspiracy that have been the hallmarks of his sorry life will eventually destroy him.
4
Although Trumpists will definitely aggressively disagree with me (and some have indeed done so in my neighborhood), my only reply to his insults or bragging of intelligence is to quote Margaret Thatcher:
"Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't."
'Nuff said.
5
Thanks Gail -
And get with it people of America - we need to stop with the dog insults - they're our best friends!!
Trump should have had one...he has always needed one good friend so he could learn what a friend is.
As I said during the campaign, and has been clear in the Tri-State area for many decades, Donald Trump is the poor student in the back of the classroom who shoots spitballs at the good students and bullies those who work hard and have integrity. Gail is right on about his insecurity. His knowledge base is extremely thin which is why people like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren, John Brennan, etc. threaten him so. He knows he cannot compete intellectually and is far too lazy to take the time to learn, so he attacks, demeans and humiliates while selling himself relentlessly.
It should be no surprise that such a person ran for President, what is still shocking is that the American voter could be so shallow as to allow him to win a single primary, yet alone a major party nomination, or the Electoral College. It gives me no joy in saying that a significant number of his supporters (those not simply in it for the billionaire tax cuts) suffer from the same maladies - this is why they hate the media, intellectuals, "elites", and those that simply read and pay attention. Deep down Trump is them and they are Trump.
9
All very humorous; however, the silence from Republicans is deafening and the money keeps rolling in for his re-election. In Indiana, a state dominated by Republican politics, those running for election are citing their fealty to Trump or they say nothing and by their silence they assent. He has the ability to make Republicans fear him. Sensible Republican is not an oxymoron, but it is becoming one. I appreciate the humor at Trump's expense, but he is laughing and mocking all of us. I am tired of us antics and feel helpless as my calls to various Republican politicians are returned with a letter avoiding my concern. May I say, what a disgrace for honorable members of the military to parade before this buffoon to stroke his ego. Hope his heel doesn't bother him by standing to review the troops.
7
@Hypatia Sadly no GOP seems to be willing to admit that if Trump alone is now the GOP party....it is a party empty of anything but personal greed, dishonesty and absolutely no state or ethical principles. Far better to hitch your political wagon to any star but one that only rebounds upon yourself with personal shame.
Just to set the record straight dreamt doesn’t have exceptionally small hands . In fact his hands are amazingly large for so tiny a man .
I'm starting to miss Stormy Daniels. Like a nice downpour, like a little flurry of snow, like a fun dust devil, she and trump were so easy. That's what we need...a little side track mess. Then we don't have to hear about all the children of asylum seekers being kept from their parents.
7
Boy, would I love to have The Trump on a couch being diagnosed by our nation's top psychiatrists. The man is fast reaching the point of no return, if not already there. Gail, I would have been flabbergasted if he wrote about me what he did about you....back then. Now, however, I would welcome the opportunity. I would give him such an earful as to make his orange-tinted skin turn red, with smoke spewing from his cropped ears. But I digress. Our present reality show, which is all too real, is seriously ominous. He daily becomes more frightfully dictatorial, more unhinged, more irrational in his tweets and actions. Frankly, he scares me. However, that fear would be assuaged if we at the very least had a Congress, specifically our present Republican clown car, which would put our democracy before its own self-service and questionable moral compass. But that is not to be..yet.
It is said not to go down to such a creature's level, to rise above such incivility and indecency which is in Trump's DNA. But he is below our earthly surface, within its dirt and soil. We can never go down to his level with the truth and honesty. We have that on our side, so we should not let him intimidate us in any way. He speaks of dogs? Dogs at least are loving and loyal and certainly man's best friends.
13
We're planning a trip to Disney World, and it suddenly occurred to me that Donald Trump is going to get the last word in the Hall of Presidents. Worse, every other president is going to have to pretend to listen to him. (I know they're Audio-Animatronic, but still...) Have the Disney engineers equipped him with a phone? Is he going to tweet interactively from the stage? Is he going to make derogatory comments about Disney characters? Call Mickey "Little Mickey Big Ears"? Is he going to call Pluto a dog? Will an Audio-Animatronic Sarah Huckleberry Sanders leap to his defense?
What we need is a rogue programmer to go in there and get the other presidents to chant "Lock him up!"
5
I don't think I can take anymore.
After the Nov vote- we must demand
a resignation.
2
I have never seen a wealthy, supposedly successful man who is so utterly insecure with the need to destroy anyone who disagrees with him. Trump is unique.
It’s not the fact that he thinks that he’s right all the time; many wealthy people are always the “smartest guy in the room”. But he cannot tolerate any contrary opinions, let alone disagreement with him, which he perceives as disloyalty. And he has an innate need to destroy people who might criticize him, even constructively.
Take John McCain, by any account a war hero who bravely served his country and now is dying of brain cancer. Apparently casting a vote or two against what Trump wanted and leveling some constructive criticism makes McCain a non-hero and worthy of insult, to the point where his family has told Trump not to come to his funeral. Last week, Trump could not even bring himself to say anything nice about McCain when signing a bill into law that bears his name.
McCain is a perfect example of everything Trump is not and can never be. Trump is a draft dodger who claimed a fake injury to avoid service while McCain was being beaten in a Vietcong POW camp. McCain will have a hero’s funeral, with former presidents and heads of state honoring him. Trump will have Sean Hannity and Alex Jones deliver his eulogy. (Putin surely will not attend.) History will pillory him, both as a businessman and certainly as a president. That fear must be enough to make any man insecure.
12
@Jack Sonville Bet Pence will find something else to do like mow his lawn also.
It is getting hard to find even outrageous humor in Trump, our very own stable genius. Does he know he is channeling Wile E. Coyote?
Trump's calling card is to use elementary school yard bully tactics to get back at people. He calls them names, tells them they can't be in his club, and when he is really displeased, he takes their security clearance and goes home. If he can't win, nobody plays.
And his Presidential life doe seem to be summed by animals. We know he has good mental acuity because he recognized a drawing of a camel. A guy who is hanging in there on a strength of a camel, may as well call every woman who crosses him a dog. Women on his good side are foxes. And he is a very stable genius. But ask yourself - will the new space force be outfitted by Acme Space Products?
2
I am beginning to worry that when I die, I will not have been on Trump's "enemies list."
I think, but don't know for sure, that a few of my activities and magazine subscriptions had me on some list or another in the Nixon era.
But my life will be incomplete if I don't make Trump's list.
Perhaps, if someone is reading, I might call the President a "rabid dog and serial liar" and get added?
3
If anyone ever needed a pet dog, it is Donald Trump: a dog to give him the unconditional adoration and approval he needs and craves, to comfort him when the world is mean to him. For a man whose primary cognitive skill is projection, having a dog would let him project all he wants with nary an argument or contradiction. Please someone, give Donald a dog. Or on second thought, don't...not fair to the dog.
332
Trump would have to pass the adoption screening process required of reputable animal shelters before being allowed the privilege of adopting a dog. Something to consider applying to our presidential candidates in the future?
2
@JudithL green
Please don't go pop-psychology on the fact that Trump doesn't like animals. I dislike animals too, but I'm no Trump.
One thing about Trump that should be discussed is his inability to articulate a definite statement. Orwell said years ago that sloppy language leads to sloppy thinking and sloppy politics. So we have a president whose slogan is "make America great again" ( great in what way?) and said some of the terrorists in Charlottesville were "fine people" (which ones?). By being vague he avoids having to defend his "ideas" in an argument.
1
@JudithL green Not fair, indeed. Caring for a dog is both a moral & emotional responsibility. It requires you to extend yourself to empathize with a living creature. That is precisely what Trump is incapable of.
Sadly, what will be our undoing is our lack of respect for science, education, intellectualism, and expertise. A country cannot survive by revering the "C" student. It is at the heart of both George W and trump's success. They appealled to those who distrust anyone perceived to be superior in any way. The person running a machine, while performing a very important task to his/her company, is not prepared to run the whole company, but listen in to the break room conversation to hear to the lack of respect that is afforded to engineers or upper management. Combine that lack of understanding of the "big picture" with a desire to return to the time when factory workers were truly our middle class and you get a Bush and now a trump. A president who begs you not to think just trust in his "common sense". Scientists, educators, reporters, the list goes on- all have little value to trump or to his voters. Until we recognize the value of expertise and elect people up and down the line that support solutions that are smart, we will flail and ultimately fail. We are on that path.
43
@Adrienne Raymond: This land is populated by children who believe sheer force of will can alter reality.
1
@Adrienne Raymond - I have to defend GWB here even though I didn't vote for him and very much disliked him when he was president. To compare the toddler/masochist in chief to GWB is totally lopsided. At least GWB loved his country and wasn't taken in by Russian operatives as stump and his crime family most certainly have. Even Nixon seems a patriot compared to Donnie-I know big words-stump. No, trump is the antithesis of what it means to be a president, an American, heck...human!
1
Revocation of security clearance for personal and political purposes strikes me as going beyond the scope of presidential discretion. It is an egregious misuse of presidential power, as is the release of a “hit list” of other names under consideration for the same treatment.
We expect little in the way of decency from Donald Trump, but where is the outrage that should be coming from the complicit Congressional leadership, which is allowing the slow but steady erosion of appropriateness to continue.
Americans have a right to be very troubled by Trump’s indecent excesses, and the perversion of his office. With Congressional midterm elections rapidly approaching, Americans of all stripes should take it upon themselves to send an incontrovertibly clear message that Trump’s abuse of office must stop. It is no longer just about Trump, but also about a Congress that is allowing the fundamental principles of American government relentlessly slip away.
63
@Quoth The Raven: "Morons" is the only word I have to describe people who voted for Trump when he did not disclose his tax returns. They failed at basic due diligence.
1
"Let Hercules himself do what he may, The cat will mew, and dog will have his day."
[1600-1 Shakespeare Hamlet v. i. 286]
For all those called dogs by Mr. Trump, just a reminder that they will all gave their day:
https://stuntdog.wordpress.com/2009/02/27/origin-of-the-saying-every-dog...
Note the inscrutable saying of the rabbis: the face of a generation is like the face of a dog.
This has been interpreted as both being positive and negative. It depends on what one thinks about dogs. The rabbis had their pro-dog moments as well as anti-dog moments.
Mr. Trump seems to be totally anti-dog and this is how he sees the "generation" he despises.
17
Trump is a liar, neurotic, corrupt, sleazy, morally bankrupt.
We knew these thing when he was elected.
It's the Republican Congress, a branch of government that was created by our Founding Fathers to keep a check on the president, that is deplorable, and, turns out, full of corrupt, sleazy, morally bankrupt liars.
143
@V
The Founding Fathers had the wrong idea about how to restrain the government. They thought the big conflicts would be between branches of the government ( as was currently the case in England) and based their system of checks and balances on that. They didn't anticipate the rise of political parties and that a Republican Congress would ally with a Republican president.
This isn't the first time I've read that trump is trying to "change the subject". This sounds calculating. But I don't think he's trying to change the subject anymore than my dog is when, in the middle of a scolding, he runs to the window after spotting a squirrel in the back yard. It's spontaneous!
13
Yep, easy pickings. About time The NYT and the Democrats served up serious, policy-based indictments of the most successful demagogue in American history. The threat he poses surely justifies that. And just as important, put the Democrats under pressure to produce policies and a candidate who could claw back white working class support and beat him in 2020. Without this substance the daily expression of a outrage at his excesses is wearing a bit thin.
14
I have a theory that Trump’s downfall will not be his cruel treatment of anyone who opposes. Rather, it will be video of him caught kicking a puppy. I really hope that even he would not get away with doing that.
42
Yesterday, my wife and I attended a production of Hamilton---you cannot walk away from that play without the awful feeling in your stomach of a governing class that has fallen so far from the intellectual and emotional standards of our forefathers. To make matters worse, when I arrived home, I reread Washington's farewell address and then, reread Trump's latest gutter level tweet---what can you say---we are a nation in decline morally and intellectually.
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@ACJ
The degeneration set in early. There were talented southerners in Hamilton's day -- Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and others -- but within a generation the South's obsession with protecting slavery had rotted their brains. There's even a Russia word for this -- oblomovshina .
@ACJ -- even Hamilton's adultery -- the first sex scandal of the nation, had considerable class compared to Trump's.
I appreciate your insights and certainly the mental state, character, and acuity of mind of the person we entrust to run our complex Nation, uphold its higher values, add to a better future for all, and keep us peacefully united is fair game for legitimate journalism.
We need to know, understand, and care about such things.
But the rubs are these:
Most of us that read the NYT are already well aware that Trump is and was unfit for the job.
And many of us also understand that Pence is psychologically no better - and actually more dangerous - just in a less flamboyant, more sugar coated way.
Thus we are between a rock and a hard place in regards to the Executive Branch.
We also realize that Trump's theater - though it does reveal the true unfitness of the person - is designed drama to deflect attention from more tangible damage he is doing structurally to our great Nation. As entertaining as it might be to react to his vile personality it may be wasting our bullets.
Here's our problem: 42% are fine with T/P and/or their actions - impervious to broader issues of logic, facts, truth, and values - immutable in their support. They do VOTE!
T/P's being unfit should be enough for the 58% to VOTE and vote D so at least one Branch shields us from the Executive Branch's pathology. Sadly it may not .
Please intellectual Conservatives be true patriots - think existentially - it's war - vote unselfishly D now - adjust later.
Please natural Ds stop being so LAZY - VOTE!
84
@MegaDucks
The day after the election, I decided that the main reason for the unexpected Trump votes was their hope that he would dismantle Roe vs Wade. If this gets done before 2020, they will have no reason to vote for him again and we will be rid of him.
@Charlesbalpha
Perhaps the 42% will go to 36% - grant that point.
Still we have let about 28% of us - those inclined to regression, intolerance of modernity, etc. - those who have an undercurrent of authoritarianism and/or theocracy in their psyches - those that have fears and prejudices unworthy of today's most powerful Nation - those that don't value the scientific reality of our brother/sisterhood and our union with the environment - rule the day at election time.
My point is the 58% of us that truly value reason, modern enlightenment, fair play, honesty, and less authoritarian ways - as a majority - ought to step up to the plate and take back control from the current GOP that is bent on plutocracy.
It goes beyond Roe v. Wade - if not that something else - and even a mere 36% can win elections if too many of the 58% sit it out.
Why is this the first time we are hearing about this?
Wasn’t this important information in 2015/2016?
Shouldn’t this been something mentioned earlier so that voters could question Trump in this?
2
Gail did mention this incident during the campaign. Were you not paying attention like most voters at the time
@Nycoolbreez
I suspect his die-hard fans would not have cared and, indeed, if known, this information would have elevated his popularity among the misogynistic, semi-literate class.
@Nycoolbreez Hearing about what? That Trump did this to Gail? She wrote about this before the election.
"I'm like a smart person" really means he plays one on TV, not that he is one.
23
@tom
Interesting that he said "I'm like a smart person" -- not that he WAS a smart person. Nobody would have believed that.
@tom
The smartest thing he ever did was to be born into a bunch of money.
During these uncertain times when our country is teetering on the edge of authoritarianism, a Congressional watchDOG is notably missing. Doggone it!
18
Assuming we grant all of these points, and that Trump is a uniquely horrible person, what does this say about the popularity of the left’s policy proposals?
Because let’s face it. He won. He beat what we told ourselves was our most qualified candidate, ever. The people rejected us, and they started rejecting us in 2010, with the rejection stretching from the Federal Senate down to the level of state houses. Russia wasn’t a factor then. Gerrymandering doesn’t impact Senate elections.
And now - despite his awfulness - no Republican can win a primary without his blessing, while our candidates running in swing districts are too afraid to even mention him, while they’re all too ready to run against Pelosi.
Something isn’t right here. How can we be where we are, with him being as bad as he clearly is? I’m willing to give the Russians some credit, but if we don’t examine ourselves and our own liabilities, which are structural and policy oriented versus personal and stylistic in the case of Trump, I think we could be in for another rude awakening.
20
@Trans Cat Mom: Let's not forget, Dems won the popular vote by 3M and lost the EC vote by 77k spread over three states. The R's had been running against HRC for 30 years and it took its toll. Tons of people hate her and don't even know why.
@Trans Cat Mom
You know what happened.
It's as clear as the color of own's skin.
And yes, we are in for a rude awakening.
I fear that if we thought OCT of 2008 was bad, we are due for even worse.
And the sad part of it is the current president is in on it in a huge way.
@Trans Cat Mom
The terrible fact of the matter is that about 40% of the American electorate wants Trump, and that electorate is concentrated in the states that have a lot of electoral college votes per capita.
There is no explanation for Trump's election other than that the people who voted for him did so because they want and identify with the groping, the adulteries, the lying, the frauds, the puerile 5th-grade insults, the blatant ignorance, and of course the racism. These are not "bugs" of Trump, they are the very features.
They did not vote for him on policy -- he has no policy other than self-aggrandizement, and had policy been something they cared about, they certainly could have found some less ugly Republican to espouse it.
People voted for Trump out of vicarious identification with him, racism, and "splodey heads splode."
The rest of us need to see that clearly.
2
I love dogs. You will never have a more loving and faithful companion through life than a well treated dog. Yet it is an insult; it should be a compliment.
8
Since we seem to be in fairy tale land [or maybe just my hope and that I too will awaken] , I harken back to Samuel Arnold's original 1797 lyrics with liberties for a 2018 update -
Too many voters bet on a wall
Causing the country to have a great fall.
Four score Congressmen and so many more
Cannot put America back to where it was before.
Yes, as an Independent, I fear we are too deep into Pottery Barn 'You break it, you bought it.' territory. The Donald is the ultimate poisonous snake oil salesman and I see no knight from any party on a charging steed of any color coming to save this experiment in democracy. He broke it - we own it. QED
10
Gail, I agree wholeheartedly with your characterization of President Trump, but I must respectfully object to your comments about the Wharton School. I’m no fan of my fellow Wharton undergraduate alum, but to characterize him as “just a transfer student into the undergraduate program” who didn’t get the “high-prestige Wharton M.B.A.” belittles the best undergraduate business school in the country; Wharton is currently ranked #1 by US News and has held that spot (or near it) for decades. There are thousands of students who would kill to be “just a transfer student” to Wharton, and while we may be skeptical of the means employed for Trump to gain entry, let’s not tarnish the program for the man who sought entry into it.
12
@S Weiner
I am sure that if a student has a wealthy father willing to give the University a stipend they will allow entry. Need proof?
1
My theory about his entry and time at Wharton is this: if Trump has always cheated, cajoled, threatened, payed off, etc. all of his life to get what he wants, why would it have been any different in college? Let's say he bought his entry into Wharton, that he payed to have his assignments completed. Even instructors can be manipulated. It happens, and we know Trump will pull out all the stops in his pursuit of his goals. Look at him now.
1
@S Weiner -- Trump is Wharton's shame, as everybody on the faculty and all the student body well know.
Yale and Harvard have graduated entitled dunces that went on to damage the country; Wharton is hardly alone in this.
The relevant question is how did Trump get through Wharton? Was he more capable mentally than he is now?
Or did he just cheat, bully and bribe his way through?
Wharton owes us all an answer to this.
1
Another great column, Gail. I must disagree with one thing. You stated that lately, everything seems to start with reality TV. I believe it starts with cinema, specifically Groundhog Day.
3
It is not the insult per se that concerns me but rather that it was so artless and puerile, and he is running the country.
31
Not only did Trump not receive honors or distinction at his graduation, but contrary to his assertion that he graduated at the top of his class, in many interviews over the decades, he actually finished in the bottom third of his class, as a photocopy of the commencement program attests.
https://articles-pennlive-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/articles.pennlive.c...
27
Watching our Republican primary contestants debate was like watching Trump. A fact free, issue free slugfest of personal insults that did nothing to inform the voter. Alas, the comments on social media the next day showed supporters of the candidates appear to live in the same fact free issue free world where glee over insults took precedence over whether either candidate could solve any of today's problems.
61
Regardless, we are still stuck with the insulter-in-chief until January 20, 2021.
42
I have been around a few years myself- since Hoover.I do not envision Trump still in the presidency in Jan, 2021. The man is insufferable, to say the least, and by one way or another he will be out in the street by then.
His mind is failing, his rages are all consuming, we are told, and surely the gods watching over the US will not desert us in our time of need.
Each day brings more pain and suffering brought about by his erratic words and deeds. The man is certifiable and common sense tells me that even his supporters will not be immune to the pain that he can inflict. Rising prices, driven by his crazy tariff policies, will eventually influence their Walmart purchases.
19
@Stephen Kurtz
Not so. He will be gone before that if Robert Mueller and a Democratic Congress have any say.
@Stephen Kurtz January 20, 2021? I fear you are being overly optimistic; I don’t think Trump has any intention of stepping down, ever.
Who will stop him from simply saying “no” when told he needs to leave office? Certainly not Congress, especially the utterly spineless GOP members. Impeachment? 25th Amendment? Neither will happen, not with his Republican sycophants protecting him at all costs. Democrats? Dream on.
Several possible scenarios come to mind, going from bad to catastrophic, but ultimately Trump may simply decide he doesn’t need to leave – and perhaps any complaints, if complaining is still allowed, will go to his rubber-stamp SCOTUS, which will side with him. Anyone remember Marion “Mayor for life” Barry? Welcome to Donald “President for life” Trump. I wish I were kidding.
With a front row seat to watch the rise of America's first Demagogue, we can play an interesting parlor game - trying to figure out Trump's reactions. And that are reactions as opposed to actions, because its clear that he has no original ideas or vision. Instead, he reacts to whatever has happened.
At a high level, one of his clear and present reactions is to undo whatever his predecessor had enacted. An interesting though experiment - would Trump be as single-minded about this if his predecessor had been white? it's clear that his reactions against black were learned from his father based on the long history of housing discrimination. In fact, you can see his reaction to those accusations through his hiring of Ben Carson for HUD.
And now we've learned of his visceral hatred of animals, well really pets. Could he have been bitten as a child? Or perhaps denied a pet by his "sainted mother"? Regardless, this low level reaction is used to inform his bullying tactics.
But let's not forget one of his most used reactions - when backed into a corner, attack someone else. Combine that with his penchant for picking petty fights and I'll be surprised if we don't end up fighting a war or two before he's kicked out (legally or electorally). Besides, we know that he loves heroes and a military parade - and they result from wars, don't they?
65
It's our national tragedy that Chappy is clearly far more intelligent than nearly half our electorate. And it may prove to be our undoing.
205
The "smartest guy in the room" never thinks that way and just goes on finding useful things to do with intelligence. Those who think that way have to react to every challenge from the room and this is not a useful situation for world leaders because it divides their focus between day to day challenges and defending their egos. With President Trump it seems that nearly all of his focus has been centered on the latter over the former.
63
Oh Gail, you are a jewel! I'm 2 months into my trip around the world and I've avoided all contact with the news and our president's scowling face. I'm in Helsinki, and for some reason pulled up the Times and of course I had to read your article. Thank you so much for what you are doing for all of us who wander After 6 weeks in Scandinavia it's going to be hard to return to the US of A, but reading you reminds me of the courageous American Spirit which is ours alone. Keep up the good work!
Roland
211
@Roland Finland is not a Scandinavian country.
Ms. Collins, I enjoy your humor very much but haven't been able to read your column beyond the first sentence or two for the past few weeks: in view of the situation in the US I couldn't take your sarcasm. So thanks for toning it down a bit this week. The homeopathic doses of humor helped digest the implications of latest steps towards totalitarianism.
45
As a Republican in a sense I take a perverse satisfaction in hearing Donald Trump labelling someone a "dog", insulting Justin Trudeau from the relative safety of Air Force One over Indiana, assuring us white supremacists are "good people", or demeaning individuals who have spent a lifetime in service to this country.I take satisfaction in such behavior because it underscores Donald Trump's institutional illegitimacy. He occupies the formal role of president by virtue of winning the Electoral College but the American people have more than two hundred years of experience with presidents and no-one, no-one, would on hearing a list of his behaviors, insults, and ineptitudes would link them to an individual claiming to be President of the United States. One of the most important attributes of the President (with a capital P) is the ability to treat the role as a performance on a political stage. Some people find it hard to imagine that role as filled by anyone but a white man and it is clear having someone else rattles many. But we expect the President to project gravitas, honor, good judgment, intelligence, keen insight, and an ability to learn. Donald Trump is incapable of such performance and is therefore incapable of being President Trump. He confirms this daily. We can dress a donkey in racing livery, give it a fancy name, and set it to run in the Kentucky Derby. But in the end all we will have is a jackass running in circles. And all we have is president (small p) Trump.
796
For what it's worth, two ( forgive me ) thumbs up. Beautifully written.
11
@usa999 It's becoming increasingly common, upon hearing trump spew his nonsense and insults, for my wife and I to look at each other and say with astonishment "and this is the President of the United States!?"
@usa999 You may be "a Republican in a sense" whatever that means. But most Trump supporters these days are without any sense. Anyone with any sense would be screaming and running in terror from the Trump cult of personality.
2
The groups of people Mr. Trump has insulted and bullied is getting so long--soon everyone will be included. Here's a start at the list: the CIA, the FBI, the Justice Department, members of the press, Democrats, Republicans, the disabled, Hispanics, Mexicans, African-Americans, youth, taxpayers, military leaders and rank-and-file, war heroes, economists, leaders of other countries, his lawyer(s), his cabinet appointees and staff who have had to step down, Hollywood actors, sports' teams and athletes, musicians, adult film/playbook stars, TV daytime anchors, newspaper columnists, students, parents, gun victims, teachers and educators, workers ... who have I left out?
225
@Ann -- "who have I left out?" John McCain, who won't be with us much longer. Senator McCain is the one person in the world from who the president should beg forgiveness. McCain's military service to his country and his tenure in the Senate are examples of what defines being an American hero.
The president's continued disrespect and snubbing of Senator McCain is the height of incivility and meanness. And shame on Congressional Republicans who have remained silent while the president disparages McCain's courage. Republicans defend this president but won't defend McCain. That's how low the GOP has gotten.
135
@silver vibes
Agree.
My hope is that when anyone refers to the recently signed Defense Appropriation bill that they will refer to it as "The John McCain Defense Appropriation Bill."
Also hope that president chaos hears that each and every day and that it gives him an upset stomach.
1
@Ann
Ann, you have compiled an excellent list, but I don’t think he’s insulted priests, nuns or rabbis (yet). Oh, hold on...didn’t he say something nasty about the Pope?
Cable-channel commentators, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee-Sanders and many others appear totally baffled when asked, directly or by implication, what to expect next from President Trump.
My guide for such expectations: Imagine the most self-centered, fearful and vengeful person you know confronting all that President Trump now confronts. Imagine how that person might respond to that situation. Multiply that response one-hundredfold. Now you should have a pretty good idea of what President Trump might do next.
91
I usually use the 6-year-old analogy.
That usually covers most of the GOP, as well.
57
@ad rem: The six year olds I know have immeasurably more compassion and good sense than Tp and the GOP.
@Jo Salas—Six year olds generally evidence curiosity, a capacity for moral development, and a desire to learn to read—none of which are evidenced by President Trump.
It says a lot about a person when dogs don’t like them. Dogs are excellent judges of character.
657
@Paulie Amen Paulie. My Aussie's knew who was good or bad immediately.
1
@Paulie: If a person doesn't like a dog, give the dog the benefit of the doubt. If a dog doesn't like a person, believe them implicitly.
2
Calling someone a dog in the current GOP atmosphere is a compliment. I would rather be called a dog than be called a Republican, now that is an insult.
Donald the Mad does not seem to have the vocabulary to even create a decent insult. This from someone a great many of us consider to be the southbound end of a northbound horse.
As we know, decent honorable people simply ignore negative comments from others, it is beneath their dignity to respond, although Truman did make some uncomplimentary comments about a critic of his daughter. His personal insults are the kind his minions of subnormal intellect, and limited vocabulary, with the culture of ten year olds use. But anything more erudite would be beyond their ability to comprehend. So he has to speak in the vernacular of the uneducated, bigoted, denizens of one syllable conversations.
I have had dogs, they were my friend, they liked being called dog. my dogs would have treated tRump like they did fireplugs. They were smarter than most Republicans.
403
@David Underwood Great comment. I agree. Dogs are loving sweet and always a friend. If we could train The Slime to be like a dog perhaps we would have a little hope for our future. I realize that is a pie in the sky dream. The mental picture of your dogs treating tRump like a fire plug is hilarious. The best hope is to make sure we vote all the Republicans out of office Nov. 6th.
VOTE
3
Donald Trump is a fat old white man with a permanent sun burn who has a fox pelt velcroed to his scalp to conceal the fact that he's either bald or balding. This is the guy who refers to women who don't look like Heidi Klum as "dogs"? Come to think of it, he also asserted that Ms. Klum was no longer a "ten." There are many kinds of beauty, and the aesthetic kind- which is mostly subjective- is only one of them. Our feckless leader, on the other hand, wouldn't be able to recognize the beauty of anything that isn't green and doesn't contain the words "federal reserve note." What a truly pathetic excuse for a human being.
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@stu freeman
So curious that he feels entitled to rate the looks of other people when it is clear that he hasn't looked in a mirror himself, lately.
MAYBE a 1 out of 10, if we're being generous?
3
@stu freeman I've been wondering what that was on his head! Thank you.
2
I'd like to know what the president DOES like. His list of enemies, from dogs to critics, is almost longer than the documented list of his fake truths, aka, lies.
We know he likes two scoops. We know he likes to hurt anyone who won't bow down before him.
But dogs? It's funny, but as a lifelong dog lover, I know dogs (indeed most animals) can sense the emotions a human in proximity exhibit.
That's why you should never show your fear to a dog, or show fearful behavior like running away, which is an instant signal for the canine to revel in the chase.
A lot of pundits are saying that Donald Trump's level of fear is through the roof because of the Mueller investigation. Trump even confessed to the Wall Street Journal that his list of enemies all have something to do with the "witch hunt."
So, what would happen if Trump did agree to sit down with Mueller and he showed up with Fido? That's what his pal Putin did with Angela Merkel to throw her off her game.
And perhaps that's the real secret behind Trump's obsequious fawning over Putin--he's either already been "dogged" by the Russian dictator, or knows he will be if he doesn't stay on his short leash.
174
@ChristineMcM - He does LIKE Ivanka.
1
It probably isn’t going to happen but I have a vision of Mr. Trump being carted away from the White House on the roof of a car.
976
@Vanessa Hall
And of course, when asked Mitt's response would be, "No I didn't forget, I remembered."
28
@Vanessa Hall
Thanks for the image and the chuckle. I needed that.
2
@Vanessa Hall What a great comment!
"When he calls someone a “dog,” he’s just reacting to a pathological fear that he’s unlovable. Just as when he calls someone “dumb,” he’s trying to get past the fact that he’s not all that bright."
Gail, you're being too kind. Are sociopaths capable of loving, and do they feel it's loss? Does a narcissist like Trump really compare himself unfavorably with others?
I think Trump believes he is a genius. He gets away with blatant lies and has the most powerful gig in the world, and didn't even have to quit his business or show his tax returns. He got the Republican party scrambling to profess how much they love him. Why should he be afraid of being unlovable?
Stop being such a bleeding heart Gail.
109
Americans, in general, love dogs. Dog videos have overtaken cat videos in popularity. Nearly all the presidents have owned dogs, from Washington to Obama. JFK had 13 dogs while in the White House. Lincoln had a dog named Fido. When the dog was terrified by fireworks the night Lincoln won the election, the soon-to-be president asked neighbor boys to take him, fearing the train ride to Washington DC would frighten the pup too much. He made the boys promise to never scold the dog and to always let him inside when he wanted in. While in the White House, Lincoln had a cat named Dixie. Look at all the famous president's dogs...Fido Lincoln, Falla Roosevelt, Checkers Nixon, He and She Johnson, Millie Bush, Barney Bush, Bo Obama, and a special shout out to Socks the Cat Clinton. As an added bonus, Hoover had two alligators.
Something just doesn't seem right about a president who hates animals.
547
@Linda Due to his high level of insecurity, T-rump hates everything he's afraid of. This includes not only all animals, but also anyone who is more articulate, more intelligent, more likable and respected, and better looking than he is. In other words, pretty much everyone but his "base."
4
@Linda
Which is why it is no concern to him if we destroy the habitat of other living beings. If they have economic value, they can be "farmed." No need for them to live free of human control.
If Trump can't dominate and exploit it, it has no right to exist.
3
@Linda
Can you imagine what "president chaos" would do if he had a dog and the animal did not immediately respond to each and every presidential command?
It would not be pretty.
Perhaps someone could send him a couple of alligators so he could copy President Hoover. trump might even want to pet them. One hopes.
Gail, excellent observation. He is so "unhinged" and insecure we have no idea what he may do.
56
Yes Gail, we know he's rude, insecure, narcisstic, a serial liar, sexual predator........and yet nothing happens to him. Polls show him more popular than when he was elected. He continues to promote his businesses and profit handsomely from holding the office. And nothing happens to him. He's hurting many hundreds of thousands financially with his trade wars and irresponsible rhetoric, but nothing happens to him. We must conclude this country is, in fact, deplorable. We have graphic evidence that our laws are not enforced for the billionaire class, and a large portion of the populace doesn't care or are okay with that. Snarkey depictions of the president's intolerable behavior are not what's needed, none of this is funny anymore.
1148
@JP
Why doesn't anyone ask if Trump has those polls hacked in his favor?
@JP completely agree.
@seeing with open eyes
All of them?
Sorry, you are engaging in wishful thinking. The Trump base is real, and it is scary. Spend a little time with my husband's relations down south and you'll know what I mean.
It's rich . . . the top contender for the title of the most ignorant and intellectually deficient person in political office accusing others of having low IQ. It's completely laughable if this particular title-holder wasn't also the holder of the powers of the presidential office. A commission of 27 highly qualified, trained, and experienced psychiatrists and mental health experts assessed Trump and found him to be of unsound mind and suffering from various mental disorders, to such an extent that they put their concerns in a publication called "The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump" because they felt it was their professional "duty to warn" the public. Moreover, hundreds of mental health professionals nationwide signed a public statement with a similar message. Vote in November to put a political check on this madman before he destroys our democracy and rends us asunder.
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Despite President payback’s nonstop abuse at anyone daring to question his decision making, I keep reading in right wing media that the Democrats are the ones who continue to divide the nation, and are making the US much less harmonious than it used to be.
In between all the abusive tweets and statements, there is obviously no time left for Trump to even remotely seem Presidential, but his cheer squad keep supporting their man in the White House. What will it take for his zombie like supporters to ever admit Trump remains the single biggest impediment to sustainable growth in the US, and a move to a more peaceful planet?
154
You are correct. They never will.
@Barry of Nambucca
Unfortunately it may take an economic crash.
Very damaging to all Americans.
For many in DJT’s cheer squad he is what they see when they look in the mirror - or want to see.
Gail, let's not "bark up the wrong tree" ("arf" or not). Donald Trump is a mentally unsound sociopath with an antisocial personality disorder (narcissism). It's not neuroticism, not "unhinged," not "hysterical," but a mentally unstable, ill man who lacks empathy and can only think of himself. We already are facing a Constitutional crisis aided and abetted by the Republican Party that has allowed his authoritarian, despotic approach to governance to go unchecked in a massive abrogation of their Constitutional oath to serve as a "check and balance" to executive overreach. Trump's narcissism requires that all are loyal to him and not the nation; that he's the best, the brightest (the "stable genius); and that anyone with the temerity to disagree is to be thrown to the dogs. We, as a nation, have never had to deal with a mentally ill. authoritarian personality in the White House and, if we don't confront the "clear and present danger" to our Constitutional democracy soon we may lose it entirely. The attacks on of Justice department, our national intelligence agencies including today' unilateral revocation of former CIA Director John Brennan's security reason for no cause other than political spite, along with unrelenting attacks on the media as "fake news" should be sending shock waves through the political elite and the electorate. So far, the silence of the former is totally inconsistent with any allegiance to our Constitution. We can only hope we make it to November.
257
Isn't he the President ? My oh my!
Gail you are to funny. Please don't point out that I misspelled "too." That might make me angry and then I might revoke the President's twitter account. He would then be compelled to read useful information. He might actually get something done. Oh, that's right. That would involve the acts of reading and thinking. We don't want to load up the President's plate with higher level cognitive thought. That might kill him. Don't go there folks.
51
Bush II ( or is it "to"?) might have been a little dim by presidential standards. Trump is on a whole nother subterranean level.
581
A dog is a male canine. A female canine has a different name.
31
@Jerry in NH
You expected accuracy from Trump?
1
@Jerry in NH This is not true. I know you are trying to make a joke about the less acceptable word for a female dog which is also used as a slur against all women, but your premise is incorrect. My beautiful, female canine is a dog. Gender isn't something she worries about, unlike us silly humans.
1
I love dogs. There are plenty of people I would ditch so I could be around a dog instead.
In fact if someone called me a dog I would take that as a compliment. I've been called worse by better people than trump.
81
Whoever debates DJT in 2020, if he’s not chicken, should bring Fido with them.
1
Take heart, Gail, Trump only insults the best and brightest- the folks who are so smart, so good looking and so well liked that he is truly intimated by them.You are fortunate to be recognized as a powerful ,intelligent woman.Trump's insults only make him a small, mean pathetic person.Unfortunately we are daily insulted by his tweets- a Democratic Congress in November is a must,
294
@Janet Michael
And no one, okay not many people say it, his truly nauseating visage.
I can't stand to look at the man. Not only is his appearance distressing, his behavior which highlights his appearance is embarrassing. If I liked him better, I'd feel sorry for him.
Intelligent people intimidate DJT, hence he thinks by calling them names he will appear smart.
2
@Janet Michael
Can't wait to see the Comic-Con that will be the Trump "Library", if there ever is one: full of his Tweets? Lots of Fake Magazibe covers (like Time's Man of the Year -- but excluding the ones that make fun of him)? Photos of him with Russian mafia bosses? KimJung Un? Other despots? Lots of riding-in-my-golf-cart photos? Books, speeches, and proclamations THAT HE DIDN'T WRITE (thanks, ghost writers, and especially the toxic Steve Miller for,producing these, since you know POTU never wrote any of them. Doubt he can even compose a whole sentence by himself, he is so DUMB.)
1
I'm disappointed that despite my constant criticism -- that started well before the election and continues here and elsewhere -- I have not yet been called a dog by Mr. Trump, nor have I been given a disparaging nickname, nor has my IQ been questioned. Lacking any sort of high level security clearance, I probably won't make that list, either.
At this point, I'd settle for a passing mention on Twitter or an autographed bag of asbestos -- just something worthy of a footnote when this sad chapter of our nation's history is written.
81
Mr. L - Can you really call somebody a builder who declared bankruptcy 6 times and sued thousands of companies to get out of paying his bills, and got bailed out of distressed properties by an inordinate number of wealthy Russian investors (who knows to that end?) He's a con man who alternates charm with bullying - and he's got half of the country as his really huge mark (while he laughs all the way to the golf course - www.trumpgolfcount.com reports Trump has spent 136 days at golf courses this term, spending a total of $74 million of taxpayer money.)
195
...and Mr L, three million is a really big number.
24
amidst all the madness of this administration,
the senseless violence in Afghanistan and Iraq,
and the vile sex abuse scandals in the church,
Ms.Collins ,the best columnist in the ny times
by far,continues to make her devastating points
with wry humor and brilliant writing.I never
miss one of her columns.
129
Donald couldn’t even sustain an amoeba for 15 minutes; he is literally the kiss of death. Look at his examples of destruction: six bankruptcies, Trump university, trump steaks, trump vodka, trump water, the Trump Foundation, two divorces, the emoluments lawsuits, a special counsel investigation, multiple conflict of interest lawsuits and a cabinet steeped in corruption.
But you know what I know he really worries about? Perp walking to the nation’s chants of “lock him up.” Count me in.
217
@Njlatelifemom To his list of things he's destroyed, I would add his children who have had the misfortune to have been influenced by him. Nothing about Ivanka, Don Jr. or Erik is admirable. They behave as though they were born without souls. The greed gene sure is strong.
4
@Njlatelifemom
Two divorces.....thus far.
1
@Njlatelifemom
You forgot the failed football league, the failed Trump airline and, of course, "North Korea is giving up all nuclear capabilities." Guess we won't be seeing the awarding of a Nobel Peace prize any time soon.
2
Remember, Gail, you're judged by the quality of your enemies.
69
Trump is the guy we loved to tease and bait when we were kids because of his neuroticism. Now here he is in the WH and people are afraid of him because of the cognitive propaganda spewing as insults through twitter and of course due to his being president Trump. He is slinging the verbal abuse instead of receiving it.
26
@DENOTE MORDANT No, he was the guy who punched you when you teased him. Ergo military academy when military academy was where you sent problem children.
2
@DENOTE MORDANT
You loved to tease and bait kids like Trump "because of their neuroticism" when you were a kid? That is an astounding admission.
My recollection of childhood is that it was kids like Trump -- the thugs and the bullies, the goons in the hall -- who loved to tease and bait any and all kids in whom they perceived a vulnerability. You know: the physically small, the brainy, the possibly homosexual, the nervous, the disabled.
Trump as bullying victim does not square with my perceptions of him, nor with the memories of his peers from his boyhood in Queens.
3
My comment, Gail Collins style.
Trump obsessively uses the insult, dog because:
A) His parents never told him not to repeat himself.
B) He has a horrible fear of insects and "if you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas".
C) The ASPCA turned down his offer to build them a Trump Tower for homeless animals. This was to be funded by a huuuuge debt issuance guaranteed by Putin himself.
D) No one ever told him he was loyal, cuddly and a best friend.
96
Ms. Collins, though you hardly need this suggestion, I would consider such an insult by DJT to be antithetical. Indeed, I would wear those words like a badge of honour confirming that you are anything but canine and porcine: intelligent, erudite, articulate, witty - in short, everything that DNT is not and never shall be.
433
By now I would consider it the highest compliment to be called a dog by that madman in the White House. Dogs are lovely, faithful and honest creatures. I'd be proud to be one of them.
86
@AMM: Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war. May Cerberus himself bite each of Donald's 3 chins.
2
i am a dog lover who hates to see dogs maligned by Trump. Dogs are loving and faithful companions , definately qualities lacking in Trump. Maybe that’s why he hates them.
Seriously, Trump has met his match with Mueller and Omarosa. He knows he about to be exposed as the fraud he really is.
Omarosa will gradually release excerpts of tapes - a death by a thousand cuts. Mueller will expose the illegal campaign and business dealings that he has engaged in and his next residence might very well be a federal prison.
The Trump Tower of Cards will fall!
153
@KJS: Don't forget about Stormy and Avenatti.
42
If Trump wants to enter the midterms being on record calling women dogs, I say, "Release the hounds.".
305
@Rick Gage Or "cry havoc and release the dogs of war"
3
And to think we were worried about Romney and his Irish Setter on the roof of the car. Small potatoes--or maybe puppies??
85
@Karen And, I had totally forgotten this! Oh, for those lost days of innocence.
2
It could have been worse. He could have spelled it "two."
52
@James Ricciardi ... or "tu", et tu?
We needed these laughs and the week is barely half over.
40
As someone who grew up in NY , Trump never changes. But he has real power now and he is a danger to our country and democracy.
128
Lifelong Dog lover, here. Any alleged human that dislikes Dogs has either been the unfortunate victim of an attack, OR is a Sociopath. Those are the only reasonable options. Chappy was correct, and like most dogs, a great judge of character. He would have greatly enjoyed a vacation with Seamus. But NOT a road trip. Seriously.
50
I start teaching next week and I will have to tell students numerous times this year to be nice and not bully each other. Yet, the president of the US is allowed to bully and taunt without repercussion. Much of the electorate that was on the fence believed that Trump would change in office. But, now that it is more than clear that Trump is essentially evil, the GOP has an obligation to impeach him.
449
@Anthony
The GOP will never impeach Trump on their own so long as they can reduce taxes on the rich and make life miserable for the rest of us.
8
Great writing. Nailed the zeitgeist of the moment.
41
I love my dog.
Dogs are faithful, and enthusiastic, but they need to develop bette hygiene skill sets.
Calling a human being and an associate co worker a horse, or cow or dog is mean.
Mr. Trump is not a sane or nice person, and should be held responsible by our Department of Justice for harassment and intimidation.
38
Revoking Security clearances isn’t going to stop his critics from criticizing him.
145
Today’s Republican Party is an empty husk and Donald Trump is proving that assertion.
His is a useful role for those who believe the GOP needs to be rebuilt from the ground up.
It is unthinkable that he control the Republican Party for 6 more years.
70
Remember all the hubbub when Dan Quayle misspelled "potato?". As VP it was his job to make the President look smart by comparison, but he was mocked mercilessly. (At the DNC convention afterward, the delegate from Idaho twisted the knife particularly cruelly).
Trump can't even spell three-letter words correctly, but in the dumpster fire of his administration, it doesn't even register!
By the way, dogs are great, I would take it as a compliment. Just avoid Mitt Romney's car roof, okay?
61
The problem is that Trump is making points with this stuff, not losing them. And the only antidote is political organization.
Humor is serving that task much more effectively than pure vitriol, these days. It it the only thing keeping the truth front and center, and it does it without exhausting us.
In this backwards world: Thank dog for you!
84
Dear Gail Collins, thank you! It's been a hard day -- shouldn't happen to a dog -- and your wit & wisdom have brightened my happy hour. Keep writing!
59
On Wednesday, Trump "made an example" of John Brennan, just as he did with the terminations of Comey and McCabe, and with the tormenting of Jeff Sessions. The threat is clear: cross me, pay a steep price. Trump's MO is more appropriate for the Mafia than for any political leader.
350
A TV reality showman
As POTUS a con man and snowman,
A mind used to swindling
That’s rapidly dwindling
For us a real menacing omen.
Putinophile enmeshed in Treason,
His ego never out of season,
Detesting non-whites
Abhors civil rights
Tax cuts for the Rich beyond reason!
The calling of Black women names
is one of his more boorish games,
His bleating in tweeting
Is still self defeating,
He pleasures in people he maims.
393
Excellent content contained within great rhyming. One of your best.
4
@Larry Eisenberg One of your best, Larry. Between you, you and Gail keep us (more or less) sane.
3
perfect
Trump insults dogs and all dog owners, because he can.
1
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.
54
@Jack
Humpty Trumpty sat on a Wall.
Humpty Trumpty had a Great Fall.
All the King's Horses
And all the King's Men
Couldn't put Trumpty together Again.
2
Donald Trump is the White Male Spite President who ran on a Birther Liar-Mexican Rapist-Muslims Are Bad-& Grab 'Em By The Pudendum campaign and he's sticking to that campaign formula until his political ship implodes.
He must feed his idiotic masses fresh rascist, sexist, ethnic bullying chum each day to keep them in his excrement-filled political pockets.
How can he go a few hours without publicly destroying the dignity of a human being with questionable pigmentation, gender or ethnic background and expect to maintain the attention span of the mental giants who crowned him as King of the Idiots ?
H L Mencken pilloried the empty words and speech of Warren Harding, saying it "always sounded like a stump speech addressed to the sort of audience that the speaker has been used to all of his life, an audience of small-town yokels, of low political serfs, or morons scarcely able to understand a word of more than two syllables, and wholly unable to pursue a logical idea for more than two centimeters."
"They like phrases which thunder like salvos of artillery. Let that thunder sound, and they take all the rest on trust. If a sentence begins furiously and then peters out into fatuity, they are still satisfied. If a phrase has a punch in it, they do not ask that it also have a meaning."
"What it wants is a simple loud burble of words, a procession of phrases that roar, a series of whoops."
Harding was also one of the most corrupt Presidents in America history.
Trump-Harding 2018
1015
Oh come on, Harding was a terrible president, but at least he didn't cheat on three wives in succession and assume everyone had to tolerate his serial adultery. At least he didn't strive to tear American society to bits, or overthrow democracy with the help of a foreign dictator. Harding was one of the worst presidents, but he was not a traitor, and as low as he was he is far higher than Trump will ever be. If all goes well from here on in, Trump will be the worst president America will ever have.
319
@Socrates
Harding was undone, finally, by the Teapot Dome corruption scandal. Investigation works to bring things to light.
12
@Socrates I don't understand why your comments here so often have the most or nearly most approvals. Do you make them at 3 AM NY time? Do you have assistants who also rise early?
As for your response to today's Gail Collins column -- yet another catalog of Trump folly -- I would suggest that our political pundits stop endlessly cataloging the effects of the Trump election and start dealing with the cause.
We are where we are because the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision made it possible for billionaires to make unlimited anonymous bribes to federal officials. That's bad enough, but the refusal of our free press to discuss it is horrible.
15
One thing I’ve gleaned from history is that a great deal has been accomplished by neurotically insecure men seeking to impose their existence on that history. Trump, of course, possesses no art at concealing his own self-doubt, but it may well be that if we want to move forward we need to avoid secure and confident presidents such as Barack Obama who clearly are so less motivated to win out against resistance, and accept as necessary tools the less placid and serene – but more impactful.
This may have been the most central reason why Hillary lost. The people didn’t want an insipid maintainer, but a builder after so many years of useless, frozen government. Republicans offered up a flawed builder, and all that Democrats offered was that insipid maintainer – with a lot of her own damaging baggage. What should have been, indeed was predicted to be, a Democratic rout in 2016 … turned out to be a bare Republican win. So we got the builder, even with all his flaws; and he’s been very active building, while the losers can only grit teeth at what he’s building and how he’s going about it.
When Trump charged back in the day that Gail had “the face of a pig”, he obviously didn’t realize that pigs are among the most intelligent of animals. But after the barbs Gail has set, I’m waiting to hear what Trump tweets in response – I mean, if you call a women a “pig”, what is left to say about her? That she’s a DUMB pig who gives FREE lap-dances?
Trump calls everyone who …
10
… criticizes him “the dumbest” and “low IQ”, irrespective of gender or complexion: no need to read racism or even chauvinism into it. As to Brennan, Obama always was criticized as not having the sand to punish his adversaries, and therefore wasn’t feared. Trump certainly knows how to punish enemies, but its effectiveness is questionable because he does it so BADLY.
Democrats should focus on finding builders who aren’t perceived as being gibbering berserkers, such as Bernie and Elizabeth Warren. You’d probably have a lot more success. Builders rule, Maintainers drool.
6
@Richard Luettgen
“A flawed builder...”. That’s rich. Republicans offered up someone who failed as often as he succeeded in business, but who managed to convince a national television audience that he was a shrewd, decisive executive who was “like really smart.”
He’s not, clearly. And what does that say about the people who bought what he was selling?
506
@Richard Luettgen What has he built exactly? All he's done is tear stuff down, from the Paris climate change agreement to auto efficiency standards to the Iran nuclear agreement to parts of the Affordable Care Act which led to increased premiums. There's been no new healthcare plan he's built, there's not even been a serious infrastructure bill. The only thing he's "built" (well really the GOP Congress built) is a tax plan whose major benefits go to the rich, and which saddles the rest of the country with debt that it will pay off in the future in the form of reduced Medicare, SS, etc.
483
Will there be a market in a few decades for Trump's actual notes calling people "dogs"? Or will he have committed such horrific crimes against the people of the world that his memorabilia will languish in rural barns unwanted by collectors?
There is, of course, something very wrong with a person who dislikes animals without reason. Thank you, Ms. Collins, for the one story about an animal with whom Trump was forced to co-habit. Chappy deserves a PAC in his name.
As the public outcry swelled about the children separated from their asylum-seeking parents, Trump apparently wanted to burnish his credentials as a grandparent. There are pictures of him with an unnamed young girl who is holding herself at the very end of his arm and hand while they walk across the White House lawn from a helicopter. She is clearly uncomfortable; he clearly has no idea what to talk with her about as they walk. It reminds me so much of the pictures of Saddam Hussein with the young boy at a reception. Children can be forced to be present for photo ops, but their body language is often telling the truth. At least Trump did not try to visit the children separated from their parents and tell them what a good life they are having in the tented camps provided at profit by his cronies.
So much of what Trump does is cause for humor until we remember how it affects real people.
Vote out Trump Republicans on November 6th.
631
Your column this week is especially insightful. There is something profoundly wrong with a Western man who doesn't like dogs. And who views calling someone that as a supreme insult.
What kind of childhood produces this kind of individual?
Of course, dogs are extremely good judges of character. They're able to smell cancer, so all the sulphur, bile and associated toxins resident in He Who Shall Be Unnamed would cause them to give him a wide berth.
53
@Lynda
Your first paragraph brought me to a thought that should horrify us all, "Donald Trump Presidential Library".
1
@Lynda I'm sorry to say that we must vote out ALL Republicans on November 6. The entire party needs to be removed from the game until it can be trusted to honor the rules of the game.
3
Funny column, but easy pickins'. Trump's projections about other peoples' dogness or dumbness are as obvious at the third-grade taunt "I'm rubber and you're glue. Everything you say bounces off me and sticks to you."
What's avoided in this piece, perhaps for the sake of levity, is the vicious side of the Con Man's projections — how he is ruled by his shadow, and the harm his unconscious utterances cause.
Sad (ist).
341
Indeed, snickering at Trump’s childishness is vapid given his viciousness and cruelty and advocacy of extraordinary violence. This is Caligula with nuclear weapons. We pretend that “someone” will control him and prevent war at a tantrum. It is chilling to watch all normal constraints fail. It is outrageous to watch Trump obstruct justice by firing the “police” and Republicans help him. The Trump show will not end well.
4
@Philip S. Wenz Interesting. I read through this column feeling more sadness than levity. I thought Collins was trying to balance the seriousness of the situation with its ridiculousness...