As we enter the dark days of democracy's death there are several positive things I can think about Trump's grandiose narcissism that can derail his quest to establish his ruthlessly cruel dictatorship. The obvious one is that some of his plans will fail so egregiously that some of his supporters in Congress will turn against him. Then, by the next election the Democrats may win control of one or both houses of Congress.There's something else that can happen much more rapidly.
This is that he will frequently make himself available to be questioned in person by members of the Washington press corps.
In his feverish juggernaut to undo everything Biden did he's already withdrawn from The World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accords. He eliminated Biden's cap on some prescription drug prices.
These are all things that even some of his supporters don't support. They need to see how he justifies these actions and others. This is where his willingness, even his eagerness, to face reporters comes in.
He's a narcissistic showboater. He loves to be on TV and thinks he so much smarter than anyone that he doesn't think it's possible for a reporter from what he calls "the fake press" to ask a gotcha question that he can't come up with a convincing answer to.
Consider, though, his feeble response to a question from NBC's Peter Alexander:
Alexander asked, “You would agree that it’s never acceptable to assault a police officer?“
Trump answered ”sure."
Alexander followed up: “Among those you pardoned was D.J. Rodriguez. He drove a stun gun into the neck of an officer who was abducted by the mob that day. He later confessed on video to the FBI and pleaded guilty for his crimes. Why does he deserve a pardon?”
Trump said: “Well, I don’t know. Was it a pardon? Because we are looking at commutations and we’re looking at pardons.”
Alexander said that it was a pardon.
Trump responded “OK, well we’ll take a look at everything,”
Then Trump then went off-topic, falsely claiming that murderers in some cities “aren’t charged. But I can say this: Murderers today are not even charged. You have murderers that aren’t charged, all over. You take a look at what’s gone on in Philadelphia. You take a look at what’s gone off in L.A., where people murder people and they don’t get charged.”
Alexander's question was well-crafted because it set Trump up to contradict his vice president. He was also able to say that Rodriguez was pardoned and didn't recieve clemency.
The next time Trump goes before the press hopefully he will be asked how he justifies actions like being one of the few nations not signing the climate accords, which even China and Russia signed along with 194 countries and the EU are a part of. He should be asked how he explains pulling out of WHO, which also has 194 members. He should be asked to summarize what WHO has done and what its role is in public health.
On the subject of health, he should be asked that now that he's undone Biden's prescription cost cutting what he'd say to the millions of seniors that now have to choose between life saving medication and paying the rent.
On deportation, I'd like to see him asked what he would say to young children children terrifed and confused because they, and their parents who are in chains, are being led onto an airplane or vehicles to be deported (below).
What would Trump say if he was asked whether he'd authorize the military using lethal force to stop people trying to cross the border who posed no threat to them? Consider:
Frustrated with a record number of people seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border this spring, President Donald Trump at one point asked in a private meeting with close aides whether the U.S. could shoot migrants below the waist to slow them down. Reference.
If he offered this as an answer the reporter should be prepared to explain that bullets from assault rifles are so powerful that even shots in the legs, let along to the abdomen, are often lethal.
If Trump is still threatening military action against Greenland and Panama reporters can ask how far Trump would go authorizing the military to use their massive firepower against our allies. Both countries have a right to self-defense and the United States would be an aggressor. Trump should be reminded of this if this subject is brought up.
The hits keep coming.
Yesterday Trump pardoned the creator of a Dark Web website serving for charges which included selling narcotics. Trump needs to be asked how he justifies this and what message it sends to other criminals trafficking in narcotics.
Trump realizing that he looks inept with his defensive and ridiculous answers to reporters questions wouldn't be in his nature. This aspect of his narcissism would be good for us. The more he goes before reporters who won't be intimidated by him the better.
Of c0urse it is possible that Trump will revoke the press conference privileges of anyone who poses difficult questions. This is where all the objective media have to act as one. If any of them are denied press privileges they should all engage in a well-publicized boycott. This would leave only a few reporters from Trump-world media in a near-empty room. They would pose softball questions and viewership would go way down.
As long as Trump, who loves conflict with adversaries as long as he convinces himself he always is the winner, the public will have a chance to hear how he rationalizes, justifies, avoids, and goes off on irrelevant tangents, to make his transgressions, some of which go beyond stupid to being downright cruel, look not just great, but glorious. For Trump, it's just no fun unless everyone sees his cruelty.
