Donald Trump’s character has been criticized for his offensiveness and disregard for rules and norms. He has been rewarded with a $25m payout from Meta for his lawsuit against Facebook for its ban on him after his attempted coup. However, Trump’s actions in the January 29th crash at Reagan National Airport resulted in 67 lives lost.
Trump blamed enemies within his administration and deflected responsibility. He fired the members of the aviation security advisory committee and eliminated the committee entirely. Trump blamed the policy to hire disabled people as air traffic controllers, which was in effect during his previous administration. He also blamed the FAA’s diversity and inclusion hiring plan, which he falsely claimed was responsible for hiring disabled people.
Trump also attacked former transport secretary Pete Buttigieg as “a disaster” and turned to the “great replacement theory” to explain the crash. He blamed Biden for the crash, but Buttigieg argued that Trump should be leading and not lying. Trump’s actions have been criticized for putting safety first, driving down close calls, and growing air traffic control. He has been criticized for firing and suspending key personnel who helped keep the skies safe.
Presidents have the power to act as the emotional and empathetic voice of the nation during tragic events, grieving and consoleing the nation. They can express humility and demonstrate grace, serve as models of stoic behavior, articulate values and uphold standards, and summon the spirit of national unity. Presidents like Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama have all made significant contributions to the nation’s peace, freedom, and way of life.
However, President Trump’s recent actions have devolved into a strutting insult comedian routine, ceding much of his executive power to two crackpot would-be prime ministers – Elon Musk and Project 2025 theocrat Russell Vought. Trump’s White House, supposedly under the tight rein of his disciplining “Ice Maiden,” Susie Wiles, was cut out of Musk’s loop when his minions virtually shut down the government with wildly vindictive orders.
Trump’s lack of compassion for the whole country and his desire for a bended knee and deference have led to a lack of respect for the constitution and the constitution’s emoluments clause. He views Musk partly as the muscle in his protection racket, threatening senators with threats if they don’t pay the protection money in the form of obedient votes.
The tragic accident over the Potomac has exposed Donald Trump’s irredeemable character, as he exploits tragedy to display his self-regard. Trump’s alleged sexual misconduct and fanciful speculations have led to his conviction of 34 felonies and a defamation ruling. His father, Fred Trump, financed his bankruptcies on fanciful speculations, and he made sure his nephew, who suffered from muscular dystrophy, was deprived of the family company’s medical insurance.
Trump’s moral turpitude is seen as his divine right to rule, while conservatives on the US Supreme Court believe his crimes fall under his “official actions” to be granted “absolute immunity.” Hard-pressed working-class voters bought the humbug of his titanic business acumen, believing he would lower their cost of living. However, others dismiss his felonies and grifting on the cynical grounds. PT Barnum, the original expert on humbuggery and suckers, argues that Trump is a fool who believes everything and everyone are humbugs.