Michael Schmidt’s interview with Donald Trump in today’s edition of the New York Times is a must read. The impromptu, far ranging, rambling, fictional rant, delivered on the record without the presence of Trump’s handlers, offers readers yet another frightening glimpse into the mind of the madman that lives in the White House.
Trump had a lot to say. The common thread being that there are a lot of good things happening for which he deserves all the credit. The few stumbles along the road were someone else’s fault.
On taxes…”I know more about taxes than the greatest CPA.”
On the big policy issues: “I know more about the big issues than any of the previous president’s.
On serving another four years: “We are going to win another four years for a lot of reasons, most importantly because our country is doing well again and we are being respected again. But another reason that I’m going to win another four years is because newspapers, television, all forms of media will tank if I’m not there because without me their ratings are going down the tubes. Without me the New York Times will indeed not be the failing New York Times, but the failed New York Times. So basically they have to let me win.”
Welcome to the Trump White House. Check you reality at the door.
There was a great deal more. And while Schmidt’s account makes it clear that the president while the president had a number of things that he wanted to get off his chest, number one on that list was the Mueller investigation.
Trump is clearly obsessed with the Mueller investigation. So much so that in the 30 minute sit down Trump tells Schmidt sixteen separate times that there was:”no collusion.” On the subject of firing Mueller, Trump stated emphatically if incorrectly that “I can do anything with the Justice Department that I want.” However has refrained from firing Mueller because: 1.) he believes Mueller will be fair and since there is “no collusion” he expects to be exonerated. and 2.) the Mueller investigation fires up his base and is therefore good for Trump.
Though Trump would have us believe that he is willing to allow the Mueller investigation to proceed, he makes it clear that he continues to blame Attorney General Jeff Sessions for having recused himself and thereby allowing the formation of the Mueller investigation. A systematic rectal exam of the deep recesses of Trump’s world that has the control freak in the White House reeling.
What Trump fails to grasp is that Jeff Sessions’ decisions didn’t cause the Mueller investigation…Donald Trump’s did.
Remember, Trump hired Michael Flynn in spite of being warned off by former President Barak Obama. Trump made Flynn his National Security Advisor. Trump allowed Flynn served in that capacity while being paid to act as a Turkish foreign agent. Flynn spoke to the Russians and lied about it. Sally Yates discovered the lie and forced Trump to fire Flynn. Trump realized Flynn knew things better left unsaid so he pushed James Comey to go easy on Flynn. When Comey refused Trump fired Comey. Comey’s firing led to the appointment of Bob Mueller as Special Counsel. Now Mueller is coming after Trump.
Trump brought in Flynn whose actions brought in Comey whose firing brought in Mueller who is now investigating Trump. Full circle.
Trump denies all of this; referring to the investigation as a “witch hunt.”
Witch hunt aside…Trump has no one to blame for his predicament but himself.
If only he’d listened to Barry.
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