We know Donald Trump is driven by revenge. Last week, Trump ominously said "I never forget" while standing next to Michigan’s governor, who did not endorse Trump. A spokesperson for Trump once said his campaign was entirely motivated out of revenge after Obama mocked Trump at the White House Correspondents’ dinner in 2011:
Every critic, every detractor, will have to bow down to President Trump. It’s everyone who’s ever doubted Donald, who ever disagreed, who ever challenged him. It is the ultimate revenge to become the most powerful man in the universe.
Could Donald Trump be so vengeful that 12 years after the “Grouch the Apprentice” character lampooning Donald Trump appeared on Sesame Street, he is seeking to get the last laugh by canceling PBS entirely? In a 2005 episode of Sesame Street, Donald Grump is introduced by a muppet character who exclaims, “Donald Grump happens to have the most trash of any grouch in the world. His name is on every piece of trash in town!”
Throughout the episode, the character of Donald the Grump brags endlessly about being the trashiest person in town and he holds a contest to find his grumpy assistant. He even tries to fire beloved Sesame Street favorite Maria (who was on the show for 44 incredible seasons). She laughs him off and goes back to work. You can see the episode below.
It has been a dream of Republicans to end public broadcasting and there can be little doubt they asked for this to be included in Trump’s budget. But, given how petty, child-like and vengeful Donald Trump has acted throughout his life, you have to ask—did he sign off on this in his proposed budget to exact revenge on PBS for mocking him?