Donald Trump is at his most dysfunctional right now, which is saying quite a bit. He couldn’t even show up at a WWI memorial ceremony, lying that his helicopter was “grounded” and he was stopped by rain, while other world leaders effortlessly gathered together in sunshine and intermittent drizzle. Then he showed up two hours late to a major diplomatic dinner thrown by President Macron and was photographed hugging himself, which is his tell that he’s freaked out. So, what’s going on? American writer Greg Olear has a hypothesis.
While the famous Trump baby blimp flies aloft the Place de la Republique, Trump is going to meet with the man who holds his future in his hands, Vladimir Putin. Bear in mind that both Putin and Trump know what Putin has over Trump — and maybe Robert Mueller knows. We’re going to find that out in due time.
McConnell and Murdoch were photographed entering the building where McConnell’s office is a few nights ago. And Fox News did go radio silent on Twitter. Who knows what that’s about, but it certainly invites interesting speculation.
Throwing Sessions into the street so precipitously and elevating con man Matthew Whitaker to run the Department of Justice was not a good idea. Trump realized how egregious his faux pas was and began walking the decision back immediately.
Now, Trump is in Paris and clearly showing signs of major meltdown. CNN has reported that he is in “a sour mood” and “tense.” The photographs taken with Trump and Macron either show a smiling Macron and a slumped over, visibly miserable Trump, or Macron clearly trying to make the best of it, like you or I might take the arm of a doddering relative on the verge of a breakdown, hoping to humor him.
Trump shook hands briefly with the man who pwns him, Putin, at the ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe. Notice how Trump gives a smile which is out of character for him. His usual grimace is a dominant sneer. Not in this case. This is the beaming tale wag that the beta dog gives when the alpha arrives on the scene. This is Donald being friendly and deferential to the man who can crush him like a gnat.
Trump will meet with Putin and it won’t be like the cozy two hours in Helsinki without Pompeo or Bolton or anybody accountable to the American government present. Or, maybe Trump can sneak away for a private rendevous, who knows? This entire house of cards might be in the process of collapsing. It’s a cinch that Donald Trump is, just take a look.