By now you probably know I’m not fan of Donald Trump. But honestly, folks, is this the guy we really want running things when there’s a global pandemic? We’re talking about Donald Trump here–a guy more interested in maintaining his dyed hair and unnaturally white smile than the welfare of the half of the country who doesn’t like him.
First of all, Trump is well known for ignoring experts and acting impulsively. People come and go from his revolving door administration and science-based institutions under his rule, like the FDA, are being attacked from within. He has already publicly doubted his own expert’s information based on his personal hunches. Climate change is just a myth and for the first several weeks of this pandemic, so too was COVID-19 – at least according to the president. How might things be different today if the United States had taken this more seriously when it began?
Second, we know Trump is a ruthless, narcissistic leader who openly deals out unapologetic retribution to the disloyal. He recently fired a decorated lieutenant colonel’s brother after his sibling dared to testify in front of the US Congress during the impeachment hearings. We know many others have been treated similarly and it shocks no one that many of the employees that leave his administration are castigated as outright enemies of Trump. Look at how he treated Jeff Sessions just last week when Trump tweeted out a glowing endorsement of his former AG’s senate campaign opponent. Sessions wasn’t out to get Trump when he recused himself from the Russia investigation. He just did what he thought was lawful and appropriate at the time. But Trump demands unwavering fealty and he’ll show no mercy if he doesn’t get it.
Recently, and in the midst of this unfolding crisis when seriousness should have been the top priority, Trump referred to Gov. Jay Inslee as ‘a snake’ after a meeting with the Vice President and others over the COVID-19 response. This at a time when our leaders need to be pulling us together more than ever before. Is it that farfetched to wonder aloud whether he would use his power to delay aid and allow Washington State residents to suffer or die as a way to pay Inslee back for some perceived slight? What about others with whom he has a bone to pick? Trump’s very impeachment was over holding back aid to Ukraine. Why not Washington or California or Michigan?
I’ll be frank: Trump is not the right man for this job. At all. He doesn’t have the right temperament. He’s not willing to work with those who have opposed him and he’s openly and ruthlessly vindictive. If Americans are going to get through the next twelve months of this coronavirus, we’re going to need to pull and work TOGETHER, and Donald Trump hasn’t shown the desire or ability to make that happen. Trump supporter or not, no one could make the argument that this isn’t the most polarizing time in a generation. He’s divided the country and whether it was intentional or not isn’t really important anymore.
Like it or not, we’re stuck with this guy – for now — but I wish we weren’t. And we all need to make sure there’s an election in November. Virus or not.