A Presidents Credibility - WSJ editorial
If President Trump announces that North Korea launched a missile that landed within 100 miles of Hawaii, would most Americans believe him? Would the rest of the world? Were not sure, which speaks to the damage that Mr. Trump is doing to his Presidency with his seemingly endless stream of exaggerations, evidence-free accusations, implausible denials and other falsehoods.
The latest example is Mr. Trumps refusal to back off his Saturday morning tweet of three weeks ago that he had found out that [Barack] Obama had my wires tapped in Trump Tower just before the victory on Election Day. He has offered no evidence for his claim, and a parade of intelligence officials, senior Republicans and Democrats have since said they have seen no such evidence.
Yet the President clings to his assertion like a drunk to an empty gin bottle, rolling out his press spokesman to make more dubious claims. Sean Spicerwho doesnt deserve this treatmentwas dispatched last week to repeat an assertion by a Fox News commentator that perhaps the Obama Administration had subcontracted the wiretap to British intelligence.
That bungle led to a public denial from the British Government Communications Headquarters, and British news reports said the U.S. apologized. But then the White House claimed there was no apology. For the sake of grasping for any evidence to back up his original tweet, and the sin of pride in not admitting error, Mr. Trump had his spokesman repeat an unchecked TV claim that insulted an ally.
(snip)
FBI director James Comey also took revenge on Monday by joining the queue of those saying the bureau has no evidence to back up the wiretap tweet. Mr. Comey even took the unusual step of confirming that the FBI is investigating ties between the Trump election campaign and Russia.
All of this continues the pattern from the campaign that Mr. Trump is his own worst political enemy. He survived his many false claims as a candidate because his core supporters treated it as mere hyperbole... But now hes President, and he needs support beyond the Breitbart cheering section that will excuse anything. As he is learning with the health-care bill, Mr. Trump needs partners in his own party to pass his agenda. He also needs friends abroad who are willing to trust him when he asks for support, not least in a crisis.
(snip)
Two months into his Presidency, Gallup has Mr. Trumps approval rating at 39%. No doubt Mr. Trump considers that fake news, but if he doesnt show more respect for the truth most Americans may conclude hes a fake President.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-presidents-credibility-1490138920
ffr
(22,671 posts)K&R
ginnyinWI
(17,276 posts)it's getting pretty apparent to everyone that this administration is rotting from the head down.
I guess we can be glad, in a way, that they are so very politically inept.
Jonny Appleseed
(960 posts)not a single bit
From the generals, to the pilots flying the bombers.