Is he sick? Is there some health issue? Is he afraid of getting shot?

[nolabear]

I mean, seriously. Missing visiting the cemeteries in both France and here at home isn’t just thoughtless, it’s bizarre. It’s against his whole patriotic suck up to the military schtick. Just saying he’s a douche doesn’t seem adequate.

I know it’s pure spec, but I can’t help but wonder if he’s either unable to handle any exertion at all or is paranoid about being out in any uncontrolled circumstances. It’s bizarre.

[Eric J in MN]

1. He was probably worried about how his hair would look. NT

NT

[TheBlackAdder]

20. Or fear that his Depends will swell up with the water/humidity. Or Both!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

93. He should fear Tweets and comments on California wildfires! read this O.P:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211420414

[kstewart33]

47. Probably true, but why not wear a hat? nt

[Eric J in MN]

48. He can't wear a baseball cap

...to a solemn ceremony.

Does he ever wear a different type of hat?

[Scarsdale]

58. Just the pointy

white one!!

[thegoose]

81. And he looks ridiculous

A bloated old asshole "millionaire" with a MAGA cap and a phony baloney flag pin. He's as patriotic as a sea slug.

[kstewart33]

85. He could wear a dress hat that goes with a suit/long dress coat. nt

[lunatica]

98. He wears three cans of super stiff hairspray

He could probably headbut a concrete wall and win.

[Mira]

69. It's the sole reason, I fully agree.

He can't handle the anticipated humiliation should it get blown off from being wound around his head and get stuck in the umbrella.
I am completely serious.

[manor321]

2. I think we can reasonably consider that something medical might be wrong

At this point it is not crazy to think something might be wrong. He has no public appearances scheduled today.

[California_Republic]

15. Then wouldn't announcing an illness be wiser than nothing at all?

[manor321]

18. What if it is worse than an illness?

Of course, we have no direct evidence of something serious. But I lived through the Reagan days and we didn't find out everything while he was in office.

[AllyCat]

59. That demonstrates weakness for a lot of people

Even those without narcissism.

[lastlib]

105. Not according to the Chernenko/Andropov (Kremlin) model.....

[PatSeg]

22. Its entirely possible

The guy who used to criticize Hillary and Jeb Bush as "low energy", looks like he is really sluggish these days. Perhaps being bombarded with lots of bad news is draining him.

[California_Republic]

26. Ok maybe "I do what it want" is better than "sick"

In his view

[PatSeg]

34. Petulant child

not getting his way and no rallies to escape to. Though I do think he could be physically ill. With his temperament, eating habits, lack of sleep, and stress, it has to all catch up with him eventually.

[LibDemAlways]

94. He's 72. He's overweight. His diet is poor.

I think the travel is too much for him. All the running around leading up to the election followed by the trip to France probably did hm in. I imagine he's flat on his back snoring away. Just be glad he's out of sight. He'll reappear soon enough.

[Jarqui]

3. Rain is a bad hair day for that squirrel that lives on top of his head ...

[Yonnie3]

82. I have some epoxy cement that will help.

Could someone please tell him about it. Think of the added executive time that would be available to him for TV and twitter.

Nevermind

[rzemanfl]

4. If he is sick, I hope it is slow, painful, disfiguring and incurable. n/t

[C_U_L8R]

5. Afraid of ghosts. The ghosts of patriots.

[nolabear]

39. LOL! I must admit I had that fantasy. The ghosts of World Wars past.

[pandr32]

53. The ghosts of previous presidents and Founding Fathers is mine

A Christmas Carol for tRumpy

[malaise]

6. No

He lost his last shred of credibility last Tuesday so he's pissed

[calimary]

56. Not with the MAGAts and "morans" out there.

Sadly, there probably are plenty of deplorables who’ll continue to support him. Go figure.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

7. Playing Devil's Advocate for a second, you could argue jet lag recovery, except....

...he seems to be happily up and tweeting bullshit this morning. Can't see how much more effort it would take to slap on a suit and stand at attention for a few minutes at Arlington.

[Retrograde]

27. East to West the jet lag works in ones favor, sorta

He leaves France late at night, arrives in DC early in the morning and should still have a few hours to do things before the time change really kicks in. And flying on Air Force One is not like flying coach: it has an actual bedroom and all the modern conveniences so he has no excuse to not stop in at Arlington for a late-morning ceremony before an afternoon nap.

He's just sulking like a 5 year old not getting a new toy.

[Totally Tunsie]

64. Wouldn't it work the other way? Flying west to east, he skips ahead and has less hours

in his day. Flying east to west, he has to relive several hours, making his return day home that much longer and more tiring. It always hits me in that manner, for sure.

There's no way to tell if he's jetlagged - he's always low energy. To think he had the nerve to criticize Hillary. Bozo.

[HipChick]

28. What jet lag? AF1 is fully equipped

with beds etc..Dr with downers and uppers..

[iamateacher]

8. I also thought the same thing

He is not well enough to sit in a car 2 1/2 hours each way (the cemetery in France) and jet lag throws him off further, limiting his ability to be in an uncontrolled situation. People are covering for him.

[AJT]

9. He'll go. He's setting the press up. 45 will cry "fake news:

[Arkansas Granny]

10. I think it's a toss up between doesn't give a shit and couldn't care less.

[LonePirate]

11. His hair and make up would melt in the rain. It's all about vanity for him.

[Nay]

17. But you'd think a large sturdy umbrella would erase that problem. Was it windy that day?

I could see why he might not want that badger on his head to jump up in a breeze -- it's pretty stunning how fugly his 'hair' is and how vain he is about something that obviously styled and glued. Most real men would just shave their heads or something.

[YessirAtsaFact]

33. Wear a nice hat

Keeps the scalp from showing in the wind and lots of men wear hats when it’s cold and rainy

[Nay]

110. I thought about that -- but wouldn't he be expected to take the hat off in respect during

the actual ceremony? So he'd be in the same boat.

[Grasswire2]

12. Depends

That's what I think.

[area51]

13. Low-energy Trump. n/t

[Nay]

19. This is what I wonder. The man can hardly walk half a block without needing a golf cart. Despite

his claim to be the healthiest person in history, he's obviously not.

[Scarsdale]

61. Those racist rallies

energize him. Now, he can not hold any more for a while. All those clowns cheering and chanting made him feel important. Maybe it just struck him that he is truly ugly, compared to France's leader, and Canada's Trudeau. He is old, beat up and not too smart.

[Nay]

111. I think he might have some inchoate feelings that he may not be measuring up, but you can

bet he'll bury those feelings as soon as he can by withdrawing as much as possible from places or events that bring those feelings back. It is not possible, at this late a stage in his life, that he'll actually become introspective and have an "aha" moment that brings about personal change. Nope.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. That's what I've been wondering.

His no-shows are bad for his image and more than almost anything he hates looking bad. So why would he blow off important public appearances, especially those that honor military service? Rain is a really lame excuse and nobody seem to be buying it. If he wanted to piss on Macron's campfire in France, that's one thing; but not showing up at Arlington today just because it's raining seems really peculiar. I can't help thinking something else is going on - a health problem or a for-real mental breakdown more severe than what we see every day? He (or someone on his behalf) is still tweeting but this is weird, even for him.

[nolabear]

41. I'd bet money the books after he's gone will be spectacular.

My spidey sense is tingling like crazy. I could always be wrong, but take it from an old shrink. There’s a big old elephant in this room.

[Vogon_Glory]

74. I'd look for other signs

Is “Mother” Pence roaming the West Wing with a tape measure and color swatches?

Has Melania gone shopping for widow’s weeds?

Stay tuned.

[Codeine]

16. He's just fat and lazy.

There’s really no mystery here.

[NewJeffCT]

21. Because it's actual work

getting out there and trying somehow to look dignified and somber is an impossible task for Trump.

[gratuitous]

23. I don't call him Needy Amin for nothing

In fact, I call him needy for just about everything. There's a big gathering of people, and it's not focused on him and his self-proclaimed greatness; why bother, then? But put on another one of his pep rallies with people yukking it up at his unfunny jokes and chanting "Lock her up!" and he's right where he wants to be.

[GoCubsGo]

32. Just imagine how depressed he'll be when he finds out about Michelle Obama's sold-out book tour.

In stadiums that seat 20,000+ people. The first one at the United Center in Chicago seats over 23,000. That's 20,000 more than what he drew at his idiotic rallies. She's going to draw more people on her book tour than he did to his inauguration. Gird your loins, folks. It's about to get really, really ugly.

[Totally Tunsie]

68. Love, love, love it! YAY, Michelle!

[RockRaven]

24. Maybe Putin ordered him to disrespect these dead American soldiers as a sign of fealty/loyalty

[not mine, saw that on twitter]

[vlyons]

25. I think that he's mentally paralyzed and depressed

Everything that he does seems to backfire. He's complained bitterly of late, that the press always dumps on whatever he says and does. So why bother doing anything any more, except whine and complain through tweets and insults? He's not getting the adulation that he so desparately craves, except when he has a rally. That's only good for a few hours. Then back to the reality of life. It never ever occurs to him to do something for the benefit and well-being of others. It's always about what benefits him and feeds his ego.

I am reminded of a quote I recently found:

"Be ever mindful of the shortcomings of desire’s rewards." -- Kalu Rinpoche

[nolabear]

44. He's always seemed fragile and dependent on adulation.

It is the narcissistic defense. It has to be constantly shored up. The election was a crash, he was vilified in France, he has assholed himself into a corner, Mueller is a genuine threat, and it just looks like they’re all gassed out.

[snort]

66. ♪ Oh Heeee's

Superfragilenarcisisticexpialidouchefest! ♪

[yonder]

77. "assholed himself into a corner". Excellent phrase.

[stopbush]

29. Three words: chronic, explosive diarrhea.

That’s my guess.

[GoCubsGo]

30. It could be that there were some staircases involved.

Aren't there rumors that Spanky is terrified of going up and down stairs? Regardless, he's obviously not well, physically or mentally. The shitbag is a walking time bomb, and it's only a question of what snaps first, his cardiovascular system or his mind. That being said, he's one of the most lazy, vain motherfuckers I have ever seen, and I don't doubt that he's afraid of getting his headbeast wet, and he doesn't want to have to walk more than a few hundred feet.

[lsewpershad]

31. Maybe

He's afraid of the dead, death and dying. Who knows... his mind is too frail, and too dangerous to enter.

[appalachiablue]

52. That's what I thought, some people abhor death and dying or just

won't go to places and affairs that they don't want to, having always got their way on things.

Very strange, unbelievable for a person that age and in that leadership position.

[njhoneybadger]

35. Eventually he won't even leave the White House

" and if your head explodes with dark forebodings too
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
The lunatic is in my head"

[Totally Tunsie]

71. He'll be the modern era Howard Hughes...

living in his bathrobe with his fantasies in his mansion, never to see sunlight again (assuming, of course, that he's not in jail...same situation - living in the "big house," but no cushy bathrobe). Hang on to that soap, Donnie!

[Mr.Bill]

76. He's Howard Hughes

without all the success and profit.

[Wounded Bear]

36. He has no empathy...

None. He probably thinks it's a huge pain in the ass to go visit a bunch of dead folks who can't cheer for him anyway, so why?

Add to that is that he thinks he can control what people think about him. He surrounds himself with people who are beholden to him and won't risk their cushy position in his inner circle by telling him the truth. The truth is, nobody likes him.

Any assumption of a disease or debilitative condition is an excuse IMNSHO.

[nolabear]

46. I agree no empathy but he's all about appearances in some areas.

He wanted a giant parade. He is constantly on about vets. He rails against kneeling. He finds them useful, right up until now. It’s incredibly clumsy, and I think it’s hiding something.

I could, of course, be wrong. It’s strange af though.

[loyalsister]

37. It shouldn't be surprising

I doubt his ego would allow him to exit air Force 1 in any way that reveals bodily weakness.
If we live long enough our bodies get weaker and complicated physical tasks are more difficult. It's an inescapable reality of aging. It's also ridiculous criticism because it would be better for us all if he would admit it and limit his participation in presidential tasks.

[whistler162]

38. Nope, worried about the same fate as his

great aunt

?t=29

[davsand]

40. I have also wondered about his health.

His travel schedule prior to the midterms was fairly heavy. Can't imagine anybody his age NOT being left tired by it. I also think he's demonstrated that not only is he a lazy sod, but he's also very careful not to walk terribly far even when it presents an image of weakness. That is not something his ego would accept unless it was necessary. I seriously wonder about his health.


Laura

[Oneironaut]

42. Imo, he thought the ceremony was a useless triviality.

It did not benefit him in any way. He doesn’t care about this country or it’s veterans, and the rain would have made him uncomfortable. He blew it off because he just plain doesn’t care.

[TeamPooka]

43. Is "mega-asshole" a medical condition?

[Thomas Hurt]

45. I am going with petulant sh#t fit over not getting his Generalissimo Parade.

[0rganism]

49. it's not easy to keep that android running

his coif alone is a miracle of parallel follicle processing

[blugbox]

55. I always picture scenes from Death Becomes Her hahaha... nt

[niyad]

50. cadet bonespurs probably does not want the graphic reminder of what a cowardly piece

of feces he is.

[Siwsan]

51. He doesn't care

He is someone with ZERO family history with the military. I honestly think he considers people who serve(d) to be losers who had no other options.

[smirkymonkey]

54. Paranoia is setting in.

He's losing it.

[BHDem53]

63. "Paranoia strikes deep

In to your life it will creep
It starts when you're afraid
Step out of line the men come and take you away."
Stephen Stills

[BarbD]

57. He needs a rally where he can wear a MAGA hat.

His world is getting smaller. The walls of justice are closing in. He is sulking. I'm guessing that behind closed doors he's stomping his feet. This does not bode well for us in the short term until the Dems are able to hold him accountable, and in the long term until 2020.

[Mendocino]

60. He's probably waiting on which one

rolls him over first ? Ivanka...CONway..Malaria...Bannon...Donny J...Eric...no not Eric, he wouldn't have the guts.

[lastlib]

108. ...Or the smarts...... eom

[caraher]

62. Could it be a problem with "stamina?"

Remember when he knocked Hillary for her alleged lack of "stamina?" He wishes he had half her stamina...

[Brother Buzz]

65. My unscientific observation is he's in the grips of a mental episode

Sigmund Fraud and Carl Jung are drinking beer and discussing it, and frankly, they can't nail it down. They are working on a theory that there are a couple of mental abnormalities competing for attention, but they have no clue where it's going to go.

[knightmaar]

67. Look at Paul Manafort

Knowing that a whole lifetime worth of scamming is coming crashing down around you can ruin a man's health.

[Mira]

70. Found this visual. I'd be scared too if this were my head

[The Blue Flower]

72. I thought his posture was telling

He cannot sit up straight. He has no strength in his spine or the muscles that support it.

[Xolodno]

73. He know's the shit is about to hit the fan....

As long as he maintained control of Congress, he was safe in his mind.

But not only did he lose the House, he lost it on his own strategy. Ryan told him to run on the economy and he didn't. He fired Comey witch brought on the Mueller investigation. And instead of ignoring the investigation, he kept bringing it up and keeping it fresh in everyone's minds. Top that off, the Senate should have been a "Red Wave", one of the few times where the map favored the Presidential Incumbent...instead, barely maintained the status quo.

And his own son may be indicted. He knows he won't get a second term at minimum.

[LiberalBrooke]

75. I think he's just being a spoiled brat.

Refusing to do anything he does not feel like doing.

[HopeAgain]

78. Definately the hair eom

[Politicub]

79. He has seemed more screwed up than normal since the midterms

His body language and tone on Wednesday belied his statements about how the midterms were the greatest-GOP-midterms-in-the-history-of mankind rhetoric.

And it's only gotten worse since then.

Who knows if it's illness or petulance or a little of both?

IMHO, the paranoia is starting to eat at him. The whole house of cards will fall soon, and he knows it.

[Jim__]

80. In France, the drive to the cemetery was about 90 minutes each way.

At his age, 3 hours of driving with a ceremony in between could definitely be difficult. The helicopter ride would have been 30 minutes each way. I wouldn't be surprised if he was seriously concerned about being in public for as long as the drive required.

[thucythucy]

87. I've read that the cemetery was 50 miles from Paris.

Is that not true?

If it is true, how can it take 90 minutes to drive 50 miles in a presidential limousine given priority over all other traffic and a motorcycle escort?

[Jim__]

90. According to NBCNews that's how long the motorcade took.

From NBCNews:

...

White House chief of staff John Kelly and Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made the roughly 50-mile long trip to the cemetery in a small motorcade of vehicles. The drive took about 90 minutes each way. Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel traveled a similar distance by car to a commemorative event in northern France.

...

[thucythucy]

91. Seems weird to me.

I've seen presidential motorcades shoot by at 80 MPH. Sirens blaring, black SUVs barreling down the highway.

Could be Kelly and Dunford don't rate the same level of ultra-VIP treatment that a head of state receives. Even so, three hours to travel 100 miles comes to an average speed of 33 MPH. I do that speed to go shopping. Surely a motorcade can do better.

Not to mention, traveling in a stretch limo for that period is hardly roughing it. Try traveling coast to coast on a Greyhound bus.

[Texin]

83. I posted that same question in another thread.

The idiot never misses a photo-op. He's never missed an opportunity to swing a golf club, sometimes in the rain. So, was it the fact that the ceremonies were taking place in *inhospitable* France? Was it because Macron's taken off the glove, so to speak, about his outrageousness? And similarly of Merkel's jaundiced view of him. He's practically wrapped himself in the flag, but couldn't muster up enough - whatever- to go to a commemoration of those who fought and died in WW1. Just what does give? Has he gotten a rash of threats to his life? He doesn't look ill (or rather, not any worse than he has over the last couple of years), but he's more corpulent than ever. But this is all very peculiar.

[ooky]

95. He lost the midterms is what happened.

Now he is sulking. He is ready to take his football and go home. He has the maturity of a 10 year old.

I hope all the pro-Trump vets take notice he didn't take the time to visit Arlington cemetary. Why they support this piece of human garbage is beyond me.

[doc03]

84. Yes yes and yes

[shanny]

86. He's got "LOSER" tattooed on his forehead and,

like the chickensh!t coward he is, he can't face up to anybody or anything.





Someone might, y'know, laugh.

[Buckeyeblue]

88. I think he has lost interest

Now that the midterms have taken wind out of his sails, I don't think he cares. If this were one of his businesses, he'd quickly declare bankruptcy and move on to the next thing.

There is no doubt he is tired. I think if he could, he'd throw in the towel and had down to Florida for a few months.

But he can't. He has to tend to the business of keeping his family and him out of prison. Then there are those pesky Russians. What does he still owe them? What are they demanding?

He has a lot to do before he can sleep.

[Maru Kitteh]

89. I think he's come completely unhinged - utterly unable to control his emotions

Add in depression and a serious disintegration of executive function and BLAMO. He's a walking, talking clinic on what can go wrong.

[NastyRiffraff]

92. That's what I think

Maybe he had/is having a real meltdown and the staff won't let him out.

I pre-ordered Night of Camp David, which is about a president going nuts. It could be happening. (This is of course speculation.)

[Maru Kitteh]

99. He's gone Howard Hughes in the screening room. nt

[orleans]

96. apparently he has bone spurs

they must've been acting up

[Stuart G]

97. I think he is sick.. Something is wrong.

Arlington is not very far. Is it?
... He could have made a quick trip...
... Showing up would have been a step forward.
... Very short speech honoring the fallen, then back home.
... 45 minutes at the most.. plus it would show that he cared about the Veterans on Veterans Day..

...........I found this on the internet............

"Arlington Cemetery is a 10 min drive from WH. Walter Reed is 15, or helicopter. There are countless military bases, active duty personnel, and their families within an hour or so."

[nolabear]

100. I used to stay at a hotel by Arlington. You can literally see the Capitol in the distance.

If the WH was taller you’d be able to see it too. He could’ve popped over during lunch. And nobody would be propping him up with adulation. He’s getting ripped at every turn. For the first time I think he might not last the term.

[maxsolomon]

101. Decompensating

He probably needs a few days of Fox News to recharge his batteries.

[Kaleva]

102. He needs executive time after traveling.

I believe it was after he returned home from the G7 meeting in Sicily (where Trump rode a golf cart) that he reportedly put the word out that he needed down time to recuperate.

[janterry]

103. just narcissistic acting out

n/t

[lastlib]

104. None of this would explain why he didn't issue a proclamation for Veteran's Day....

Being a douche--a lazy NARCISSISTIC douche--is the only explanation for that.

[nolabear]

106. The fact the staff doesn't fake it more makes me wonder too.

There’s a chaotic nature to this that’s impressive. Now Kelly and Nielsen are going? Damn.

[Doodley]

107. Unfortunately, for Trump, a completely waterproof and windproof hair glue hasn't been invented yet.

[Gothmog]

109. From the Hoarse Whisperer

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Gothmog]

112. Trump has retreated into "a cocoon of bitterness and resentment,"

Link to tweet