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Donald Trumps fatal flaw: Of his many defects, Bob Woodward may have identified the worst
Trump's failures come from a deep, dark well of fear and cowardice. He doesn't believe in anything, even himself
LUCIAN K. TRUSCOTT IV
SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 12:00PM (UTC)
(Salon) According to interviews recorded by Bob Woodward for his book, "Rage," Donald Trump was briefed by national security adviser Robert O'Brien on Jan. 28 of this year that the coronavirus "will be the biggest national security threat you face in your presidency," that the virus was five times more deadly than ordinary flu, that it was spread when "you just breathe the air," and that it would soon become a worldwide pandemic. At the moment Trump told Woodward these things, on Feb. 7, the president had one job: Persuade the American people to work together to deal effectively with this threat to their health and well-being.
That would mean, in the coming months, that Trump would have to convince people it was not just in their interest, but necessary for their very survival, to do a whole bunch of stuff they would not want to do. They would have to endure lengthy "lockdowns," when they would essentially be confined to their homes. They would have to take their kids out of school and learn to cope with "remote learning" from home. Many of them would have to close down their businesses or be laid off from their jobs. Sports competitions, from junior high and high school level right on through college and professional sports like baseball and basketball, would be canceled. Concerts would be canceled. Museums and zoos and national parks and public attractions like Disneyland and other amusement parks would close. Restaurants and bars would close. People wouldn't be able to gather in large groups to attend conventions or watch movies or plays or attend their children's graduations, or even in smaller groups for birthdays and dinner parties and weddings. People would be forbidden to visit their elderly relatives in nursing homes. If their family members got sick, they would not be able to visit them in hospitals. If loved ones died, it would not be possible to celebrate their lives in person at funerals. It would become necessary for people to learn how to "socially distance" themselves and even to wear protective masks when they were around others.
But Donald Trump didn't know how to convince others to do things they didn't want to do. All he understood was fear and money. Trump had spent his entire life dealing with people in two ways: He would try to intimidate and frighten them, and if that didn't work, he would buy them off. Two things which you and I probably look at as to be avoided, yes, like a plague meeting with lawyers and accountants Donald Trump did on practically a daily basis. This was the way Trump moved through the world. When he encountered a problem, he would get one of his lawyers to threaten lawsuits or file them, and when the lawsuits failed, he'd ask his accountants to figure out a way to move money that wasn't his for example, money from his supposed charitable foundation so he could buy his way out of trouble with a settlement.
.....(snip).....
Donald Trump had no understanding of what I call the exercise of power in the absence of money. This is power at its most absolute, the power to motivate soldiers to risk their lives in combat, the power to motivate doctors and nurses to risk their lives treating patients with deadly communicable diseases, the power that motivates someone to give his or her life for another. ............(more)
https://www.salon.com/2020/09/12/donald-trumps-fatal-flaw-of-his-many-defects-bob-woodward-may-have-identified-the-worst/
duforsure
(11,885 posts)And feels insecure unless he has it. I think he also thinks by hurting others it gives him more power to demand praise giving him the false impression he's loved.
marmar
(77,066 posts)2naSalit
(86,508 posts)Everything in it all in one walking, talking heap of human flesh.
SWBTATTReg
(22,100 posts)are blaming these traits for trump's failures etc. when in reality, he is a dismal failure, on all fronts, and doesn't know what the f**k he's doing, period (pardon the language). He's incompetent, a moron, an idiot, a bully, and a loudmouth who in reality, doesn't know a damn thing. Period.
eShirl
(18,490 posts)has to resign first tho
paleotn
(17,902 posts)undermine our democracy, and do Putin's work even if we simply let him go. No, he and his spawn must be destroyed. Ruined. Jailed until he dies.
And the Russians need to be dealt with in no uncertain terms as well. I think the next buzzing of a US warship by a Russian jet should elicit a surface to air missile. Publicly..."Sorry, accident. Our condolences to the family. But, with your forces and ours in such close proximity, accidents like this are bound to happen." But the true message will be loud and clear to the Kremlin. Don't ever fucking do it again.
pandr32
(11,574 posts)I agree with you about making ourselves "loud and clear to the Kremlin."
KentuckyWoman
(6,679 posts)"All he understood is fear and money"
crickets
(25,959 posts)Congrats, donnie. You finally are best at something by being the biggest failure the world has ever known.
stopwastingmymoney
(2,041 posts)Was that from the Woodward tapes? I cant keep it all straight lately
LizBeth
(9,952 posts)Even with his own words saying how bad it is.
Roland99
(53,342 posts)UCmeNdc
(9,600 posts)paleotn
(17,902 posts)Very well written.
llmart
(15,536 posts)I still can't understand how he's been able to get away with all his corruption all his life, including these past three and a half years.
Pepsidog
(6,254 posts)calimary
(81,189 posts)An expert diagnosis, for sure.
He is a selfish and utterly soulless individual.