It is a given that Donald Trump lies brazenly. It is assumed that Trump’s lies are done deliberately to serve his immediate needs. But Robert Mackey provides a recent example that suggests that Trump may be showing alarming signs of memory loss.
AS HE THREATENED to bomb Iran at Saudi Arabia’s behest, President Donald Trump also intensified his battle with objective reality on Sunday, by railing against what he called “The Fake News” media for “saying that I am willing to meet with Iran, ‘No Conditions.’”
Since there is video of Trump saying exactly that in June, and at a news conference last year, there are only two possible explanations here: The president is either suffering an alarming memory loss or flat-out lying.
It is easy to put the blame for aberrant behavior on some sort of cognitive malfunction, as we can see with the NRA and its supporters who are quick to put the blame for mass shootings on mental health problems and shift the attention away from the easy availability of guns.
I have been reluctant to fully accept that Trump may be suffering from some form of cognitive degeneration and is not just a lying, manipulative, narcissist. But it may be time to face that that is a real possibility.
From various comments about Trump’s verbal behaviour as candidate and president compared to his verbal performance 30 years ago, I suspect some cognitive decline.
However in a case like this, narcissism is just as likely a cause. Or it could be a bit of both.
I think the easiest explanation for this particular situation is, first, much like I recall you suggesting yourself, Mano, that he has no actual position when it comes to foreign policy in general, let alone Iran. This leads him to say inconsistent things over time since he’s likely just making it up as he goes and doesn’t care to keep track or remember what he said prior. Then, combine this with his unwillingness to admit to making a mistake (or making contradictory statements) and this is what you get.
I’m not sure it really matters because in either case it is an established pattern that makes him unfit and a danger to the entire world.
The only difference it would make is if someone was willing to do something about it and using an actual diagnosed cognitive decline could make it more straightforward to remove him. But that’s never going to happen.
Hard to distinguish the senility from the bullshit.
Also: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/20/as-a-foreign-reporter-visiting-the-us-i-was-stunned-by-trumps-press-conference
I am relieved at the prospect that he won’t be removed from office (other than by losing the next election.)
If he goes, Mike Pence becomes president, and he’s worse. Trump’s saving grace (feh!) is that he is so inconsistent that he is not so effective at implementing whatever evil policies he talks about. Michael Pence knows what he wants and is competent enough to push it through (especially since the Senate is solidly behind anything awful and the Democrats in the House will bitch and moan but eventually go along with whatever the Republicans insist upon.)
If Mike Pence becomes president, I worry that he will try to outlaw my very existence (he’s indicated that he wants to.) The USA will become unsafe for us LGBT people, and I will seriously consider moving out of the USA if he gets into the presidency.
A fortiori, I do not support efforts to impeach Trump.
Since there is video of Trump saying exactly that in June, and at a news conference last year
Fake news, that was just locker-room talk.
It’s very 1984/Orwellian, isn’t it?
@Allison #5
No doubt that is why presidents choose the most vile understudies possible. In your case it has worked. The threat has cowed you, and for you, rendered Trump untouchable.
The problem is of course not the Citrus Cretin’s lack of higher brain function, but the people who continue to support him and keep him in power. Just imagine how easily a well placed Botulism Burger could knock him out and allow Pence to take over. Clearly the Thugs like the cover he gives their nefarious activities.
I’ve noticed that on some days, Trump seems much more lucid than on other days. This would be consistent with cognitive decline, but does not rule out rampant, malignant narcissism. So I’m going with the “a little bit of both” theory.