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States. That knowledge tortures Trump.”
As the Washington Post’s Greg Sargent
put it, “It’s a measure of how low we’ve
all sunk that, in trying to explain why the
President of the United States is making a
consequential decision involving an official
state visit, we’re forced to choose between
two competing rationales that have nothing
whatsoever to do with international diplomatic considerations or
our national interest. The official reason for the cancellation is nearly
as saturated in narcissism and megalomania as the ‘less’ flattering
Obama-oriented explanation is.”
Not surprisingly, Trump’s propensity for channelling a medi-
eval child monarch has revived speculation about his mental and
emotional state and fitness for the highest
of offices.
“All narcissists believe they are at the
centre of the universe,” wrote the New York
Times’ Michael Gerson, who, like Frum, is a
former speech-writer for Bush Jr. “But what
happens when a narcissist is actually placed
at the centre of the universe?”
In light of recent developments, it’s worth recalling Republican
Senator Ted Cruz’s barb during the 2106 primary season: “We’re
liable to wake up one morning and Donald, if he were president,
would’ve nuked Denmark.”
Citing public companies, airlines, hospitals and the military as
examples, The Atlantic’s James Fallows wrote that if Trump “were in“If Trump were in virtually
any other position ofresponsibility, action
would already be under
way to remove him.”