The POTUS as Sociopath

Trump uses ad hominem (attacking the person instead of their argument) to undermine the press. It's an authoritarian strategy of avoiding accountability and delegitimizing legitimate opposition. https://t.co/D5KJJdSvFu

— Jennifer Mercieca (@jenmercieca) March 20, 2020

Let's take that little colloquy away from the press (who loves more than anything to report on rude responses to reporters) and try to put it in context; because context is interesting.

Here's the whole conversation:

PETER ALEXANDER: What do you say to Americans watching right now who are scared?

TRUMP: I say that you are a terrible reporter. That is what I say. I think you had a nasty question. pic.twitter.com/yw1T2HTnT3

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 20, 2020

Notice Trump immediately takes it personally, rejects what he sees as an assault on himself rather than a question about the power of the "bully pulpit" or the duty of the office of President, and when Alexander follows up, Trump turns belligerent and spiteful.  And don't overlook what a softball question it was:

“What do you say to Americans who are scared?”

POTUS: “I say that you’re a terrible reporter, that’s what I say. I say it’s a very nasty question.”

— Molly McKew (@MollyMcKew) March 20, 2020

A competent, psychologically ordered politician would have welcomed Alexander’s question and handled it like a high hanging curve ball. https://t.co/kVrswcuC7F

— George Conway (@gtconway3d) March 20, 2020

Conway is right; and so is Mercieca.  Alexander was not attacking Trump, but in fact offering him the chance to play "consoler in chief."  Of course, this is the guy who went to a relief center after a hurricane, and tossed rolls of paper towels at people as if he was at a WWE event.  And he's completely incapable of empathy, as he has proven time and again.  Trump is also aware of this failure, and that's why he lashes out at Alexander.  Alexander is trying to give Trump a chance to be a public official and a President; Trump takes it as Alexander pointing out how naked the emperor is.  Trump, in other words, is always aware of his con; he's also always afraid everyone else is aware of it, too.

And if you believe Trump is anything other than this, then you’ve been conned.

— Jennifer Mercieca (@jenmercieca) March 20, 2020

Yeah, pretty much.