It was not just saying that the late John Dingell was "in hell"

[question everything]

It is the way he referred to the widow and current member of the house: "Debbie Dingell, that's a real beauty."

https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/19/politics/donald-trump-debbie-dingell-john-dingell/index.html

This is the only merit that matters to him. An attractive, blonde woman..

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. That, and also the fact that he felt Debbie Dingell *owed him* her loyalty

just because he'd authorized the kind of honors any president would routinely provide at the death of a long-time, respected Congressman. Everything is a transaction to him. He thought he'd done her a big favor and therefore she owed him something in return. When she voted to impeach she didn't hold up her part of the perceived bargain.

[IcyPeas]

2. in other words...

quid pro quo

this is his way in business, as president. it's so blatant.

[crickets]

3. Got it in one. Everything is a transaction with a price in his mind. Everything. nt

[Grasswire2]

4. the honor isn't even "his"

The honor bestowed on Dingell is the American people's to bestow. He is merely the conduit.

I'm sick of the term "his office" as well. The presidency is not HIS office. It is the people's presidency. He is arguably a squatter, having required foreign interference to take it.

But I would not even accept the term "his office" for Obama. More properly, it would be "the office he holds".