No White House Leaks Like This ... Until Now

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http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/no-white-house-leaks-like-this-until-now

ByJosh MarshallPublishedJanuary 23, 2017, 10:49 PM EDT

We now have a story from The Washington Post ("The first days inside Trump’s White House: Fury, tumult and a reboot&quot to match yesterday's from The Times ("Rocky First Weekend for Trump Troubles Even His Top Aides&quot . They are each a classic type for a major newspaper. Throw your biggest reportorial names at the story, talk to every one and put together an over-arching from-the-inside narrative. They are each fascinating, occasionally comic and in some ways horrifying reads. But there is an underlying, not-made-explicit message to both which is perhaps the most important. We are three days into the administration and the Trump White House leaks not so much like a sieve as a bucket with no bottom.

The Trump White House not only leaks like crazy. It casually leaks the most intimate and humiliating details about the President - hurt feelings, ego injury, childlike behavior, self-destructive rages over tweets, media failure to credit his own grandiosity. We have simply never seen this level of leaking, with this little respect for the President's dignity or reputation, this early.

A few examples. From the Times ...

Mr. Trump grew increasingly angry on Inauguration Day after reading a series of Twitter messages pointing out that the size of his inaugural crowd did not rival that of Mr. Obama’s in 2009. But he spent his Friday night in a whirlwind of celebration and affirmation. When he awoke on Saturday morning, after his first night in the Executive Mansion, the glow was gone, several people close to him said, and the new president was filled anew with a sense of injury.

From The Post ...

Trump has been resentful, even furious, at what he views as the media’s failure to reflect the magnitude of his achievements, and he feels demoralized that the public’s perception of his presidency so far does not necessarily align with his own sense of accomplishment.

[Phoenix61]

1. Why you should never piss off the help

They will get even, and then some. The great part about this is it will piss off Twitler and he'll spend lots and lots of time trying to figure out who leaked this. The help will spend lots and lots of time throwing each other under the bus to avoid his wrath. The more time he's tied up with that, the better for us.

[dalton99a]

8. There is no doubt.

[Canoe52]

13. "Twitler"

[TBA]

28. The strawberry incident comes to mind.

The Cain Mutiny for those who don't recognize the reference:

Quote: Situation quiet; the Captain's been put away for the night.

[narnian60]

33. +1

[Warren DeMontague]

36. Or on the help, as the case may be

[Javaman]

39. As I can attest, I used to be a waiter, never ever piss off the waiter. nt

[DK504]

44. As as Chef, I always try to keep the waiters under control.

I used to let them bitch up a storm so they could vent then go back out on the floor. Do not piss off waiters (or kitchen, we have feeling too.)

[madaboutharry]

2. I predict a revolving door of staff.

Resignations will be a common occurrence. The time and energy spent managing a man who behaves like a child is exhausting. The people around him will burn out. They will start having stress related illnesses, depression, and marital and family problems. Their spouses and family will want them to quit.

The country will suffer.

[regnaD kciN]

23. They'll quit?

I think it will be more like daily occurrences of "You're Fired!"

[Blue_Roses]

27. And their hair will turn gray faster

if it doesn't fall out.

[yankeepants]

49. More likely it will turn orange.

[gratuitous]

45. I think you're correct

I'm sure Giuliani and Christie were disappointed not to be named to Trump's staff, but if they just hang around for a little while, they're sure to cross Trump's famously short, uh, attention span, and they'll be named to some position in the administration. The first round of sycophants, toadies and losers are ridiculously unqualified to serve in government, have no background or experience, and probably don't even know what they're supposed to be doing. They'll be gone like so many farts in a frying pan.

[Raster]

56. as long as Kushner is whispering in tRump's ear...

...Christie will never be anything more than a living, breathing paperweight.

[lunatica]

52. they'll also realize their professional reputations will be in the crapper for years to come

[mopinko]

3. any mention of who ate the strawberries?

[eleny]

6. any day now

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. Good reference...and very very accurate!

[TBA]

29. Ah great minds!

Should have scrolled before I posted.

[ChazInAz]

47. Any day now.

He's going to start rolling around the ball bearings.

[drmeow]

4. Trump creates a distraction

so that the extremists can pass their agenda. While our attention is on what's leaked from the WH about Trump, we aren't paying attention to Congress.

[2naSalit]

5. yup.... squirrel!

[KittyWampus]

7. We are paying attention to Congress but we are the minority.

[Crunchy Frog]

22. .

The President is very much a figurehead - he wields no real power whatsoever. He is apparently chosen by the government, but the qualities he is required to display are not those of leadership but those of finely judged outrage. For this reason the President is always a controversial choice, always an infuriating but fascinating character. His job is not to wield power but to draw attention away from it.

Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

[Mc Mike]

41. My current sig line, too. nt

[Crunchy Frog]

43. I couldn't get it into my sig line,

and pretty sure it's got fewer than 400 characters.

[Mc Mike]

53. I'm not up on the technical aspects of the site,

but the key idea still gets across in your version.

I went for an excerpt without knowing the limit, but had to add how Beeblebrox spent 2 years in the can while prez.

Adams was hilarious, so often.

[elmac]

10. I just watched the Hateful Eight

which kind of reminds me of this administration as they both are like watching a train wreck in slow motion. The movie is much more entertaining though.

[queentonic]

11. Captain Queeg

Trump reminds me of Captain Queeq in the movie "The Caine Mutiny" starring Humphrey Bogart as Queeg. So why doesn't someone give Trump a pair of ball bearings for him to roll around in his hands while he's trying to figure out who stole the strawberries or why the sailor is not in combat gear as his ship runs across its own tow line? What caused the mutiny was a typhoon (crisis) and Queeg choked forcing the crew to take over. That to me is the Trumpster.

[yankeepants]

50. Pretty sure he uses his own ball bearings.

[world wide wally]

12. Can a White House or government employee be legally held to a non disclosure agreement?

[Hekate]

54. Ask Deep Throat

[DeminPennswoods]

14. Nixonian

Nixon was similar, esp at the end when he was often drunk and wandering around the WH at night. The big difference is that Nixon was surrounded by staff extremely loyal to him who didn't leak. Trump is surrounded by two (or more) competing factions who have incentive to leak into to get/retain power.

[regnaD kciN]

24. Also...

...that was at the end of Nixon's presidency, when he knew he was going to be forced from office in disgrace. This is happening at the very beginning of Mad King Donald's presidency, at a time when he should be basking in glory. If he acts this way when things are going relatively well, what will happen when he faces a real crisis?

[DeminPennswoods]

25. Always insecure

Nixon was always insecure. He never got approval/love from his mother like Trump never got from his father.

But it does make wonder what Trump will be like once he really becomes unpopular. For some reason, I just think Trump won't make it through 4 years. I can see him "keeping his campaign promises", then figuring he accomplished his goal and quitting.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

57. Also King Lear. . . . nt

[onetexan]

15. should be interestying to see how the swamp operates

the public will have front row seats for this freak show called trump.

[Chitown Kev]

16. Not sure of how much of this to believe, though.

[MurrayDelph]

17. As I said to Josh on Twitter

The good news: the Trump administration is self-destructive.

The bad news: it's unclear we'll survive until the inevitable flameout.

[Cha]

20. Good Tweet

[pbmus]

18. The man baby Trumpster

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[Cha]

19. blotus has "accomplished" being a self-admitted sexual predator..

can't really get beyond that. What else has he done? Hacked into the White House thanks to the Russians and little wimp lying snitch comey.

Tweeted a bunch of whiny insulting shit to those he was "slighted" by.. Lying his fool head off.

No "accomplishments" there.. it all over shadows every thing. No redeeming nothing. blotus makes sure he hoists himself.

Thank you, 99. BTW.. who's leaking leaking the juicy stuff? Are they going to narrow it down and fire them/him/her?

[Hekate]

55. I'm pretty sure passersby will be able to hear the bellows from the street as he fires ....

...his staff one by one, and moves on to his Cabinet.

I only wish I could be a fly on the wall when he gets some Senators into the Oval Office and tries to fire them. They'll be able to say, "Sorry, Sir, but that is not how it works."

[TeamPooka]

21. I think this backs up my theory that Trump is the GOP's fall guy. They will pass every horrible

piece of legislation the worst of them want to benefit corporations and the rich,
they will kill Social security and Medicare,
sell off gov assets etc
whether by a law or an executive order
all because Trump is so stupid he'll sign anything they put in front of him because they tell him he looks presidential doing it.
Like the first thing he signed.
a career politician who worked his or her way up would not make that his first action because they would understand the optics of raising fees with your first action.
he's too stupid to know not to.

No 'career politician" would be the bull in the China shop
Even Bush backed off his SS
so between the GOP agenda and putin's goals here, we are screwed.
No governor installed on this engine of stupid.

[smirkymonkey]

42. I completely agree with you.

I think this is the plan. This is the only reason they are humoring him now and putting up with his tantrums. Once he has served his purpose, they will put him out to pasture and Pence will step in.

[TeamPooka]

46. yup, point the finger at him and go "it wasn't us!"

[Frogg]

26. President Heat Miser

Found! Tiny handed, climate change denying, narcissist complete with adoring claque!
I'll bet he had a yuuuge turnover of staff back then too!

[mnhtnbb]

30. We can only hope someone leaks something worthwhile--like tax returns.

The rest of this is just crap that we already know from watching his past behavior.

[DFW]

31. I'm sure the media will be only too happy to report the magnitude of his achievements

Now, all he has to do is have some.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

32. It complies with his common mental diagnosis.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/basics/definition/con-20025568

Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultraconfidence lies a fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism.

A narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school or financial affairs. You may be generally unhappy and disappointed when you're not given the special favors or admiration you believe you deserve. Others may not enjoy being around you, and you may find your relationships unfulfilling.

DSM-5 criteria for narcissistic personality disorder include these features:

Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
Expecting to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
Exaggerating your achievements and talents
Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
Believing that you are superior and can only be understood by or associate with equally special people
Requiring constant admiration
Having a sense of entitlement
Expecting special favors and unquestioning compliance with your expectations
Taking advantage of others to get what you want
Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
Being envious of others and believing others envy you
Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner

[annabanana]

34. Clearly the leaks are cries for HELP. .

Insiders must be terrified.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

35. They made their bed. Now they get peed on!

Unfortunately, Trump's pee can splash on all of us now.

[C_U_L8R]

37. The abuser and the abused

I'm sure we'll see a lot more passive-aggressive resistance from insiders. No one likes to suffer a bad boss.

[jmg257]

38. It is amazing...who are all these "senior members" & "senior advisors"who are sources?

Someone is spilling!

"The lack of discipline troubled even senior members of Mr. Trump’s circle, some of whom had urged him not to indulge his simmering resentment at what he saw as unfair news coverage."

"While Mr. Trump was eager to counterattack, several senior advisers urged him to move on and focus on the responsibilities of office during his first full day as president. Instead, Mr. Trump chose to listen to other aides who shared his outrage and desire to punch back"

[justiceischeap]

40. I think Donnie is the biggest con and he doesn't realize how masterfully he's being played

I agree that the GOP sees this as a way to pass horrible legislation and Donnie will be forced to fall upon a sword for it.

He's not only Putin's puppet but the GOP's as well. There are probably only two people actually loyal to him--Kushner and Ivana. And Kushner is questionable.

[TrollBuster9090]

48. And this is only DAY 4!

Buckle up! There are going to be more leaks about the ridiculous behavior of this child-emperor than there were about King George IV.

[asiliveandbreathe]

51. Call it what you want..me - just distraction - consider the layers

of overseers within this maggots cabinets..no one will get away with any non sanctioned leaks..period..

News sites//everywhere..are grasping at straws..'cause they got nothin' to report...

You can't tell me this POS is this clean..someone somewhere has the goods...and Comey is still in the FBI...no integrity ...

[Thekaspervote]

58. Couple of thoughts

I don't believe we the people are looking the ther way! People everywhere are terrified, war with China talk, loss of health care, loss of SS, deportation, loss of women's rights. Many trumplaindiers are now delusional and quiet, knowing they were played.

Yes, for us it's comic relief and keeps him busy being distracted. In the meantime I think we are doing a damn good job of holding the repubs feet to the fire