Donald Trump is deteriorating before our very eyes

[bathroommonkey76]

Weere you deeply alarmed by President Donald Trump's performance in Arizona on Tuesday night? If so, that is understandable. Trump is getting worse. He rambled and ranted with abandon. He hinted that he will pardon Joe Arpaio. He escalated his attacks on the media, accusing them of misrepresenting his response to the violence in Charlottesville. Yet he also doubled down on his defense of Confederate monuments, claiming that "they" are trying to "take away OUR heritage and OUR history." (Emphasis added.)

All of this appeared to signal a growing contempt for the rule of law and an increasing indifference to the health of our democracy and institutions, and to his own responsibilities and duty to the public to try to calm the antagonisms unleashed in Charlottesville's aftermath. If anything, at this difficult moment of national introspection, Trump conspicuously sought to further inflame those antagonisms. Some reacted with deep panic: Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper labeled the speech "downright scary and disturbing," adding: "I really question his ability to be — his fitness to be — in this office."

But without minimizing the dangers that Trump still poses, it's worth considering Trump's act in a somewhat less alarming light, by comparing it with another, similar performance: Dustin Hoffman's powerful depiction of the public deterioration of legendary political satirist and comedian Lenny Bruce, in the movie "Lenny." And this hints at where this could — could — all end up.

It is true that Trump's performance did energize the crowd at key moments, such as when he hinted that the Arpaio pardon is coming and when he attacked the media ("CNN sucks! CNN sucks!" chanted the crowd). But The Washington Post's Jenna Johnson captures another side of the audience's reaction with this memorable description:

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-trump-presidency-deteriorating-20170824-story.html

[tonyt53]

1. It appears that his later in the day comments align with when his meds are wearing off.

I actually know people like that. Think about it, in those early morning tweets, it is before he takes his "anti-crazy meds. When evening hits, the real donnie comes out to play. Either it is time to up his med dose, or he has gotten to the point where they are no longer going to be effective. Classic early onset dementia that is progressing beyond the "early onset".

[Juliusseizure]

2. Narcissist angle

I like the Lennie comparison.

From the narcissism angle, the rallies are his oxygen supply. He's rejected at every turn and cornered, can't fire Mueller, which makes him lash out at news media who blow up his delusions with facts, and return to his base for reassurance.

I watched closely. He made up the CNN turning off cameras lie in a lull, just to get them enthused again. But it's old material from a liar who's done nothing for his voters and doesn't care.

That crowd members started getting bored and leaving is interesting. Maybe they're figuring out his only concern is his ego.

If his base stops caring, he'll be completely deflated. I don't know what he does then.

[BigmanPigman]

3. I wish he'd disappear before our very eyes.