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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums'If He's Not in a Fight, He Looks for One.'
If Hes Not in a Fight, He Looks for One.
Trumps Ukraine scandal reflects his lifelong craving for a fresh enemy.
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/09/23/trump-ukraine-scandal-enemy-228152
n July 24, as special counsel Robert Muellers uneven testimony came to a close, Donald Trump clearly was feeling triumphant. He gloated and goaded on Twitter. He stood outside the White House and crowed. Mueller had done horrible and very poorly, the president said on the South Lawn. He called it a great day for me. He was, after all, rid, it seemed, of perhaps his first terms preeminent enemy.
It took him less than 24 hours to flip to the next big fight.
Because on July 25, according to reports, Trump pressured repeatedly the leader of Ukraine to help rustle up potential political ammunition on Joe Biden, the man polls at this point suggest is his most likely opponent in next years election.
That Trump would so quickly in the wake of the Mueller investigation commit a brazen act some critics say represents an egregious and impeachable abuse of power has mystified many observers. How could he have so blithely ignored the lessons of the nearly three-year investigation? But those who know him best say this is merely the latest episode in a lifelong pattern of behavior for the congenitally combative Trump. Hes always been this way. He doesnt stop to reflect. If he wins, he barely basks. If he loses, he doesnt take the time to lie low or lick wounds; he invariably refuses to even admit that he lost. Regardless of the outcomeup, down or somewhere in betweenwhen one tussle is done, Trump reflexively starts to scan the horizon in search of a new skirmish.
If hes not in a fight, he looks for one, former Trump publicist Alan Marcus told me this weekend. He cant stop.
Hes always in an attack mode, former Trump casino executive Jack ODonnell said. Hes always got adversaries.
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Hes more comfortable in an adversarial relationship, ODonnell, the former Trump casino exec, said when we talked on Sunday. So hes thinking about Mueller one moment, and hes thinking about Biden the next.
I asked ODonnell why he thinks Trump is this way.
He told me to call a psychiatrist.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,719 posts)Having things be chaotic means that since he caused the chaos, he's the center of attention. We cannot look away; we're riveted.
It's more complicated than that, but this is it in a nutshell.
CrispyQ
(36,527 posts)nobody pays him any attention. It's going to be PAINFUL for him.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,719 posts)I hope he hurts A LOT.
Demovictory9
(32,475 posts)listening to Trump talk about himself.