1. Yes, highlighting the “Melanie” tweet seems petty. But wars have been started over misinterpretation/miscalculation of POTUS’s words (Saddam’s invasion of Kuwait, arguably). Literally nobody is vetting let alone proofreading presidential statements. That’s extremely dangerous.
2. Trump, an unhinged, impulsive man who lies routinely and dabbles in conspiracy theories, is aiming to enter a summit with Kim Jong-un with basically no preparation. He often doesn’t listen to advisers. Trump rarely if ever reads briefings. He will likely shoot from the hip.
3. The most informed, erudite presidents need qualified experts around them to guide them away from unforced errors in high-stakes meetings. Trump is neither informed nor erudite. His foreign policy decisions are rapidly becoming more and more consequential (Iran, trade,
Korea).
Korea).
4. It’s insane to have grown used to a president who is so careless with words & official statements that highlighting them seems petty. One mistake, ok. But there is a pattern of reckless indifference toward the truth, facts, words. Precision matters. This isn’t the Apprentice.
5. As Trump gets more and more cornered by the sea of investigations threatening to wash away his presidency, we should expect more impulsive and reckless behavior from a man who is already more reckless and impulsive than any modern American president. A predictable train wreck.
6. So, no, I don’t care that Trump made a minor spelling mistake. I do care that presidential statements are treated as unimportant & disposable & unworthy of even the most basic checks, when foreign governments base their decisions off them. “Melanie” shows that carelessness.
