I fully appreciate how serious and consequential this development is – not only for their health but also for the presidential election and national security. But, as I remarked to a friend moments ago, this was about as predictable as the sun rising in the east tomorrow.
Trump and his supporters champion political incorrectness as an article of faith. So, in that spirit I say, that his Covid infection is the inevitable result of his imperious arrogance and dangerous ignorance, to say nothing of his juvenile recklessness.
Only this explains the way he persisted in playing down Covid’s deadly impact — even as the death toll of Americans was rising far beyond belief. In fact, it would take the willing suspension of disbelief, which bonds the members of his base, not to damn what he has said throughout this pandemic as genocidal, indeed even suicidal, mockery and indifference. This was certainly the case when a reporter asked him about the death toll nearing 200,000, only to have him deadpan … “it is what it is.”
Nonetheless, I am heartened by the outpouring of well wishes — even from those he has repeatedly smeared not only as his political enemies, but as enemies of the American people.
Which constrains me to note that we all know how Trump would be reacting if the shoe were on the other foot. Because, if Joe and Jill had tested positive, he would be all over TV and social media pronouncing Biden unfit to continue his presidential campaign, let alone serve as president of the United States.
And God help us if he pulls through with relative ease. Because he’ll be over all TV and social media saying, “See, I told you so. This Covid thing is no big deal.” In which case, America can kiss combating this pandemic goodbye … until voters throw him out of office.
This is why nothing demonstrated Biden’s fitness and character to serve quite like the way he reacted to news of Trump’s infection. Specifically, he
- led the nation in wishing the president and first lady a full and speedy recovery;
- ordered his staff to stop running campaign adds that highlight Trump’s lies and incompetence, which have cost so many lives and caused so much hardship; and
- admonished everyone that this is just a “bracing reminder” of the importance of following Covid protocols, including wearing masks, washing hands, and keeping physical distances.
Meanwhile it seems everyone is sending Trump digital pansies as he suffers his rendezvous with Covid-19. But I hope you’ll forgive me for lacing mine with the hashtags: October Surprise and Comeuppance.
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