It wasn’t a good weekend for President Donald J. Trump, a tough guy, who couldn’t take the heat Sunday from Kristen Welker, the host of Meet the Press. It wasn’t any better for U.S. Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth a day earlier at Normandy, as he saw fit to compare the D-Day Normandy landing to European beaches being “stormed” by immigrants.
Trump’s anger over Welker’s tough questions revealed his inability to take on an opposing view with fact-based arguments. Instead, he tried to shut down Welker with bluster and name calling — “you’re either crooked or stupid” — when she asked “where’s the evidence” of a rigged election.
She didn’t back down, pointing out that claims of a stolen 2020 election have been repeatedly discredited. His denial that he promised “no more wars” was undercut by videos that surfaced quickly of him explicitly repeating those words. Trump kept shouting until he angrily gave up, stood up and left the interview — with cameras rolling.
MAGA viewers — if there were any — probably resented Welker for even challenging Trump. But they must have been disappointed that this tough guy was intimidated by a journalist, a female journalist.
The MAGA leader has repeatedly beaten down leaders of his own party, humiliated world leaders, imposed his name and face on government buildings and even passports, and started a war with Iran after bragging about “obliterating” Iran’s nuclear capability despite being told by intelligence professionals that Iran did not pose an imminent nuclear threat.
Welker and NBC may now become major targets for retribution from Trump sycophants at the Department of Justice, the Federal Communications Commission and other agencies.
Many MAGA faithful may believe Trump’s delivered on his promise to put America first. He promised to reduce inflation, protect jobs and strengthen the economy, avoid endless wars, hold criminals accountable, and bring peace and prosperity to America. He hasn’t.
The drama Sunday played out as polls showed nearly two-thirds of voters disapproving of his overall job performance.
Trump’s repeated attacks on the 2020 elections and moves for the federal government to play a role in state-run, mid-term election outcomes has become more troubling with each week that passes. This week is no different. He has named his former personal attorney and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to become the attorney general.
Trump also appointed a housing executive, Bill Pulte, with no intelligence experience and no security clearance, as acting director of national intelligence. Trump said he wants large-scale firings of intelligence professionals. He also wants Pulte to get information about the “rigged election” using the tools of intelligence agencies charged with protecting the nation against foreign threats.
What is different is that when Trump now looks in the mirror he won’t be able to ignore his incredibly weak performance on Sunday’s “Meet the Press.” His MAGA followers shouldn’t ignore it either.
Nor should they ignore the disgraceful and hurtful D-Day remarks from Hegseth. Comparing the landing of U.S. troops and allies in Normandy starting on June 6, 1944, to European beaches being “stormed” by immigrants is shameful. For most people the visit to Normandy and the Normandy American Cemetery is a sacred event. An ignorant secretary of defense must not, cannot take that away.
Carl Gustin is a columnist and retired corporate and government public affairs and public relations executiv