Trump's ill-advised claim that the media are covering his mental fitness like Reagan's

[DonViejo]

By Callum Borchers January 6 at 10:45 AM

President Trump is fond of Ronald Reagan comparisons. As he campaigned on a promise to “Make America Great Again,” Trump cited Reagan's presidency as the last time America was great.

But Trump might have thought twice before tweeting Saturday that the media is “taking out the old Ronald Reagan playbook and screaming mental stability and intelligence.”

Link to tweet

The news media did indeed question Reagan's mental health at times, but such questions were at least somewhat validated by the 40th president's Alzheimer's diagnosis in 1994 and his son's 2011 claim that Reagan displayed symptoms of the disease while in office.

If Trump's aim is to dismiss concerns raised by Michael Wolff's “Fire and Fury” as completely unfounded, then Reagan is not the best historical reference.

Trump's characterization of Reagan coverage isn't quite right. Journalists didn't speculate about Reagan's “stability and intelligence” so much as wonder whether his memory lapses — sometimes apparent in public — could impair his ability to govern.

A New Republic magazine cover in May 1987 asked, directly, “Is Reagan Senile?”

more
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/01/06/trumps-ill-advised-claim-that-the-media-is-covering-his-mental-fitness-like-reagans

[D_Master81]

1. Imagine that...

Trump did something ill-advised, who'd have thought?

[wishstar]

2. No comparison between belligerent, vindictive and malicious Trump and befuddled Reagan

Having a sociopathic ruthless liar with no conscience or scruples in WH is much more dangerous than forgetful Reagan who was at least surrounded by Nancy and competent advisors.