Amid a Rising Death Toll, Trump Leaves the Grieving to Others

[spanone]

President Trump has led no national mourning for the more than 62,700 Americans who have died from the coronavirus, emphasizing confidence about the future rather than dwelling on the present.

WASHINGTON — One morning this week, President Trump called food sector executives. That afternoon, he met with corporate leaders at the White House. The day before, he paraded small-business owners in the East Room, and the day before that, he showcased executives from retail giants like Walgreens and Walmart in the Rose Garden.

As he presides over the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic collapse, Mr. Trump has hosted or called many people affected by the devastation, including health company executives, sports commissioners, governors, cruise boat company heads, religious leaders, telecommunications executives and foreign heads of state. One category that has yet to make his list: Americans who have lost someone to the pandemic.

As the death toll from the coronavirus over eight weeks surpasses the total American military casualties in eight years of major combat in Vietnam, Mr. Trump has led no national mourning. In his daily news conferences, he makes only perfunctory references to those who have died as he stiffly reads opening remarks, exhibiting more emotion when grieving his lost economic record than his lost constituents.

Empathy has never been considered one of Mr. Trump’s political assets. He views public displays of sadness as weakness and has made a point of stressing resolve, even at the risk of overlooking the deep pain afflicting so much of the country. His favorite words in his televised appearances of recent weeks are “powerful” and “strong.” He talks of “incredible” days ahead without dwelling on the miserable days of now. He plans fireworks while Americans plan funerals.

**paywall**https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/30/us/politics/trump-coronavirus-grieving.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage

[at140]

1. Is Trump grieving for 47 million who will lose jobs?

Coronavirus job losses could total 47 million, unemployment rate may hit 32%, Fed estimates.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/30/coronavirus-job-losses-could-total-47-million-unemployment-rate-of-32percent-fed-says.html

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. The "confidence" is combination act & ignorance. . . . nt

[duforsure]

3. The only grieving trump is doing is...

From watching his company go broke, and how he's going to bankrupt himself out of this mess he has caused, from being so in debt to Putin and others now. trump doesn't have the ability to grieve for others , but he'll tell you he does, lol, as he's done many , many times before.

[Maru Kitteh]

4. and how "his" economy is crashing without immediate hope of revival

and with it, his only hopes for reelection.


Or shall I say, selection.