"I'm the President....I can have no conflicts of interest"...

[kentuck]

What the hell is he talking about? Is that like Nixon saying, "it's not illegal if the President does it?"

How do they let him get away with such ridiculous comments?

Of course, he can have conflicts of interest... just like every other President before him could have conflicts of interest.

[ElementaryPenguin]

1. Nixon on steroids.

That's Drumpf. Even more insecure. More thin-skinned. Longer enemies list.

[Angry Dragon]

2. he picks up more enemies every day

[Initech]

5. He's Nixon, self aware.

I think Nixon, for all his flaws, in the end knew what he was doing was wrong and he misled the American people. Donald Trump, on the other hand, not only knows what he is doing is wrong, he just doesn't give a fuck about it. And continues to do it, even after being told he's wrong, repeatedly.

[Adrahil]

3. He's declaring himself Emperor.

He IS the state, therefore any action in his own interest is in the interest of the state.

I just read an essay on Hitler's political tactics. Trump is copying them almost verbatim.

[immoderate]

4. He is very smart. Wharton! Incredible! His mind resolves all the conflicts.

--imm

[Wellstone ruled]

6. Another Steve Bannon quote.

Trump is not capable of understanding what he stepped into. He just makes shit up as he goes along.

[unblock]

7. yes, very nixonian. someone told him conflict of interest laws exempt the president.

i'm not an expert, but i'm willing to believe that this is a correct interpretation of the relevant laws (or lack thereof).

of course, donnie shortcuts the explanation to make it seem as if the conflict of interest doesn't exist; when, in fact, it does exist, it's just not illegal. ought to be, but isn't.

[KittyWampus]

8. It's exactly like Nixon.

[Solly Mack]

9. He is referring to U.S. code Title 18, Section 208 where Congress did exempt Potus and VP

from conflicts of interest laws.

Since the office of President is so powerful, any decision by a President runs the risk of a conflict of interest for the office holder.

The potential for one, anyway.

The exemption was given based on the thinking that the President would do the right thing and divest, if necessary, and would avoid decisions that would favor the office holder personally/financially.

The exemption only works if you can trust the person in office to be honorable and honest.

Trump is neither.

Under the much touted "rule of law" no one is supposed to be above the law, but the exemption all but gives a president the legal right to utilize the office as a cash cow. Nothing prevents it legally. They leave it up to the office holders to police themselves. Congress might could impeach for it, but that's unlikely in a political environment where ones own party would choose to overlook the crimes and abuses of a president. And from everything said already, the GOP would overlook it.

To counter a president from using the office for personal gain financially, you'd have to have a decent , honest person in office, as well as a Congress that actually did its job.

ETA: The emoluments clause does apply to him. But that still depends on how willing Congress is to go after him for any abuse.

[Sherman A1]

10. One might note

that until January 20th at noon eastern time, he is nobody.

[malthaussen]

11. L'etat c'est moi

Except I doubt Mr Trump has any acquaintance with French.

-- Mal

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

12. Not yet, you're not, you filthy cretin.

I know, in days, but not yet!

[Jacob Boehme]

13. Hey, hey... please stop!

You're giving us cretins a bad name associating us with that fucktard Trump.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

14. Perhaps your sort of cretins align with meaning 1, whereas Trump aligns with meaning 2:

Definition of cretin

1 often offensive : one afflicted with cretinism

2 a stupid, vulgar, or insensitive person : clod, lout