Remember this while watching Trump

[Solly Mack]

He's all about the optics. He is all about the ratings.

If a focus group culled through all the criticisms of his response to Hurricane Harvey to date, they could put together a list of "must hit" targets for his visits today.

The list would probably be titled - How to Boost your Ratings - and include such things as hug people, especially children, more especially a child that isn't white. Dress as if you've come to help. Dress in a manner as those around you would be dressed. Wear your brand. Hand out food.

The list would also contain suggestions on what to say.

All we are seeing is the result of people sitting around a table and adjusting Trump's actions today to fit the criticisms of his initial responses. It's about the optics. It's about the ratings. A script was written and directions given. Action!

Even then, Trump can't help but be Trump: "As tough as this was, it's been a wonderful thing." "Have a good time everybody!"

Trump will later tweet about how wonderful he did today. How great he was and that even "Fake News" agrees.

End scene.

[OldHippieChick]

1. The whole time he was talking. He wasn't listening to anyone because

he had no idea how to react. You are correct. He came w/ his script and could ill afford to veer away from it.

[Solly Mack]

3. He was out of his element and it showed.

No real warmth.

[OldHippieChick]

12. I can only imagine how much his face must hurt each nite due to all

his fake expressions. I have actually tried to twist my face the way he does and it tires me out. Ask Alec Baldwin.

[Solly Mack]

13. Never tried. But I imagine that hen's ass he calls a mouth naturally forms itself quite easily.

He can do it because it's his hen's ass.

Other people, well, we have mouths. So...

[RKP5637]

2. Plus all the great photo-ops for him to stroke his ego on Twitter! Look at ME! n/t

[Solly Mack]

4. Yes! All those photos to prove how wonderful he is.

[unblock]

5. He's all about a focus group if it's composed of foxnews viewers only

[Solly Mack]

6. I'm sure his consisted of his children and few other "trusted" aides.

They watched video of Obama to get ideas on how to act like a human.

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. First I don't watch it. Aside from that - of course - he is being "handled"

We know deep inside he couldn't care less. Optics indeed. And many - include many in the media - will fall for it.

[Solly Mack]

8. Sadly, yes. His role playing will be complimented.

[AgadorSparticus]

9. Clearly this is for optics as the Houston redo has taken many of the criticisms

Into consideration. Squinty is wearing more appropriate clothes with a hat that doesn't talk about herself. He is passing out food and actually touched people. Though he tried, shit still came out of his mouth.

It is clear these self absorbed assholes are told what to do to look more human.

[Solly Mack]

10. As I watched I could see a list being checked off of marks hit.

But his mouth, no real control of that without a teleprompter and a clear exit.

[questionseverything]

14. if you watched live

did you see the black guy that told him some people are being denied when they try and sign up for assistance by fema?

I saw it live and the pres said bring them here but then the live feed ended and no reporter is following up on this

if some people are being denied we need to find out why

[Solly Mack]

17. No, I missed that. I was in and out with my dogs.

[MFM008]

11. Wish

The earth would swallow him up.

[Solly Mack]

18. That thought made me smile.

[SammyWinstonJack]

27. +1000000! The earth would spit him back out. Too toxic.

[FSogol]

15. All those flood survivors are lucky disaster struck. They got to meet Trumpy!

"As tough as this was, it's been a wonderful thing." "Have a good time everybody!"

[Solly Mack]

19. He's probably telling himself they don't need as much help as he was being told.

[fierywoman]

25. ... and that he can divert the aid money to building the wall.

[Solly Mack]

32. Yep

[kairos12]

16. The media will get all sloppy and say he is Presidential. He is vile.

[Solly Mack]

20. Some already are and some are calling them on it.

Those praising him have got to be some of the most delusional people ever. To cling to the hope that Trump will one day be anything but Trump is mind boggling.

[Roy Rolling]

21. *sigh*

He is such a terrible actor, and media professionals---more than anyone---know he's a pretender. All of my colleagues who have worked with him agree.

They should revoke his SAG card. He is not pro-union and a disgrace to professional SAG actors everywhere.

[Solly Mack]

23. He'd hate that. I hope it happens. Taking his SAG card away.

[dalton99a]

22. A con man through and through.

[Solly Mack]

24. Yep. Nothing but.

[leftieNanner]

26. Can you imagine ANYTHING in this world

that would cause Trump to weep? Anything that would touch his soul so deeply to bring tears to his eyes? I hadn't thought of this until now. I have seen Obama and Bill Clinton cry. I can imagine Bush II feeling bereft.

Perhaps even the death of someone close to Trump might not go to his heart.

He used the backdrop of the horror in Houston as a photo op, as another opportunity for self-aggrandizement. This is a truly sick man.

[SammyWinstonJack]

28. He doesn't have a soul.

[Solly Mack]

30. I can't think of anything.

[malaise]

29. You need to add that this is the second take for this particuar 'show'

and remind taxpayers of the cost of a return trip to Texas

[Solly Mack]

31. True

[pangaia]

33. Hey, to all of us bitching and moaning to each other day after day

about what a horse's ass fuckwad is, let's spend some of this time out there resisting----- calling, emailing twittering, fb posting,signing, protesting, causing a peaceful rukus...

That's my resistance message for today at 6:37 pm EDT.