Remember that stupid thing Donald Trump did? Hard as it is to pick, here are the top 10 – Salon
We'retentatively starting to emerge from the four year-long national nightmare of Donald Trump's presidency, but the reckoning of what the nation endured will take years to really understand. Trump was terrible in so many ways that it's hard to catalog them all: His sociopathic lack of regard for others. His towering narcissism. His utter ease with lying. His cruelty and sadism. The glee he took in cheating and stomping on anything good and decent. His misogyny and racism. His love of encouraging violence,only equaled by his personal cowardice.
But of all the repulsive character traits in a man so wholly lacking inany redeemable qualities, perhaps the most perplexing to his opponents was Trump's incredible stupidity. On one hand, it was maddening that a man so painfully dumb, a man who clearly could barely read even on those rare occasions when he deigned towear glasses still had the low cunning necessary to take over the Republican Party and then the White House.
Onthe other hand, it was the one aspect of Trump's personality that kept hope alive. Surely a man so stupid, his opponents believed,will one day blunder so badly he can't be saved, even by his mostpowerful sycophants. That has proved to be the case as Trump fumbles his way through a failed coup, unable and unwilling to see that stealing the election from Joe Biden is a lost cause.
Trump's unparalleled idiocy gave us a few laughs along the way, which wesorely needed in those troubled times. With that in mind, here's a list of the 10most jaw-droppingly stupid moments of Trump's White House tenure.
1) That time Trump suggested injecting household cleaners into people's lungs to cure them of the coronavirus. Even for connoisseurs of Trumpian idiocy, it was a shocker when, after hearing that bleach and Lysol can kill the coronavirus on surfaces, got behind the podium in the White House briefing room and declared, "I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute, one minute. ... Is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside, or almost a cleaning, because, you see, it gets in the lungs, and it does a tremendous number on the lungs?"
He then pointed at his head, and said, "I'm, like, a person who has a good you-know-what."
The situation was only made worse because this nitwit said this during the daily coronavirus "press briefing," during that surreal periodof the spring andearly summer in which he held forth daily, often for hours, presenting himself as not just a leader but an expert. Never has a man believed he knew so much while knowing so little.
2) That timehe looked at a solareclipse without eye protection after everyone was repeatedly told not to look at the eclipse without eye protection.
It was at this moment that I realized that Trump voters must like it that he's an stone cold idiot, if only because they enjoy the wayit triggers the liberals.
3) That time he couldn't admit he was wrong when he tweeted that Hurricane Dorian was going to hit Alabama, and so he drew on a weather map with a Sharpie to make it seem like he was right.
Again, what really elevates some of the best dumbass-Trump moments is when his stupidity combines with his massive ego to create a dunderhead singularity.
4) That timehe threw paper towels at people in Puerto Ricowho had just endured Hurricane Maria.
Trump's ego plus Trump's stupidity is just sublime. But when his stupidity combined with racism, the effect was often more chilling than funny.
5) That time he asked members of the National Security Council if they could nuke hurricanes rather than letting them hit the U.S.
Hurricanes drew out Trump's fatuousness like a good cheese draws out the notes in fine wine.
6) That time Trump was told to talk about Frederick Douglass at a Black History Month event, clearly had no idea who that was, and while trying to bullshit his way through the talk, implied that Douglass was still alive.
"Douglass is an example of somebody who's done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more, I notice," Trump said, using the same strategy that a sixth-grader who hasn't read the book might employto bluffthrough a bookreport. There was a piece of paper in front of Trump that likely had more information about the author and abolitionist who was bornenslaved and died in 1895 as one of the most famous Americans, but Trump, as ever too vain to wear his glasses in public, probably couldn't read it.
7) That time he suggested that his much-desired border wall could just maybe be buttressed with alligator moats.
This one was fondly remembered by the Salon staff as an iconic example of the wayTrump's racism amplifies his imbecility in an almost exponential fashion.
8) That timehe asked Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau, "Didn't you guys burn down the White House?"
At this point one almost wants to give him half-credit for remembering that the White House wasburned down at one point by the British in the War of 1812. But then one remembers that Trump has declared himself the protector and savior of American history, so much so that he's created the "1776 Commission" in a supposed effortto preserve what he considers the proper teaching of history. All he means by that, of course, is teaching kids that the blatant racism of the past was noble and just, and not so much actual facts, let aloneactual history.
9) That time Trump "liked" a tweet praising Rihanna.
This is a deep cut, but a personal favorite of mine, mostly because Ashley Feinberg at Slate did a detailed explorationofthis topic and demonstrated it was almost certainly the result of stupidity, horninessand Trump's short and stubby fingers. It started when Trump liked and then unliked a tweet by a woman named Heben Nigatu declaring, "Every new Rihanna interview makes me grow stronger. We stan a work/life balance queen!!!"
As Feinberg noted, Rihanna's name was trending on Twitter the night of the weird "like."If users clicked that trending topic, they sawa photo of Rihanna lounging on a couch in a see-through leotard. As "our president is furiously, pathologically horny," Feinberg concludes, he likely "clicked on this photo of Rihanna while making a series of steamboat noises and sweating profusely," which led him to a list of tweets mentioning Rihanna including Nigatu's tweet. At which point his fingers, which are too small to be controlled with any grace, likely slid unconsciously over the "like" button.
As further evidence, Feinberg points out Trump had, in the past, done the same to a sexy photo of Katy Perry.
10) Whenhe called the Second Epistle to the Corinthians "TwoCorinthians."
This isanother personal favorite, because, like many other ofTrump's dumber moments such aswhen he tried to put money on a communion platter, orwhen he held aBible as if he were afraid it mightbite him, orwhen he seemed confused by the idea that heshould ask God for forgiveness it was a fun reminder that Trump's professed Christianity is not just an act, but an acthe can barely be bothered to keep going. It's delicious because it's a twofer, not just exposing Trump's stupidity, but the absolute shamelessness of the Christian right leaders who backed him. (For those who may be unclear: This book of the Bible is abbreviated as "2 Corinthians" but always called "Second Corinthians.")
Every time Trump fumbled in this way, and the Trump-friendly evangelists kept on actinglike he was God's emissary on earth, it was further evidence that most of these supposedly devout Christians don't really care about faith or God or Jesus or any of thatthat stuff they care about power. Aswith their beloved president, dramatic performance of public piety by so many right-wing Christian leaders is little more than a dog-and-pony show put on to sucker the rubes.
So there's your top 10, with the caveat that it was hard perhaps impossible to narrow down that number in a satisfying manner, since Trump has done unbelievably stupid crap virtually every single day for four years. But that's why the internet gods invented social media and comment sections, so you can add your own to the list!
Visit link:
Remember that stupid thing Donald Trump did? Hard as it is to pick, here are the top 10 - Salon
- Donald Trump picks the wrong trade fight with China - The Economist - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Donald Trump says he will be talking to Australias prime minister about tariffs - The Guardian - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Donald Trump Names His Dream Successor for Pope Francis Ahead of the Papal Conclave - People.com - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Giants say they had no conversations with Donald Trump about Saquon Barkley - NBC Sports - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Donald Trump is proving disastrous for big tech - The Economist - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Opinion | Donald Trump Is Selling the White House to the Highest Bidder - The New York Times - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- 'Kicking butt' or 'going too fast'? Donald Trump voters reflect on 100 days - BBC - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Donald Trump's approval rating takes a hit as he reaches 100 days: New polls - USA Today - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Experts On Russia Say Donald Trump Is Wrong About The War In Ukraine - Forbes - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Donald Trump went after one of America's top law firms. Its decision to fight back took just two hours. - Business Insider - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Sweeping change. Donald Trump voters reflect on controversial first 100 days of second term. - Chicago Tribune - April 27th, 2025 [April 27th, 2025]
- Donald Trump wants celebrities to kiss the ring. Bill Maher did: wholl be next? | Emma Brockes - The Guardian - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Donald Trump's trip to Pope Francis' funeral puts a sharper focus on their clashes over the years - AP News - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Donald Trump Is Tanking One of Americas Greatest Exports in the Middle of a Trade War - Slate - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- 'Reality bites Donald Trump in the you know where': China contradicts the White House over tariffs - MSNBC News - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- Donald Trump's "Objectively Embarrassing And Hilarious" Message To Vladimir Putin Is Now A Meme - Yahoo - April 25th, 2025 [April 25th, 2025]
- The Nobel is just the start: 16 imagined victories for Donald Trump | Ariel Dorfman - The Guardian - April 21st, 2025 [April 21st, 2025]
- Is Donald Trump Breaking the Law? Seven Experts Weigh In. - The Free Press - April 21st, 2025 [April 21st, 2025]
- JD Vance: Donald Trump's Global 'Bad Cop' In His First 100 Days In Office - NDTV - April 21st, 2025 [April 21st, 2025]
- What is the Insurrection Act? What To Know as Donald Trump Deadline Hits - Newsweek - April 21st, 2025 [April 21st, 2025]
- Vince Vaughn Visits Donald Trump and The White House Shares Wedding Crashers Parody Poster - Variety - April 21st, 2025 [April 21st, 2025]
- President Donald Trump Is Saving Social Security Hundreds of Millions of Dollars per Year. But Is It Enough to Prevent Benefit Cuts? - Yahoo Finance - April 21st, 2025 [April 21st, 2025]
- We knew Donald Trump is bad at business. Now the world does, too. | Sheneman cartoon - NJ.com - April 14th, 2025 [April 14th, 2025]
- Donald Trump is now badly wounded. Europe and the UK can seize an advantage - The Guardian - April 12th, 2025 [April 12th, 2025]
- Bill Maher Says Donald Trump Was Gracious and Willing to Listen During White House Visit - hollywoodreporter.com - April 12th, 2025 [April 12th, 2025]
- Bill Maher Recounts Surprising Meeting With Gracious and Measured Donald Trump - TV Insider - April 12th, 2025 [April 12th, 2025]
- Bill Maher's full monologue on his Donald Trump meeting: Read the transcript - USA Today - April 12th, 2025 [April 12th, 2025]
- Donald Trump's tariffs on China, EU and more, at a glance - BBC - April 12th, 2025 [April 12th, 2025]
- Donald Trump Says 'Market Is Going To Boom,' Claiming '$6-7 Trillion' Worth Of Inflows Will Come After The Worst Selloff Since 2020 - Yahoo Finance - April 5th, 2025 [April 5th, 2025]
- Live updates: 'Hands Off!' protesters rally against Donald Trump, Elon Musk - The Hill - April 5th, 2025 [April 5th, 2025]
- Donald Trump's Tariff Formula 'Based on an Error'Conservative Think Tank - Newsweek - April 5th, 2025 [April 5th, 2025]
- The ridiculous real story behind the tariff plan that turned Donald Trump into a global disaster - MSNBC News - April 5th, 2025 [April 5th, 2025]
- "Hang Tough, It Won't Be Easy": Donald Trump To Americans Amid Tariff War - NDTV - April 5th, 2025 [April 5th, 2025]
- This Economic Paradox Nearly Took Down Three Presidents. Is Donald Trump Next? - Politico - April 5th, 2025 [April 5th, 2025]
- Donald Trump says he is very angry with Vladimir Putin over Ukraine - The Guardian US - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Donald Trump: Is Irish America moving towards the Republican Party? - BBC.com - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Globalisation will triumph over Donald Trump - Financial Times - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Donald Trump's Approval Rating Over Economy Plunges to New Low - Newsweek - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Called a 'scab' during the campaign, Donald Trump wins UAW backing on tariffs - Detroit Free Press - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Donald Trump is moving fast and breaking things, but that may result in a better US | Simon Jenkins - The Guardian - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Donald Trump Has Invented Something New and Chilling - Yahoo - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Column: Thank you, Donald Trump, for giving me my dad back - - The Daily Tar Heel - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Donald Trump's Approval Rating Is Negative With Nearly Every Pollster - Newsweek - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Andrii Smytsniuk | Condolences to Kyiv: Ukraine, King Solomon, and Donald Trump - The Daily Pennsylvanian - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Whoopi Goldberg has chilling warning about Donald Trump on The View - PennLive - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Donald Trump threatens US tariffs on countries buying Venezuelan oil - BBC.com - March 25th, 2025 [March 25th, 2025]
- Donald Trump Calls George Clooney a Second Rate Movie Star After Clooney Calls Out the Government for Trying to Make Journalists Smaller: They Dont... - March 25th, 2025 [March 25th, 2025]
- People Can't Help But Giggle Over This Portrait Of Donald Trump That He Desperately Wants Removed From The Colorado State Capitol - Yahoo... - March 25th, 2025 [March 25th, 2025]
- Donald Trump will soon mark 100 days in power - where does his opposition stand? - Sky News - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Putin said he prayed for his friend Donald Trump after 2024 assassination attempt, U.S. envoy says - NBC News - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Donald Trump and John Roberts: A president, a chief justice and a judiciary under pressure - Reuters - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Prediction: President Donald Trump Is Going to Break His Social Security Promise, and These 16 Words Prove It - The Motley Fool - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Full List of Names Donald Trump Has Stripped of Security Clearance - Newsweek - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Social Security: What Donald Trump And Elon Musk Are Doing About Entitlement Program - Forbes - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Why John Mearsheimer Thinks Donald Trump Is Right on Ukraine - The New Yorker - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- What the U.S. ceasefire proposal means for Ukraine, Russia, Europe and Donald Trump - The Conversation Indonesia - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Well, It Looks Like We Know What Donald Trump Will Do About Daylight Saving Time Now - Yahoo - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Jimmy Carter Reminds Us of Political Integrity; Donald Trump and Corporate America Remain Committed to Darkness - Progressive.org - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Donald Trump Supporters Are Waking Up To The Reality Of Their Ballot Choices, And The Stories Are A Loooooot - Yahoo - February 20th, 2025 [February 20th, 2025]
- It took Donald Trump less than a decade to turn the US toward Putins Russia - CNN - February 20th, 2025 [February 20th, 2025]
- Are We Still Friends?: How Donald Trump Is Unraveling the Western Alliance - Vanity Fair - February 20th, 2025 [February 20th, 2025]
- Prediction: President Donald Trump Will Break His Social Security Promise and Propose Cuts -- Just Not in the Way You Might Think - The Motley Fool - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- It Pays to Be a Friend of Donald Trump - The FP - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Donald Trump's 'Drastic' Funding Cuts Face Republican Opposition - Newsweek - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- President Donald Trump Hangs His Framed Mugshot Outside the Oval Office - E! Online - E! NEWS - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Donald Trump wants states and cities to do as they are told - The Economist - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Donald Trump Wants Reciprocity in Trade: Heres a Closer Look - Council on Foreign Relations - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Interview with President Donald Trump airing ahead of Super Bowl 59: How to watch - USA TODAY - February 9th, 2025 [February 9th, 2025]
- Donald Trump set to make history at the Super Bowl. Heres why hell hate kick-off. - MLive.com - February 9th, 2025 [February 9th, 2025]
- Donald Trump golfs with Tiger Woods ahead of expected Super Bowl LIX visit - New York Post - February 9th, 2025 [February 9th, 2025]
- The Observer view: Vengeful and reckless, Donald Trump must not go unchallenged | Observer editorial - The Guardian - February 9th, 2025 [February 9th, 2025]
- Donald Trump will be at Super Bowl LIX, and he is not happy with the rules - PennLive - February 9th, 2025 [February 9th, 2025]
- Why Chip Roy is one of Donald Trump's biggest threats - POLITICO - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- What did Donald Trump throw to his inauguration crowd? Find out in the news quiz - NPR - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- We tracked California's lawsuits against Donald Trump. Here's where the state won and lost - CalMatters - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Contempt is a dangerous way to lead a country: here is the sermon that enraged Donald Trump | Mariann Edgar Budde - The Guardian - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Donald Trump finds new ways to flex presidential power after returning to the White House - The Associated Press - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- What to know about President Donald Trump's order targeting the rights of transgender people - The Associated Press - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Donald Trump Jr. arrives in Greenland with a message from his dad: 'Were going to treat you well' - The Associated Press - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Donald Trump Jr. arrives in Greenland after his father said the U.S. should own the Arctic territory - ABC News - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]