Donald Trump’s Twitter feed has been a cornucopia of comedy, curiosity, and horror. He uses it to brag about himself, insult his foes, and spread disinformation. He has even suggested altering the U.S. government’s policies on international relations in ways that make experts tremble.
The latest tweet from the President-Elect takes a disturbing stand alongside Vladimir Putin (again):
Vladimir Putin said today about Hillary and Dems: "In my opinion, it is humiliating. One must be able to lose with dignity." So true!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2016
This deceptively simple comment raises a couple of red flags (pun intended). First of all, why is Trump taking advice on democracy from a murderous dictator? Putin is widely known for assassinating his political rivals. What’s more, Russia is not exactly a model of free and fair elections. Putin doesn’t have to worry about losing with dignity because he doesn’t have to worry about losing at all. By complimenting Putin’s remarks, Trump is validating his undemocratic dictatorship.
Secondly, since when has Trump ever lost with dignity. Or won with dignity, for that matter. In 2012, Trump went on an unhinged Twitter tirade following Mitt Romney’s loss to President Obama. He said it was a “disgusting injustice.” a “travesty,” and called for a revolution. And in a complete reversal of his current position, he said the Electoral College was “a disaster for a democracy.”
Just a couple of months ago, Trump demonstrated his dignified approach to democratic participation. He said “if I don’t win, this will be the greatest waste of time, money and energy in my lifetime.” And after winning the Electoral College he’s done nothing but whine about losing the popular vote by a historic margin.
Trump’s tweet did not go unnoticed by the Twitterverse. Here are few select examples of the barrage against his foolish and unpatriotic embrace of Russia’s tyrant:
Mr. Pres-elect, is it necessary to cite as an authority on democratic norms a thug whose regime commits war crimes and murders journalists? https://t.co/aSmMyxvrLY
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) December 24, 2016
@realDonaldTrump can’t tell if these are real tweets anymore or this is your teenage diary
— Zach Holman (@holman) December 24, 2016
Just an FYI, Putin has all of his elections rigged. Like, actually rigged. https://t.co/YmqeSpHt78 https://t.co/tAWjoXXjAo
— Jordan Zakarin (@jordanzakarin) December 24, 2016
@realDonaldTrump I agree. You lost the popular vote, so take his advice and lose with dignity.
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) December 24, 2016
You’re tweeting Vladimir-freaking-Putin. The KGB master is coming to your defense and you’re proud of this? Have you no dignity whatsoever? https://t.co/aOf7GuoUtV
— John Aravosis (@aravosis) December 24, 2016
Joining a Russian dictator in mocking an American is disgusting. https://t.co/9N3t5DV3kA
— Kristy Campbell (@kristymcampbell) December 24, 2016
@realDonaldTrump Clinton conceded and has gone hiking for a month. You're still whining about *winning*.
— Scott Tobias (@scott_tobias) December 24, 2016
Republican leaders must condemn @realDonaldTrump's alliance with Putin, a foreign adversary who is actively undermining our democracy. https://t.co/7q0OkzNF2T
— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) December 24, 2016
@realDonaldTrump Do you have any other pearls of wisdom from foreign dictators? What do you think Pol Pot would say about Hillary?
— Jon Bershad (@JonBershad) December 24, 2016
You empty-suit, empty-souled fuck. You're quoting a man who poisons his political opponents, murders critical journos. No dignity for them. https://t.co/QnIGcMLVZX
— David Simon (@AoDespair) December 24, 2016
.@realDonaldTrump Who's a good boy? pic.twitter.com/y4hh12ABCv
— John Haltiwanger (@jchaltiwanger) December 24, 2016
How Fox News Deceives and Controls Their Flock:
Fox Nation vs. Reality: The Fox News Cult of Ignorance.
Available now at Amazon.
Before Trump lectures Americans on democracy, he might want to find a better source of democratic wisdom. Somehow, a totalitarian who oppresses his people and kills unfriendly politicians and journalists doesn’t make the grade. And his observations on dignity only make him look more callous, ignorant, undignified.
You’d think that a draft dodging, pussy grabbing, fake enterprise shilling (steaks anyone”), really bad-hair-day jackass would still know when to shut his pie hole.
Of course in the dialect of Russian that Putin speaks, the word “dignity” (“???????????”) translates as “murder your opponents with impunity”.
And yes, the house Rethuglicans and senate say nothing. They agree with trump. They too belong in Russia. They love their authoritarian figures, like Putin-Trump. They will bow down and kiss the ring of the almighty Trumpzilla. They never govern. They rule. Remember McCain’s slogan, “Country First” now it has become PARTY FIRST.