Donald Trump is talking about high numbers today, but it’s not in reference to the rapidly rising number of coronavirus deaths, instead, it’s about ratings. The president has always bragged about high ratings, whether it was back in his Apprentice days or in reference to his inauguration and TV interviews. Back in 2017, he told the AP:
“It’s interesting, I have, seem to get very high ratings… You know Chris Wallace had 9.2 million people, it’s the highest in the history of the show. I have all the ratings for all those morning shows. When I go, they go double, triple.”
But you’d never think an unprecedented crisis would be the time to brag about ratings. In reality though for Trump ratings are always front and center. And today the president isn’t saying he is doing the daily coronavirus briefings to keep America informed or safe, instead he actually admitted he will continue the briefings because the ratings “are so high.”
You said the quiet part out loud again. You’ve got a hit on your hand and play it right, more drama and cliffhangers, you’ll get renewed for another season. SAD to see a President acting or even thinking this way.
— Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) March 29, 2020
Comedian Patton Oswalt asks:
I’m genuinely curious — do Donald’s supporters read a Tweet like this and feel reassured? Like, this kind of insane drivel fills them with confidence? I don’t know whether to be sad or jealous. Is it an easier life being that stupid?
Thanks to all the people on ventilators, the dying, the dead, and those suffering at home for the great #coronavirus #COVID19 super ratings!!!
Great job, everybody!!! Keep it up!!! MAGA!!! WINNING!!!
— kersti (@FeistyOldHag) March 29, 2020
Remember that time the president bragged about the ratings of his daily briefings about the country’s impending doom?
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That was awesome.— Jarrett Bellini (@JarrettBellini) March 29, 2020
*This post contains opinion and analysis