White House sleaze show is damaging America's image

Published: Wed 7 Mar 2018, 9:46 PM

Last updated: Wed 7 Mar 2018, 11:47 PM

Just when you think the worst is over for the Trump administration, it only gets worse. Perhaps, it's foolhardy to think about this flimsy, unthinking administration that appears clueless on how to settle into its job. It's true, the White House is in meltdown, it is withering away with a rash of policy blunders like the latest on tariff hikes on steel and aluminium imports. Its reputation is in tatters, there's no doubt about that, but the man at the centre of the Stormy Daniels porn storm doesn't seem to care as long as he can continue his ego trip where loyalty is all that matters. Merit can be out on the backburner for this presidency that has everything to lose from now on. Get past the chaos of the past year and do what it is supposed to do - like govern without bitterness, rancour, infighting and sleaze - is too much to ask of it. President Donald Trump has never been in control of any situation or controversy that is entirely of his making, he simply wants to be the man in charge, without bearing responsibility, or the burden for his past actions that are catching up with him. And on the few occasions when he appeared to be in control, he shot his mouth or fingers off on Twitter and blew it.
The first family is entrenched in the administration even though son-in-law Jared Kushner is currently out of the inner circle. There are family business interests to tend to, the president's sex scandals to fend off, and before we forget, unpresidential tweets to be sent out to the faithful and the easily beguiled in the wee hours of the day. This presidency lacks purpose and it's causing great pain on the world because America is expected to set the moral tone with its ideals of liberty and democracy. Now with sex star Stormy Daniels returning to haunt him just as chief economic advisor Gary Cohn departs from his core team, the president's credibility has vanished. The number of exits has risen to 15. Sleaze sets the rules. We are witnessing presidential porn, which is embarrassing to America.