[BostonCard]

I mean on a relative basis, going to get a haircut barely registers compared to calling soldiers who've given up their lives for their country "losers" (and that's just superficial stuff); I would of course very willingly take a competent politician handling the COVID-19 epidemic who made a faux pas with "bad optics" over one who could look good but whose incompetence has contributed to nearly 200,000 COVID deaths.

However, I think you underestimate the degree of resentment that is out there towards people who impose very costly burdens on the country.  SO any action that makes it clear that the rules don't apply to the elites is bound to draw scorn.

But again, a haircut versus calling dead soldiers "losers".  Pelosi is already off the front page. 

BC

But did he actually say that?  I take anything that is attributed to unnamed sources with a of immense proportions grain of salt.  Of course, Trumps denial means nothing.  He lies for breakfast. So he has no credibility.  But unless someone has the guts to identify him or herself, it’s questionable.  Because there are a whole lot of folks that will say damn near anything to a reporter to try to take this guy down.

I would like to see at least one of the sources come forward.  Of course with the way Trump has treated those, like Alexander Vindman, who dare to cross him, I don't blame anyone for wanting to maintain their anonymity.  The original piece cited four unnamed sources, and was verified by two independent news outlets.  And, as you mention, on the other hand Trump not only has no credibility left, we know he has a history of making this very type of derogatory statement (he called John McCain a loser, for example).

So, yeah, the balance here strongly favors the idea that he said it.

BC

[BostonCard]

I mean on a relative basis, going to get a haircut barely registers compared to calling soldiers who've given up their lives for their country "losers" (and that's just superficial stuff); I would of course very willingly take a competent politician handling the COVID-19 epidemic who made a faux pas with "bad optics" over one who could look good but whose incompetence has contributed to nearly 200,000 COVID deaths.

However, I think you underestimate the degree of resentment that is out there towards people who impose very costly burdens on the country.  SO any action that makes it clear that the rules don't apply to the elites is bound to draw scorn.

But again, a haircut versus calling dead soldiers "losers".  Pelosi is already off the front page. 

BC

But did he actually say that?  I take anything that is attributed to unnamed sources with a of immense proportions grain of salt.  Of course, Trumps denial means nothing.  He lies for breakfast. So he has no credibility.  But unless someone has the guts to identify him or herself, it’s questionable.  Because there are a whole lot of folks that will say damn near anything to a reporter to try to take this guy down.

I would like to see at least one of the sources come forward.  Of course with the way Trump has treated those, like Alexander Vindman, who dare to cross him, I don't blame anyone for wanting to maintain their anonymity.  The original piece cited four unnamed sources, and was verified by two independent news outlets.  And, as you mention, on the other hand Trump not only has no credibility left, we know he has a history of making this very type of derogatory statement (he called John McCain a loser, for example).

So, yeah, the balance here strongly favors the idea that he said it.

BC