Being called a ’good man’ by Trump can be an omen

BRANCHBURG ( New Jersey):

Sometimes it’s better not to be a nice guy. President Donald Trump has dismissed and accepted the resignations of a growing list of administration officials, including Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price (pic).

Trump said before the news broke that he was disappointed with Price for reportedly taking numerous expensive charter flights when cheaper commercial options were available. But he also offered compliments.

“He’s a very, very fine man,” Trump repeated as he departed the White House en route to his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey.

“I felt very badly because Secretary Price is a good man,” Trump said.

It’s not the first time Trump has offered praise just before or after showing someone the door.

As Trump was preparing to part ways with his former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, he was asked about Bannon’s fate at a news conference in New York.

“I like Mr Bannon. He’s a friend of mine,” said Trump, before trying to distance himself from his former general election CEO by pointing out that he’d won the primaries before Bannon came on board.

“I like him. He’s a good man. He is not a racist, I can tell you that,” Trump said, adding: “He’s a good person and I think the press treats him very unfairly.” Days later, Bannon was out. It was a similar case for Trump’s chief of staff, Reince Priebus.

Trump announced he was replacing Priebus via tweet from aboard Air Force One last July. Not long after, Trump spoke with reporters, where he repeated his “good man” kiss of death.

“Reince is a good man. John Kelly will do a fantastic job. Gen Kelly has been a star, done an incredible job thus far. Respected by everybody. A great, great American.”

As for Priebus?

“Reince Priebus, a good man,” Trump repeated, sounding like a tombstone engraving. — AFP