Trump equals chaos

In yet another surreal turn of events that will historically mark the current U.S. presidency as incurably dysfunctional, author Michael Wolff’s releases “Fire and Fury,” a book that is a scathing indictment of a chaotic White House under the first year of Trump rule.

President Donald Trump and the White House’s non-stop denunciation of the books contents including quotes from numerous staff questioning the mental capability and intellect of the president is not surprising, This has been covered by numerous reporters and news media outlets throughout the year.

What is noteworthy are two outcomes that have been catalyzed by the book’s release. First is Trump’s incessant tweeting that the book is all fake news compiled by a thirdrate author (albeit one that was allowed full access to the White House’s inner circle). This in some people’s opinion validates the book’s content to a certain extent.

Second is the nasty public divorce that resulted between Trump and his Svengali Steve Bannon, whom he now refers to as “Sloppy Steve,” and who he says, has “lost his mind” and had nothing to do with his presidency.

The ugliness we now see playing out between Trump attempting to convince the public of his mental stability and genius along with Bannon attempting to again curry favor with him is both pathetic and alarming. The latter because of the simmering global instability in Palestine, Iran and North Korea along with increasing U.S. disharmony with China and Russia.

The year 2018 is certainly starting out as contemptuous, chaotic and backstabbing, as was the 2017 reality show known as the U.S. presidency, thanks to no small effort by its star performer.

Paul A. Biedrzycki Milwaukee