Our pitiful President

As you gather with family this weekend, spare a thought for the sad little man in the White House. So desperate is he for domination and validation, Donald Trump keeps finding enemies to pummel with the petulance of his presidency. And, oh, have you noticed? Just about all of his targets happen to be connected to the world of sports. Just about all get branded spoiled and ungrateful. And just about all are black.

The target in the past week was LaVar Ball, the publicity-seeking father of LiAngelo Ball, one of three UCLA basketball players detained in China this month on shoplifting charges.

Before the young men were freed, Trump — sounding more like General Zod than leader of the free world — demanded personal thanks, and predicted there would be none.

But they did thank him. So Trump, positively desperate for a foil, moved on to mock LaVar. And to mock him again, and to say in retrospect that he would have neglected his responsibilities as President, and left the players in prison, had he known his ring might not be kissed.

Wednesday, Trump called LaVar Ball “an ungrateful fool” and “a poor man’s version of Don King, but without the hair.”

Ball now enters the proud pantheon of black Americans treated to the withering scorn of a man who’s supposed to have far, far, far better things to do.

There was Stephen Curry, of the Golden State Warriors. ESPN’s Jemele Hill. The Oakland Raiders’ Marshawn Lynch. And, of course, Colin Kaepernick.

This is easy for every American to see: Because they are successful, and because they are black, and because they dare criticize him, Trump relishes the opportunity to punch hard, throwing chum to the worst part of his base.

Meanwhile, among the tough critics in the sports world of whom Trump has said not a negative word are San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who called the President a “soulless coward,” and Warriors coach Steve Kerr. Both men happen to be white.

We see what you’re doing, Mr. President, and we pity you.