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Professor Has Tweeted the Same Message About Donald Trump for More Than a Year, and It Never Stops Being True
Points for persistence.
On Friday, The Washington Post reported on Donald Trump's angry reaction to reporters who repeatedly yell out questions at him.
"At various moments throughout his presidency, Trump has vented angrily to aides about what he considers disrespectful behavior and impertinent questions from reporters in the Oval Office and in other venues. He has also asked that retaliatory action be taken against them."
“'These people shouting questions are the worst,' Trump has said, according to a current official. 'Why do we have them in here?'”
In response, professor and writer Daniel Drezner tweeted:
"I'll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when his staff stops talking about him like a toddler."
I’ll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when his staff stops talking about him like a toddler.… https://t.co/rYXnEJSl2t— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1532726954.0
But it turns out this isn't the first time he's tweeted these very words about Donald Trump, or a variation thereof. As Daniel explained on Friday:
This is the 405th tweet in the #ToddlerinChief thread. https://t.co/itgsQjvB45— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1532727007.0
Yes, the thread actually began well over a year ago, with a tweet on April 25, 2017, linking to an article in which Donald Trump's staff explains that:
"Once he goes upstairs there's no managing him."
Drezner's caption:
I'll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when his staff stops talking about him like a toddler.… https://t.co/tFpQtxJYEA— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1493130209.0
Since that day in April, Drezner repeated his assertion the next time the Trump administration provided a worthy example of their view of the President's maturity.
Which was two days later.
I'll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when his staff stops talking about him like a toddler.… https://t.co/U0hMcElHi1— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1493296078.0
Since then, many more have followed.
I’ll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when GOP lawmakers stop talking about him like a toddler.… https://t.co/u30sMJguAR— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1532357984.0
Each time Drezner includes a variation of the same caption from his original Trump assessment: I'll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when ____ stops talking about him like a toddler. In the example above, it was GOP lawmakers.
While there has not been a post every day, there is one at least once a week. And some days offer a wealth of examples. For instance, August 4, 2017 offered three examples.
I'll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when his staff stops talking about him like a toddler.… https://t.co/qpxFbII7W9— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1501851352.0
I'll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when his staff stops talking about him like a toddler.… https://t.co/CnvJtAbDfm— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1501869392.0
I'll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when his staff stops talking about him like a toddler.… https://t.co/xsscr8Fahn— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1501872236.0
Drezner pulls his quotes from a variety of print media. The only common denominator is quotes must come from the President's own closest allies in the White House, his own staff...
I'll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when his staff stops talking about him like a toddler.… https://t.co/dOjK4S70Rn— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1502933272.0
...or due to pressing examples...
...the observations of his behavior while in public, like at NATO summits or G7 meetings.
I’ll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when key NATO allies stop talking about him like a toddler.… https://t.co/HWIMM1rcXs— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1531393877.0
I’ll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when key US allies stop talking about him like a toddler.… https://t.co/D468xdMkg7— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1528650688.0
I’ll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when key US allies stop talking about him like a toddler.… https://t.co/DTgKmgn82a— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1528649624.0
Some days yield more than one example from a single source, like on July 11, 2018, when a Washington Post article provided two prime examples.
I’ll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when key NATO allies stop talking about him like a toddler.… https://t.co/kGOC0oJsvQ— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1531352194.0
The staff quotes describe behavior like tantrums...
I'll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when his staff stops talking about him like a toddler.… https://t.co/dOjK4S70Rn— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1502933272.0
...and ripping up official documents in violation of federal law, namely the Presidential Records Act.
I’ll believe that Trump is growing into the presidency when his staff stops treating him like a toddler.… https://t.co/YBSCTfQ6xH— Daniel W. Drezner (@Daniel W. Drezner) 1528665604.0
Drezner and the White House staff, GOP lawmakers and United States allies are not alone in observing a level of social awkwardness with the 45th President.
Body language and behavior experts analyzed how Trump sits, shakes hands and touches other world leaders. His handsy approach to French President Emmanuel Macron fascinated many.
5/ During 0:16 - 0:18, President Trump brushes an alleged piece of dandruff off of Macon's left lapel - three time… https://t.co/7QSrxDE5am— Dr. Jack Brown (@Dr. Jack Brown) 1524672238.0
While his apparent pushing of the Prime Minister of Montenegro at the 2017 NATO Summit drew ire.
During his visit to NATO headquarters, Trump moves in front of Montenegro Prime Minister Dusko Markovic to be in fr… https://t.co/KAlHX5w4YG— POLITICO (@POLITICO) 1495728609.0
He famously drew criticism during what should have been a simple walk with Queen Elizabeth the II on a visit to the United Kingdom.
That moment when you forget where you left the Queen of England. #TrumpVisitsUK https://t.co/imCIeOgU1f— EL4C (@EL4C) 1531499960.0
And much has been written about his behavior around powerful women like Angela Merkel and Hillary Clinton.
Trump trashes Germany, then wimps out face-to-face with Angela Merkel 👇🏼 Seated with Merkel, Trump squirmed in his… https://t.co/bTbNGkOxIS— Hillary In Pictures (@Hillary In Pictures) 1531362003.0