Our current president is truly one of a kind: the first to have no prior government or public service experience, the first to label his golf resort as the Winter White House, and the first to profit from a global business empire while serving in office. Now, we can add yet another distinction: he is the first president whose statements are often so muddled that accurately transcribing his words is almost impossible.
A recent interview released by the Associated Press highlighted this issue, showcasing 16 instances where the president’s comments were simply marked “unintelligible.” Here’s an excerpt:
TRUMP: You have to care for people. And if you care for people, such a huge responsibility. (unintelligible) You can take any single issue, including taxes. I mean, we’re going to enact major tax reform. Here’s part of your narrative; it’s going to be a big (unintelligible). Everyone is saying, “Oh, he’s postponing.” I’m not postponing anything. I’ll tell you another thing (unintelligible). I used to receive great press. Now, I get the worst press. I get such dishonest coverage from the media. It’s something I’ve never experienced before. It started during the primaries, and I thought, once I won, that at least I would get better press. But it got worse. (unintelligible) So, that was a bit of a surprise to me. I expected the press to improve, but, in my view, it actually became more hostile.
Another example includes:
TRUMP: I get treated so poorly. Yesterday, regarding the incident, you know, when I suggested it might be terrorism … it could be. I said it might be a terrorist attack, and MSNBC went wild, “He called it a terrorist attack.” They thought it was a bank heist. By the way, I’m 10-0 on that. I’ve predicted every one of them. Every time they said I jumped the gun, it turns out I’m … Whatever. Whatever. In the meantime, I’m here and they’re not.
The interview consistently shows a pattern of Trump redirecting every response back to his belief that he has been treated unfairly. The transcript also contains 55 instances of ellipses, suggesting his thoughts often remain unfinished.
TRUMP: I want to do the job, but not much longer. … This is an important story. I’ve accomplished a lot. I’ve done more than any president in the first 100 days and I believe the first 100 days is an arbitrary measure. And I’m scheduled … the groundwork has been laid to do some great things. With foreign nations. Look at, look at President Xi. I mean … (end of answer)
Journalists and commentators on social media quickly reacted to the confusion in the interview. One MSNBC host noted how Trump’s thoughts seem to drift from topic to topic without a clear direction, yet he always returns to how cable news treats him. Another commentator described his speech as “a babbling brook of incoherence and obsession.”
The interview also featured several outright inaccuracies. One report suggested he appeared unaware of his own commitments in a “contract” with voters. Another outlet characterized his remarks as a “revisionist history” of events during his first 100 days. For instance, Trump claimed he had never supported WikiLeaks, despite past tweets and rally footage indicating otherwise.
He stated he had “done more than any other president in the first 100 days.” However, a fact-check revealed that out of 38 specific promises made in his “contract,” only 10 had been fulfilled, primarily through executive orders.
Trump even contradicted himself during the interview. When asked about his CNN viewership, he initially stated he no longer watches the network, only to later insist he had mentioned watching it earlier.
In closing, Trump reminded everyone of something he rarely highlights: he won the election. When queried about funding for his border wall, he responded:
TRUMP: I’m not sure yet. People want the border wall. My supporters definitely want it — you’ve attended many of the rallies. The one thing they want most is the wall. My base, which is substantial; I think it’s 45 percent. You know, it’s interesting. The Democrats have a significant advantage in the electoral college. Huge, huge advantage. I’ve always said the popular vote would be much easier than the electoral college. The electoral college — but it’s an entirely different campaign (unintelligible). The electoral college is very challenging for a Republican to win, and I can tell you, people want to see it. They want the wall, they want security. Now, it just came out that they’re 73 percent down. … That’s a tremendous accomplishment. …
My favorite summary of this interview comes from a contributor at The Onion and The New Yorker: “This AP Trump interview transcript is a lovely-horrible gift, like fancy bath salts to make the water smell nice as you slowly drown.”
If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, consider checking out this informative post.
In summary, the interview reveals a president whose statements are often difficult to follow, filled with contradictions, and steeped in a sense of grievance towards the media. For reliable information on pregnancy and home insemination, you might find this resource useful. Additionally, check out this comprehensive guide on at-home insemination kits for more insights.