Trump’s Not Dead. He’s Barely Even Taking a Moment Off.
Those inflicted with Trump Derangement Syndrome are no longer just wishing the president were dead, they’re actually starting to hallucinate it.
While the rest of us were hitting the grocery store for Labor Day Weekend goodies, the Never Trump-types were hitting resend on posts questioning whether President Donald Trump had died.
It seems a whole flurry of hashtags like #TrumpIsDead” and #WhereIsTrump” went viral and conspiracy theories emerged when Trump was not seen in public for almost three whole days and his Labor Day Weekend calendar was clear. Oh, and Vice President JD Vance said he’d be ready to step in as president if a “terrible tragedy” should occur. (Right after saying Trump is in excellent health.)
But who knows? Maybe if you play a recording of Vance’s interview backward, perhaps you can make out the words, “Trump is dead.” That’s about how ridiculous the hopeful speculation was getting.
Never mind that Trump was on social media the whole time posting as only the president can. Or that a couple days without the president being in our face is hardly worth a fuss, especially considering former President Joe Biden only emerged from the ground as often as cicadas. I mean, Linus was more likely to spot the Great Pumpkin than we were to spot Biden most months.
Here’s the sick part. It wasn’t just social media tin hats spreading this nonsense about Trump’s demise. Illinois Gov. JD Pritkzer responded to Trump’s (theory-busting Truth Social post) demanding he step up efforts to fight crime in Chicago or else, by snarking, “Why don’t you send everybody proof of life first?”
Two points. First, I doubt the family of the seven people murdered and 54 shot in Chicago Labor Day Weekend would appreciate Pritzker’s response to Trump’s anti-crime plea. Second, no disrespect, but it seems Pritzker’s the last person in American politics to question another politician’s health.
The morbid delusion of Pritzker and the TDS crowd collapsed Saturday morning when Trump headed out for a golf date with granddaughter Kai—though some bitterly clinging to their conspiratorial dream suggested it was a body double. These are sad, sad people. (Still, one can only imagine what Trump’s reaction to claims there was a body double. “Where they going to find another body as beautiful as mine?”)
However, this whole folly does point to a fascinating truth: Nobody would blink twice if any other president had an empty schedule for a couple days around a holiday weekend. But Trump opens the door because the man takes no time off.
Historically, during the summer, our presidents take a stretch of time away from the White House for an extended vacation. And no one blames them. President Ronald Reagan would head to his California ranch and ride horses. President George W. Bush would race bikes around his West Texas spread. President Barack Obama would kick back with the fabulous on Martha’s Vineyard. President Joe Biden would scarf chocolate chip ice cream and lay comatose on Rehoboth Beach. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)
Trump? He treats vacations the way Biden treated a secure border wall. He wants no part of one. One suspects he’d rather slow dance with Rosie O’Donnell than take any time off.
Trump does not vacation. He was supposed to go to his Bedminster resort in New Jersey for a spell but chucked that idea to keep working at the White House on Ukraine and Russia peace. His idea of a day off is negotiating trade deals while riding around the back nine. That would be a joke, except that’s precisely what he did during a recent visit to his new golf course in Scotland. The guy won’t even take time off when visiting his own resort.
Heck, the guy didn’t take any meaningful time off after getting shot.
Here’s another example: A few days back, when the president had nothing on his schedule … and was supposed to be dead … Trump took to Truth Social to blow up a contractor like the guy was an underground Iranian nuclear site for daring to gouge the new limestone surface of the Rose Garden.
Yes, Trump’s idea of R&R is DIY. Heck, what’s he doing for fun this summer? Building a ballroom … for future presidents to use, along with a Presidential Wall of Fame. (Hey, Mr. President. Got a few hours to help us with the back porch?)
The president says he doesn’t need much sleep. I predict they’ll give a Pulitzer to the reporter who proves he actually does sleep. Just the other day Trump announced plans for a major comprehensive crime bill at 12:31 in the morning.
His exhausting 24/7 schedule is why worn-out reporters are more likely to cry “Uncle!” than “Mr. President” when he heads off on another bit of business on behalf of the American people.
Perhaps on these days after Labor Day we can pause to appreciate the man has who all the means—and all the reason—in the world to enjoy a life of leisure, but instead labors without rest to improve the life of each and every American. Even those who fantasize about his death.
