Photographers captured Trump holding a cheat sheet with empathetic things to say that was written for him by White House staff for his meeting with Parkland school shooting survivors and families.
Via the AP:
President Donald Trump holds notes during a White House listening session with students and parents affected by school shootings. (AP Photo by Carolyn Kaster) pic.twitter.com/Z0lZbSVaoF
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) February 21, 2018
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Here is the larger version of the picture, where you can see that Trump’s replies were scripted:
Obama sang Amazing Grace. Trump needed a cheat sheet
Trump sat stone-faced while listening to the angry and crying survivors and relatives. It was unclear how much if any of their pain was sinking in. Trump is completely unable to identify with people and their experiences at any level. Obama got the nickname the Consoler In Chief for his ability to comfort in times of grief and tragedy. Trump is about as comforting as talking to a brick.
Real human beings don’t need cheat sheets, and president that doesn’t do empathy, leadership, or action isn’t a president at all.
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Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association