There were several moments during the 60 Minutes interview that showed Trump’s declining mental sharpness in the face of serious questions.
1). Trump couldn’t say who “they” were
While denying climate change, Trump claimed that they dispute the science. When asked who “they” were, Trump couldn’t answer:
Trump gets called out on his claims of "they say" while denying climate change during 60 Minutes interview. pic.twitter.com/6eFoifgy8D
— Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) October 14, 2018
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Here was the exchange:
Trump: –Of years. They say that we had hurricanes that were far worse than what we just had with Michael.
Stahl: Who says that? “They say�
Trump: People say. People say that in the–
2). Trump doesn’t care that Kim Jong-un is a murderer. He still loves him
Trump had himself a moment when asked why he loves a murderous dictator:
Trump crumbles when confronted with his love for Kim Jong-Un. pic.twitter.com/HEDFBfzDRM
— Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) October 15, 2018
3). Trump claims China meddled in the 2016 election
Trump went beyond his baseless claims that China is interfering in the 2018 election and now claims that they interfered in 2016 too:
Trump tried to blame Obama and then claimed that China meddled in the election when he was asked about Russia during the 60 Minutes interview. #60Minutes pic.twitter.com/1ORs7XLmM1
— PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) October 15, 2018
4). Trump sounds nuts as he refuses to pledge not to shut down the Mueller investigation
This was Trump refusing to pledge not to shut down the Mueller investigation:
Trump refuses to pledge that he won't shut down the Mueller investigation. pic.twitter.com/NnKYkaIf2d
— Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) October 15, 2018
Trump doesn’t see that he is making a pledge to the American people, not 60 Minutes:
Stahl: Will you– will you pledge– pledge that you will not shut down the Mueller investigation?
Trump: Well, I– I don’t pledge anything. But I will tell you, I have no intention of doing that. I think it’s a very unfair investigation, because there was no collusion of any kind.
Stahl: But you won’t pledge–
Trump: There is no collusion. I don’t want to pledge. Why should I pledge to you? If I pledge, I’ll pledge. I don’t have to pledge to you. But I have–
Stahl: Well–
Trump: I have no intention of doing that.
Trump’s answers were evasive, disjointed, and not based in reality
The American people got to see the reason why the White House keeps objective journalists away from Trump. The president can’t handle serious questions or any sort of pushback on his answers. Trump has a definite problem with reality. This president is living in his own fantasy world, and it became clear watching the 60 Minutes interview that Trump’s grasp on what is real has become even more frayed over the past year.
The presidency impacts every person that holds the office in different ways.
Being in the White House has put all of Trump’s mental frailties on full display and possibly accelerated his mental decline.
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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
