The presidency has devolved in decorum.
This isn’t something that recently occurred, either. It’s been ongoing. Bill Clinton enjoyed his shenanigans in the Oval Office, Barack Obama was the schmoozy, talk show darling, and now, we have Donald Trump on Twitter.
I’m well aware that many love President Trump’s casual “transparency”, but it’s inappropriate when you’re the president of the United States. Period.
The office of the president already has a @POTUS account. It was Barack Obama’s main engagement on Twitter before it was turned over to the 45th president. Official POTUS tweets are done by Dan Scavino, Jr., who, according to his own Twitter bio, is “Assistant to the President & Director of Social Media at the White House”. Tweets done by President Trump on that account are signed “DJT”.
That’s fine.
But Donald Trump still has his account at @realdonaldtrump, and plenty of his tweets are embarrassing, unsuitable, questionable, or inane. Yes, I’m aware he probably doesn’t sit with his iPhone, tap out 140 characters of snark, and hit “tweet”. That’s beside the point, though. His account represents him. He, in turn, is the president and represents the country. Even though it isn’t his official presidential account, it has a huge impact.
Here are just a few tweets from that account since he was inaugurated.
Wow, television ratings just out: 31 million people watched the Inauguration, 11 million more than the very good ratings from 4 years ago!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2017
Congratulations to @FoxNews for being number one in inauguration ratings. They were many times higher than FAKE NEWS @CNN – public is smart!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2017
Somebody with aptitude and conviction should buy the FAKE NEWS and failing @nytimes and either run it correctly or let it fold with dignity!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017
Nancy Pelosi and Fake Tears Chuck Schumer held a rally at the steps of The Supreme Court and mic did not work (a mess)-just like Dem party!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 31, 2017
The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017
Any negative polls are fake news, just like the CNN, ABC, NBC polls in the election. Sorry, people want border security and extreme vetting.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 6, 2017
And just this week…
My daughter Ivanka has been treated so unfairly by @Nordstrom. She is a great person — always pushing me to do the right thing! Terrible!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2017
Big increase in traffic into our country from certain areas, while our people are far more vulnerable, as we wait for what should be EASY D!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2017
Sen. McCain should not be talking about the success or failure of a mission to the media. Only emboldens the enemy! He’s been losing so….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2017
I really do not care if pointing out his ridiculous obsession with social media bloviating makes me seem boring or not. I’m not saying that commenting on the theatrics from Chuck Schumer or “fake news” from big networks is incorrect. I’m saying that a personal Twitter account shouldn’t be used as a platform to say such things. Donald Trump may think these things, but it is not necessary, or helpful, for him to publicly express them. Why? Because he’s the president.
Also, it’s okay for the most powerful man in the world to leave a few thoughts unexpressed. The rest of us can yammer. https://t.co/TDdM9duiPw
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) February 8, 2017
Shouldn’t we expect – and demand – better etiquette from a president, even one so controversial as Donald Trump? We should, but we don’t, since there have been several before him who have focused too much on appealing to the voter fanbase.
Donald Trump’s social media behavior makes the presidency a tabloid and reality TV show. Voters will follow suit and elect who entertains them the most.
That is a problem.
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