Donald Trump belongs in a padded cell
Saturday Night Live was a repeat show last night, but “President” Donald Trump must have been watching it. We know this because in a tweet rant, Trump stated: “It’s truly incredible that shows like Saturday Night Live, not funny/no talent, can spend all of their time knocking the same person (me), over & over, without so much of a mention of “the other side.” Like an advertisement without consequences. Same with Late Night Shows. Should Federal Election Commission and/or FCC look into this? There must be Collusion with the Democrats and, of course, Russia! Such one sided media coverage, most of it Fake News. Hard to believe I won and am winning. Approval Rating 52%, 93% with Republicans. Sorry! #MAGA”
As Ronald Reagan might have said if he were still alive, “There you go again.” Trump might consider trying to Google something before looking like he does not know anything about the United States or politics. President Reagan’s FCC eliminated the Fairness Doctrine in 1987, and the equal-time doctrine only applies to political candidates. So no, the FCC should not look into this, and the FEC also need not look into this either.
More importantly, as has been written about and discussed by many, SNL is a parody or comedy show. Late night shows are entertainment. So no, there is no duty to show “the other side.” But from what I understand, Trump has always been very insistent that there are good people on both sides.
If what Donald Trump suggested in this morning’s tweets were actual United States policy, it would be the end of our form of government as we know it. The president is not a king or despot, free from criticism or mockery. The tweets also should concern us as Americans, when the occupier of the White House might more appropriately belong in a padded cell, as his incoherent babblings about collusion with Democrats and Russians seems at best unhinged. In all seriousness, something is not right with Trump.
Daniel is a lawyer writing and teaching about SCOTUS, and is the author of the book “The Chief Justices” about the SCOTUS as seen through the center seat.