Hi There! Glad to see you again. So this is our first Political Book Club meeting. I decided to keep this free until we’re up and running if that is alright with you.
What I noticed about our book A Very Stable Genius was the patterns of Donald Trump’s behavior. That is what the first questions asked about. So I’ll place the question. Give my response to it. And if you would like to say something you can add it right there!
So let’s get started,
Gloria
First Reader Question: So what makes you think that Trump disliked the people around him?
My Response: Well, take the way he treated his National Security Advisor General H.R. McMaster. Trump had his Chief of Staff, John Kelly, ask Secretary of State Rex Tillerson if he would give the president briefings on the road. Tillerson asked:
‘Wasn’t that the job of the National Security Advisor?”
Kelly replied:
‘He doesn’t want to see McMaster.’
Later, Trump mocked McMaster by puffing up his chest and trying to imitate the general:
‘I’m your national security adviser, General McMaster, sir!”
Later one of McMaster’s aides said:
‘The president doesn’t fire people. He just tortures them until they’re willing to. quit.’
Second Reader Question: Governor Chris Christie (no relation that we admit) and Donald Trump were a bizarre duo. How did they remain friends from the early days until Christie prepped him for the second campaign speeches?
Christie was an early supporter of Trump. He managed to remain an arms distance away throughout the four years of the administration, though. At one point, Trump offered Christie the Chief of Staff position. The former governor turned to one of his advisors Jim Baker who picked up the phone and said before asked:
‘Governor, if you calling me, you’re about to be asked to take the worst f**king job in America.’
In the end, Christie , but he did it in a way Trump could save face. The governor offered to bow out. Then, they stayed in contact. But I’m not sure how Christie felt after an unmasked Trump who promised COVID security gave him the deadly virus. Christie was hospitalized and had a rough time of it.
I think we’ll stop there and see how it looks to you all. Let me know if you want it long, shorter, different, and I’ll update our Political Book Club format.
Next time we can continue with this book or do another one. Let me know what you would prefer. and we’ll go with the majority.
Stay safe, stay well, you & yours!