#NotMyPresident Donald Trump has again shown just how little concern he has for others’ well-being, telling TIME magazine that the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is “very sad.”
According to TIME, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insists on waiting for the Saudis to finish and publicize a full investigation before the U.S. decides “how or if” to respond. In addition to Pompeo’s hesitance to intervene, Trump has emphasized the need for caution due to the multi-billion-dollar weapons deal between Saudi Arabia and the U.S.
“I don’t like the concept of stopping an investment of $110 billion into the United States,” Trump said, according to Newsweek.
However, Newsweek says this figure isn’t correct, as it includes payment for weapons that Saudi Arabia hasn’t yet signed any contracts for. Since Trump declared the $110 billion “landmark deal” in 2017, only $4 billion worth of deals have been announced, and many of them won’t be completed any time soon.
Clearly, Trump only cares about due process when it benefits him, like when he’s trying to prove that his Supreme Court nominee didn’t assault someone. After all, we still haven’t forgotten the full-page ads he took out demanding the death penalty for the innocent and later-exonerated Central Park Five.
But particularly telling, after this response (or lacktherof) is Trump's record for appearing to make light of (if not support) violence against journalists (particularly those who print stories he doesn't like.)
Shortly after pushing for patience with Saudi Arabia, Trump praised Montana Congressman Greg Gianforte for body slamming a reporter last year, the BBC reports.
At a rally in Gianforte’s home state, Trump joked “By the way, never wrestle him,” after the congressman introduced him.
“Any guy that can do a body slam, he’s my guy,” Trump added as the crowd cheered. To the crowd’s delight, he even mimicked the infamous move.
Trump displays a worrying lack of empathy, not only for the press, but for anyone who doesn’t fit his description of a good, upstanding citizen. This is a dangerous trait in anyone, but especially in a man whose position of power allows him to make decisions that impact millions of people. Now, more than ever, we’ve got to band together and choose compassion, since apparently the president won’t.
