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Seriously, How Dumb is Trump?

For more than a year now, I’ve been hearing from people in the inner circles of official Washington – GOP lobbyists, Republican pundits, even a few Republican members of Congress – that Donald Trump is remarkably stupid.

I figured they couldn’t be right because really stupid people don’t become presidents of the United States. Even George W. Bush was smart enough to hire smart people to run his campaign and then his White House. 

Several months back when Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called Trump a “f—king moron,” I discounted it. I know firsthand how frustrating it can be to serve in a president’s cabinet, and I’ve heard members of other president’s cabinets describe their bosses in similar terms. 

Now comes “Fire and Fury,” a book by journalist Michael Wolff, who interviewed more than 200 people who dealt with Trump as a candidate and president, including senior White House staff members.

In it, National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster calls Trump a “dope.” Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and former Chief of Staff Reince Priebus both refer to him as an “idiot.” Rupert Murdoch says Trump is a “f—king idiot.”

Trump’s chief economic adviser Gary Cohn describes Trump as “dumb as sh-t,” explaining that “Trump won’t read anything — not one-page memos, not the brief policy papers; nothing. He gets up halfway through meetings with world leaders because he is bored.”

When one of Trump’s campaign aides tried to educate him about the Constitution, Trump couldn’t focus. “I got as far as the Fourth Amendment,” the aide recalled, "before his finger is pulling down on his lip and his eyes are rolling back in his head.”

Trump doesn’t think he’s stupid. “Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart,” he tweeted last Saturday. As he earlier recounted, “I went to an Ivy League college … I did very well. I’m a very intelligent person.” 

Trump wasn’t exactly an academic star. One of his professors at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and Finance purportedly said that he was “the dumbest goddamn student I ever had.” 

Trump biographer Gwenda Blair wrote in 2001 that Trump was admitted to Wharton on a special favor from a “friendly” admissions officer who had known Trump’s older brother. 

But hold on. It would be dangerous to underestimate this man. 

Even if Trump doesn’t read, can’t follow a logical argument, and has the attention span of a fruit fly, it still doesn’t follow that he’s stupid.

There’s another form of intelligence, called “emotional intelligence.” 

Emotional intelligence is a concept developed by two psychologists, John Mayer of the University of New Hampshire, and Yale’s Peter Salovey, and it was popularized by Dan Goleman in his 1996 book of the same name.

Mayer and Salovey define emotional intelligence as the ability to do two things – “understand and manage our own emotions,” and “recognize and influence the emotions of others.”

Granted, Trump hasn’t displayed much capacity for the first. He’s thin-skinned, narcissistic, and vindictive. As dozens of Republican foreign policy experts put it, “he is unable or unwilling to separate truth from falsehood. He does not encourage conflicting views. He lacks self-control and acts impetuously. He cannot tolerate criticism." 

Okay, but what about Mayer and Salovey’s second aspect of emotional intelligence – influencing the emotions of others? 

This is where Trump shines. He knows how to manipulate people. He has an uncanny ability to discover their emotional vulnerabilities – their fears, anxieties, prejudices, and darkest desires – and use them for his own purposes.

To put it another way, Trump is an extraordinarily talented conman.

He’s always been a conman. He conned hundreds of young people and their parents into paying to attend his near worthless Trump University. He conned banks into lending him more money even after he repeatedly failed to pay them. He conned contractors to work for them and then stiffed them.

Granted, during he hasn’t always been a great conman. Had he been, his cons would have paid off. 

By his own account, in 1976, when Trump was starting his career, he was worth about $200 million, much of it from his father. Today he says he’s worth some $8 billion. If he’d just put the original $200 million into an index fund and reinvested the dividends, he’d be worth $12 billion today.

But he’s been a great political conman. He conned 62,979,879 Americans to vote for him in November 2016 by getting them to believe his lies about Mexicans, Muslims, African-Americans, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and all the “wonderful,” “beautiful” things he’d do for the people who’d support him.

And he’s still conning many of them.

Political conning is Trump’s genius. This genius – combined with his utter stupidity in every other dimension of his being – poses a clear and present danger to America and the world. 

The 25th Amendment must be invoked before it’s too late. 

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“Don't talk to me about rules, dear. Wherever I stay I make the goddam rules.” - Maria Callas ___________ #leicester #england #uk #europe ___________ #tamatangaleicester #tamatanga #restaurant #sunday #art #streetart #wallart #architecture #decor #architecturedesign #photooftheday #picoftheday #instagram #instagood #instadaily #instamood #beautifuldestinations #greatfood #interiordesign #decoration #quotes #mariacallas by #seifnn (at tamatanga) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzouECSHHeo/?igshid=drb0qfkwt3fe

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Impressive facade of the Abode at London Road, the building is a Student dormitory. ____________ #leicester #england #uk #europe ____________ #dmu #dmupotw #building #leicesterarchitecture #architecture #architecturephotography #archilovers #architecturedaily #architecturelovers #insta #instagram #instatrip #instadaily #instagood #instapic #photooftheday #picoftheday #engineering by #beautifuldestinations #seifnn (at ABode Chester) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzZHUeNndv7/?igshid=5psw9ixq7red

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Everyday a get more fascinated about our little amazing city. __________ #leicester #england #uk #europe __________ #dmu #dmupotw #oldcity #architecture #architecturephotography #archilovers #architectural #architecturedaily #architecturedesign #instagram #instadaily #instagood #city #thisisleicester #buildings #myleicester #beautifuldestinations #photooftheday #picoftheday #instapic by #seifnn (at Leicester, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzO6vkqHqG6/?igshid=osji8o529crm

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Normanton Church aka St Matthew’s Church is the county of Rutland’s most famous landmark. Brief architectural history: St Matthew's Church is a Grade II listed building, built in classical style. The tower and the western portico were built by Thomas Cundy Jr between 1826 and 1829, based on the design of St John's, Smith Square in Westminster, while the nave and apse were constructed in 1911, by J. B. Gridley of London. The Church was to have been demolished as part of the reservoir construction, as its floor was below the proposed water level. Following a public outcry, the lower half was filled with stone and rubble, and a concrete cap constructed just below the level of the windows. An embankment was built around the church leaving it a prominent feature on the water's edge. __________ #rutland #leicestershire #england #uk #europe __________ #normantonchurch #rutlandwater #architecture #classic #nature #blackandwhitephotography #beautifuldestinations #archdaily #architecturephotography #archilovers #dmu #water #instagram #instagood #instapic #instadaily #photooftheday #picoftheday by #seifnn (at Normanton Church) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzEczJ4HvIt/?igshid=hvo5lrg3nx2c

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When you have nothing to do: design. When you walk on the streets: imagine Arch. When you are bored: research Architecture. When you chat with friends: Technical details. When you travel: Gaudi’s work When you start to love nature: Think Sustainable Design. ARCHITECTURE IS LIFE ____________ #leicester #england #uk #europe ____________ #architecturephotography #architecture #archi_students #architecture_lovers #architecturedaily #architecture_hunter #architecturelife #design #architecturestudent #sustainability #arch #instagood #instaarchitecture #dailylife #instamood #instalike #instagram #instadaily #addicted #photooftheday #photo #picoftheday by #seifnn (at Leicester, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Byc9xM4HD02/?igshid=1g324x0sehd0

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The Japanese garden, one of the most unusual features of Abbey Park. Constructed in 1900. —————— #leicester #england #uk #world —————— #japan #photography #photooftheday #thisisleicester #abbeypark #leicestershire #architecturestudent #architecture #park #orientalarchitecture #culture #instagram #instagood #instamood #instadaily #dmu #nature #beautifuldestinations #travel #visit by #seifnn (at Abbey Park, Leicester) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByBwjK5n3Ow/?igshid=1m24xls5hyukh

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“In the big picture, architecture is the art and science of making sure that our cities and buildings fit with the way we want to live our lives.” - Bjarke Ingels ___________ #leicester #england #uk #europe ___________ #architecture #architecturephotography #archilovers #archi_students #architectural #archidaily #archdaily #building #city #motivation #thisisleicester #dmu #instagram #instadaily #instagood #instamood #instapic #photooftheday #picoftheday #photography #photo #quotes #archiquotes #beautifuldestinations #minimalism #art #leicestershire by #seifnn (at Leicester, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxyQXmznism/?igshid=17qi4b39mxe3f

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“I don't think that architecture is only about shelter, is only about a very simple enclosure. It should be able to excite you, to calm you, to make you think”. - Zaha Hadid __________ #leicester #england #uk #europe __________ #architecture #brutalism #architecturephotography #architecturestudent #architectural #architecturedaily #architecture_hunter #archilovers #building #thisisleicester #dmu #photography #photooftheday #picoftheday #instagram #instagood #instadaily #instamood #instalike #beautifuldestinations #leicesterarchitecture #quotes #city by #seifnn (at Leicester, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxgRM0CnSY8/?igshid=1wr6mchlnczuf

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“Architecture is a art when one consciously or unconsciously creates aesthetic emotion in the atmosphere and when this environment produces well being.” - Luis Barragan 📷 Pegasus House building ______________ #leicester #england #uk #europe ______________ #architecture #architecturephotography #architecture_hunter #architecturedaily #architecturestudent #architectural #architektur #building #blackandwhite #city #photooftheday #picoftheday #instadaily #instagood #instalike #instamood #instaarchitecture #dmu #myleicester #photography #photo #design by #seifnn (at Leicester, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxW_c1pBHCx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1r1hifphxw5xh

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”Together let us desire, conceive, and create the new structure of the future, which will embrace architecture and sculpture and painting in one unity and which will one day rise toward Heaven from the hands of a million workers like the crystal symbol of a new faith.” Walter Gropius Giant emerging __________ #leicester #england #uk #europe __________ #building #homesweethome #instadaily #instalike #instagood #instamood #instapic #architecture #architecturephotography #architectural #architecturestudent #architecturedaily #architecturelovers #archilovers #city #contrast #beautifuldestinations #photooftheday #picoftheday #skyscraper #emergingartist #dmu by #seifnn (at Leicester, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxTlcMihSqZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16upcae26ww3e

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The Rowans former Collegiate House   Is Grade II Listed Building, built in 1835-6 by J.G. Weightman.   The envelope: Built of white brick with stone dressings, the facade is in perpendicular style with a five-light four-centred arch window, a niche on each side, and above a circular clerestory window have multifoil cusps in gable end with moulded coping and pinnacles and last the tie-beams supported by king-posts terminating in decorative bosses.   Architectural style: Tudor-Gothic ____________ #leicester #england #uk #europe ____________ #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturestudent #architecturedaily #architectural #archilovers #archilife #building #gothic #trees #instagram #instalike #instagood #instadaily #photooftheday #picoftheday #travel #beautifuldestinations #leicestermercury #thisisleicester #dmu #therowans by #seifnn (at Leicester, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwnh-ArH7zz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1jay1kkl2orx2

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F A C T S // A little Earth day humor for ya... But seriously though, this quote is fact 💯. HAPPY EARTH DAY... ____________ #leicester #england #uk #europe #earth ____________ #greenarchitecture #architecture #architecturestudent #trees #earthday #earthday2019 #happyearthday #biomimicry #nature #instadaily #instagood #instamood #instalike #instaearth #beautifuldestinations #travel #naturephotography #green #photooftheday #picoftheday #respect #facts by #seifnn (at Leicester, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwkPeZJndpQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fp6yg286fsz8

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“No house should ever be ON a hill or ON anything. It should be OF the hill. Belonging to it. Hill and house should live together each the happier for the other.” - Frank Lloyd Wright ____________ #meltonmowbray #leicestershire #england #uk #europe _______________ #architecture #architecturestudent #architecturedaily #architectural #architecture_minimal #architectures #archilovers #design #minimalism #houseinthehills #twinlakes #instagood #instagram #instamood #instalike #instadaily #iphonephotography #photooftheday #instapic #quotes #franklloydwright #photography #pinkhouse #hill by #seifnn (at Twinlakes Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwf3uCnHhF-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5d7uq2dqm2sc

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Corridor to the rooms - Hotel Kasbah Itrane Agdz. How explendid is the Islamic architecture! ________________ #agdz #zagora #morocco #africa ________________ #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturestudent #architectural #architektur #architecture_hunter #architecturedaily #architectureporn #architecturelovers #architect #instagram #instadaily #instagood #instalike #instapic #iphonephotography #photography #photooftheday #travel #beautifuldestinations #bestoftheday #trip #islamicarchitecture by #seifnn (at Ksar Agdz, Ouarzazate, Morocco) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwIz2wxH6UA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=103pixo9d7wlp

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Brutalismin Architecture VS nature hands. _____________ #leicester #england #uk #europe _____________ #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturedaily #architecture_hunter #architectural #architecturelovers #archilovers #tree #brutalism #brutalistarchitecture #instagram #instagood #instadaily #instalike #picoftheday #photooftheday #dmu #building #travel #photography #unknown #iphonephotography by #seifnn #nature #climatechange (at Leicester, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwGHDbcnVnZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hx5pm4mss63u

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The (known) history of St Martin’s Square. Is located in the middle of Leicester city, the site of St Martin’s Square has seen it all. Romans, Saxons, Normans, Tudors, Edwardian, Victorians have all made their mark on the area and make it difficult for historians to tell exactly what has happened here. ____________ #leicester #england #uk #europe ____________ #stmartinssquare #medieval #architecture #architecturephotography #citycenter #architecturestudent #architecturedaily #entrance #gate #leicestercitycouncil #dmu #art #design #instadaily #instalike #instagood #photooftheday #picoftheday #travel #beautifuldestinations #artnouveau #iphonephotography #thisisleicester by #seifnn (at St Martin's Square) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwB9LW9nTaT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1gu6yhf3v5t4z