5 Comments

I'm betting that the desire to avoid prosecutions combined with his colossal ego to spur the announcement.

Expand full comment

Chris, as a former Washington Post copy editor (1976-2008), I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't mention a typo I noticed. In No. 1, it reads: "What better way to executive on that agenda than to be the first person in the presidential race — to say, essentially, who wants to come tangle with me?" I think you meant to say "execute" not "executive." Of course, I honestly don't know how anyone who has to follow Trump as part of their job hasn't fried numerous brain cells. "You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!"--Rudyard Kipling

Expand full comment

.

Piling on

"Trump even seemed to elude to the rigors of running a presidential campaign . . . "

"Allude"

(Btw, thanks for your incisive insights and analysis)

.

Expand full comment

Totally agree with the DOJ / prosecution angle. Was there also a financial / fundraising benefit? Basically, what was the grift angle?

Expand full comment

.

Financial / fundraising considerations were a disincentive to declaring early, not a benefit

As long as Trump was undeclared, he could rake in all the cash he was sent with no oversight, and do with it whatever he wanted

Now that he is a declared candidate, he must adhere to campaign financing laws under the unblinking eye (/s) of the FEC

.

Expand full comment