WASHINGTON — By his own account, President Trump never met a political or business rival or problem he couldn’t sweet-talk or club into submission with tariffs, threats or tweets.
But the new coronavirus outbreak that has killed 11 Americans so far, unleashed panic in communities and financial markets, led to emergencies in California and two other states, and ultimately could threaten Trump’s reelection bid, has posed a unique challenge to the president’s credibility and his administration’s managerial competence.
“A virus is not to be dominated. A virus is not somebody you get into a room and beat up on,” said Gwenda Blair, a Trump biographer who has studied his mindset for decades.
THE VOID BETWIXT THE WISPS OF HAIR (March 7)
I met with the virus, he’s a really great guy
despite what you may have heard.
It’s not exactly that we fell in love.
(Even I know that is absurd.)
I know, as a virus, he can’t send me letters,
but I bet if he could they’d be bew-t-ful
and that he’d agree to cease all activity
with words both soothing and dutiful
to a guy like me who he admires
and, in so many ways, would admit he aspires
to be his best friend since I, too, am a virus.