Why did Trump suddenly flee the White House Christmas Tree lighting – and ditch the press pool?
Notwithstanding the already irregular and erratic conduct of the White House under the “leadership” of former reality TV show host Donald J. Trump, this is way over the top.
We start with two telling tweets, posted minutes after the scheduled lighting of the White House Christmas tree — first from Pace Lattin…
I’ve a dozen people telling me Trump just left the lighting early after having what seemed to be almost a panic attack after going on his phone
Anyone have a video?
— Pesach Lattin ✡️ (@pacelattin) November 29, 2018
… and second from Bloomberg’s Justin Sink.
president’s motorcade left the press at the christmas tree lighting. white house aides refusing to explain what happened.
— Justin Sink (@justinsink) November 28, 2018
That’s kind of a “BFD”, as Joe Biden would say, as the small traveling press pool exists to document the President’s official duties, including actions in time of emergency. A few minutes later, AP’s Zeke Miller tweeted
Pool has been returned to the White House where there is now a travel/photo lid.
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) November 28, 2018
McClatchy’s Anita Kumar points out
Obviously this is not about our comfort, but I will note that there is a hypothermia alert in Washington tonight and the pool had already been sitting outside for well over an hour. https://t.co/vHKe4z5duF
— Anita Kumar (@anitakumar01) November 29, 2018
VOA’s Steve Herman adds
The @WhiteHouse staff works in concert with @SecretService to ensure the pool is always in the @POTUS motorcade. Poolers serve as the eyes and ears for the rest of the media. Usually it goes without a hitch, but something went amiss this evening and we’ve had no explanation.
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) November 29, 2018
It would not be beyond the realm of possibility that something big is about to happen, and it may well involve special counsel Robert Mueller.
This story from The Atlantic is now making waves — and Trump’s woes even more intense.
UPDATE > We bet that this is what triggered Trump on Wednesday night.