Trump Remains Angry and Isolated

Wall Street Journal: “In past moments of crisis, the president has often spent hours on the phone, calling dozens of friends and advisers to get their take. That wasn’t the case on Wednesday and Thursday, aides said, as several of the president’s closest advisers publicly condemned his response to the riots. He also has rebuffed calls from advisers including former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has said he spent 25 minutes on Wednesday trying to reach the president to urge him to call for the violence to stop.”

“Advisers said the president remains consumed with anger toward Vice President Mike Pence over what he saw as a betrayal for refusing to try to block the congressional certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s election victory. Several White House officials steered clear of the Oval Office on Thursday, wanting to avoid a president described by one adviser as ‘in a dark place.’ Advisers said the president appears more consumed with his election loss than remorseful for the riot.”

Said one adviser: “It’s like watching someone self-destruct in front of your very eyes, and you can’t do anything.”