Catherine Rampell gives her take on Donald Trump's latest attempt to claim credit for Walmart's routine discounts, treating a standard retail promotion like a White House policy victory.
Honestly, I have seen multiple politicians take credit for companies' plans to build a new facility in their districts, or for Government investments into infrastructure in their districts even as those same politicians had voted against the piece of legislation that was responsible for bringing the necessary funding for that infrastructure improvement.
I worked for a Federal agency, and working with the politicians was often frustrating because they frequently took credit for successes that had absolutely nothing to do with them. But they have to tout successes to convince the local voters to reelect them to office, even when their actual list of successes was probably not all that impressive.
Now, some politicians can claim truthfully that they have had a hand in a particular success of a local business or for helping bring some Government pork to their districts. It just annoys me when people claim a success that they didn't actually achieve, which happens more broadly in the work world as well. There is rarely verification and confirmation of the claims either. People just lie because they get away with it and they are rewarded for it.
Trump is just especially egregious at taking credit for other people's hard work. We see that all the time. The man is pathological. His picture should be in the dictionary when you look up the word narcissist. He thinks that he is the moon, the sun, the earth, the stars, and that the entire world is somehow about him. It is startling to witness the level of pathological narcissism displayed every day by that man. Whose brain is wired that way? Well, obviously Trump's is.
This week I am in Indiana preparing for my father's funeral. I'm staying with my cousin while I'm here. Yesterday, her husband told me Trump's version of this story, which I'm sure he heard from Fox News. Thanks to Catherine for telling the rest of the story.
Wow! How low can this President go? Shilling for Walmart!! He sold Teslas on the White House lawn. And now there is endless branding of the White House events. It’s truly stomach turning. Our country currently has no values other than money. So degrading.
He has to take credit for all these things because he has done nothing that deserves credit - only things that deserve blame. Also, has someone finally explained to him what the word “groceries” means 🙄😂?
The counterpart to this kind of unilaterally determined joint marketing venture between the executive branch and private business is when RFK bemoans food dyes or seed oils or some such, and the company introduces a new line free of dies, or deep-fried in lard (manly! "natural!"), or slathered in goat colostrum.
No new regs, no systemic improvement, no real effort at all; just reflexive self-promotion.
Yes!!! Thank you for finally making me realize part of what I absolutely adore about Catherine besides her economic knowledge, she reminds me so much of Midge Maisel! (Definitely a compliment)!
Hey Catherine! Could you do quick video like this on the new Freedom Fuel stations opening in PA. It is said they are "Trump backed", but it is unclear exactly what that means....
Only a matter of time until this situation morphs into “if you send me anything I want from your company for free in perpetuity, I’ll show your sale ad to my dad”
Honestly, I have seen multiple politicians take credit for companies' plans to build a new facility in their districts, or for Government investments into infrastructure in their districts even as those same politicians had voted against the piece of legislation that was responsible for bringing the necessary funding for that infrastructure improvement.
I worked for a Federal agency, and working with the politicians was often frustrating because they frequently took credit for successes that had absolutely nothing to do with them. But they have to tout successes to convince the local voters to reelect them to office, even when their actual list of successes was probably not all that impressive.
Now, some politicians can claim truthfully that they have had a hand in a particular success of a local business or for helping bring some Government pork to their districts. It just annoys me when people claim a success that they didn't actually achieve, which happens more broadly in the work world as well. There is rarely verification and confirmation of the claims either. People just lie because they get away with it and they are rewarded for it.
Trump is just especially egregious at taking credit for other people's hard work. We see that all the time. The man is pathological. His picture should be in the dictionary when you look up the word narcissist. He thinks that he is the moon, the sun, the earth, the stars, and that the entire world is somehow about him. It is startling to witness the level of pathological narcissism displayed every day by that man. Whose brain is wired that way? Well, obviously Trump's is.
This week I am in Indiana preparing for my father's funeral. I'm staying with my cousin while I'm here. Yesterday, her husband told me Trump's version of this story, which I'm sure he heard from Fox News. Thanks to Catherine for telling the rest of the story.
Love Ms. Rampell!
Watching you on MSNOW- you are killing it !!!!!
Wow! How low can this President go? Shilling for Walmart!! He sold Teslas on the White House lawn. And now there is endless branding of the White House events. It’s truly stomach turning. Our country currently has no values other than money. So degrading.
Great take!!
Carnie Don
What a fucking idiot.
Probably dropping price on the fake ground beef.
President Trump could be an authoritative promoter for Alzheimer medication sales.
Really? Cuz they obviously aren’t working!! 🙄
We really are living in the stupidest timeline!
He has to take credit for all these things because he has done nothing that deserves credit - only things that deserve blame. Also, has someone finally explained to him what the word “groceries” means 🙄😂?
The counterpart to this kind of unilaterally determined joint marketing venture between the executive branch and private business is when RFK bemoans food dyes or seed oils or some such, and the company introduces a new line free of dies, or deep-fried in lard (manly! "natural!"), or slathered in goat colostrum.
No new regs, no systemic improvement, no real effort at all; just reflexive self-promotion.
Well done Catherine! Reminds me of how Midge Maisel would have told the story (that's a compliment, by the way).
Yes!!! Thank you for finally making me realize part of what I absolutely adore about Catherine besides her economic knowledge, she reminds me so much of Midge Maisel! (Definitely a compliment)!
Hey Catherine! Could you do quick video like this on the new Freedom Fuel stations opening in PA. It is said they are "Trump backed", but it is unclear exactly what that means....
Only a matter of time until this situation morphs into “if you send me anything I want from your company for free in perpetuity, I’ll show your sale ad to my dad”