The Least Transparent President in History?

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Will Edwards — No Comments ↓

The above video is President Obama’s humorous response to an allegation made by Donald Trump, some time ago, that he probably had not been born in the USA. When I watched it, I thought it was wonderful to see a man is his position able to poke a bit of fun at current events.

It is a great speech. But it seems that it did not amuse Donald Trump who continues to press the matter. Just yesterday, he announced that that he would be prepared to donate $5m to a charity of Obama’s choosing if the president handed over his “college records and applications, and passport application and records”.

On the Tonight Show, on Wednesday evening, Jay Leno asked the president,

“What’s this thing with Trump and you? What’s he got against you?”

The president replied,

“This all dates back to when we were growing up in Kenya. We had constant run-ins on the soccer field. You know he wasn’t very good … and resented it. When we finally moved to America I thought it would be over.”

Again, a quite brilliant repost.

Narturally, this is making news right now and today, I came across a recorded interview between Michael Cohen, executive vice president at the Trump Organization and Adam Gabbatt of The Guardian. In it, the reporter asked if it would be possible to get a copy of Donald Trump’s college and passport records.

“I tell you what,” said Cohen “he’ll provide them to you when you provide yours to him.”

The Guardian reporter agreed to provide his details. But then the exchange began to get a little more heated.

“I think what you’re doing is you’re … whether you’re trying to be funny, intentionally or not, actually it’s a stupid request on your behalf. It’s trying to poke fun at the fact that the president of the United States is the least transparent president that we’ve ever had. He may be the least transparent politician we’ve ever come across.”

You can listen to the full interview here. Believe me, it is well worth it.

Following the president’s speech, the best response would have been to summon up the strength of character to laugh along with the rest of us - it takes real character to be able to laugh at yourself. The Trump camp should have heeded the president’s advice and let the matter drop.

But something tells me that we have not yet heard the last word. I suspect that Donald Trump does not take very kindly to being made to look so foolish in front of so many powerful people. So I am sure that this story is set to run and run.

My advice to Donald Trump is that when you are in a hole, the smart thing to do is stop digging!

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