18 September 2020

Exiles

Yesterday, several prominent members of the Trump administration went public to announce that they would not vote for Donald Trump in November but, instead, for his Democratic challenger Joe Biden (details here). The pair join other senior Trump administration officials who left and now are campaigning on Biden's behalf.

One of those officials who went public yesterday, Olivia Troye, specifically worked in Trump's White House on the coronavirus task force and frequently witnessed Trump's behavior first-hand in meetings. She's the first Trump White House official who worked extensively on coronavirus to speak out strongly against Trump and his handling of the crisis.

Troye cut an advertisement for "Republican Voters Against Trump" that's very powerful (link here). She's not a polished public speaker but the raw emotion in her voice, particularly towards the end, makes it quite moving.

The always excellent Susan Glasser published an interesting short profile and interview yesterday of Troye that's well worth reading (link here). An excerpt:

Troye "had seen Trump rant in private about Fox News coverage as his public-health advisers desperately tried to get him to focus on a disease that has now killed some two hundred thousand Americans. She had decided that Trump was lying to the American public about the disease, and that 'words matter, especially when you’re the President of the United States,' and that it was time to speak out.... For him, it was all about the election. He just can’t seem to care about anyone else besides himself."

One anecdote Troye shared is particularly telling. During one of the White House coronavirus task force meetings, Trump mused about how the pandemic might be a good thing "because he would no longer have to shake hands with all the 'disgusting people' at his rallies and other public events."

It's always about Trump. And only about Trump. If you're suffering or dying, he could care less about you.

This nightmare can end if everyone votes on November third. To register to vote or to check your registration status, click here.

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