The following article by Peter Baker was posted on the New York Times website October 1, 2017:
WASHINGTON — President Trump flew by helicopter Sunday afternoon to Jersey City to watch the Presidents Cup golf tournament, where he presented the trophy to the winner. In Mr. Trump’s mind, that is something he knows about: winning. In fact, he would argue, he was winning all weekend.
Never mind that opponents, independent analysts and even some of his own advisers winced at his latest outbursts. Whether it was blasting the mayor of San Juan, P.R., or excoriating kneeling football players or undercutting his own secretary of state, Mr. Trump was convinced that he was putting points on the board, according to those close to him.
His view of politics is unlike that of any president in modern times. Where other occupants of the Oval Office might go out of their way to avoid public fights with hurricane victims, popular athletes or members of their own team, Mr. Trump relishes them. He thinks they make him look strong. His base cheers him on. If the Twitter blasts leave collateral damage or inflame racial tensions or alienate his cabinet, those are trade-offs the president is willing to make in the quest to appear tough. Continue reading “Trump Takes On All Comers, Believing Himself the Victor”