Journalism 101 teaches to insure that the “who”, “what”, “when”, and “where” is included in every lead of a story. Optional, but also important, is the “how” and the “why.” Getting the first four “w’s” in is relatively easy. Figuring out the how and the why is harder as it sometimes requires some interpretation.
Take late last week as an example. In a span of 48 hours on Thursday and Friday (when) President Trump (who) castigated (what) Fed Chairman Powell (who)
on Twitter (where) of not being aggressive enough with rate cuts and economic commentary. He barely took a breath, then he ORDERED American companies importing manufactured goods and the like from China (he pronounces it as CHII Nah) to find a way to bring the manufacturing back to the U.S. By mid Friday morning he announced further tariffs(import taxes) almost across the board on goods coming from across the Pacific from said China.
The result of his actions and words seems, at the outset, that Powell said nothing, American companies did nothing not already planned, and China said “we’ll see your bet, and raise you one or five.” The other result is again, at least for a day, the American stock market and those still open abroad, tumbled hard.
We think his political base added the to the story by questioning “how” he did this?
How he swung three times seemed almost petulant, petulant like a child that is. In the Trump Tower when you hold the decisions as to who gets massive building contracts and what your expectations are and when they get paid is one thing. When you ORDER (we use all caps because he did in the Tweet) American companies around you cross way too far into government attempted control on free enterprise at a minimum. At the maximum you sound like a second grader who doesn’t get his way on the playground. Plus, it’s the exact opposite of the many government regulations that he has pulled back to free businesses up.
In the tariff tiff he seems to think that he can bully China like he bullied Mexico. Maybe. Maybe not. It seems to have not worked so far.
The Powell undressing is tired. Take the repeated rants indoors already. You hired him Mr. President.
We think even his political base questioned “why” as well.
Why did he do all of the above? Well, we admit that every time he seems to have face planted off a newly built tower he actually has packed a parachute and landed just fine, and ready to fight for the American people for another cause on another day.
And, just this AM he is tweeting that China is ready to come to the table. Maybe Powell will cut again and again and sooner. And, maybe more American companies will build or rebuild factories here.
But, when how Americans feel about their investments (401k, education, house) turns south, they stay home if they voted for you prior, and turn out if they voted against you prior. The very recession talk (at this point talk) that you are trying to squash becomes self fulfilling.
The tightrope that is being walked is high, higher than most Trump Towers built. The fall would be unpleasant for all. How you walk across, and why you walk across matters greatly in the next 15 months.
On Thursday you anointed yourself as “The Chosen One” to combat the decades long China advantage in import and export tariffs. China seems to have chosen too. Their choice looks like they want to see if “The Chosen One” is chosen again in November of 2020.
A small fracture in the Trump base and someone else will need to “Keep America Great.” Perhaps there will be another “Chosen One?” Although that seems as cloudy as the smoke created from last week’s outbursts. The lead candidate against Trump was in New Hampshire, was asked about New Hampshire, and sung the praises of Delaware.
It’s another week. Can the American political leaders gaffe meter possibly keep up?