Each day we descend to new lows, which has been a rule of thumb for the last four years but has become infinitely worse after his election loss. One of the most enduring and compelling symbols of our strength as Americans has always been the presence of the outgoing president, or even just the loser of an open presidency at the inauguration of a president. The country needed the ritual. It said that no matter what comes out in campaigns or no matter how dirty the fight might look, afterward, we are one country going forward together.

Yeah, all that was before Donald Trump who doesn’t seem to want one country. It looks like he will continue to want two, him and his base versus everyone else. Both sides furiously disdaining the other. Remember when Trump once said that if he lost, they’d never see him again? He might be on some island watching the news. (It was a curious statement, almost subconsciously admitting he would escape to someplace “safe.”) We will not be so fortunate. There is money to be made running for president … unless he’s gotta run from something else.

So why not kick off the 2024 campaign as Biden gets inaugurated? Or at least around that time. Some close to him say he’s thinking about it. From the Daily Beast:

Two knowledgeable inside sources have also revealed Trump is going a step further, mulling over the possibility of holding a 2024 campaign-related event the week of Biden’s inauguration if his post-election legal battle ultimately falls flat.

Does anyone doubt he would do it if the scales balanced toward helping him? There is the consideration that it would be too far, even for “some” in his base and he would lose some credibility. But deep down, we think we know that he will simply choose the balance best for him personally, country be damned, as it’s been for four years.

There is a problem in that he might look like such an ass that he angers the big donors, that’s the real issue:

Trump and his campaign advisors are reportedly already seeking out major donors for his next presidential run. Although some donors are not pleased with the president’s antics, and one has even filed a lawsuit against the Trump campaign demanding they return his post-election contribution.

Mega donors with lots of money usually understand “visuals” and can weigh them more objectively than someone like Trump. Oh, and the country may be on its knees in COVID at the time. Vaccinations will not have reached the general public.

But Trump will do what’s best for Trump. It may be best for Trump to divide the country further, troll-up the inauguration, and continue to expose people to COVID.

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Peace, y’all
Jason
[email protected] and on Twitter @JasonMiciak