I Took a Bullet For You

The former game show host could have handled the situation with dignity and honesty. He could have said, "Fortunately, I was not seriously hurt, but just received a small cut from flying debris. The real tragedy is that innocent bystanders were hurt, and one was killed." If he wanted to thank God in that context, he still could do so. If he wanted to brag (he always wants to brag about something), he could brag about going right out there and making more speeches despite the attempt on his life.

He didn't need to boast that he "took a bullet," something he obviously did not do. He would still have had just as many slavishly devoted cult members worshipping the famous photo, still would have gotten the same collection of retirees and unemployed carnies to attend his rallies.

But trump couldn't resist trying to make himself into a martyr, couldn't resist trying to make the story even bigger than it already was. He lies when he doesn't have to. He needs everything to be all about him all the time, and even when something is mostly about him, he has to make sure he crowds everyone else out, has to squeeze out every last drop.

Supposedly, this was going to make him a "changed man," but there is no change. The ego, the lies, the crazy stories, the ego, the ego, the ego -- it's all exactly the same. Supposedly, this was leading to a call for unity, but that never happened. The speeches are still full of the same us-vs-them mentality, the same old blame, insults, and ego, ego, ego.