As president, you want to be clear in your phrasing and words. People should be able to easily distinguish between a serious statement and a joke. A misunderstood comment from the president can endanger lives, and even cause wars.
The White House said today that at a speech Friday - when Trump encouraged police officers to rough-handle people they had arrested - it was "believed" to be a joke.
First, the officers didn't laugh at the statement, as if it were a joke. Some applauded and cheered, as if they agreed with it as a serious statement. If it were a joke, it was an angry one. The least the White House could have done was to say "we believe it was a very CRAPPY attempt at a heinous joke."
Second, Trump made no attempt to correct his error. He let it stand as a serious comment, at that time and all through the weekend.
Third, the White House let this joke mis-interpretation -- that police should rough people up and bang their heads against police cars -- waddle out across the country for three full days, seeing no urgent need to correct the record. In those three days, thousands of arrests were made across America, putting at risk countless people who, of course, are innocent until proven guilty.
This White House correction delay also sent a message to law enforcement that the proper handling of suspects is not a priority to Trump, and bruises are acceptable. The DC staff could not even say IT WAS a joke, only that it was BELIEVED to be a joke. This allows more room for fractured bones and eyeballs out of socket.
Finally, Trump and the White House should receive no more "get-out-of-jail-free-cards" by claiming that a cruel statement Donald makes, after the fact, is a "joke."
His campaign said the Trump comment about "second amendment folks" taking care of Hillary was "just a joke."
And the campaign said the same when Trump was recorded saying he often sexually assaults women. Again, a mere joke.
Frankly, they have used that excuse enough. Instead of continuing to have to explain to the disbelieving American public what humor is, and what it is not, maybe White House staff would do better to offer a Toastmasters class to Trump on do's and dont's of presidential language.
Or even on the difference between Thuggery and Comedy.
From here on out, Trump should clearly say what he means and mean what he says. Don't leave any room for error or poor mop-up jobs from the press office.
Although I know he won't. And the White House staff will continue to cover for his mobster mentality and his authoritarian outbursts.
But it's an important, Honest
Abe-type standard we will continue to uphold, and wave, right in the faces of these lying, deceiving scoundrels. Clearly say what you mean, the first time.
We just refuse to stand quietly by while pretty pink bows are wrapped around what actually appear to be red hot threats and intimidations.