MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell on Monday outlined several instances where he believes President Donald Trump has lost control, including his handling of the conflict in Iran, legislative efforts in Congress, and recent travel arrangements.
O'Donnell stated that Trump's assertion of control is undermined by current events. He pointed to the war in Iran as an example, asserting that Trump lost control of the situation as soon as it began. The host also suggested that Trump has lost control of the Republican legislative process in Congress, preventing the passage of a bill that would allow interference in elections.
Citing a Marquette University Law School poll, O'Donnell noted that 70% of Republicans disapprove of Trump's economic handling. He argued that Trump recognizes his inability to control his poll numbers or the surrounding events, which he attributes to the president's own "ignorance and incompetence."
Breaking news reported by The Washington Post was also highlighted by O'Donnell as evidence of this loss of control. The report detailed how Trump was secretly moved from Air Force One to a smaller plane while departing Turkey after a NATO summit. According to a U.S. official familiar with the matter who spoke to The Post, this was due to an Iranian assassination threat. The operation reportedly involved using Air Force One as a decoy, with press and White House staffers aboard, occurring the night after the U.S. renewed strikes on Iran following a breakdown in negotiations.
O'Donnell further elaborated on the Turkey incident, noting that Trump was reportedly told he could not fly on a Qatari jet he had illegally accepted as a gift and subsequently could not fly on Air Force One. The report from The Post indicated that numerous individuals were involved in the deception to move him secretly. O'Donnell concluded that Trump had no control over his travel arrangements from the summit, forced to move between planes via a catering truck, further demonstrating a lack of command over the situation.