Trump's response was to blast the PGA and issue a not-so-subtle threat: if he becomes president he'll put a stop to such things:
"Can you believe it? Think of it: They moved the PGA Tour -- moved the World Golf Championship to Mexico City. Not good. . . .He really seems to think that as president he will have the power to order private corporations to do his bidding. Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) quotes Trump as having referred to his upcoming "reign." Here's how TPM's Josh Marshall desceribes his business practices:
"But that's okay, folks. It's all going to be settled. You vote for Donald Trump as president. If I become your president, this stuff is all going to stop."
"There are two things Donald Trump is notorious for in the business world - one is simple bullying as a business tactic, another is cheating people out of money they're owed and then making the 'deal' stick by grinding the counter-parties down with the promise of endless litigation. As Times columnist Joe Nocera puts it, in the business world Trump 'is notorious for refusing to pay full price to contractors and vendors after they’ve completed work for him. And he basically dares the people he has stiffed to sue him, knowing that his deep pockets and bevy of lawyers give him a big advantage over those who feel wronged by him.' Both traits or patterns of behavior are surprisingly good guides to Trump's presidential campaign."
As an example, he's escalating his attack on Judge Curiel, calling on his supporters to continue the attack. Can you believe it? The presumptive nominee of the Republican Party is calling on his supporters to attack a federal judge who is presiding over two cases involving his Trump University scam. He's telling his surrogates to denounce the judge as biased because "he's Mexican."
Further evidence of disarray in the campaign came through a leaked account of a conference call with Trump and his surrogates. They had been sent an order from the campaign not to discuss the Trump U. case or to comment about the judge. Trump was adamant that they should "Take that order and throw it the hell out!" and continue attacking the judge. Former Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ) told him that the campaign needs to "get on the page."
Some senators have been very critical of Trump's statements: Mitch McConnell ("I couldn't disagree more"), Kelly Ayotte ("His comments are offensive and wrong"), Jeff Flake ("very disturbing"), Bob Portman ("Judge Curiel is as American as I am"), Susan Collins ("absolutely unacceptable"). But so far none has retracted their support. Newt Gingrich said the comments about the judge are the "inexcusable . . . his biggest mistake." Trump called Gingrich's remark "inappropriate." Forget about being his VP, Newt.
We may just be seeing the tip of the iceberg that is emerging now that the media has decided Trump's free parade is over. Now that they are examining his business practices, his bankruptcies, his taxes -- and his tantrums when he gets unfavorable coverage.
I think this may result in his withdrawing from the race before the convention. Yesterday, I predicted a 50/50 chance of his withdrawing. I believe that even more firmly today. He said himself, he doesn't like to lose. He's clearly losing badly right now, and I don't believe he can reign himself in. He'll only get worse.
Ralph
PS: I've been wrong 100% of the times I have made a prediction about Donald Trump. So . . .
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