What did Donald Trump do today?

He pretended he already has the fascist powers he wants.

This morning, Trump—or someone posting as though they were him—threatened to have the FCC inflict "rebuke or punishment" on Meet the Press host Kristen Welker. Her offense, according to Trump, was pointing out that Trump had had "mixed results" in endorsing candidates.

The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States specifically bars Trump or any other government official from trying to "punish" journalists, or anyone else, merely because they said something he interprets as criticism.

 

That said, Welker's observation is factually true. Trump is extremely sensitive about his ability to "win" primary elections with his endorsements. He's made a habit of "endorsing" candidates who are running unopposed or with no serious challenger to run up his score. And when his chosen candidate loses, Trump has a habit of attacking them for making him look bad, as he did recently with his "friend" Cory Mills.

He's so fixated on this that he once endorsed "Eric" in the 2022 Missouri Senate primary. (Eric Schmitt defeated Eric Greitens in that race; Trump never specified a last name until the election was safely over.)

But with Trump's brand absolutely toxic after 18 months back in office, more and more Republicans are willing to challenge him—and some who do are winning their primaries. Ten candidates for Congress or statewide office that he's endorsed so far have lost in the primaries. That's as many as in the last three election cycles combined.

Why does this matter?

• "Rebuke or punishment" for criticizing the leader only happens in dictatorships. 

• Making up things to throw tantrums about isn't a sign of great cognitive health.