The Once-Shameless President Is Deeply Embarrassed

President Trump, known for his shameless behavior, is now displaying an unexpected vulnerability—the ability to be embarrassed. This newfound weakness has manifested in his anger over recent humiliations, leading him to lash out at anyone he blames for his misfortunes. Two recent incidents have exposed Trump's growing embarrassment: the failure of his luxury golf course renovation project at the Reflecting Pool and the Iranian President's mockery of his negotiations to end the war in the Middle East.

The Reflecting Pool, a National Mall landmark, had long been plagued by leaks and aging infrastructure. Trump decided to remedy the situation by installing a blue swimming-pool liner, nanobubbling system to kill algae, and fencing. However, instead of resolving the issue, these measures caused the pool to turn green, leading to a $16 million waste and closure on Independence Day.

Trump, desperate to salvage his reputation, blamed an Olympic canoer who was arrested for vandalizing the pool. The case was eventually dismissed, but Trump continued to blame the canoer and journalists who reported on the incident, leading to increased legal troubles for the canoer and others involved.

Trump's irritation over Iran's continued mockery of his diplomatic efforts further fueled his embarrassment. He falsely claimed that Iran was obstructing negotiations, leading to the resignation of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who had been handling the case. The president's inability to adapt to his diminishing influence and his unwillingness to own up to his mistakes has left him feeling increasingly irrelevant.

The Reflecting Pool debacle, along with Iran's relentless criticism, has provided ample ammunition for Trump to vent his frustration and target those he perceives as responsible for his humiliation.